Sign in

Browse by category

More

Comparison · Budgeting apps

Actual Budget vs YNAB: which is better in 2026?

Actual Budget86.0#3 in best budgeting appsYNAB91.0#1 in best budgeting apps

YNAB ranks higher in our list of budgeting apps (#1 against #3, score 91.0 against 86.0).

  • 86.0
    Editorial score
    91.0
  • 5
    Platforms
    4
  • Yes
    Free to use
    No
  • Yes
    Open source
    No

Which should you choose?

Choose Actual Budget if you want

Free self-hosted envelope budgeting.

Free, MIT-licensed envelope budgeting app with desktop apps and a server for syncing and bank connections. It needs a server for full sync, and phone use runs through a browser.

Choose YNAB if you want

Envelope budgeting with a hands-on plan.

Zero-based envelope budgeting with bank connections, debt planning and subscription sharing, on web, iOS and Android. It is subscription-only after a 34-day trial, and the method takes time to learn.

The main differences

  • Only Actual Budget runs on Linux.
  • Only Actual Budget runs on Windows.
  • Only Actual Budget runs on macOS.
  • Only YNAB runs on iOS.
  • Only YNAB runs on Android.
  • Actual Budget is open source; YNAB is not.
  • Actual Budget can be used for free; YNAB requires payment.

Side by side

Actual BudgetYNAB
Score86.091.0
Rank in list#3 of 6#1 of 6
PriceFree and open sourceFree and open source; full sync needs a server you runSubscriptionSubscription after a 34-day free trial
Free to useYesNo
Open sourceYesNo
PlatformsWindowsmacOSLinuxWebSelf-hostedWindows, macOS, Linux, Web, Self-hostedWebiOS, iPadOSAndroidWeb, iOS, iPadOS, Android
Made byJames Long and contributorsYNAB
Self-hosted optionYesNo
Bank connectionsGoCardless or SimpleFINYes, linked bank accounts
Budgeting methodEnvelope budgetingZero-based envelopes
Best forFree self-hosted envelope budgetingEnvelope budgeting with a hands-on plan
Strengths
  • MIT-licensed and free to use
  • Desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux
  • Bank syncing through GoCardless or SimpleFIN
  • Zero-based method with category planning
  • Bank connections match transactions to categories
  • Debt payoff planning and subscription sharing
Limits
  • Full sync needs a server you run
  • No native mobile app listed in its docs
  • No free plan beyond the 34-day trial
  • The method takes time to learn
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Actual Budget vs YNAB

Is YNAB better than Actual Budget?
YNAB ranks higher in our list of budgeting apps (#1 against #3, score 91.0 against 86.0). Actual Budget is best for: free self-hosted envelope budgeting. YNAB is best for: envelope budgeting with a hands-on plan.
Which is cheaper, Actual Budget or YNAB?
Actual Budget: Free and open source; full sync needs a server you run. YNAB: Subscription after a 34-day free trial.
Do Actual Budget and YNAB run on the same platforms?
Actual Budget supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Web, Self-hosted. YNAB supports Web, iOS, iPadOS, Android.