Firefly III vs Mint
Self-host swap-in for Mint. · Self-host Mint · Firefly III on os-alt
Firefly III is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Mint — license AGPL-3.0, 30min docker-compose (PHP + MariaDB + cron + data importer) to stand up, and $5-10/mo vps. Compare against Mint's Was free; replaced by Credit Karma. Direct paid alternative: YNAB at $14.99/mo or $99/yr below.
| Firefly IIIopen-source | Mintpaid SaaS | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Personal finance / budget tracking | Personal finance / budget tracking |
| License / pricing | AGPL-3.0 | Was free; replaced by Credit Karma. Direct paid alternative: YNAB at $14.99/mo or $99/yr |
| Starting price | $0 self-host | $14.99/user/mo |
| GitHub | firefly-iii/firefly-iii | closed source |
| Setup time | 30min docker-compose (PHP + MariaDB + cron + data importer) | SaaS — sign up + bill |
| Monthly cost | $5-10/mo VPS. | from $14.99/user/mo (Was free; replaced by Credit Karma. Direct paid alternative: YNAB at $14.99/mo or $99/yr) |
Switching from Mint to Firefly III
Use the official compose at docs.firefly-iii.org (firefly-iii + data-importer + cron containers). Mint CSV export imports via Firefly's Data Importer module. Connect ongoing bank feeds via Nordigen (free EU) or SimpleFIN (US, paid) using the Data Importer's bank-bridge mode. Firefly is ledger-first — every transaction is double-entry (asset → expense, asset → asset transfer) which is more rigorous than Mint but takes adjustment.
- Good fit for
- Users who want full double-entry accuracy and reporting depth (Sankey diagrams, expense-by-category, multi-currency).
- Weak at
- Steeper learning curve than Actual or Maybe — double-entry concepts can frustrate Mint refugees.
Other open-source self-host alternatives to Mint
In a terminal? npx os-alt mint prints Mint's self-host options —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Is Firefly III a free alternative to Mint?
Yes — Firefly III is open source under AGPL-3.0. Self-host cost: $5-10/mo VPS.. Mint starts at $14.99/user/mo (Was free; replaced by Credit Karma. Direct paid alternative: YNAB at $14.99/mo or $99/yr).
How long does Firefly III take to set up vs Mint?
Self-hosting Firefly III: 30min docker-compose (PHP + MariaDB + cron + data importer). Mint is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.
What is Firefly III good at, and what is it weak at?
Good fit for: Users who want full double-entry accuracy and reporting depth (Sankey diagrams, expense-by-category, multi-currency).. Weak at: Steeper learning curve than Actual or Maybe — double-entry concepts can frustrate Mint refugees..