Software
AceMoney Lite AceMoney Lite is the no-cost version of AceMoney, designed for those who only need to follow one account but still want proper budgeting tools. Despite the limitation, it offers categories, reports, and scheduled payments, so everyday tracking doesn’t feel stripped down. It’s a small, dependable program that has been around for years and continues to find its audience among people who prefer desktop software over cloud services. Everyday use
Buckaroo Buckaroo is one of those open-source apps that keeps things deliberately small. It doesn’t try to compete with heavy finance suites or polished commercial products — instead, it sticks to the essentials: recording what comes in, what goes out, and showing the balance in between. That simplicity is the whole point, and it’s why some users prefer it over flashier alternatives. Everyday use
Actual Budget (Free version) Actual Budget is an open-source tool built around the envelope method of budgeting. Unlike many apps that keep everything in the cloud, it runs locally first, which means data stays on the user’s own machine unless they decide to sync it through Dropbox or another service. That approach has made it popular among people who want control and privacy but still like the structure of modern budgeting software. Everyday use
Kresus Kresus is a personal finance manager that takes a different approach from most popular budgeting apps. Instead of living on somebody else’s server, it runs on the user’s own machine or a small home server. That choice makes it especially attractive to people who want to keep financial data private and under their own control. Despite being self-hosted, it still looks and feels modern thanks to its clean web interface. Everyday use
Ledger CLI Ledger CLI is where the idea of plain text accounting really began. It’s been around for years, and while many tools have tried to copy or simplify the concept, Ledger remains the reference point. At its heart it’s just a command-line program that reads text files and turns them into financial reports. No databases, no locked formats — just plain text that anyone can keep for decades without worrying about compatibility. Everyday use
Plain Text Accounting (hledger) hledger belongs to a group of tools built on a simple idea: all financial records can live in plain text files. No hidden databases, no vendor lock-in — just a journal that can be read with any text editor. For many users, this is less about fancy features and more about trust: plain text doesn’t break, and it can be backed up or shared like any other file. Everyday use
EveryDollar Free EveryDollar is a budgeting app created around the “zero-based” budgeting method. The idea is simple: every dollar of income is given a job, whether that’s bills, savings, or day-to-day expenses. The free edition focuses on manual entry, which makes it straightforward but also disciplined — nothing is tracked unless it’s entered, so it naturally encourages awareness of spending. Everyday use
Spendee Free Spendee is a budgeting app that leans toward a more visual style. Instead of looking like an accounting tool, it presents money as colorful charts and categories that feel closer to a lifestyle app. The free version already includes the basics: manual expense tracking, budgets, and shared wallets for families or groups. Everyday use
Wallet by BudgetBakers Free Wallet from BudgetBakers is one of the more feature-rich free budgeting apps. Unlike many minimal trackers, it aims to give a full overview of personal finances: multiple accounts, bank sync in supported regions, and detailed reports. Even in its free edition, it feels more like a financial dashboard than a simple expense list. Everyday use
Money Lover (Free) It’s hard to talk about budgeting apps without mentioning Money Lover. The app has been around long enough to gain a reputation as a dependable daily tool. What keeps it appealing is not a huge list of features but the way it combines the basics — expense tracking, budgets, reminders — into something that feels natural to use. Even the free version covers most needs without pushing too hard toward the paid plan. Everyday use
AndroMoney Free AndroMoney has been around for quite a while and built its reputation as one of the more reliable expense trackers on Android. The free edition still covers the basics well: multiple accounts, category management, and clear reports. It isn’t about reinventing budgeting — it’s about offering a familiar, steady tool that does what it promises. Everyday use
Monefy (Free) Monefy doesn’t pretend to be a full accounting suite. It’s a small, fast tracker built around one idea: add an expense the moment it happens and move on. That’s why it feels approachable — a couple of taps, a quick note if needed, and the number is already sitting in the right category. No tangled menus, no rituals. Day-to-day
