Security & Privacy
HomebrewWhat is Actual?
Privacy-focused app for managing your finances
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask actualHow to Install Actual on Mac
Follow these steps to install Actual using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.
- 1
Open Terminal
Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".
- 2
Install Homebrew
If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.
- 3
Run
brew install --cask actualPaste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:
brew install --cask actual - 4
Verify Installation
Run `brew list` to confirm actual is installed, then try `actual --version` to check the version number.
- 5
Launch Actual
Run `actual` in your Terminal to start using it.
Troubleshooting
- • If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with
sudo. - • If Homebrew can't find the package, run
brew updatefirst to refresh the package list. - • On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at
/opt/homebrew(the default for M-series chips).
Key Features
Easy installation via Homebrew
Regular updates and maintenance
Free to use
Professional support available
Pros
- Simple one-command installation
- Well-maintained and regularly updated
- Completely free to use
Cons
- Requires Homebrew to be installed
- macOS only
Frequently Asked Questions about Actual
How do I install Actual on Mac?
Open Terminal, install Homebrew if you haven't already (visit brew.sh), then run
brew install --cask actual. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can then run actual from Terminal.Is Actual free?
Yes, Actual is completely free to use.
How do I uninstall Actual?
Open Terminal and run
brew uninstall --cask actual. Homebrew will remove Actual and all associated files cleanly. You can verify it was removed by running brew list.What are alternatives to Actual?
There are several security & privacy apps available for macOS. Browse the Security & Privacy category on Bundl.run to compare features, popularity, and install counts for similar tools.
How do I update Actual to the latest version?
Run
brew upgrade --cask actual in Terminal to update to the latest version. You can also run brew outdated to check if an update is available.Does Actual work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)?
Yes, Actual can be installed on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs via Homebrew. Homebrew automatically handles the correct version for your hardware.
