Budget Cards
Public beta · Tauri + React
Tired of subscription budget apps? I built one that keeps your budget on your machine.
Budget Cards tracks income and expenses across currencies. Your transactions live in SQLite on your computer — not on our servers. AI is optional: bring your own API key, run Ollama locally, or skip AI entirely.
Why it's different
Three choices most budget apps make. Budget Cards doesn't.
What you get today
These four topics come up in almost every beta conversation. See the full feature list for everything in the current desktop build.
Month view + categories
Transactions, split bills, VAT helper, and recurring bill reminders in one month view.
Multi-currency + crypto rates
Live FX when you turn on online rates. Optional CoinGecko prices if you track a few major coins.
Monthly insight (optional)
Optional narrative from data you already entered. Charts and reports still work offline with no API key.
Keyboard shortcuts
Press ? in the app for the full list. Jump between months, add transactions, and open settings from the keyboard.
See the real UI
A few moments from the app, each in a desktop-style frame.
Pick your build
Version 1.7.0, pulled from GitHub releases at deploy time.
Help set a fair lifetime price
Still in public beta. I'm planning a one-time household license after. No subscription.
One anonymous vote per device. Same ranges as today; I'm using this to pick a fair price, not to run ads or email you.
Download is free during beta. When the app launches, a one-time household license replaces the free download. No subscription, ever.
Mobile companion (planned)
iOS and Android app for quick expenses and a month-at-a-glance check. Not a replacement for the desktop app. How it talks to your Mac or PC is still open (local sync, your own folder, or export/import). No Budget Cards cloud. Same rule as desktop.
Questions I actually get
Is it really lifetime?
Plan is one payment per household after beta. No subscription. I use it myself and I dislike rent-seeking finance apps.
Where does my data actually live?
Everything is stored in a single file on your computer, in a format called SQLite. Think of it as a very efficient notebook that only your app can open. No cloud, no server, no account required.
Most budgeting apps store your finances on their servers somewhere. You trust them to keep it safe, and you lose access if they shut down. With Budget Cards, the file is yours. It sits on your disk, you can copy it, back it up, or open it with any SQLite tool you like.
Is everything included?
Yes. Everything on the features page is in the current beta. No paid tiers, no locked features. The only optional cost is AI, which uses your own API key and is billed directly by the provider, never by us.
Lifetime access means exactly that. One payment after beta, no recurring charges, no feature walls later.
Will there be a phone app?
Planned for quick logging, not a desktop replacement. Sync will not go through our servers, no Budget Cards cloud. I will share how it works before it ships.
Do I need AI?
No. Charts and category breakdowns work offline. AI is a convenience layer, not the product.
Website language vs app language?
This site is English only. The desktop app ships with 47 UI languages; pick yours in settings.