3 Best Manager Alternatives in 2025
Last updated: February 2026 • 10 min read
Manager is a popular tool for businesses wanting free comprehensive accounting. While it offers a free tier (Free desktop version), its paid plans start at $20/mo (cloud). Whether you're looking for a cheaper option, better features, or an open-source solution, we've compiled the 3 best Manager alternatives to help you find the right fit.
📋 Quick Summary
- Total alternatives: 3
- Free alternatives: 3 (GnuCash, Wave, Akaunting)
- Open-source options: GnuCash, Akaunting
- Best overall: GnuCash
- Best free: GnuCash
Why Look for Manager Alternatives?
People commonly look for Manager alternatives for several reasons:
- Cost: While Manager has a free tier, its paid plans starting at $20/mo (cloud) can add up quickly for growing teams.
- Feature gaps: Desktop UI dated and learning curve are common complaints.
- Simplicity: Some users find Manager overly complex for their needs and prefer simpler solutions.
- Data ownership: Organizations wanting data sovereignty prefer open-source, self-hosted alternatives.
- Better fit: Different tools excel at different use cases — you may find a tool that's specifically built for your workflow.
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Starting Price | Rating | Open Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | ✓ Free desktop version | $20/mo (cloud) | ⭐ 4.1 | No | Businesses wanting free comprehensive accounting |
| GnuCash | ✓ Completely free | Free | ⭐ 3.8 | ✓ Yes | Users wanting free desktop accounting software |
| Wave | ✓ Free accounting and invoicing | Free | ⭐ 4 | No | Freelancers and micro-businesses wanting free accounting |
| Akaunting | ✓ Free (self-hosted) | Free | ⭐ 3.9 | ✓ Yes | Small businesses wanting free, self-hosted accounting |
Detailed Reviews of Each Alternative
GnuCash
Free, open-source personal and small business accounting software.
GnuCash is a free, open-source accounting application suitable for personal finance and small business accounting. It uses double-entry bookkeeping and supports multiple currencies, making it a solid choice for users who want powerful accounting without any cost.
Pros
- ✓ Completely free
- ✓ Open source
- ✓ Double-entry
- ✓ Multi-currency support
Cons
- ✗ Dated interface
- ✗ Steep learning curve
- ✗ No cloud sync
- ✗ Desktop only
Wave
Free accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Wave is a free accounting platform that offers invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning at no cost. It makes money through payment processing and payroll services. Wave is ideal for freelancers and very small businesses who need basic accounting without the cost.
Pros
- ✓ Completely free
- ✓ Easy to use
- ✓ Good for basics
- ✓ Receipt scanning
Cons
- ✗ Limited features
- ✗ No inventory
- ✗ No time tracking
- ✗ Basic reporting
Akaunting
Free, open-source online accounting software.
Akaunting is a free, open-source online accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers. It provides invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting with a modern web interface. Being open source, it can be self-hosted for complete data control.
Pros
- ✓ Free and open source
- ✓ Web-based
- ✓ Self-hostable
- ✓ Modern interface
Cons
- ✗ Limited features vs paid tools
- ✗ Requires hosting
- ✗ Small community
- ✗ Basic reporting
🏆 Our Recommendations
❓ FAQ
What is the best free alternative to Manager?
The best free alternative to Manager is GnuCash, which offers Completely free.
Is there an open-source alternative to Manager?
Yes! GnuCash, Akaunting are open-source alternatives to Manager that you can self-host for free.
What is the cheapest alternative to Manager?
The cheapest alternatives are the free options: GnuCash, Wave, Akaunting. For paid alternatives, prices start from as low as very affordable rates.
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