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.
