Actual Budget review: private budgeting with local control

Actual Budget is a free open-source budgeting app for people who want a household spending plan with more control over their financial records.² It works locally, with optional syncing and end-to-end encryption.¹ It is a good fit if you want to decide where your budget lives and are happy to spend a little time setting it up.

Last checked October 28, 2026.

At a glance

What it is: A personal finance app built around envelope budgeting.¹

Works on: Windows, macOS and Linux.⁴ The server-backed web app also works on mobile devices.⁴

Price: Free software; the repository estimates PikaPods hosting at about US$2 a month.²

Licence: MIT.²

Best for: Hands-on household budgeting with a choice of local storage or a sync server.

Official site: actualbudget.org

What Actual Budget does and how it protects your privacy

Actual’s envelope method allocates money you already have, rather than money you expect to earn.¹ Think of separate envelopes for groceries, bills and a holiday. Instead of guessing whether your bank balance can cover everything, you give each part of that balance a purpose.

The desktop app can run without a server, including its budgeting tools, reports and transaction-file imports.⁴ Start there if one computer is enough. A server is another computer that stores and exchanges information for your devices; self-hosting means you run it yourself.

When you add syncing, Actual keeps data on your device and on the server you choose.⁵ That choice is the main privacy benefit. Decide whether you need the convenience of a hosted service before moving sensitive records beyond your computer.

Actual Budget key features

Envelope budgeting: assign available cash to spending and savings categories.¹
Offline desktop use: work on your budget without an internet connection.⁴
File imports: bring in transactions from CSV, QIF, OFX, QFX or CAMT.053 files.¹
Split transactions: divide one purchase between categories and handle transfers in the same editor.¹
Reports: view net worth and cash flow, or build custom reports.⁷
Budget-file portability: import and export budget files without needing a server.⁴
Encrypted syncing: optionally encrypt budget information before it leaves your device.⁶

Actual Budget pros and cons

Pros

Free, community-driven software with publicly available source code.²
A practical way to connect everyday spending with longer-term plans.
A local desktop setup does not require running a server.²
The privacy policy says the app collects no data automatically and uses no tracking mechanisms.⁶

Cons

Expect to spend time learning the envelope method and reviewing your categories.
Cross-device syncing and bank syncing require a server.⁴
The local copy of your budget remains unencrypted by Actual.⁵
Bank-sync tokens are outside the budget’s end-to-end encryption.⁵

Is Actual Budget safe and private?

Actual is developed as a community-driven project.² Its latest stable release is 26.10.0, released on October 2, 2026.³ The project offers security support only for the latest stable release of Actual and its server.⁸ Keep both updated when you use syncing.

According to its privacy policy, basic app functionality requires no personal information.⁶ Treat that as the app’s policy: choosing a hosting company or bank connector creates a separate relationship. Read those providers’ terms before signing up.

Optional end-to-end encryption prevents the sync server from reading your budget information.⁵ Encryption turns readable information into locked data; end-to-end means the devices hold the keys. However, server administrators or hosting providers with database access can read bank-sync tokens.⁵

The documentation recommends full-disk encryption for protecting local data.⁵ If you lose the local copy and forget your encryption password, the budget cannot be recovered.⁵ Keep a separate backup and store the encryption password securely. Open code is useful for scrutiny, but it should never be treated as a promise that software has no flaws.

How to get started with Actual Budget

Download from an official route. Follow the desktop download link in the installation guide. Linux users can also get Actual Budget from Flathub.⁷
Start with one local budget. Choose the desktop route if you do not yet need syncing. Try a few sample transactions before entering a full month of real records.
Add accounts and opening balances. Pick a clear starting date, such as today. Compare the balance you enter with your bank statement so your plan starts from a reliable figure.
Create a few useful categories. Begin with groceries, bills, transport and savings. Assign only money already available, then record a purchase and give it a category.
Bring in transactions gradually. Try one small statement-file import and check amounts and categories. Compare the account total with your bank before importing more.
Plan storage and recovery. Export a backup to a separate safe location. If you later add a server, enable budget encryption and use a different password from the server login, as the documentation recommends.⁵

Who should use Actual Budget and who might prefer something else?

Choose Actual if you want an active role in planning household spending and value the option to keep the budget on your own computer. Local desktop use is a sensible starting point. Add a server when access from a phone or another computer becomes worth the extra setup and responsibility.

For a different approach, compare the Academy’s guides to GnuCash for household or small-business accounting and Spliit for shared expenses. Start with the task you need to solve: keeping accounts, settling group costs, or planning your own spending. Actual is particularly appealing for that last task.

Frequently asked questions about Actual Budget

Is Actual Budget free?

Yes, the software is free and open source.² Hosting is a separate cost if you choose a paid provider. The repository’s approximate PikaPods figure is a planning estimate; check the provider’s current configuration price before paying.

Does Actual Budget work on iPhone and Android?

Its server-backed web app works in a browser and can be installed on a mobile device for offline use.⁴ This is a web app saved to your home screen. Follow the official installation guidance when choosing your phone setup.

Do I need to connect my bank?

No: transaction-file imports and all budgeting features work without a server, while bank syncing requires one.⁴ Start with files if your priority is keeping the setup simple and limiting external connections.

Is Actual Budget encrypted by default?

End-to-end encryption is optional, and the local copy remains unencrypted by the app.⁵ Enable it deliberately when syncing, and protect the computer or phone itself as well.