FAQ for Beancount.io
Getting Started
What is Beancount.io?
Beancount.io is a modern, plain-text accounting platform built for developers and finance professionals. It makes your finances scriptable, auditable, and automated—with AI-powered insights and customizable workflows.
How do I get started with Beancount.io?
Getting started is simple:
- Sign up for our free tier to explore the platform
Visit our
Help Center
for step-by-step guides
Check out our
Getting Started
documentation
Join our community on
Telegram
for support
Our platform is designed to be accessible for both beginners and experienced users of plain-text accounting.
Who is Beancount.io for?
Beancount.io is designed for:
Developers and engineers who want scriptable financial tools
Tech-savvy finance professionals seeking automation
Small business owners with technical backgrounds
Cryptocurrency and investment enthusiasts needing detailed tracking
Privacy-focused individuals who want control over their financial data
Do I need to know programming to use Beancount.io?
Not necessarily! While our platform is powerful for developers, we provide user-friendly interfaces for common tasks. However, basic familiarity with plain-text files and willingness to learn will help you unlock the full potential of our automation features.
Pricing & Plans
How much does Beancount.io cost?
We offer flexible pricing to meet different needs:
Free tier: Perfect for individuals and open source users
Pro plans: Advanced features and AI automations on affordable monthly or annual subscriptions
Visit our
pricing page
for detailed plan comparisons and current rates.
What is the cancellation policy?
We believe in flexibility:
- Cancel your subscription at any time—no long-term contracts
Continue accessing premium features until the end of your billing period
- Export your data anytime in plain-text format
- No refunds for partial months, but you're never locked in
Can I try premium features before subscribing?
Yes! Our free tier includes access to core features so you can evaluate the platform. We also offer trial periods for premium features—contact us if you'd like to explore advanced automation before committing to a subscription.
Features & Capabilities
What makes Beancount.io different from other accounting software?
Beancount.io stands out with its unique approach:
Plain-text foundation: All data in human-readable format
Complete transparency: No black-box calculations
Version control friendly: Track changes like code
Scriptable automation: Build custom workflows
AI-powered insights: Modern automation meets traditional accounting
Developer-friendly: API access and extensible architecture
Can I customize workflows and reports?
Absolutely! Beancount.io is fully scriptable:
- Automate bank reconciliations with custom scripts
- Build reports tailored to your business needs
- Create plugins for specialized use cases
- Integrate with external tools via our API
- Set up automated data imports and exports
What file formats does Beancount.io support?
We support multiple formats for maximum flexibility:
Native: Beancount plain-text format (.beancount)
Import: CSV, OFX, QIF from banks and financial institutions
Export: CSV, JSON, Excel for reports and analysis
Integration: Direct API connections to banks and fintech services
Does Beancount.io work with cryptocurrencies?
Yes! Beancount.io has excellent support for cryptocurrency accounting, including multi-currency transactions, capital gains calculations, DeFi protocol tracking, and integration with popular crypto exchanges. Our plain-text approach makes it easy to audit complex crypto transactions.
Security & Data
Is my data safe with Beancount.io?
Security and privacy are fundamental to our platform:
Encryption: Data encrypted in transit and at rest
No vendor lock-in: Export your plain-text files anytime
Transparent security: Open about our practices and policies
Data ownership: Your financial data belongs to you
Privacy-first: Minimal data collection, maximum user control
Can I self-host Beancount.io?
While our main offering is a hosted service, we support the open-source Beancount ecosystem. You can use the underlying Beancount tools locally, and we provide documentation for advanced users who want to run their own infrastructure. Contact us to discuss enterprise self-hosting options.
What happens to my data if I cancel my subscription?
Your data remains accessible throughout your billing period, and you can export everything in standard plain-text format. We maintain your data for 90 days after cancellation, giving you time to retrieve it. Since everything is in plain-text, you can continue using your files with any Beancount-compatible tools.
Support & Resources
Is there documentation or training available?
We provide comprehensive learning resources:
Documentation: Detailed guides and API references
Help Center: Step-by-step tutorials and troubleshooting
Video tutorials: Visual walkthroughs of key features
Community: Active user community for peer support
Examples: Real-world configuration samples and templates
How do I get support?
We offer multiple ways to get help:
Community: Join our
Telegram group
for peer support
Help Center: Search our
comprehensive guides
Direct support: Contact our team for technical issues
Custom development: We can help build specialized integrations
Do you offer professional services or consulting?
Yes! We offer implementation consulting, custom integration development, and training for teams adopting Beancount.io. Whether you need help migrating from legacy systems or building specialized workflows, our team can assist with professional services tailored to your needs.
