GnuCash - An Assessment

Being a keen Linux (Ubuntu) user, I recently decided to attempt to migrate my personal accounts from Microsoft Money (which is not currently supported by WINE). The first step was deciding on the alternative application that I could use within my Linux desktop environment.

Some of the programs I considered and tried included:
  • KMoney
  • Grisbi
  • GnuCash
Eventually I settled for GNUCash as it appeared to be the most mature and actively developed of the lot. I exported my multiple accounts from Money into QIF format and set about importing them into GnuCash. I started by importing the data into a blank session so as to create my own account structure. This seemed to work out ok but being unfamiliar with the double entry accounting system it took me a while to get my head around a some aspects of the system. Microsoft's Money program lets you categorise transactions and generally feels easier for the average user to pickup and use. One feature that I missed was the ability to match the imported transactions against earlier transactions to place them into the correct account/category. This, combined with the inability to select multiple transactions simultaneously, meant a lot of work organising the transactions.

While I generally liked GnuCash and recognise that a lot of work has gone into it I don't think I will be switching permanently at this time. I would like to see:

  • Improvements to the transaction matching on import
  • Ability to work with multiple transactions
  • Improved user interface
    • Ability to colour code / specify an icon or in some way indicate the different account types
    • Account summary screen to show date of most recent transaction, institution (bank), etc.
    
If I hadn't been 'spoilt' by the features and usability of MS Money then I would find this application a valuable asset to my business and personal financial management and analysis. Good work GnuCash team, let me know when you have addressed some of these issues and I'll give it another go.

Open Source Accounting - GnuCash Assessment

May 01, 2008
I decided to have a go at using one of the open source account applications to track and manage my personal finances.
This brief article details my findings.