Actual Budget

What is Actual Budget?

Actual Budget is a local-first, open-source budgeting application. Its documentation emphasizes that user data stays on the device by default, with optional end-to-end encrypted sync across devices. The source code is publicly available on GitHub, where the repository reports over 27,000 stars and shows a commit history indicating active development. The app is described as free to self-host, meaning you run it on your own infrastructure rather than relying on a third-party cloud service. The website presents it as a tool for tracking income, expenses, and account balances with a clean interface that works offline. The project does not offer a hosted service; users must either self-host or use the desktop application in local-only mode.

Who is Actual Budget for?

Based on the project documentation and public repository discussions, Actual Budget targets individuals and households who want control over their financial data. The local-first design appeals to users concerned about privacy and data ownership. The self-hosting requirement means the intended audience includes people comfortable setting up a server—or at least willing to follow the provided setup guides. Active development suggests the project aims to serve both casual budgeters and more systematic users who need envelope or zero-based budgeting principles. The documentation lists features such as rules for automatic categorization, budget templates, and bank-import support (via QIF/CSV files). It does not target enterprise or business accounting; it is a personal finance tool with a narrow focus on budgeting rather than investment tracking or bill pay.

How much does Actual Budget cost?

The pricing page lists the application as free with a starting cost of $0 per month. There is no mention of a paid tier, subscription, or usage limit. Because the app is open-source and self-hosted, users bear only the cost of their own server or cloud hosting if they choose to enable sync. No additional fees are stated in the documentation or on the website. The project does not offer a paid hosted plan; all features are available without payment. Potential expenses outside of the software itself include any server hardware, domain name, or hosting provider fees that a user may incur by running their own instance.