[GH-ISSUE #2985] Loading large budget databases takes too long #15434

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opened 2026-04-14 18:24:53 -05:00 by GiteaMirror · 12 comments
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Originally created by @dymanoid on GitHub (Jul 5, 2024).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues/2985

Verified issue does not already exist?

  • I have searched and found no existing issue
  • I will be providing steps how to reproduce the bug (in most cases this will also mean uploading a demo budget file)

What happened?

When the database contains a lot of transactions (in my case: 50 accounts, 10k+ transactions), the budget file opening takes too long. On mobile, this can be 20-30 seconds, which is especially annoying when you open the app just to quickly add a new transaction. On desktop, it's a bit faster but still not user-friendly.

The initial sync from the server takes too much time as well. On mobile, it takes several minutes to process everything when first selecting a budget file to download.

This should be optimized. The app startup and the last budget file load should be as quick as possible (maybe using a background activity for things not immediately required right away).

Where are you hosting Actual?

Docker

What browsers are you seeing the problem on?

Chrome

Operating System

Linux

Originally created by @dymanoid on GitHub (Jul 5, 2024). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues/2985 ### Verified issue does not already exist? - [X] I have searched and found no existing issue - [X] I will be providing steps how to reproduce the bug (in most cases this will also mean uploading a demo budget file) ### What happened? When the database contains a lot of transactions (in my case: 50 accounts, 10k+ transactions), the budget file opening takes too long. On mobile, this can be 20-30 seconds, which is especially annoying when you open the app just to quickly add a new transaction. On desktop, it's a bit faster but still not user-friendly. The initial sync from the server takes too much time as well. On mobile, it takes several minutes to process everything when first selecting a budget file to download. This should be optimized. The app startup and the last budget file load should be as quick as possible (maybe using a background activity for things not immediately required right away). ### Where are you hosting Actual? Docker ### What browsers are you seeing the problem on? Chrome ### Operating System Linux
GiteaMirror added the bugmaintenance labels 2026-04-14 18:24:53 -05:00
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@dymanoid commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2024):

Happy to investigate this.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2210470211 --> @dymanoid commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2024): Happy to investigate this.
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@youngcw commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2024):

Happy to investigate this.

Please do. It takes super long to download on mobile, even if the budget itself is not especially large.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2211196295 --> @youngcw commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2024): > Happy to investigate this. Please do. It takes super long to download on mobile, even if the budget itself is not especially large.
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@quaintdev commented on GitHub (Aug 11, 2024):

I have 6 months of data and transactions less than 500 with budget defined for every month. It still takes 30-40 seconds to load on mobile.

I should mention that this happens only for the first time when file is not available on device and I have to open one.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2282518721 --> @quaintdev commented on GitHub (Aug 11, 2024): I have 6 months of data and transactions less than 500 with budget defined for every month. It still takes 30-40 seconds to load on mobile. I should mention that this happens only for the first time when file is not available on device and I have to open one.
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@anuneo commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2024):

I can confirm that this problem exists. I just started using actual budget and imported my data (6.5 years of transactions). After importing, I immediately noticed huge lag in syncing and navigating on the interface. This would unfortunately be a deal breaker for me. I was quite excited to use actual budget. Hope this gets solved soon.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2400457570 --> @anuneo commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2024): I can confirm that this problem exists. I just started using actual budget and imported my data (6.5 years of transactions). After importing, I immediately noticed huge lag in syncing and navigating on the interface. This would unfortunately be a deal breaker for me. I was quite excited to use actual budget. Hope this gets solved soon.
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@youngcw commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2024):

I can confirm that this problem exists. I just started using actual budget and imported my data (6.5 years of transactions). After importing, I immediately noticed huge lag in syncing and navigating on the interface. This would unfortunately be a deal breaker for me. I was quite excited to use actual budget. Hope this gets solved soon.

have you tried resetting the budget cache from the settings? Ive heard lots of people say Actual is MUCH faster that other apps when there is many years of data

<!-- gh-comment-id:2400459438 --> @youngcw commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2024): > I can confirm that this problem exists. I just started using actual budget and imported my data (6.5 years of transactions). After importing, I immediately noticed huge lag in syncing and navigating on the interface. This would unfortunately be a deal breaker for me. I was quite excited to use actual budget. Hope this gets solved soon. have you tried resetting the budget cache from the settings? Ive heard lots of people say Actual is MUCH faster that other apps when there is many years of data
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@quaintdev commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2024):

I think it's just one time sync that takes time. Once it's synced the lag went away.


From: youngcw @.>
Sent: 08 October 2024 23:10
To: actualbudget/actual @.
>
Cc: quaintdev @.>; Comment @.>
Subject: Re: [actualbudget/actual] Loading large budget databases takes too long (Issue #2985)

I can confirm that this problem exists. I just started using actual budget and imported my data (6.5 years of transactions). After importing, I immediately noticed huge lag in syncing and navigating on the interface. This would unfortunately be a deal breaker for me. I was quite excited to use actual budget. Hope this gets solved soon.

have you tried resetting the budget cache from the settings? Ive heard lots of people say Actual is MUCH faster that other apps when there is many years of data


Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues/2985#issuecomment-2400459438, or unsubscribehttps://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AOD4LA6IJEY3WOYYWSQCGS3Z2QKJBAVCNFSM6AAAAABKMZJVNGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDIMBQGQ2TSNBTHA.
You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

