Free, open-source alternatives to YNAB
Zero-based budgeting app. 4 apps you can run yourself instead of YNAB, sorted by how well they replace it. Each one is open source, so your data stays with you.
ActualBest match
Local-first personal finance tool based on zero-sum budgeting, supporting synchronization across devices, custom rules, manual transaction importing (from QIF, OFX, and QFX files), and optional automatic synchronization with many banks.
Firefly III
Firefly III is a modern financial manager. It helps you to keep track of your money and make budget forecasts. It supports credit cards, has an advanced rule engine and can import data from many banks.
OpenBudgeteer
Budgeting app based on the Bucket Budgeting Principle.
Sure
Personal finance application for everyone (fork of Maybe).
Side by side
| App | Stars | License | Activity | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actual | 29,462 | MIT | Node.js, Docker | |
| Firefly III | 24,883 | AGPL-3.0 | PHP, Docker | |
| OpenBudgeteer | 971 | AGPL-3.0 | Docker, C# | |
| Sure | 10,494 | AGPL-3.0 | Docker |
Why replace YNAB?
YNAB works, but your data lives in someone else's account, the price can change at any time, and features can disappear. An open-source app you run yourself is yours: you choose where it runs, who can see the data, and when to update.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to YNAB?
Actual is the closest open-source replacement for YNAB in our list. Firefly III and OpenBudgeteer are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to YNAB?
Yes. All 4 apps on this page are open source and can run on your own server, usually with Docker, or on a managed host that installs them for you.