Software · head to head
Simplifi vs GnuCash
The short version
- Only GnuCash has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Simplifi there is no free tier at all; GnuCash desktop only, with no mobile application
- They diverge on capability: Simplifi covers Spending analysis, GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Simplifi and GnuCash actually diverge.
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 Simplifi
- Spending analysis
- Goal tracking
- Cash flow insights
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
Only in GnuCash
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Multi-currency support
- Reports and graphs
- Import/Export
- OFX format
- Windows support
- Mac support
- Linux support
Both cover
- Budget tracking
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Simplifi
- Personal budgeting with automatic bank transaction importnot GnuCash
- Tracking spending, savings goals and net worth in one placenot GnuCash
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Simplifi
On request- Monthly$5.99/month
- Budget tracking
- Spending insights
- Goal setting
- Annual$59.99/month
- All monthly features
- Discounted rate
GnuCash
Free- Open SourceFree
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Multi-currency support
- Reports and graphs
Which should you pick?
Choose Simplifi if
- You need spending analysis.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want goal tracking.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Simplifi or GnuCash better?
- Neither clearly leads. Simplifi 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, Simplifi or GnuCash?
- GnuCash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Simplifi and Free for GnuCash.
- Does Simplifi or GnuCash run on more platforms?
- Simplifi runs on Web, 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. Simplifi starts at On request.
- What is Simplifi best used for?
- Simplifi is most often used for personal budgeting with automatic bank transaction import, tracking spending, savings goals and net worth in one place. Of those, personal budgeting with automatic bank transaction import and tracking spending, savings goals and net worth in one place are not what GnuCash is typically brought in for.
- What can Simplifi do that GnuCash cannot?
- Simplifi covers Spending analysis, Goal tracking, Cash flow insights, Bank accounts. GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Import/Export. Both handle Budget tracking.