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GnuCash vs Simplifi

GnuCash logo

GnuCash

Software

Personal finance and accounting software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Simplifi

Software

Smart budgeting and spending tracker

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Simplifi there is no free tier at all
  • They diverge on capability: GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Simplifi covers Spending analysis.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GnuCash and Simplifi actually diverge.

Attributes where GnuCash and Simplifi differ
AttributeGnuCashSimplifi
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Mac, LinuxWeb, IOS, Android
Founded19972020

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
  • Import/Export
  • OFX format
  • Windows support
  • Mac support
  • Linux support

Only in Simplifi

  • Spending analysis
  • Goal tracking
  • Cash flow insights
  • Bank accounts
  • Credit cards
  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

Both cover

  • Budget tracking

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 Simplifi
  • Double-entry bookkeeping for a small businessnot Simplifi
  • Tracking stocks, bonds and mutual fund accountsnot Simplifi
  • Importing transactions via QIF, OFX or HBCInot Simplifi
  • Scheduled recurring transactions and financial reportsnot Simplifi

Simplifi

  • Personal budgeting with automatic bank transaction importnot GnuCash
  • Tracking spending, savings goals and net worth in one placenot 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

Simplifi

  • There is no free tier at all
  • The advertised $3.99 a month requires annual billing, against $6.99 paying monthly
  • The subscription auto renews yearly at the then current price, which the terms state is subject to change rather than fixed

Pricing, plan by plan

GnuCash

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

Simplifi

On request
  • Monthly$5.99/month
    • Budget tracking
    • Spending insights
    • Goal setting
  • Annual$59.99/month
    • All monthly features
    • Discounted rate

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.
GnuCash review

Choose Simplifi if

  • You need spending analysis.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want goal tracking.
Simplifi review

Questions people ask

Is GnuCash or Simplifi better?
Neither clearly leads. GnuCash starts at Free and Simplifi at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GnuCash or Simplifi?
GnuCash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GnuCash and On request for Simplifi.
Does GnuCash or Simplifi run on more platforms?
GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux. Simplifi runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use GnuCash for free?
Yes. GnuCash has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Simplifi 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 Simplifi is typically brought in for.
What can GnuCash do that Simplifi cannot?
GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Import/Export. Simplifi covers Spending analysis, Goal tracking, Cash flow insights, Bank accounts. Both handle Budget tracking.
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