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Software · head to head

GnuCash vs YNAB

GnuCash logo

GnuCash

Software

Personal finance and accounting software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
YNAB logo

YNAB

Software

You Need A Budget

From
$14.99/month
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; YNAB subscription priced exclusively in US dollars; international customers face unfavourable exchange rates
  • They diverge on capability: GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, YNAB covers Zero-based budgeting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GnuCash and YNAB actually diverge.

Attributes where GnuCash and YNAB differ
AttributeGnuCashYNAB
Starting priceFree$14.99/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Mac, LinuxWeb, iOS, Android
Founded19972004

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 YNAB

  • Zero-based budgeting
  • Bank sync
  • Goal tracking
  • Reports
  • Multi-device sync
  • Bank connections
  • Plaid
  • Bank-level encryption

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

YNAB

  • Individual budget tracking with 34-day free trial before subscription commitmentnot GnuCash
  • Household budget management with wife-on-plan sharing for up to 6 household membersnot GnuCash
  • Manual transaction entry for banks outside the supported import listnot 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

YNAB

  • Subscription priced exclusively in US dollars; international customers face unfavourable exchange rates
  • Multi-currency support restricted to one currency per spending plan
  • Bank import limited to select institutions in US, Canada, UK, and EU only
  • Household plan can only be shared with up to 6 people; additional members cannot access shared plan

Pricing, plan by plan

GnuCash

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

YNAB

$14.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the YNAB review.

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 YNAB if

  • You need zero-based budgeting.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want bank sync.
YNAB review

Questions people ask

Is GnuCash or YNAB better?
Neither clearly leads. GnuCash starts at Free and YNAB at $14.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GnuCash or YNAB?
GnuCash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GnuCash and $14.99/month for YNAB.
Does GnuCash or YNAB run on more platforms?
GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux. YNAB runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use GnuCash for free?
Yes. GnuCash has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. YNAB starts at $14.99/month.
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 YNAB is typically brought in for.
What can GnuCash do that YNAB cannot?
GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Budget tracking. YNAB covers Zero-based budgeting, Bank sync, Goal tracking, Reports.
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