Guide · Open source
How to use Actual Budget: install, sync and budget with envelopes
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
Actual is a free, open-source personal finance app for tracking money and budgeting using envelope budgeting ideas. It stores your data locally and syncs changes between your devices. This guide explains the four ways to run it, what it is best suited for, and where to go next to start budgeting.
Actualactualbudget/actual · ★ 29.9k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Decide how you want to run it. Choose between PikaPods, Fly.io, Docker self-hosting or a local desktop app based on your technical comfort and budget.
- 2Install or open Actual. Follow the linked install docs for Docker or download the Windows, Mac or Linux app from the download page.
- 3Read the envelope budgeting guide. Learn the envelope method so your categories and budget make sense before you enter data.
- 4Set up a fresh budget or migrate. Use the Starting Fresh guide for a new start or the Migration guide if you are moving from another app.
- 5Sync between devices. Use Actual's sync feature so your changes move between your devices.
What Actual is and who it suits
Actual is a local-first personal finance tool. It is written in NodeJS and is free and open source under the MIT licence. Its data is kept on your own device, and a sync feature moves your changes between devices.
It fits people who want to budget with the envelope method and prefer to keep their financial data on their own device. It is not a fit if you need bank linking or automatic transaction import, because the README does not describe those features, or if you need a mobile app, because the README only lists Windows, Mac and Linux desktop apps.
Choose how to deploy Actual
The README lists four ways to deploy Actual. Pick one based on how much setup you want to do.
- One-click deployment via PikaPods (about $2.00 per month), recommended for non-technical users
- Managed hosting via Fly.io (about $1.50 per month)
- Self-hosted using a Docker image
- Local-only Windows, Mac and Linux apps you run on your device
Install Actual with Docker or the desktop app
For self-hosting, the README points to the Docker installation instructions in the community documentation. If you prefer not to run a server, download the Windows, Mac or Linux app from the download page and run it on your device. The README does not list install commands, so follow the linked docs for the exact steps.
- Full installation instructions: actualbudget.org/docs/install/
- Docker guide: actualbudget.org/docs/install/docker
- Desktop downloads: actualbudget.org/download/
Start budgeting with envelopes
Read the envelope budgeting guide first to understand the idea behind Actual. If you are new to budgeting or want to start fresh, the community's Starting Fresh guide walks you through getting set up.
- Envelope budgeting: actualbudget.org/docs/getting-started/envelope-budgeting
- Starting Fresh guide: actualbudget.org/docs/getting-started/starting-fresh
Move over from another budgeting app
If you are migrating from another budgeting app, the community Migration guide covers the switch. The community documentation also includes topics on budgeting, account management and tips and tricks.
- Migration guide: actualbudget.org/docs/migration/
- Community documentation: actualbudget.org/docs
- Frequently asked questions: actualbudget.org/docs/faq
Get help and contribute
Actual has a Discord community and a public feature request process. Feature requests are listed on GitHub, and you can vote by reacting with a thumbs-up to the top comment. Translations are managed through a Weblate project.
- Join the Discord community via the link in the README
- Open a Feature Request issue on the actualbudget/actual GitHub repository
What people use it for
- Budgeting with the envelope method on your own computer
- Keeping financial data on a device you control by running a local app
- Self-hosting a personal instance with Docker
- Using a one-click hosted instance through PikaPods without managing a server
- Moving budget data over from another budgeting app with the migration guide
Frequently asked questions
Is Actual Budget free?
Yes. The README describes Actual as 100% free and open source, licensed under MIT. The hosted options carry small fees: PikaPods is about $2.00 per month and Fly.io is about $1.50 per month, according to the README.
What are the requirements to install Actual?
The source does not list prerequisites for installation. Check the install docs at actualbudget.org/docs/install/ for the requirements of the method you choose.
Does Actual have a mobile app?
The README only lists downloadable Windows, Mac and Linux desktop apps, so it does not mention a mobile app.
Does Actual import bank transactions automatically?
The README does not describe bank linking or automatic transaction import, so this guide cannot confirm that feature. Check the community documentation before relying on it.
What is the best alternative to Actual Budget?
The README names Firefly III, GnuCash and Budget as comparable projects. YNAB is a budgeting option, but it is proprietary, so it is not open source.
Can I move my data from another budgeting app?
Yes, the community Migration guide at actualbudget.org/docs/migration/ is written for people switching from other budgeting apps.
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Our verdict
Actual suits people who want envelope budgeting and want their financial data kept on their own device, and it is free and open source. It is a weaker choice if you need bank linking, automatic transaction import or a mobile app, since the README does not describe these, and if you want a fully managed service with zero setup and no hosting fee.
Install options & downloads