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
In practice, MMEX feels lightweight but capable. It supports multiple accounts — from cash and checking to credit cards — and allows recurring payments, category-based budgets, and even basic investment tracking. Reports are clean and help to identify spending patterns without drowning in details. Since everything is stored in a portable SQLite database, moving data between computers or keeping a backup is straightforward.
Technical profile
| Feature | Details |
| License | Free, open-source (GPL v2) |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux; unofficial Android version |
| Data storage | SQLite database (portable, easy to back up) |
| Import formats | QIF, CSV (OFX via plugins) |
| Export formats | CSV, HTML reports |
| Accounts | Multiple accounts (cash, bank, cards) |
| Budgets | Category-based budgeting with reports |
| Scheduling | Recurring transactions and payment reminders |
| Investments | Basic portfolio tracking |
| Multi-currency | Fully supported with exchange rates |
| Privacy | All data stored locally; no cloud required |
Getting started
On Windows and macOS, MMEX can be downloaded as a ready-to-install package. Linux users usually find it directly in distribution repositories. The setup process is minimal: after installation, a new SQLite database file is created, and categories can be customized right away.
Who usually uses it
MMEX is often chosen by individuals and families who want a clear overview of monthly expenses without relying on subscription-based tools. It is also a practical solution for freelancers and small communities that require a free but dependable finance manager.
Why it’s kept around
Despite many modern web-based tools, MMEX continues to be popular because of its transparency, open-source license, and full offline mode. Users keep it around for its balance of simplicity and completeness — it does enough without trying to become an enterprise system.
