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Software · head to head

Rocket Money vs GnuCash

Rocket Money logo

Rocket Money

Software

Cancel subscriptions and save money automatically

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GnuCash logo

GnuCash

Software

Personal finance and accounting software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Rocket Money successful bill negotiation costs a one time fee of 35% to 60% of the first year's savings; GnuCash desktop only, with no mobile application
  • They diverge on capability: Rocket Money covers Subscription tracking, GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Rocket Money and GnuCash actually diverge.

Attributes where Rocket Money and GnuCash differ
AttributeRocket MoneyGnuCash
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidWindows, Mac, Linux
Founded20161997

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Rocket Money

  • Subscription tracking
  • Bill negotiation
  • Automatic savings
  • Spending insights
  • Credit score monitoring
  • Bank accounts
  • Credit cards
  • Utility providers

Only in GnuCash

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

What people use each for

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

Rocket Money

  • Finding and cancelling unwanted subscriptionsnot GnuCash
  • Tracking bills and spending in one appnot GnuCash
  • Having a third party negotiate down recurring billsnot GnuCash

GnuCash

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

Where each one falls short

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

Rocket Money

  • Successful bill negotiation costs a one time fee of 35% to 60% of the first year's savings
  • Premium is priced on a sliding scale and the help centre publishes no fixed monthly or annual amount, stating rates vary across platforms
  • Custom budget categories, financial goal plans, credit score tracking and real time account syncing are Premium only
  • The Premium free trial is 7 days

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

Rocket Money

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Subscription tracking
    • Spending insights
    • Bill reminders
  • Premium$12/month
    • Bill negotiation
    • Subscription cancellation
    • Smart savings

GnuCash

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Rocket Money if

  • You need subscription tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want bill negotiation.
Rocket Money 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 Rocket Money or GnuCash better?
Neither clearly leads. Rocket Money starts at Free and GnuCash at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Rocket Money or GnuCash?
Rocket Money starts at Free and GnuCash at Free.
Does Rocket Money or GnuCash run on more platforms?
Rocket Money runs on Web, IOS, Android. GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux.
Can I use Rocket Money for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Rocket Money best used for?
Rocket Money is most often used for finding and cancelling unwanted subscriptions, tracking bills and spending in one app, having a third party negotiate down recurring bills. Of those, finding and cancelling unwanted subscriptions and tracking bills and spending in one app are not what GnuCash is typically brought in for.
What can Rocket Money do that GnuCash cannot?
Rocket Money covers Subscription tracking, Bill negotiation, Automatic savings, Spending insights. GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Budget tracking.
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