actualbudget/actual

Actual is a free, open-source personal finance and budgeting app that runs locally on your own computer or server, meaning your financial data never goes to a company's servers unless you choose to host it yourself. It's built for people who want the power of apps like YNAB (You Need A Budget) without the monthly subscription fee or the privacy concerns of handing your bank data to a third party. The app uses "envelope budgeting", a method where you assign every dollar you have to a specific spending category (like groceries, rent, or savings) at the start of each month, helping you be intentional about money rather than just tracking what you've already spent. It syncs across your devices so your phone and computer stay in sync without needing a central service. For a non-technical user, the easiest way to get started is a one-click hosted deployment through PikaPods for about $1.40/month, this sets it up on a server for you without any technical work. You can also download desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux if you want to keep everything local. For developers or technically-minded users, there's also a Docker self-hosting option. Actual has an active community on Discord and comprehensive documentation covering getting started, migrating from other apps like YNAB or Mint, and all the budgeting features. It's a serious, well-maintained project with strong community support, a genuinely capable alternative to paid budgeting tools.