Software · head to head
GnuCash vs Tiller Money
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; Tiller Money no native mobile app means mobile access limited to Google Sheets or Excel apps
- They diverge on capability: GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Tiller Money covers Auto-populates financial data.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GnuCash and Tiller Money actually diverge.
| Attribute | GnuCash | Tiller Money |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $79/year |
| Pricing model | open-source | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Linux | Web, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel |
| Founded | 1997 | 2015 |
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 Tiller Money
- Auto-populates financial data
- Customizable spreadsheets
- Financial templates
- Bank accounts
- Google Sheets
- Excel
- Web 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 Tiller Money
- Double-entry bookkeeping for a small businessnot Tiller Money
- Tracking stocks, bonds and mutual fund accountsnot Tiller Money
- Importing transactions via QIF, OFX or HBCInot Tiller Money
- Scheduled recurring transactions and financial reportsnot Tiller Money
Tiller Money
- Budget Managementnot GnuCash
- Expense Trackingnot GnuCash
- Investment Trackingnot 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
Tiller Money
- No native mobile app means mobile access limited to Google Sheets or Excel apps
- Spreadsheet-based interface can be intimidating for non-technical users unfamiliar with formulas
- Requires manual customization and setup of templates and formulas for advanced features
- No built-in investment performance tracking or analysis at the depth some competitors offer
- Customer support is email and community-based, not real-time chat or phone support
Pricing, plan by plan
GnuCash
Free- Open SourceFree
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Multi-currency support
- Reports and graphs
Tiller Money
$79/year- Annual Subscription$79/year
- Unlimited transaction import
- Up to 5 connected spreadsheets
- AutoCat categorization
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 Tiller Money if
- You need auto-populates financial data.
- You work on Web, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel.
- You also want customizable spreadsheets.
Questions people ask
- Is GnuCash or Tiller Money better?
- Neither clearly leads. GnuCash starts at Free and Tiller Money at $79/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GnuCash or Tiller Money?
- GnuCash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GnuCash and $79/year for Tiller Money.
- Does GnuCash or Tiller Money run on more platforms?
- GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux. Tiller Money runs on Web, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel.
- Can I use GnuCash for free?
- Yes. GnuCash has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Tiller Money starts at $79/year.
- 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 Tiller Money is typically brought in for.
- What can GnuCash do that Tiller Money cannot?
- GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Import/Export. Tiller Money covers Auto-populates financial data, Customizable spreadsheets, Financial templates, Bank accounts. Both handle Budget tracking.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Tiller Money: How much does Tiller Money cost?
Tiller Money costs $79 per year with no free tier. A 30-day free trial is available. The annual subscription includes 5 connected spreadsheets and unlimited categories.
SourceTiller Money: Does Tiller work with Google Sheets and Excel?
Yes. Tiller automatically feeds daily bank transactions and account balances to Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel spreadsheets you own. Your data remains yours permanently.
SourceTiller Money: How many banks and financial institutions does Tiller connect to?
Tiller connects to 21,000+ US banks, credit card accounts, brokerages, and loan servicers via Yodlee and MX data providers. New banks are added weekly.
SourceTiller Money: What is AutoCat in Tiller?
AutoCat is Tiller's 100% customizable automatic categorization feature that learns your spending patterns. You can set rules like 'file all grocery store transactions above $10 as groceries and below $10 as snacks.'
SourceTiller Money: Does Tiller have a mobile app?
Tiller does not have a dedicated mobile app. Instead, it uses Google Sheets and Excel apps on mobile devices to access your spreadsheets. Mobile access is primarily for viewing, not transaction entry.
Source