Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to YNAB · 💰 personal finance
YNAB vs OpenBudgeteer
YNAB-style buckets in a Docker box; bank sync and habit coaching did not make the container. Here is how OpenBudgeteer ($0/mo open source) stacks up against YNAB ($14.99/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
OpenBudgeteer
$0.00/mo · AGPL-3.0+
YNAB vs OpenBudgeteer Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-11
| Dimension | YNAB (Paid) | OpenBudgeteer (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $14.99 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $180 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $180) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $899 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $899) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,799 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,799) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source AGPL-3.0+ |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 966 (active dec 2025) |
Deep Dive: Switching from YNAB to OpenBudgeteer
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
OpenBudgeteer supplies buckets but not YNAB's native apps, live bank connections, habit-building guidance, polished reports, and managed cross-device reliability.
How to deploy OpenBudgeteer
Official Docker Compose stack
What it takes to run
The first obstacle is a multi-container deployment with MariaDB, Redis, persistent volumes, secrets, TLS, backups, and no built-in live bank connection.
Where your data lives
Budget buckets, accounts, transactions, users, and settings live in the deployment's MariaDB database, with Redis used by the application stack.
Why fork OpenBudgeteer instead of vibe-coding a YNAB clone?
A zero-based budget app with accounts, categories, envelopes, and reports is very buildable; bank sync and habit coaching are the main paid value.
YNAB vs OpenBudgeteer FAQ
Is OpenBudgeteer a good free alternative to YNAB?+
Yes. OpenBudgeteer is a verified open-source (AGPL-3.0+) replacement for YNAB. YNAB-style buckets in a Docker box; bank sync and habit coaching did not make the container.
What is the catch when switching from YNAB to OpenBudgeteer?+
OpenBudgeteer supplies buckets but not YNAB's native apps, live bank connections, habit-building guidance, polished reports, and managed cross-device reliability.
How much do you save switching from YNAB to OpenBudgeteer?+
YNAB costs $14.99/mo ($180/yr) per seat, whereas OpenBudgeteer is $0/mo. Switching saves $180/yr for a solo user, $899/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,799/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host OpenBudgeteer instead of YNAB?+
Install: Official Docker Compose stack. Setup: The first obstacle is a multi-container deployment with MariaDB, Redis, persistent volumes, secrets, TLS, backups, and no built-in live bank connection.
