An Actual Budget alternative for local-first budgeting without running a server

Actual Budget is free, open-source and local-first, with envelope budgeting, optional end-to-end encryption and importers for YNAB. If you're comfortable running or renting a server for sync and bank connections, it's an excellent choice. Imago shares the same local-first idea for people who don't want to host anything: $49 once, install it from your browser, and you're done.

Imago vs Actual Budget at a glance

	Imago	Actual Budget
Price	$49 once, updates included	Free and open source (MIT licence). Optional hosting from about $1.50 a month through PikaPods.
Account	None	None in local browser mode. A password if you use a sync server.
Where your data lives	On your device only (browser storage). Nothing is uploaded; there is no Imago server holding your data.	On your device, plus a sync server you choose or host. Optional end-to-end encryption.
Bank connections	Never. No bank login and no data aggregator.	Optional, only with a server and your own provider keys (such as SimpleFIN). Not automatic.
Getting transactions in	Import CSV files from any bank. Imago remembers each bank's format, skips duplicates and sorts transactions with rules it learns from you.	Import CSV, QIF, OFX, QFX and CAMT files, or enter them by hand
Platforms	Any modern browser. Installs on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux.	Desktop apps for Windows, Mac and Linux, plus the web. On phones, an installable web app.
Works offline	Yes, fully, after the first load	Yes
Budgeting style	Category budgets, with rollover you can turn on per category	Envelope budgeting. Leftover money rolls over into next month.
Devices	No automatic sync. Move your data between devices with export and import.	Sync across devices through a server you run or rent
Set-up	Open app.imago.money, install, import a CSV	Use the desktop app or browser locally, or set up a server for sync

Actual Budget details are taken from Actual Budget's own website and help pages, checked 15 September 2026. Prices and features change, so check the sources below before deciding.

When Actual Budget is the better choice

You want software that's free and open source.
You want multi-device sync or bank connections and don't mind running a server.
You import OFX, QFX or QIF files directly, or want to bring over a YNAB budget with its history.

When Imago is the better choice

You want local-first budgeting with nothing to host, configure or update yourself.
You want one purchase with guides and email support from the person who makes it.
Your bank offers CSV files, and you want each format remembered after the first import.

Switching from Actual Budget to Imago

Start the free 7-day trial at app.imago.money. There's no account to create.
Download CSV files from your bank for the months you want to see, and import them.
Set your categories and budgets. Imago's rules learn how you sort transactions.
Keep a backup with one click in Settings. It's a plain JSON file you control.

Try Imago free for 7 days

No card, no account, no email. Everything you enter stays on your device, and buying a license keeps it exactly where you left off.

Open Imago

Questions people ask

Is Actual Budget free?

Yes. Actual is open source under the MIT licence. Its old paid hosted service closed in 2024; today you run it locally or host a sync server yourself, for example through PikaPods.

Why pay for Imago if Actual is free?

You're paying for not having to run anything. Imago is one installable app with guides and email support, and nothing to host or maintain. If you enjoy self-hosting, Actual is great value.

Do both keep my data on my device?

Yes, both are local-first. Actual can also sync through a server you choose, with optional end-to-end encryption. Imago has no server at all, so its data never leaves your device.

Can Imago import OFX or QFX files?

Not directly. Imago reads CSV, which most banks offer. If yours only offers OFX or QFX, most spreadsheet apps can open the file and save it as CSV.

Sources

Checked 15 September 2026. Imago details come from this site's user guide and support page.

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