Actual Budget

Actual Budget is an open-source personal finance application built on the zero-sum budgeting method, where you assign every dollar a job. It runs entirely locally in your browser or as a desktop app, with all data stored on your own machine.

Actual's standout feature is its local-first architecture — data is stored in a SQLite database on your device, so it works completely offline. An optional self-hosted sync server lets you synchronize between multiple devices while keeping all your data under your control. The sync server is easy to deploy via Docker.

Key features include envelope/category budgeting, automatic transaction import via CSV or bank APIs (with community plugins), spending reports, net worth tracking, and split transactions. Actual was originally a paid app before being open-sourced; the codebase reflects that polish. It is an excellent private alternative to YNAB or Mint for budget-conscious users who want full data ownership.