Actual vs Akaunting
| Tagline | Local-first zero-sum budgeting app with optional cross-device sync | Double-entry accounting software for small businesses and freelancers |
| Category | Finance & Budgeting | Finance & Budgeting |
| Replaces | YNAB, Mint | QuickBooks, Mint |
| GitHub stars | 27k | 9.9k |
| Language | Nodejs | PHP |
| License | MIT | BUSL-1.1 |
| Self-host difficulty | 2/5 Easy | 3/5 Moderate |
| Deploy options | Docker Docker Compose Manual | Docker Docker Compose Manual |
| Managed hosting | ||
| Last updated | today | today |
| View repo | View repo |
Where each falls short
The honest trade-offs — what you give up with each, versus the proprietary tools they replace.
Actual
- Bank sync coverage is narrower than YNAB's direct connections, especially outside the US/EU
- No mobile native app; the web app is mobile-responsive but not fully optimised for touch
- Investment tracking and net-worth projections are basic compared to Mint/Quicken
- Multi-currency support is limited and requires manual workarounds
Akaunting
- Many useful features (payroll, advanced inventory) locked behind paid marketplace modules
- BUSL-1.1 license restricts SaaS redistribution without a commercial agreement
- Bank sync and open-banking connections require paid add-ons or manual CSV import
- Reporting and dashboard customisation is less flexible than QuickBooks Online
Bottom line
Choose Actual if you want the lower-effort setup; choose Actual for the larger community and ecosystem. Open each guide below for deploy steps and the full feature gap.