Manager.io review

Manager.io is the most capable free option if one person keeps the books. Manager's download page says the Desktop Edition can be used for as long as you like, with all features, no time limits, no usage limits and no ads, on Windows, Mac and Linux, and it works offline. Its guides list bank reconciliations, receipts and payments, expense claims, payslips, fixed assets and a Projects tab that tracks income and expenses for individual pieces of work, which a charity can use to follow a grant or program. The catch is access: Manager says the desktop version is single-user and does not support remote access. When a second volunteer or an outside accountant needs to log in, the choices are the Cloud Edition at a flat 59 USD a month for unlimited users and businesses, or the free Server Edition on your own hardware, which Manager does not help install.

Who it is for

Treasurers who keep the books on one computer

Price

Desktop Edition free forever; Cloud Edition $59 per month for unlimited users and businesses; Server Edition has no monthly fee.

59 USD per month Unlimited Users + Unlimited Businesses
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Desktop Edition with all modules and no usage limits
• Projects tab tracks income and expenses per project
• Bank reconciliations, expense claims and fixed assets
• Works offline on Windows, Mac and Linux
• Same data file moves between Desktop, Cloud and Server editions

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free forever with no time limits, usage limits or ads
• Strength: Full double-entry feature set rather than a cut-down free tier
• Strength: Cloud Edition is a flat $59 a month with no per-user fees
• Weakness: Desktop Edition is single-user with no remote access
• Weakness: Server Edition needs your own server and Manager does not install it for you
• Weakness: No nonprofit-specific fund statements or donor features are documented

Key facts

• Desktop price: Free forever
• Cloud Edition: $59 a month, unlimited users
• Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
• Multi-user: Cloud or Server Edition only
• Cloud free trial: 14 days

Where it ranks

Manager.io is No. 2 in our Best Free Accounting Software for Nonprofits verdict.