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Actual BudgetPricing 2026: Plans, Costs & Best Value

Open-source envelope budgeting app. Actual Budget offers a free plan with free forever, plus 2 paid tiers.

4.4
Editorial Rating

Self-Hosted

Free
  • Free forever
  • All features
  • Your own server
Get Started Free

Managed Hosting

$1.5/user/mo
  • PikaPods/ElfHosted
  • No setup required
  • Automatic updates
Start Trial

Bank Sync Add-on

$1.25/user/mo
  • SimpleFIN Bridge
  • US/Canada banks
  • Auto-import transactions
Start Trial

Actual Budget Free Plan

Actual Budget's free tier includes:

  • Free forever
  • All features
  • Your own server

Upgrade to Managed Hosting starting at $1.5/mo for additional features.

Actual Budget: Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free with all features
  • Local-first — fast and responsive
  • End-to-end encrypted sync
  • Dead simple self-hosting (single container)
  • Active community development (MIT license)
  • 70% cheaper than YNAB even with add-ons

Cons

  • Mobile apps deprecated (web app only)
  • Bank sync US/Canada only
  • No investment tracking
  • No REST API for automation
  • Credit card handling assumes full payoff
  • Plugin system not yet shipped

Is Actual Budget Worth It?

Actual Budget's free plan is a solid starting point. For individuals and small teams, the free tier may be all you need.

With an editorial rating of 4.4/5, Actual Budget scores well in the Accounting & Finance category. Before committing, consider comparing it against alternatives to ensure it fits your workflow and budget.