Mindful Budgeting.
Private. Local. Yours.
BudgetNote is a local-first budgeting journal for people who want control. Log income and expenses in seconds, set tag limits, and review trends - all offline. No bank sync, no accounts, no cloud. Your data stays on your computer in BudgetNoteVault/.
Zero Cloud Sync
Data never leaves your device
Privacy First
No tracking pixels
Open Data Format
JSON & CSV Export
No Subscriptions
Core is free forever
"The 5 seconds it takes to log each expense is the whole point. That pause makes me question every purchase before I make it. Most apps want to hide the work from you. This one makes you do it—and that's when the real change happens."
Want to move data? Simply copy your ~/Documents/BudgetNoteVault folder to any device.
Log. Limit. Reflect.
BudgetNote keeps you present. Everything runs locally, and every entry is intentional.
Log the moment
Open a quick entry, type the amount, add a tag and note. That pause is the feature.
Set simple limits
Create monthly limits by tag to keep spending in check and stay intentional.
Review and reflect
See on-device graphs and summaries that surface patterns without sending data anywhere.
Everything needed to start.
Zero cost.
Complete Transaction Management
Record income and expenses with tags, dates, comments, and payment methods. The ledger is designed for speed and clarity.
Budget Limits
Set monthly limits on your most critical tags. Visual progress bars help you stay on track without stress.
On-Device Analytics
Beautiful visualizations computed 100% locally. Filter by any date range to spot trends instantly.
Savings Goals
Track progress towards big life purchases. Watch your savings grow with visual motivators.
Mindfulness Notes
The pause is the feature. Add context to understand the 'why' behind spending, not just the 'what'.
"Stress buying after a long meeting. Didn't actually need caffeine."
100% Data Ownership
Your data lives in a simple JSON file on your disk. Move it, backup it, or export it anytime.
Keyboard First
Designed for flow. Add entries in seconds with Cmd+E never leaving your keyboard.
Built for deliberate money management.
If you want automation, this is not it. If you want awareness and ownership, you are in the right place.
For you if
- Privacy-first usersYou want local files and no bank sync or tracking.
- Mindful spendersYou prefer a quick manual log that makes you pause.
- Envelope budgetersYou like tag limits that keep categories in check.
- Spreadsheet refugeesYou want structure without formulas or fragile sheets.
Not for you if
- Hands-off automationYou want your bank to sync and categorize everything.
- Mobile-first trackingYou mainly budget on your phone.
- Cloud collaborationYou need shared, multi-user budgets in the cloud.
- Zero manual entryYou want the app to do the thinking for you.
Upgrade to Pro.
Own it for life.
Pro adds advanced analytics, unlimited limits/goals/tags, and printable reports. One-time license at the Early Adopter price (may change).
Heatmap Calendar
Visualize consistency with a GitHub-style heatmap, Activity/Volume toggles, and Pro streak pills.
Financial Reports
Export clean monthly or annual reviews in HTML/PDF.
Advanced Analytics
Track savings rate, pacing, and forecast trends across 15+ charts.
Unlimited Power
Remove limits on goals, limits, tags, templates, and methods.
Designed for Flow.
Every pixel is crafted to reduce cognitive load. Dark mode by default, keyboard-first navigation, and instant interactions.
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Tools for Mastery, Not Convenience.
We believe technology should amplify your intention, not automate it away. BudgetNote is built for people who want to feel their spending, change their habits, and own their data completely.
The Friction is the Feature
We reject frictionless finance. Automation breeds complacency. By actively logging every expense, you create a micro-moment of reflection that naturally curbs impulse spending.
Your Life is a Business
You are the CEO of your own life. Treat your finances with the same rigor. This isn't just an app; it's a stoic commitment to your future self.
The Pause Effect
Every transaction starts in the mind. Our tag-based system forces you to categorize *before* you execute. This thoughtful pause is where financial freedom begins.
100% Data Sovereignty
Your financial history belongs to you, not a server. We store nothing. Your data lives on your device in open formats. Total ownership means total independence.
Take Back Control
of Your Budget.
Stop renting your financial data. Download the app that puts you first. Fast, private, and built for the long term.