Software · head to head
GnuCash vs Apple Pay
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GnuCash desktop only, with no mobile application; Apple Pay apple Pay works only in countries and regions that support contactless payments and is not available in all markets
- They diverge on capability: GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Apple Pay covers Digital wallet.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GnuCash and Apple Pay actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Apple Pay
- Digital wallet
- Secure payments
- Contactless transactions
- P2P money transfers
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Bank accounts
- IOS 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 Apple Pay
- Double-entry bookkeeping for a small businessnot Apple Pay
- Tracking stocks, bonds and mutual fund accountsnot Apple Pay
- Importing transactions via QIF, OFX or HBCInot Apple Pay
- Scheduled recurring transactions and financial reportsnot Apple Pay
Apple Pay
- Contactless in store payment from iPhone and Apple Watchnot GnuCash
- Paying in apps and on the web without entering card detailsnot GnuCash
- Sending money between Apple users with Apple Cash and Tap to Cashnot 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
Apple Pay
- Apple Pay works only in countries and regions that support contactless payments and is not available in all markets
- Apple Cash is available only in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
- Apple Cash Family accounts and Tap to Cash transactions are each capped at 2000 USD within a rolling seven day period
- Mac support requires a Touch ID equipped model
- A card works only if the issuing bank supports Apple Pay, and banks may charge their own overseas usage fees
Pricing, plan by plan
GnuCash
Free- Open SourceFree
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Multi-currency support
- Reports and graphs
Apple Pay
Free- FreeFree
- Secure payments
- P2P transfers
- Transit passes
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 Apple Pay if
- You need digital wallet.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on IOS, WatchOS, MacOS.
- You also want secure payments.
Questions people ask
- Is GnuCash or Apple Pay better?
- Neither clearly leads. GnuCash starts at Free and Apple Pay at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GnuCash or Apple Pay?
- GnuCash starts at Free and Apple Pay at Free.
- Does GnuCash or Apple Pay run on more platforms?
- GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux. Apple Pay runs on IOS, WatchOS, MacOS.
- Can I use GnuCash for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- 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 Apple Pay is typically brought in for.
- What can GnuCash do that Apple Pay cannot?
- GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Budget tracking. Apple Pay covers Digital wallet, Secure payments, Contactless transactions, P2P money transfers.