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GnuCash

Free
Reviewed
April 2010
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GnuCash

Free personal accounting software

Pros
  • Free
  • Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems
  • Supports multiple currencies and languages
  • Useful for small business as well as personal accounts
Cons
  • Not as user-friendly as some
  • May be too complex for novices
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 
 

GnuCash is free open-source software that can handle complex accounting tasks, including those required to run a small business, reviewers say. Users can set up a variety of account types, including cash, banks and other financial institutions, credit cards, mutual funds, stocks and accounts payable and receivable. However, some experts say you need to know a fair amount about accounting to get the most from this software, and that some features could be improved. For example, setting up customized reports can be complicated. The latest stable version as of this writing is 2.2.9; the company periodically releases unfinished versions for user testing. Those who want to stick to familiar territory may be happier with Moneydance 2010 (*Est. $40), reviewers say.

We didn't find any comparative reviews of GnuCash, but we did find several good single-product reviews from Download.com, Linux Magazine and About.com. PC World gives it a short write-up in an article about open-source applications.

Where To Buy
 
 
Download GnuCash
 
 
 

Our Sources

1. Download.com

Download.com editors give this GnuCash release a score of 4 out of 5, saying, "If you're overwhelmed by the number of personal accounts you're trying to manage, or you're trying to keep your small business on track financially, GnuCash is freeware you should try."

Review: GnuCash 2.3.3, Editors of Download.com, June 1, 2009

2. About.com

Shelley Elmblad describes GnuCash's features in detail, saying it's "definitely worth a try." In addition, she concludes, "Many small businesses will find GnuCash is perfect for their needs." She warns users to be careful what version they download from the website, since some that are available there are not stable and are meant to be downloaded for testing only. The latest stable version is 2.2.9 as of this writing. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Review: GnuCash Free Personal Finance and Small Business Accounting Software: GnuCash Version 2.2.9, Shelley Elmblad, Updated Nov. 17, 2009

3. Linux Magazine

This review outlines GnuCash's features and walks the reader through some of the application's basic setup tasks. The editors say that GnuCash's help features are among the best around, and that GnuCash is "a rich application" that can handle personal and small business financial tasks with ease. User comments follow the main article.

Review: If You Knew Cash Like GnuCash Knows Cash, Editors of Linux Magazine, Sept. 3, 2008

4. PC World

This review provides short descriptions of several open-source applications, including GnuCash. McAllister writes that although GnuCash is not as user-friendly as more commercial financial software, it is "serious financial software" suitable for those with complex accounting needs.

Review: Open Your Business to Open-Source Apps, Neil McAllister, Jan. 30, 2008

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