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Software · head to head

Acorns vs GnuCash

Acorns logo

Acorns

Software

Invest your spare change

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GnuCash logo

GnuCash

Software

Personal finance and accounting software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GnuCash has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Acorns a flat monthly subscription regardless of balance, so $3 a month on Bronze is a heavy percentage on a small account; GnuCash desktop only, with no mobile application
  • They diverge on capability: Acorns covers Round-up investing, GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acorns and GnuCash actually diverge.

Attributes where Acorns and GnuCash differ
AttributeAcornsGnuCash
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWindows, Mac, Linux
Founded20121997

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Acorns

  • Round-up investing
  • Automated investing
  • Portfolio management
  • Recurring investments
  • Bank accounts
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • Web support

Only in GnuCash

  • Double-entry bookkeeping
  • Multi-currency support
  • Reports and graphs
  • Budget tracking
  • Import/Export
  • OFX format
  • Windows support
  • Mac support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Acorns

  • Automated investing of spare change from everyday purchasesnot GnuCash
  • Retirement saving through Acorns Later IRA accountsnot GnuCash
  • Checking and high-yield savings alongside investingnot GnuCash
  • Custodial investing and debit cards for children through Acorns Earlynot GnuCash
  • Earning cashback that is invested rather than bankednot GnuCash

GnuCash

  • Personal finance tracking with a checkbook register interfacenot Acorns
  • Double-entry bookkeeping for a small businessnot Acorns
  • Tracking stocks, bonds and mutual fund accountsnot Acorns
  • Importing transactions via QIF, OFX or HBCInot Acorns
  • Scheduled recurring transactions and financial reportsnot Acorns

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Acorns

  • A flat monthly subscription regardless of balance, so $3 a month on Bronze is a heavy percentage on a small account
  • The emergency savings account and the 1 percent IRA match need Silver at $6 a month
  • Custom portfolios, Acorns Early for children and Money Manager are Gold tier only at $12 a month
  • There is no free tier

GnuCash

  • Desktop only, with no mobile application
  • Version 3.11 is the last release supporting Windows 7 and macOS 10.12 and earlier
  • Uses strict double-entry accounting, so every transaction needs two sides

Pricing, plan by plan

Acorns

On request
  • Lite$4.99/month
    • Round-up investing
    • Automated portfolio
  • Plus$9.99/month
    • All Lite features
    • Checking account
    • Dollar-based investing
  • Premier$19.99/month
    • All Plus features
    • Premium investing

GnuCash

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Double-entry bookkeeping
    • Multi-currency support
    • Reports and graphs

Which should you pick?

Choose Acorns if

  • You need round-up investing.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want automated investing.
Acorns review

Choose GnuCash if

  • You need double-entry bookkeeping.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux.
  • You also want multi-currency support.
GnuCash review

Questions people ask

Is Acorns or GnuCash better?
Neither clearly leads. Acorns starts at On request and GnuCash at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acorns or GnuCash?
GnuCash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acorns and Free for GnuCash.
Does Acorns or GnuCash run on more platforms?
Acorns runs on Web, IOS, Android. GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux.
Can I use GnuCash for free?
Yes. GnuCash has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acorns starts at On request.
What is Acorns best used for?
Acorns is most often used for automated investing of spare change from everyday purchases, retirement saving through acorns later ira accounts, checking and high-yield savings alongside investing, custodial investing and debit cards for children through acorns early. Of those, automated investing of spare change from everyday purchases and retirement saving through acorns later ira accounts are not what GnuCash is typically brought in for.
What can Acorns do that GnuCash cannot?
Acorns covers Round-up investing, Automated investing, Portfolio management, Recurring investments. GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Budget tracking.
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