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Install BudgetNote, learn the core workflow, and get clear answers about local data, pricing limits, and first-run setup.
Getting Started
BudgetNote is a private desktop budgeting app built around fast manual entry, local data ownership, and a simple monthly review workflow.
Installation & Setup
BudgetNote runs locally on macOS, Windows, and Linux. On first launch, the desktop app creates a BudgetNote vault folder in your Documents directory.
This folder is your database. You can sync it across devices using iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or Syncthing. BudgetNote simply reads whatever folder you point it to.
If Gatekeeper blocks the app, open it from System Settings after confirming the download came from budgetnote.net.
If SmartScreen appears, verify the installer source first, then use the Windows prompt to continue.
The Dashboard
The dashboard is your daily driver. It provides a chronological view of your spending, grouped by month.
Month Cards
Toggle between months to see historical data instantly.
Quick Entry
Use Cmd+E to add transactions without touching the mouse.
Core Concepts
Income vs. Expense
Many apps blend income and expense into a single "Net" number. BudgetNote keeps them strictly separate to help you understand your Cash Flow.
- Income (+): Paychecks, Dividends, Sold Items. Increases your "Inflow".
- Expense (-): Rent, Food, Travel. Increases your "Outflow".
Tags & Categorization
Transactions are organized by Tags. Free includes up to 10 custom tags, and Pro removes that cap.
Best Practices
Don't create ephemeral tags like #TripToVegas2024. Instead, use a generic #Travel or #Vacation tag and use the Note field for specifics.
Insights & Notes
Mindfulness over Mathematics
Adding a note isn't just metadata—it's mindfulness. By writing why you spent money ("Stressed from work", "Celebratory dinner"), you spot behavioral patterns that numbers alone can't show.
Entry Notes
Add context to specific transactions. These appear in the Insights Calendar, helping you map your mood to your spending. Search for "coffee" to see every time you noted it.
Month Notes
A dedicated scratchpad for the month. Use this to summarize life events ("Moved apartments", "Got a raise") that explain why the month's graph looks anomalous.
Budget & Goals
Budgeting in BudgetNote is about Limits (capping downside) and Goals (planning upside).
Spending Limits
Set monthly hard caps on risky categories. The bar turns red as you approach the limit.
- Resets automatically on the 1st
- Applies to specific Tags (e.g. #Dining)
- Visual warning at 80% usage
- Free: 3 Active Limits / Pro: Unlimited
Savings Goals
Track progress towards big purchases. "Pay yourself first" by logging transfers to savings.
- Link income or transfers triggers
- Projected completion dates
- Confetti on completion
- Free: 1 Active Goal / Pro: Unlimited
Transfers Logic
Double-counting destroys analytics. The "Transfer" flag is your tool to tell BudgetNote: "This isn't spending, it's just moving money."
Credit Cards
When you buy dinner, that's spending (-$50). When you pay the Visa bill later, that is a Transfer, not a second expense.
Savings
Moving $500 from Checking to Savings is not 'spending' money. It's a Transfer. Your Net Worth remains the same.
Reimbursements
Bought lunch for a friend? Tag it #Reimbursable. When they Venmo you back, mark the inflow as a Transfer or Income.
When adding an entry, toggle the "Transfer" switch (or duplicate arrow icon) to exclude it from your Spending Graphs. It will still appear in your transaction history but won't skew your monthly burn rate.
Analytics & Pro
BudgetNote forces all analytics to run on-device. We calculate trends, averages, and predictions using your local JSON files.
Pro Advanced Suite
Visualize your financial consistency with a GitHub-style heatmap. See every day you spent money (Activity), how much you spent (Volume), or how much you saved (Savings).Includes "Streak Pills" to gamify your Zero-Spend days.
One click to generate a beautiful, printable HTML/PDF report of your month. ideal for archiving or sharing with a partner/accountant.
Pro Workflow
Instantly opens a draft row. Type amount, tab to source, tab to tags. Hit Enter.
Universal search. Find transactions, tags, or settings instantly.
One-keypress filling. Map your most frequent purchases (e.g. 'Coffee', 'Groceries') to number keys.
Cheat Sheet
Data Sovereignty
Your Data is Yours
BudgetNote follows a Strictly Local philosophy. We literally cannot see your data. There is no analytics SDK tracking your transactions.
Go to Settings → Data to create manual backups and exports inside your local vault folders.
Moving computers? Simply copy the entire `BudgetNoteVault` folder to your new machine via USB or Cloud Drive.
FAQ
Data & Privacy
Where is my data stored?
100% locally on your device inside your BudgetNoteVault folder. Your budgeting data stays on your machine.
Do you have access to my financial data?
No. The desktop app keeps your budgeting data local. If you buy Pro or contact support, we receive purchase or support info, not your transactions.
Is my data encrypted?
BudgetNote keeps your data local, but it does not add a separate encrypted vault layer yet. You can rely on full-disk encryption such as FileVault or BitLocker.
What happens to my data if the app shuts down?
Your data stays in the local vault folder you control, along with backups and exports you can keep or move elsewhere.
Licensing & Pricing
Is BudgetNote free?
Yes. BudgetNote has a free core version with tracking, exports, search, notes, core charts, and limited tags, limits, goals, templates, and payment methods.
Is this a subscription?
No. BudgetNote Pro is a one-time payment for a lifetime license. No monthly fees, ever.
Can I use it on multiple Macs?
The current Pro license supports up to 2 active devices.
What is the refund policy?
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Just email us for a full refund.
Do I get future updates?
Yes. Your Pro license includes all future updates and new features for life.
Features & Limits
What are the limits on the Free version?
Free users can create up to 3 spending limits, 1 savings goal, 3 templates, 10 tags, and 4 payment methods.
What is a 'Transfer' and why use it?
A transfer marks money movement between your own accounts, such as moving cash from checking to savings. It keeps your spending analytics accurate by excluding internal moves.
What are Tags for?
Tags let you categorize transactions for filtering and reporting. Think of them as custom labels like 'Vacation', 'Work Expense', or 'Gift'.
Are templates limited?
Free: 3 saved templates. Pro: Unlimited. Templates let you quickly log recurring transactions like subscriptions.
Sync & Compatibility
Is there a mobile app?
Not yet. BudgetNote is desktop-first today.
Can I sync between my Mac and PC?
Yes, but you control it. Place your `BudgetNoteVault` folder in a synced location like Dropbox, iCloud Drive, or Google Drive. Point BudgetNote on both computers to that synced folder.
Does it work offline?
Absolutely. BudgetNote is 100% offline-first. No internet connection is ever required.
Can I import data from Mint or YNAB?
Manual entry is still the core workflow. If import options matter for your setup, check the latest changelog or contact support before buying.
What operating systems are supported?
Currently macOS, Windows, and Linux (.AppImage).
General
How do I contact support?
Email us at [email protected]. We typically respond within 24 hours.
Is the app open source?
The core app is not open source, but we embrace an open philosophy: your data is always accessible and portable.