Should you build your own Tiller?
Import financial CSV files into a transparent spreadsheet model with rules and templates
A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Tiller, import financial CSV files into a transparent spreadsheet model with rules and templates. The hard boundary is automated bank feeds, spreadsheet connectors, templates, and support, plus financial integrations, compliance, and trust.
ENOriginal research content in English. Original prompt preserved in English.
Build a closest honest personal substitute for Tiller in an empty repository.
Use Next.js 15, TypeScript, SQLite, Drizzle ORM, and local-first encryption; do not offer alternative stacks.
The core loop is: import financial CSV transactions into a transparent spreadsheet model, categorize them with rules and templates, reconcile balances, and export clean reports without moving money.
Make the first run work locally with one documented command.
Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward.
Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials.
Support CSV and OFX import with saved column mappings and duplicate detection.
Implement accounts, transactions, transfers, categories, payees, notes, and split transactions.
Add deterministic categorization rules whose matches can be inspected and undone.
Provide reconciliation, monthly budget, cash-flow, net-worth, and export views.
Keep an immutable import log and require explicit confirmation before destructive changes.
Encrypt local data, create automatic backups, and document restore on a fresh machine.
Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states.
Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs.
Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path.
Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps.
Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane.
Do not claim to reproduce proprietary data, network liquidity, regulated access, or frontier infrastructure.
Deliberately leave out initiating payments or moving money.
Deliberately leave out tax, payroll, or accounting compliance guarantees.
Deliberately leave out screen-scraped bank access and commercial institution aggregation.
Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used.The prompt opens pre-filled in your agent. Review it before running. · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR
What would building your own look like?
Import financial CSV transactions into a transparent spreadsheet model, categorize them with rules and templates, reconcile balances, and export clean reports without moving money.
What you will need
- CSV or OFX exports from financial institutions
- local encrypted storage
- optional exchange-rate API key
People still pay for Tiller because people pay because accurate money records and dependable institution connections are worth more than the visible charts. The recurring cost buys import normalization, reconciliation, rule drift, exchange rates, backups, audit trails, tax changes, bank APIs, and support, not just the visible interface.
xautomated bank feeds, spreadsheet connectors, templates, and support
xdirect bank feeds
xtax filing guarantees
xpayroll and payments
xaccountant ecosystem and support
How much does Tiller cost?
- Monthly billing
- $8.25/mo$8.25/mo
- Per year
- $99/yr$99/yr
- On a Brazilian card, with 3.5% IOF
- R$43.11/moR$517/yr
Saved to My list. You will see a notice on this site when the price changes.
You complete the purchase on Tiller’s site. Vibe Radar does not handle payments.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| tiller | $8.25≈ $8.25 | $8.25≈ $8.25 | All Tiller features, bank connections, Foundation Template and AutoCat |
Free tierno free tier; 30-day free trial
Billing termsannual only ($99/year); card charged after 30-day trial
Additional costsNo monthly plan; the full $99 is charged after the 30-day trial and at each annual renewal.
verified 2026-10-20 · source ↗
Is it cheaper to build or buy Tiller?
Adjust the numbers: hours to build, your hourly rate, running costs and the subscription price.
Over 24 months, subscribing is cheaper.
Starting hours estimated from the analysis (closest consolation build: one sitting). Does not price what you give up (support, integrations, security).
Can I rebuild Tiller?
Not really. Tiller’s value is not the code: Recheck price before merge. See the honest breakdown above.
How much does Tiller cost?
Tiller costs about $8.25/mo (Tiller, checked 10/20/2026), which is $99 per year.
What do I lose by replacing Tiller?
Honestly: automated bank feeds, spreadsheet connectors, templates, and support; direct bank feeds; tax filing guarantees; payroll and payments; accountant ecosystem and support. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Tiller?
Yes: Actual Budget (Active local-first open-source personal finance application.). Using prior art is also vibecoding; the prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.