Frollo (Free) Frollo is one of those finance apps that doesn’t try to overwhelm with features but instead focuses on the basics: keeping everyday spending visible. Once a bank account is linked through Open Banking, the app quietly gathers transactions in the background. There’s no need to sit down every evening and type things into a spreadsheet — coffee purchases, rent, or utility bills all appear on their own. For many households, that shift alone makes budgeting less of a chore. Everyday use
Money Dashboard Neon Money Dashboard Neon is the newer version of the well-known UK budgeting app. Built for phones first, it connects directly to bank accounts through Open Banking and pulls transactions into one dashboard. Unlike the older “Classic” edition, Neon focuses on a simple design and fast syncing, which makes it easier to see the big picture of personal finances. Everyday use
GoodBudget GoodBudget is a modern take on the old envelope budgeting method. Instead of stuffing cash into physical envelopes, money is divided into digital ones that live on your phone or in a browser. The idea is the same — give every dollar a purpose — but now it works with cloud sync so that a whole household can follow the same budget from different devices. Everyday use
Buxfer (Free) Buxfer (Free) is the starter version of a long-running online finance service. It doesn’t try to be a full accounting suite but gives enough tools for personal use: setting budgets, tracking expenses, and keeping an eye on bills. The platform runs in a browser and has mobile apps, so information follows the user everywhere. Everyday use
Wave Accounting Wave Accounting is a free online service built with freelancers and very small businesses in mind. It doesn’t try to act like a full corporate suite — instead, it sticks to the basics: sending invoices, recording expenses, and producing clear reports. Everything runs in the browser, with mobile apps available, so there’s no need for installation or maintenance. Everyday use
Zoho Books Free Plan Zoho Books Free Plan is the entry-level edition of Zoho’s cloud-based accounting platform. While the full service is aimed at businesses, the free plan is available for very small companies, freelancers, and individuals who want professional tools without paying a subscription. It offers invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting features, all running inside a modern web interface. Everyday use
AceMoney Lite AceMoney Lite is the no-cost version of AceMoney, designed for those who only need to follow one account but still want proper budgeting tools. Despite the limitation, it offers categories, reports, and scheduled payments, so everyday tracking doesn’t feel stripped down. It’s a small, dependable program that has been around for years and continues to find its audience among people who prefer desktop software over cloud services. Everyday use
Microsoft Money Plus Sunset Microsoft Money Plus Sunset is the final free release of Microsoft’s long-running personal finance software. Originally launched as a commercial product, it was reissued in 2010 as a free download after official support ended. The “Sunset” edition includes most of the program’s features — budgeting, reporting, and investment tracking — but with all online services permanently disabled. Everyday use
YNAB Classic (old free edition) YNAB Classic (old free edition) is the legacy desktop release of the well-known “You Need A Budget” system. Long before the switch to a subscription model, this version popularized the envelope method on personal computers. Even though it no longer receives updates, it remains valued by users who prefer a one-time install that works fully offline. Everyday use
Metalogic Finance Explorer Metalogic Finance Explorer is a freeware tool for Windows that has been around long enough to earn a steady user base. It isn’t overloaded with features, but it manages to cover the basics — accounts, categories, and even investments — in a compact, responsive package. The main appeal lies in its balance: light on resources, yet practical for everyday use. Everyday use
Finance Explorer Finance Explorer is a small Windows program that keeps personal money management simple. It doesn’t try to look like a full accounting suite — instead, it focuses on accounts, budgets, and reports that load quickly. The installer is tiny, and once opened, the program feels light and responsive, even on older PCs. Everyday use
BudgetExpress Free BudgetExpress Free is a Windows-based budgeting program that focuses on planning and comparing. Instead of being a full finance suite, it works as a monthly planner: users set their income and expected expenses, then check how real numbers align with the plan. The free edition is limited compared to the paid one, but it’s still functional enough for simple household budgeting. Everyday use
