Phoenix, AZ, Feb. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- True North Budgeting, a privacy-first desktop budgeting application created by brothers Ashton and Aaron Alexander, is now available for individuals and households who want a clear picture of where their money goes - without cloud syncing, bank logins, subscriptions, or tracking. The offline budgeting tool launched February 14, 2026, and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux for a one-time price of $49.99.
After years of watching users struggle with overwhelming budgeting apps that demanded bank credentials, monthly fees, and constant connectivity, the Alexander brothers created something different: a budgeting tool designed to reduce anxiety instead of adding to it.
"We kept hearing the same thing: 'I just want to see where my money goes without giving up my privacy or paying forever,'" said Aaron Alexander, co-founder. "That's why we built True North - to give people a calm, private space for their finances that they actually own."
Privacy-First by Design, Not as an Add-On
True North Budgeting runs entirely offline, storing budget data locally on the user's device. It does not collect budgeting data, does not include analytics or telemetry, and never asks users to connect bank accounts.
While many budgeting tools prioritize automation and engagement, True North was built around a different premise: budgeting works best when it is calm, private, and user-owned.
In an era where financial apps compete for attention with notifications, gamification, and engagement metrics, True North takes the opposite approach. The interface is deliberately quiet - no alerts, no daily streaks, no social comparisons. Just clear numbers and calm design.
"Privacy-first shouldn't be a premium feature or buried in settings," said Ashton Alexander, co-founder. "For personal finance, privacy has to be the default. Our goal is a budgeting app that behaves like a notebook - something you own - rather than an account you rent."
Subscription Fatigue Meets Privacy Concerns
As financial activity increasingly migrates to cloud platforms, concerns around data exposure continue to grow. Recent industry data shows approximately 80% of organizations experienced cloud security incidents in the past year, with breaches averaging $5.17 million per incident.
Beyond security, recurring subscription models have become standard across software categories. Many budgeting apps charge $10-15 monthly while layering on upsells and feature tiers - costs that add up to $120-180 annually, or nearly $1,800 over ten years.
True North Budgeting's one-time $49.99 purchase eliminates recurring fees while keeping budget files on the user's hard drive, never transmitted to external servers.
The timing is notable: True North's launch comes months after Intuit announced the shutdown of Mint, leaving millions of users searching for alternatives. Many former Mint users are reconsidering whether cloud-based financial tools align with their privacy values.
Complete Financial View Without Cloud Dependency
True North Budgeting includes seven core modules designed to provide complete cash flow visibility without automated bank syncing:
Dashboard: Central overview showing upcoming expenses grouped by pay period and 12-month forecast.
Income Tracking: Tools for take-home pay tracking across monthly, semi-monthly, and bi-weekly schedules.
Expense Management: Categorization using 50/30/20 framework (Needs, Wants, Debt, Investing) with subscription tracking.
Assets & Net Worth: Tracking across assets and linked debts to reflect equity and overall financial position.
Financial Goals: Savings goals with targets and scheduled contributions aligned to pay periods.
Budget Calendar: Color-coded calendar for income, expenses, and goals with click-to-edit events. The visual approach provides clarity that spreadsheet users appreciate - showing when money arrives and leaves at a glance.
Insights & Reports: Views covering net worth, emergency fund progress, budget allocation, and debt strategies.
Part of a Broader Local-First Movement
True North Budgeting joins a growing number of applications embracing "local-first" principles - storing user data on devices rather than in the cloud. While this approach has gained traction in productivity and note-taking software, True North brings the philosophy to personal finance.
The local-first approach mirrors trends in note-taking apps like Obsidian, password managers offering local vaults, and productivity tools prioritizing offline functionality - sectors where users increasingly demand data sovereignty alongside features.
"People are asking different questions about the software they rely on," said Ashton. "Not just 'What does it do?' but 'Who controls it? What does it collect?' True North is our answer for budgeting - a tool that stays with you, on your device, on your terms."
True North Budgeting is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux at https://truenorthbudgeting.com
About True North Budgeting
True North Budgeting is a privacy-first budgeting tool built to help people create a calmer, more intentional relationship with money. Designed offline by default, it keeps financial data on the user's device with no forced accounts, syncing, or tracking. True North Budgeting is operated by Cash Compass LLC, based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Media Contact
Company: True North Budgeting
Contact: Aaron Alexander
Phone: 602-874-8622
Email: support@truenorthbudgeting.com
Country: United States
Website: https://truenorthbudgeting.com
Social Media: @truenorthbudgeting, @truenorthbudget
Media Contact Company: True North Budgeting Contact: Aaron Alexander Phone: 602-874-8622 Email: support@truenorthbudgeting.com Country: United States Website: https://truenorthbudgeting.com Social Media: @truenorthbudgeting, @truenorthbudget
