Actual vs InvoiceShelf
| Tagline | Local-first zero-sum budgeting app with optional cross-device sync | Track expenses, payments, and create professional invoices and estimates |
| Category | Finance & Budgeting | Finance & Budgeting |
| Replaces | YNAB, Mint | QuickBooks |
| GitHub stars | 27k | 1.7k |
| Language | Nodejs | PHP |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Self-host difficulty | 2/5 Easy | 3/5 Moderate |
| Deploy options | Docker Docker Compose Manual | Docker Docker Compose Manual |
| Managed hosting | ||
| Last updated | today | 4 days ago |
| 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
InvoiceShelf
- No double-entry bookkeeping or chart of accounts
- Payment gateway integrations are limited compared to QuickBooks
- No payroll or HR functionality
- Recurring invoices exist but automation rules are less flexible than QuickBooks
Bottom line
Choose Actual if you want the lower-effort setup; choose Actual for the larger community and ecosystem. Actual has seen more recent development. Open each guide below for deploy steps and the full feature gap.
InvoiceShelf
Track expenses, payments, and create professional invoices and estimates