Actual

Self-Hosted

Open-source personal finance app for budgeting and expense tracking

Overview

Actual is a self-hosted open-source personal finance tool focused on envelope budgeting, expense tracking, and financial visibility. It lets users manage budgets, import transactions via CSV or direct bank links (where supported), generate custom reports, and sync data across devices securely. Deployable via Docker or standalone installation, it ensures full data ownership—no third-party cloud storage means your financial info stays private. Ideal for those wanting control over their finances without relying on proprietary tools, it supports multiple currencies and offers a user-friendly interface for daily budgeting tasks.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  actual:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: actual
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Envelope budgeting system
Self-hosted data privacy & ownership
Transaction import and categorization

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Actual hard to install?

Actual can be installed easily via Docker (with a simple compose file) or as a standalone application for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Basic knowledge of Docker or server management helps for self-hosting, but official docs provide clear step-by-step guides.

? Is Actual a good alternative to YNAB?

Yes—Actual supports envelope budgeting (similar to YNAB) but is open-source and self-hosted, prioritizing full data control. While it lacks some advanced YNAB features, it offers core budgeting tools for free and avoids third-party data risks.

? Is Actual completely free?

Actual is 100% open-source and free to use. There are no subscription fees—users only cover their own hosting costs (if self-hosting). The source code is publicly available for modification or extension.

Top Alternatives

Mint Search Google

YNAB (You Need A Budget) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Money, Budgeting & Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (local/self-hosted data)
⊕ Open-source and customizable

Cons

⊖ Requires self-hosting setup (Docker or standalone)
⊖ Fewer direct bank sync options than SaaS alternatives