Finances vs Actual Budget

Updated 14 September 2026 · Actual Budget prices as advertised in September 2026

Actual Budget is a free, open-source, local-first budgeting app you can self-host. Finances is a native Mac app with the same local-first philosophy, but focused on transaction analysis, bank sync and encryption rather than envelope budgeting.

Download Finances free 30-day trial. macOS. No sign-up.

Finances vs Actual Budget at a glance

Feature	Finances	Actual Budget
Platform	✓ Native macOS desktop app	✓ Desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux), browser, self-hosted server
Where your data lives	✓ On your Mac, in an encrypted SQLite database	✓ Local, optional self-hosted sync server
Price	✓ One-time 1.x licence, or a monthly subscription	✓ Free and open source
Free trial	✓ 30 days, no sign-up	✓ Free forever
Bank sync	✓ Australian banks via Redbark (CDR), Up Bank direct, US banks via Plaid, AMEX	~ SimpleFIN (US/CA, $1.50/month), GoCardless (EU), Pluggy (BR)
File import	✓ CSV, OFX/QFX and JSON with auto-detected columns	✓ CSV, OFX, QFX, QIF
Views and charts	✓ List, bar, pie, Sankey, calendar, map, subscriptions	~ Net worth, cash flow, custom reports
Subscription detection	✓ Automatic recurring-charge detection	~ Scheduled transactions
Auto-categorisation	✓ Bundled merchant database, optional cloud categorisation	~ Via rules you write
Custom rules	✓ Match on text, amount, date or merchant	✓ Powerful rules engine
Encryption	✓ AES-256 at rest, Touch ID unlock, idle lock	~ Optional end-to-end encryption for sync
Works offline	✓ Fully offline (sync and cloud categorisation are opt-in)	✓ Yes
Multi-currency	✓ Original amount and currency preserved	✗ Single currency
Receipts and attachments	✓ Attach receipts and files to transactions	✗ No
Budgeting	✗ Not yet	✓ Envelope budgeting
Investments and net worth	✗ No	~ Balance tracking only
Mobile app	✗ No	~ Browser / PWA
Shared / household access	✗ Single user	~ Shared via your own server
Data export	✓ CSV export; the database is a standard SQLite file	✓ CSV and full data export
AI	✓ Open SQLite file your AI assistant can query	✗ No

✓ Yes ~ Partly or with caveats ✗ No

Where Actual wins

Completely free and open source.
Envelope budgeting with a mature rules engine.
Runs on Windows and Linux as well as Mac.

Where Finances wins

No server to host or maintain: download, open, import.
Encrypted database by default with Touch ID unlock and idle lock.
Australian bank sync via the Consumer Data Right and Up Bank.
Sankey, calendar, map and subscription views, plus receipts on transactions.

Which should you choose?

Choose Actual Budget if you are comfortable self-hosting and want envelope budgeting at no cost.

Choose Finances if you want a native Mac app that just works, with encryption and Australian bank feeds built in.

How Finances works

Finances is a native macOS app. Import CSV, OFX or JSON statements from any bank, or sync Australian accounts through Redbark (Consumer Data Right) and Up Bank directly. Transactions are categorised by a bundled merchant database and your own rules, then explored as a list, bar and pie charts, a Sankey diagram, a calendar, a map, or a subscriptions view. Everything is stored in an encrypted SQLite database on your computer, unlocked with Touch ID.

Frequently asked questions

Is Finances open source like Actual Budget?

No. Finances is a commercial app, but your data is stored in a standard SQLite file on your Mac, so you are never locked in.

Do I need to run a server for Finances?

No. Finances is a self-contained Mac app. Bank sync and optional cloud categorisation are the only network features, and both are opt-in.

Can I import an Actual Budget export into Finances?

Yes. Export transactions from Actual as CSV and import them into Finances.

Try Finances free for 30 days

No account, no card. Your data stays on your Mac.

Download for macOS

Other comparisons

Actual Budget is a trademark of its respective owner and is not affiliated with The Finances App. Competitor details are based on public information as of September 2026 and may change; check the vendor's site for current pricing. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.