Best Free Expense Tracker Templates (2026)
Tracking your expenses does not need to be complicated. But finding a template that is actually worth using — one you will open every day and not abandon after a week — takes more effort than it should.
This post saves you the time. Here are the best free expense tracker templates available in 2026.
What makes a good expense tracker template?
Simple to update. If adding an expense takes more than 30 seconds, you will stop doing it.
Categories that make sense. Sensible defaults (Software, Travel, Office, Meals) with the ability to customise.
Automatic totals. Totals by category, by month, and overall should update automatically.
Visual summary. A chart showing where your money is going is more useful than a wall of numbers.
Tax-deductible flag. For freelancers and business owners, knowing which expenses are deductible is critical.
1. Expense Tracker — Get Premium Templates (Excel / Google Sheets)
The most complete free option on this list. 11 expense categories with dropdown selectors, a summary dashboard with automatic totals, horizontal bar chart comparing categories, doughnut chart showing spending breakdown, and a tax-deductible column on every row. 200 pre-formatted transaction rows.
Works in both Excel and Google Sheets. Free.
Best for: Freelancers, small business owners, and anyone who wants a complete expense tracking system.
2. Google Sheets Monthly Budget Template
Google offers a basic budget and expense template. It covers income and expenses with simple category totals. Free, no setup required.
Limitations: no tax-deductible flag, limited categories, no visual summary beyond a basic total.
Best for: Personal expense tracking for individuals on a tight budget.
3. Microsoft Excel Expense Report Template
Excel's built-in expense report templates are designed for employees submitting reimbursements. Professional-looking and print-ready.
For ongoing daily tracking, they are less useful — built for one-off reports, not continuous logging.
Best for: Employees submitting expense reports for reimbursement.
4. Notion Expense Tracker Templates
Notion-based trackers connect to the rest of your financial system. If you already use Notion for project management or client tracking, having expenses in the same workspace means you can link costs to specific projects or clients.
The downside: Notion does not handle charts and calculations as elegantly as a spreadsheet.
Best for: Notion users who want expenses connected to their wider workspace.
Head to head
| Template | Free? | Charts | Tax Flag | Categories | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get Premium Templates | Free | Yes | Yes | 11 custom | Yes |
| Google Sheets Template | Free | No | No | Basic | Limited |
| Excel Expense Report | Free | No | No | Fixed | No |
| Notion Tracker | Free | Limited | Yes | Custom | Yes |
Which should you use?
For personal budgeting: Google Sheets template is quick and free.
For submitting expenses to an employer: Excel expense report template.
For freelancers and business owners who want ongoing tracking, deductible flags, and visual summaries: the Get Premium Templates Expense Tracker.
Related: How to Track Business Expenses | How Much to Set Aside for Taxes | Freelancer Finance OS