MyCash Lite MyCash Lite is a small Windows utility that does exactly what the name hints at: it keeps a tidy register of everyday money moves and doesn’t get dramatic about it. No online accounts, no heavyweight dashboards — just a quick program that opens in a blink and lets a household keep spending under control. It feels a bit old-school (in a good way): predictable, fast, and focused on the basics. Everyday use
Budgeter Lite Budgeter Lite is a freeware budgeting program made for those who want a simple way to plan monthly expenses without learning a full accounting package. It is small, runs on Windows without heavy requirements, and focuses on showing how actual spending compares to the plan. While the “Lite” name reflects its limited scope, the tool delivers exactly what it promises: a clear budget view that helps users stay on track. Everyday use
PowerCash PowerCash is one of those older freeware programs that never really disappeared. It doesn’t look modern, but that’s part of its charm: it installs quickly, takes almost no space, and just works as a simple ledger for everyday money tracking. For users who don’t want a cloud account or a complicated setup, it feels like a straightforward, no-nonsense option. Everyday use
Checkbook Ease Freeware Checkbook Ease Freeware is a small Windows program built for one clear purpose: keeping track of a checkbook-style register without unnecessary extras. It doesn’t try to compete with full accounting suites — instead, it focuses on recording deposits and withdrawals, balancing against monthly statements, and giving a quick snapshot of where money stands. Everyday use
Alzex Finance Free (Portable Edition) Alzex Finance Free (Portable Edition) is a compact version of the Alzex Finance family that runs without installation. The program can be launched straight from a USB stick or an external drive, so the same budget file can travel easily between home, office, or laptop. Even though it is the free tier, it keeps the essentials in place: categories, budgets, and clear reports. Everyday use
AceMoney Lite AceMoney Lite is the no-cost version of AceMoney, designed for those who only need to follow one account but still want proper budgeting tools. Despite the limitation, it offers categories, reports, and scheduled payments, so everyday tracking doesn’t feel stripped down. It’s a small, dependable program that has been around for years and continues to find its audience among people who prefer desktop software over cloud services. Everyday use
Akaunting Akaunting is a web-based finance tool that combines everyday budgeting with small-business style features. At its core, it is free and open source, and because it runs in a browser, it doesn’t matter whether it is installed on a home server, a small office machine, or used through the official cloud service. The system is modular, so extra functions can be added through extensions when they are needed, but the base platform is already complete enough for most day-to-day tasks. Everyday
Firefly III Firefly III is an open-source self-hosted finance manager that focuses on privacy, flexibility, and modern budgeting. It is designed as a web application, making it accessible through any browser once installed on a server, NAS, or Docker container. Unlike traditional desktop tools, Firefly III offers a clean, responsive interface and advanced features without relying on external cloud providers. Everyday use
KMyMoney KMyMoney is an open-source personal finance manager developed under the KDE project. It is designed to provide accuracy and reliability while keeping the interface approachable for household use. The software follows accounting principles and offers a stable platform for long-term financial tracking. With continuous community support, KMyMoney is one of the most mature open-source alternatives for desktop finance management. Everyday use
Money Manager Ex (MMEX) Money Manager Ex (MMEX) is an open-source finance manager created to keep everyday budgeting simple and reliable. It avoids unnecessary complexity while covering all core features needed for household accounting. The program has been actively maintained for many years, which makes it one of the most stable free alternatives to commercial products. Everyday use
HomeBank HomeBank is one of those programs that has quietly been around for years. It’s open source, completely free, and built for people who just want to track where their money goes without paying for big-name accounting suites. It doesn’t look overcomplicated, and that’s part of its charm — the focus is on being quick, light, and practical. Everyday use
GnuCash There’s a reason GnuCash keeps popping up in recommendations after all these years. It’s free, open-source and, unlike most “budget” apps, it actually behaves like real accounting software. For some people that’s exactly the point — they want something that doesn’t cut corners, even if it takes a little time to learn. It’s built around double-entry bookkeeping, the same method used by businesses, so every transaction has a matching entry and the numbers always balance. At first this feel