<!-- gh-comment-id:2400465736 --> @quaintdev commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2024): I think it's just one time sync that takes time. Once it's synced the lag went away. ________________________________ From: youngcw ***@***.***> Sent: 08 October 2024 23:10 To: actualbudget/actual ***@***.***> Cc: quaintdev ***@***.***>; Comment ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [actualbudget/actual] Loading large budget databases takes too long (Issue #2985) I can confirm that this problem exists. I just started using actual budget and imported my data (6.5 years of transactions). After importing, I immediately noticed huge lag in syncing and navigating on the interface. This would unfortunately be a deal breaker for me. I was quite excited to use actual budget. Hope this gets solved soon. have you tried resetting the budget cache from the settings? Ive heard lots of people say Actual is MUCH faster that other apps when there is many years of data — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues/2985#issuecomment-2400459438>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AOD4LA6IJEY3WOYYWSQCGS3Z2QKJBAVCNFSM6AAAAABKMZJVNGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDIMBQGQ2TSNBTHA>. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>
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@anuneo commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2024):

Hi @youngcw and @dymanoid,
I reset the cache via settings. Thanks for the hint. I will report again after using actual budget for a day or too.
Meanwhile I am getting this error if I try to open actual budget in a new browser or incognito mode:
image
image
image

I hope the error message above helps. When re-enter the url, then it loads. But every now and then this is displayed:
image

Edit: If I create a new (empty) budget file, the above errors are not displayed. Only the budget file with all my transactions has this problem. I also tried to export and re-import data. That didn't solve the problem.

Edit2: I am using v24.10.1, in-case you want to know the version I am using. This image was uploaded a few minutes ago.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2400472768 --> @anuneo commented on GitHub (Oct 8, 2024): Hi @youngcw and @dymanoid, I reset the cache via settings. Thanks for the hint. I will report again after using actual budget for a day or too. Meanwhile I am getting this error if I try to open actual budget in a new browser or incognito mode: ![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/edd07c78-6b4d-410b-b945-c58d56e5de19) ![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9e7d5f63-1dff-449f-8e9d-4871338b7a05) ![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/00f86b4e-21c7-4f1a-bc0f-786fadde8d34) I hope the error message above helps. When re-enter the url, then it loads. But every now and then this is displayed: ![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8a70b68e-e3c1-43dd-9a11-a4e3cb64ba01) Edit: If I create a new (empty) budget file, the above errors are not displayed. Only the budget file with all my transactions has this problem. I also tried to export and re-import data. That didn't solve the problem. Edit2: I am using v24.10.1, in-case you want to know the version I am using. This image was uploaded a few minutes ago.
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@mbrevda commented on GitHub (May 9, 2025):

Having the same issue - can't get an initial sync on mobile (Pixel Pro 9)

<!-- gh-comment-id:2866161486 --> @mbrevda commented on GitHub (May 9, 2025): Having the same issue - can't get an initial sync on mobile (Pixel Pro 9)
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@anuneo commented on GitHub (May 9, 2025):

I moved to firefly-iii and I am really satisfied with it.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2866214411 --> @anuneo commented on GitHub (May 9, 2025): I moved to firefly-iii and I am really satisfied with it.
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@mbrevda commented on GitHub (May 9, 2025):

I just spent forever moving from Quicken to Actual. Sure hope I dont need to do that all again any time soon

<!-- gh-comment-id:2866486866 --> @mbrevda commented on GitHub (May 9, 2025): I just spent forever moving from Quicken to Actual. Sure hope I dont need to do that all again any time soon
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@anuneo commented on GitHub (May 9, 2025):

Well it is actually quite easy with this tool:
https://github.com/firefly-iii/data-importer

<!-- gh-comment-id:2866603397 --> @anuneo commented on GitHub (May 9, 2025): Well it is actually quite easy with this tool: https://github.com/firefly-iii/data-importer
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@matt-fidd commented on GitHub (Aug 3, 2025):

In general, this isn't reproducable and for anyone coming across a particularly slow budget, it's most likely related to your specific data. In those cases, reach out on Discord for more personalised help. The first steps will always be:

  • Run the "Repair transactions" tool in the settings page
  • Reset the sync ID

I am getting this error if I try to open actual budget in a new browser or incognito mode: image image image

Anyone having the above issue in the future, increase the upload file limit on your server (https://actualbudget.com/docs/config/#actual_upload_file_size_limit_mb) or ask your hosting provider to increase it temporarily for you.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3147412254 --> @matt-fidd commented on GitHub (Aug 3, 2025): In general, this isn't reproducable and for anyone coming across a particularly slow budget, it's most likely related to your specific data. In those cases, reach out on Discord for more personalised help. The first steps will always be: - Run the "Repair transactions" tool in the settings page - Reset the sync ID > I am getting this error if I try to open actual budget in a new browser or incognito mode: ![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/edd07c78-6b4d-410b-b945-c58d56e5de19) ![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9e7d5f63-1dff-449f-8e9d-4871338b7a05) ![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/00f86b4e-21c7-4f1a-bc0f-786fadde8d34) Anyone having the above issue in the future, increase the upload file limit on your server (https://actualbudget.com/docs/config/#actual_upload_file_size_limit_mb) or ask your hosting provider to increase it temporarily for you.
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Reference: github-starred/actual#15434