Finances vs a spreadsheet

Updated 14 September 2026 · a spreadsheet prices as advertised in September 2026

Many people track money in Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets. It is free and flexible, but every import, category and chart is manual. Finances automates the boring parts on your Mac while keeping your data just as private.

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

Finances vs a spreadsheet at a glance

Feature	Finances	a spreadsheet
Platform	✓ Native macOS desktop app	✓ Everywhere
Where your data lives	✓ On your Mac, in an encrypted SQLite database	~ Local or in Google or Microsoft cloud
Price	✓ One-time 1.x licence, or a monthly subscription	✓ Free or bundled
Free trial	✓ 30 days, no sign-up	✓ Free
Bank sync	✓ Australian banks via Redbark (CDR), Up Bank direct, US banks via Plaid, AMEX	✗ Manual
File import	✓ CSV, OFX/QFX and JSON with auto-detected columns	~ Manual cleanup each time
Views and charts	✓ List, bar, pie, Sankey, calendar, map, subscriptions	~ Whatever you build
Subscription detection	✓ Automatic recurring-charge detection	✗ Manual
Auto-categorisation	✓ Bundled merchant database, optional cloud categorisation	✗ Manual or formulas
Custom rules	✓ Match on text, amount, date or merchant	~ Formulas
Encryption	✓ AES-256 at rest, Touch ID unlock, idle lock	~ File password
Works offline	✓ Fully offline (sync and cloud categorisation are opt-in)	✓ Yes
Multi-currency	✓ Original amount and currency preserved	~ Manual
Receipts and attachments	✓ Attach receipts and files to transactions	✗ No
Budgeting	✗ Not yet	✓ If you build it
Investments and net worth	✗ No	✓ If you build it
Mobile app	✗ No	✓ Sheets and Excel apps
Shared / household access	✗ Single user	✓ Share the file
Data export	✓ CSV export; the database is a standard SQLite file	✓ It is a spreadsheet
AI	✓ Open SQLite file your AI assistant can query	~ Spreadsheet AI features

✓ Yes ~ Partly or with caveats ✗ No

Where a spreadsheet wins

Free and infinitely flexible.
Everyone already knows how to use one.

Where Finances wins

Bank sync and one-click CSV, OFX and JSON import with duplicate detection.
Automatic categorisation and rules instead of hand-editing rows.
Sankey, calendar, map and subscription views ready-made.
Encrypted database with Touch ID; still exportable to CSV any time.

Which should you choose?

Choose a spreadsheet if you enjoy building your own system and have time to maintain it.

Choose Finances if you want the same privacy with the tedious parts automated.

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 keep using my spreadsheet alongside Finances?

Yes. Export any view or all accounts to CSV and paste it into your sheet for custom analysis.

Try Finances free for 30 days

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

Download for macOS

Other comparisons

a spreadsheet 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.