Is Simplifi by Quicken better than Firefly III?

Simplifi by Quicken ranks higher in our list of budgeting apps (#5 against #7, score 81.5 against 79.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Firefly III is best for: self-hosted double-entry bookkeeping. Simplifi by Quicken is best for: spending plans with goals and cash-flow views.

Which is cheaper, Firefly III or Simplifi by Quicken?

Firefly III: Free and open source; you host it on your own server. Simplifi by Quicken: Paid subscription, billed annually.

Do Firefly III and Simplifi by Quicken run on the same platforms?

Firefly III supports Web, Self-hosted. Simplifi by Quicken supports Web, iOS, Android.

Comparison · Budgeting apps

Firefly III vs Simplifi by Quicken: which is better in 2026?

Firefly III79.0#7 in best budgeting apps

Simplifi by Quicken81.5#5 in best budgeting apps

Simplifi by Quicken ranks higher in our list of budgeting apps (#5 against #7, score 81.5 against 79.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.

How we rank Share

79.0
Editorial score
81.5
2
Platforms
3
Yes
Free to use
No
Yes
Open source
No

Which should you choose?

Choose Firefly III if you want

Self-hosted double-entry bookkeeping.

A free, open-source double-entry ledger that you run on your own server with Docker or a self-managed install. It rewards accounting-minded users, but setup, backups and upgrades are the owner's job.

Choose Simplifi by Quicken if you want

Spending plans with goals and cash-flow views.

A spending plan that updates with transactions, with savings goals, cash-flow projections and a retirement planner. It is a paid subscription with no open-source or self-hosted option, and it suits spending plans more than envelopes.

The main differences

Only Simplifi by Quicken runs on iOS.
Only Simplifi by Quicken runs on Android.
Firefly III is open source; Simplifi by Quicken is not.
Firefly III can be used for free; Simplifi by Quicken requires payment.

Side by side

	Firefly III	Simplifi by Quicken
Score	79.0	81.5
Rank in list	#7 of 10	#5 of 10
Price	Free and open sourceFree and open source; you host it on your own server	SubscriptionPaid subscription, billed annually
Free to use	Yes	No
Open source	Yes	No
Platforms	WebSelf-hostedWeb, Self-hosted	WebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, Android
Made by	Not stated	Quicken
Self-hosted option	Yes	No
Bank connections	Manual entry and imports	Yes, linked accounts
Budgeting method	Double-entry ledger	Spending plan
Best for	Self-hosted double-entry bookkeeping	Spending plans with goals and cash-flow views
Strengths	Double-entry bookkeeping for accurate ledgers AGPL-3.0 open-source code Installs with Docker or on a self-managed server	Spending plan that updates with transactions Savings goals and cash-flow projections Retirement planner and investment views
Limits	Owner runs servers, backups and upgrades Setup needs more technical skill than hosted apps	Paid subscription with no open-source option Less suited to strict envelope budgeting
Links	Visit site	Visit site

Questions about Firefly III vs Simplifi by Quicken

Is Simplifi by Quicken better than Firefly III?: Simplifi by Quicken ranks higher in our list of budgeting apps (#5 against #7, score 81.5 against 79.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Firefly III is best for: self-hosted double-entry bookkeeping. Simplifi by Quicken is best for: spending plans with goals and cash-flow views.
Which is cheaper, Firefly III or Simplifi by Quicken?: Firefly III: Free and open source; you host it on your own server. Simplifi by Quicken: Paid subscription, billed annually.
Do Firefly III and Simplifi by Quicken run on the same platforms?: Firefly III supports Web, Self-hosted. Simplifi by Quicken supports Web, iOS, Android.