Software · head to head
GnuCash vs Money Manager
The short version
- Each has a real cost: GnuCash desktop only, with no mobile application; Money Manager databases created by version 1.4.x are not readable by current releases and produce the error MMEX database version 13 doesn't work with this MMEX version, requiring a manual conversion procedure
- They diverge on capability: GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Money Manager covers Expense tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GnuCash and Money Manager actually diverge.
| Attribute | GnuCash | Money Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android |
| Founded | 1997 | 2005 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), 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
- Reports and graphs
- OFX format
Only in Money Manager
- Expense tracking
- Reporting
- CSV
- IOS support
- Android support
Both cover
- Multi-currency support
- Budget tracking
- Import/Export
- Windows support
- Mac support
- Linux 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 Money Manager
- Double-entry bookkeeping for a small businessnot Money Manager
- Tracking stocks, bonds and mutual fund accountsnot Money Manager
- Importing transactions via QIF, OFX or HBCInot Money Manager
- Scheduled recurring transactions and financial reportsnot Money Manager
Money Manager
- Free desktop personal finance tracking on Windows, macOS and Linuxnot GnuCash
- Running a portable personal accounts file from removable media on Windowsnot GnuCash
- Categorising spending and reporting on personal accounts without a subscriptionnot 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
Money Manager
- Databases created by version 1.4.x are not readable by current releases and produce the error MMEX database version 13 doesn't work with this MMEX version, requiring a manual conversion procedure
- Linux is supported only through Flatpak builds for aarch64 and x86_64
- The download page states no system requirements, deferring them to a separate compatibility page
- There is no vendor support contract; the project is distributed as open source with no paid tier
Pricing, plan by plan
GnuCash
Free- Open SourceFree
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Multi-currency support
- Reports and graphs
Money Manager
Free- Open SourceFree
- Expense tracking
- Budget management
- Reports
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 reports and graphs.
Choose Money Manager if
- You need expense tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android.
- You also want reporting.
Questions people ask
- Is GnuCash or Money Manager better?
- Neither clearly leads. GnuCash starts at Free and Money Manager at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GnuCash or Money Manager?
- GnuCash starts at Free and Money Manager at Free.
- Does GnuCash or Money Manager run on more platforms?
- GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux. Money Manager runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android.
- 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 Money Manager is typically brought in for.
- What can GnuCash do that Money Manager cannot?
- GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Reports and graphs, OFX format. Money Manager covers Expense tracking, Reporting, CSV, IOS support. Both handle Multi-currency support, Budget tracking, Import/Export, Windows support.