What it does
Actual Budget is free, open-source personal finance software built around envelope budgeting. It combines account registers, split transactions, file imports and cash-flow reporting. You can use the desktop app locally, or run a server for device synchronization and optional bank feeds.
Bring your transaction history with you
The import tools accept CSV, QIF, OFX, QFX and CAMT files. Open an account, choose Import and select your file. For CSV, map the columns, check the interpreted dates and adjust the delimiter if needed. Separate inflow and outflow columns are supported. Add New lets you enter a transaction manually.
Actual can match imported entries against existing transactions to reduce duplicates. With file imports, the option to reimport previously deleted transactions is enabled by default; turn it off if those entries should stay removed.
Budget against cash on hand, then categorize transactions as they arrive. Linked transfers keep movement between your own accounts separate from spending, and split transactions divide a purchase among categories.
Free software, optional paid services
Actual uses the MIT open-source licence and charges no software subscription. Windows, Mac and Linux desktop apps can work without a server. A personal server adds synchronization, bank feeds and browser access; commercial hosting and feed-provider charges are separate.
Current bank providers include SimpleFIN for North America, Enable Banking for Europe, Akahu for New Zealand and Pluggy for Brazil. GoCardless integration is available to existing users, but GoCardless is not accepting new Bank Account Data accounts.
In Bank Sync, automatic refresh is off initially. Once an account is linked, choose a schedule; the shortest custom interval is 15 minutes. Refreshes run while Actual is open. The project says optional end-to-end encryption covers budget data, but does not cover bank-feed credentials stored on the server.
Strengths
- Imports common bank files with editable CSV column mapping
- Split transactions and linked transfers
- Local desktop use without a software subscription
Watch out for
- Bank synchronization requires a server and provider credentials
- Bank-feed credentials are outside optional budget-data encryption
Best for
- People who want to control their budgeting files and hosting
- Households migrating bank histories from files
Sources
- Actual Budget: Features (Oct 27, 2026)
- Installing Actual (Oct 27, 2026)
- Actual Budget: Connecting Your Bank (Oct 27, 2026)
- Actual Budget: Importing Transactions (Oct 27, 2026)
- Actual Budget Official Repository (Oct 27, 2026)
- Actual Budget MIT Licence (Oct 27, 2026)