Software · head to head
GnuCash vs Acorns
The short version
- Only GnuCash has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: GnuCash desktop only, with no mobile application; Acorns a flat monthly subscription regardless of balance, so $3 a month on Bronze is a heavy percentage on a small account
- They diverge on capability: GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Acorns covers Round-up investing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GnuCash and Acorns actually diverge.
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 GnuCash
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Multi-currency support
- Reports and graphs
- Budget tracking
- Import/Export
- OFX format
- Windows support
- Mac support
Only in Acorns
- Round-up investing
- Automated investing
- Portfolio management
- Recurring investments
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
GnuCash
Free- Open SourceFree
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Multi-currency support
- Reports and graphs
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
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Acorns if
- You need round-up investing.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want automated investing.
Questions people ask
- Is GnuCash or Acorns better?
- Neither clearly leads. GnuCash starts at Free and Acorns at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GnuCash or Acorns?
- GnuCash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GnuCash and On request for Acorns.
- Does GnuCash or Acorns run on more platforms?
- GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux. Acorns runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- 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 GnuCash best used for?
- GnuCash is most often used for personal finance tracking with a checkbook register interface, double-entry bookkeeping for a small business, tracking stocks, bonds and mutual fund accounts, importing transactions via qif, ofx or hbci. Of those, personal finance tracking with a checkbook register interface and double-entry bookkeeping for a small business are not what Acorns is typically brought in for.
- What can GnuCash do that Acorns cannot?
- GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Budget tracking. Acorns covers Round-up investing, Automated investing, Portfolio management, Recurring investments.