Finances vs Firefly III

Updated 14 September 2026 · Firefly III prices as advertised in September 2026

Firefly III is a free, self-hosted, open-source finance manager you run on your own server. Finances is a native Mac app with the same keep-your-data philosophy but no server to maintain.

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

Finances vs Firefly III at a glance

Feature	Finances	Firefly III
Platform	✓ Native macOS desktop app	✓ Self-hosted web app (Docker)
Where your data lives	✓ On your Mac, in an encrypted SQLite database	✓ Your own 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	~ Data importer: CSV, Salt Edge, GoCardless, SimpleFIN
File import	✓ CSV, OFX/QFX and JSON with auto-detected columns	✓ CSV via the data importer
Views and charts	✓ List, bar, pie, Sankey, calendar, map, subscriptions	~ Reports and charts
Subscription detection	✓ Automatic recurring-charge detection	✓ Bills and recurring transactions
Auto-categorisation	✓ Bundled merchant database, optional cloud categorisation	~ Via rules
Custom rules	✓ Match on text, amount, date or merchant	✓ Rules engine
Encryption	✓ AES-256 at rest, Touch ID unlock, idle lock	~ Whatever your server provides
Works offline	✓ Fully offline (sync and cloud categorisation are opt-in)	~ On your LAN
Multi-currency	✓ Original amount and currency preserved	✓ Multi-currency
Receipts and attachments	✓ Attach receipts and files to transactions	✓ Attachments
Budgeting	✗ Not yet	✓ Budgets and piggy banks
Investments and net worth	✗ No	✗ No
Mobile app	✗ No	~ Third-party apps
Shared / household access	✗ Single user	~ Multiple users
Data export	✓ CSV export; the database is a standard SQLite file	✓ CSV and API
AI	✓ Open SQLite file your AI assistant can query	✗ No

✓ Yes ~ Partly or with caveats ✗ No

Where Firefly III wins

Free, open source and fully under your control.
Budgets, bills, piggy banks and a REST API.

Where Finances wins

No Docker, no server: a signed, notarised Mac app.
Encryption by default with Touch ID.
Australian bank sync via the Consumer Data Right and Up Bank.
Sankey, calendar, map and merchant views with instant search.

Which should you choose?

Choose Firefly III if you enjoy self-hosting and want budgets and an API.

Choose Finances if you want local-first without the sysadmin work.

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

Can I query the Finances database myself like Firefly III’s API?

Yes. Your data is a standard SQLite file. Point any SQL tool or AI assistant at it.

Try Finances free for 30 days

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

Download for macOS

Other comparisons

Firefly III 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.