# HomeBank review

> Local-first Apple-platform finance app with free envelopes and optional Premium.
Source: https://budgetingapps.org/apps/homebank (researched 2026-10-16). Research-based review, not hands-on testing.

*Different from the open-source desktop HomeBank. This listing is an Apple-only app that is in TestFlight beta.*

## Summary

HomeBank is a native iPhone, iPad and Mac personal finance app built by an independent developer. Accounts and transactions stay on-device with optional iCloud sync, and envelope budgets are set up free while pace tracking, alerts, rollover carry-over, forecasts and bank import via a third-party service are Premium. It is still distributed only as a TestFlight beta.

**Best for:** Apple-device users who want local-first envelope budgeting with strong import support and are willing to use a beta.

## Key facts

- Website: https://homebank.app/
- Price: $6.99/month; $49.99/year
- Rating: 3.0/5
- Free plan: yes
- Free trial: 30-day annual-plan trial (vendor-published; store launch pending)
- Platforms: Desktop, iOS
- Budgeting method: Envelope, Expense tracking, Forecasting, Couples & families
- Bank sync: Premium feature via Lunch Flow; manual import only, with a separate Lunch Flow account/subscription. Vendor docs say credentials are entered at Lunch Flow, not HomeBank.
- Mobile apps: Native iPhone, iPad and Mac app distributed in TestFlight beta; no App Store listing verified.
- Import: Yes: QIF, OFX/QFX, CSV, MT940, CAMT.053, HBK, XHB, Actual Budget; YNAB API import
- Multiple budgets: Not confirmed
- Team: Independent developer (solo)
- Privacy: Local-first; no HomeBank server stores finances; optional end-to-end encrypted iCloud sync; App Lock

## Features

- Envelope budgeting: yes
- Automatic bank sync: yes
- Manual transaction entry: yes
- Goal tracking: yes
- Debt payoff tools: no
- Investment tracking: no
- Bill reminders: not confirmed
- Reports & charts: yes
- Multi-currency: yes
- Shared / household budgets: yes
- Separate logins for shared budgets: not confirmed

## Pros

- Envelope setup, unlimited accounts and transactions are free with no time limit
- Imports 8 formats including QIF, OFX, CSV, MT940 and CAMT.053; exports HBK, CSV and QIF
- Data stays on device; iCloud sync optional; no server storing finances
- Multi-currency with exchange rate syncing, recurring transactions and loan tracking
- Free guided migration from YNAB through its API (shipped August 2026), plus Actual Budget and legacy desktop file import
- Household sharing and Apple Family Sharing on Premium
- Public roadmap and detailed changelog (17 documented releases since April 2026)
- Premium forecasting: 12-month projection, overdraft-risk estimate and subscription price-hike alerts

## Cons

- Beta only via TestFlight request; no public App Store listing found
- Apple platforms only (iOS 18+, macOS 15+); no Android or web
- Live budget pace, over-budget alerts and rollover carry-over are Premium-only
- Bank connection needs a separate paid third-party (Lunch Flow) subscription and is manual, not automatic
- Solo developer, young product (first beta April 2026) and no independent reviews found
- Premium price and trial are planned, not live; they may change at App Store launch

## Our review

### Short version

HomeBank is a native iPhone, iPad and Mac personal-finance app built around free envelope setup, with optional Premium for in-month budget tracking, sync, deeper reports and sharing. It remains in TestFlight beta; its published prices describe a planned App Store subscription rather than a live store purchase.

**Quick profile, not a full review.** Refreshed 2026-10-10 from the vendor's site, pricing, support, security and changelog pages, plus public store searches. Research-based, not hands-on testing: I did not request beta access, sign up, start a trial or connect a bank.

### What stands out

Free features include unlimited accounts and transactions, envelope setup, core reports, multi-currency, recurring transactions, loan tracking and import/export. The vendor lists eight import formats, including Actual Budget archive import and legacy XHB; exports are HBK, CSV and QIF. Premium adds budget pace and alerts, rollover carry-over, advanced reports, iCloud sync, household sharing and bank import. Bank connection uses Lunch Flow and requires its own account and subscription; sync is manual, not background. The vendor's October 2026 changelog documents ongoing TestFlight releases and import, reliability and design changes.

### Cost and availability

The pricing page lists free core features and Premium at $6.99/month or $49.99/year, with a 30-day annual-plan trial. The same pricing and support pages say App Store billing is for the future launch, while the homepage still asks users to request TestFlight access. Treat prices/trial as planned, not purchasable today.

### Privacy

The vendor says financial data is stored locally, with optional iCloud sync through the user's own account; bank credentials are entered through Lunch Flow. Its security page describes local encryption and optional encrypted backups. These are vendor statements, not an independent security audit.

### Who it may suit

Apple users comfortable trying beta software who want detailed imports, local-first storage and envelope budgeting without paying for the core workflow. Those who need a stable public-store release, Android/web access, automatic bank syncing or confirmed independent user feedback should wait or look elsewhere.

### Not confirmed

A public App Store release, live subscription billing, independent reviews/store ratings, and real-world beta reliability. The listing remains distinct from the older open-source desktop product with the same name.

Ratings are set separately against a shared rubric.

## Sources

- [HomeBank official homepage and feature descriptions](https://homebank.app/) (retrieved 2026-10-16)
- [HomeBank pricing](https://homebank.app/pricing) (retrieved 2026-10-16)
- [HomeBank changelog (October 2026)](https://homebank.app/changelog) (retrieved 2026-10-16)
- [HomeBank documentation](https://homebank.app/docs) (retrieved 2026-10-16)
- [HomeBank security and privacy](https://homebank.app/security) (retrieved 2026-10-16)
- [HomeBank terms of sale](https://homebank.app/terms) (retrieved 2026-10-16)