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Software · head to head

Moneydance vs GnuCash

Moneydance logo

Moneydance

Software

Cross-platform personal finance management

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GnuCash logo

GnuCash

Software

Personal finance and accounting software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GnuCash has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Moneydance the free trial is limited to 100 manually entered transactions; GnuCash desktop only, with no mobile application
  • They diverge on capability: Moneydance covers Bill tracking, GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Moneydance and GnuCash actually diverge.

Attributes where Moneydance and GnuCash differ
AttributeMoneydanceGnuCash
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Mac, Linux, IOS, AndroidWindows, Mac, Linux
Founded20011997

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 Moneydance

  • Bill tracking
  • Investment monitoring
  • Financial forecasting
  • Bank accounts
  • Investment accounts
  • OFX import
  • IOS support
  • Android support

Only in GnuCash

  • Double-entry bookkeeping
  • Multi-currency support
  • Reports and graphs
  • Import/Export
  • OFX format

Both cover

  • Budget tracking
  • Windows support
  • Mac support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Moneydance

  • Desktop personal finance management on macOS, Windows and Linuxnot GnuCash
  • Importing and reconciling bank and credit card transactions locallynot GnuCash
  • Tracking investments and budgets without a cloud-only servicenot GnuCash

GnuCash

  • Personal finance tracking with a checkbook register interfacenot Moneydance
  • Double-entry bookkeeping for a small businessnot Moneydance
  • Tracking stocks, bonds and mutual fund accountsnot Moneydance
  • Importing transactions via QIF, OFX or HBCInot Moneydance
  • Scheduled recurring transactions and financial reportsnot Moneydance

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Moneydance

  • The free trial is limited to 100 manually entered transactions
  • A one-time Buy Once purchase covers Moneydance 2024 plus one free upgrade to the next major release, not all future versions
  • Bank connection features are sold separately as the Moneydance Plus subscription rather than included in the one-time purchase
  • Business use requires one licence per computer, while the household licence covers personal use only

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Moneydance

On request
  • Perpetual License$59.99/month
    • Full feature set
    • Free updates

GnuCash

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Moneydance if

  • You need bill tracking.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android.
  • You also want investment monitoring.
Moneydance review

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

Questions people ask

Is Moneydance or GnuCash better?
Neither clearly leads. Moneydance starts at On request and GnuCash at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Moneydance or GnuCash?
GnuCash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Moneydance and Free for GnuCash.
Does Moneydance or GnuCash run on more platforms?
Moneydance runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android. GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux.
Can I use GnuCash for free?
Yes. GnuCash has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Moneydance starts at On request.
What is Moneydance best used for?
Moneydance is most often used for desktop personal finance management on macos, windows and linux, importing and reconciling bank and credit card transactions locally, tracking investments and budgets without a cloud-only service. Of those, desktop personal finance management on macos, windows and linux and importing and reconciling bank and credit card transactions locally are not what GnuCash is typically brought in for.
What can Moneydance do that GnuCash cannot?
Moneydance covers Bill tracking, Investment monitoring, Financial forecasting, Bank accounts. GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Import/Export. Both handle Budget tracking, Windows support, Mac support, Linux support.
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