YNAB Alternatives: Which Budgeting App is Better for You? (2024)

If you’re on a budgeting journey, you’ve likely heard of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and its stellar reputation for helping users take control of their finances. However, YNAB may not suit everyone’s needs or preferences.

According to a survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education, nearly 60% of Americans don’t budget regularly, often due to complicated tools or high costs.

There are many alternatives available that can help you manage your finances effectively and align with your personal goals.

YNAB Alternative Budgeting Apps and Tools: Overview Feature Comparison

This table chart compares the six key features common in budgeting apps across the first five alternative tools discussed: Goodbudget, Tiller Money, Personal Capital, EveryDollar, and Zeta.

Summary of Key Features:

1. Envelope Budgeting: Goodbudget and EveryDollar utilize an envelope budgeting system, which helps users allocate their money effectively into designated categories. Tiller Money, Personal Capital, and Zeta do not follow this method.
2. Expense Tracking: All five apps provide expense-tracking features to help users monitor their spending habits.
3. Goal Setting: All the apps allow users to set financial goals, helping them to stay motivated and focused on their financial aspirations.
4. Account Syncing: Tiller Money, Personal Capital, EveryDollar, and Zeta offer automatic account syncing, which allows users to track transactions effortlessly. Goodbudget does not have this feature, relying on manual entry instead.
5. User Interface: Goodbudget is user-friendly, Tiller Money offers customizable options, Personal Capital provides a comprehensive dashboard, EveryDollar has a simple interface, and Zeta is tailored for couples.
6. Mobile Access: All five budgeting apps support mobile access, ensuring users can manage their finances on the go.

Here, we’ll explore the 13 best alternatives to YNAB, highlighting their key features and pricing options.

1. Mint

Mint is a free budgeting tool that aggregates all your financial accounts in one place, offering a comprehensive view of your finances. It automatically tracks spending, categorizes transactions, and provides insights into your financial habits. Mint’s budgeting features allow you to set spending limits in various categories and receive alerts when you exceed them. Users can also view their credit scores and receive personalized tips for improving their financial health. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible for beginners while catering to more experienced users with robust reporting tools.

Key Features of Mint:

• Automatic Transaction Categorization: Mint connects to your bank accounts and credit cards, automatically categorizing transactions for easier tracking.
• Budgeting Tools: Create customized budgets based on your spending patterns and financial goals, with visual progress indicators.
• Credit Score Monitoring: View your credit score for free and receive tips on how to improve it.
• Bill Tracking: Keep track of your bills and due dates, with reminders to help avoid late payments.
• Financial Goal Setting: Set and track progress towards specific financial goals, such as saving for a vacation or paying off debt.

2. EveryDollar

EveryDollar is a user-friendly budgeting tool created by financial expert Dave Ramsey. It follows a zero-based budgeting approach, meaning every dollar you earn is assigned a specific purpose. The app offers both a free version and a premium version with additional features. With EveryDollar, you can easily track expenses and create custom budget categories. The premium version allows for bank synchronization, making it easier to track transactions automatically. Its straightforward design helps users stay focused on their budgeting goals without overwhelming them with complex features.

Key Features of EveryDollar:

• Zero-Based Budgeting: Assign every dollar to a specific category, helping users prioritize spending and savings.
• Custom Categories: Create personalized budget categories based on your unique financial situation and goals.
• Expense Tracking: Log expenses quickly and efficiently to stay on top of your spending.
• Goal Setting: Set financial goals and track progress towards achieving them.
• User-Friendly Interface: A simple, intuitive design that makes budgeting approachable for everyone.

EveryDollar Fees/Pricing Breakdown:

3. PocketGuard

PocketGuard helps users keep track of their spending by showing how much disposable income they have after accounting for bills, goals, and necessities. Its “In My Pocket” feature gives users a clear view of how much money they can safely spend without exceeding their budget. PocketGuard also allows users to categorize their expenses and track recurring bills, making it easy to identify spending habits. The app’s focus on simplicity makes it an excellent option for those who prefer a straightforward approach to budgeting without the complexity of traditional tools.

Key Features of PocketGuard:

• Disposable Income Tracker: See how much money is available for discretionary spending after accounting for bills and savings goals.
• Automatic Expense Tracking: Connect bank accounts for automatic tracking of expenses and income.
• Spending Categories: Categorize expenses to understand spending habits better and identify areas for improvement.
• Bill Management: Set reminders for upcoming bills to ensure timely payments and avoid late fees.
• Financial Goals: Set and monitor financial goals to encourage saving and responsible spending.

PocketGuard Pricing/Fees Breakdown:

4. Goodbudget

Goodbudget is a powerful digital envelope budgeting system that allows users to allocate funds into various “envelopes” representing spending categories. This method helps users avoid overspending in certain areas by only spending what is allocated in each envelope. Goodbudget is particularly useful for those who want to manage household finances with a partner, as it supports account sharing. It is a great choice for individuals or families who prefer a manual approach to tracking their finances.

Key Features of GoodBudget:

• Envelope Budgeting System: Allocate funds into envelopes, giving users control over spending in various categories.
• Account Sharing: Sync budgets with a partner or family member, allowing for collaborative financial management.
• Debt Payment Tracking: Create envelopes specifically for debt repayment and monitor progress.
• Goal Setting: Set financial goals, like saving for a specific purpose or reducing debt, and track progress.
• Cross-Device Syncing: Access your budget from multiple devices, ensuring consistency across platforms.

GoodBudget Pricing and Fees:

5. Tiller Money

Tiller Money provides a unique approach to budgeting by integrating directly with Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel, allowing users to manage their finances using spreadsheets. This flexibility makes it ideal for individuals who prefer a more hands-on, customizable method of tracking their money. Tiller Money imports bank transactions automatically into a spreadsheet, allowing users to categorize and manipulate the data as they see fit. It also offers templates to make the process easier for those who may not be Excel or Google Sheets experts.

Key Features of Tiller Money:

• Spreadsheet-Based Budgeting: Manage your budget in Google Sheets or Excel for complete customization and control.
• Automated Bank Syncing: Automatically import transactions and account balances from linked financial institutions.
• Customizable Templates: Use pre-built templates to simplify your budgeting or build your own financial tracking system from scratch.
• Advanced Reporting: Generate detailed reports on spending patterns, income, and budgeting goals.
• Security: Tiller Money uses bank-grade security to ensure the safety of your financial data.

Pricing Table:

6. Personal Capital

Personal Capital is both a budgeting tool and an investment tracker, offering a comprehensive view of your financial health. It allows users to track their spending and income, but its standout feature is the ability to monitor investment portfolios and retirement accounts. Personal Capital is ideal for those who want a budgeting tool but are also focused on long-term financial planning and wealth management.

Key Features of Personal Capital:

• Budgeting and Cash Flow Tracking: Monitor your spending habits and income over time to ensure you’re staying on track with your financial goals.
• Investment Tracking: View all your investment accounts in one place, including 401(k)s, IRAs, and brokerage accounts.
• Retirement Planner: Get projections on your retirement savings and assess whether you’re on track to meet your retirement goals.
• Net Worth Calculator: Keep an eye on your overall financial standing with a net worth tracker that includes assets and liabilities.
• Financial Advisory Services: Access to personalized financial advice for users with larger portfolios.

Personal Capital Pricing/fees Breakdown:

7. EveryDollar

EveryDollar, created by financial guru Dave Ramsey, emphasizes a zero-based budgeting approach, where every dollar you earn is allocated to specific spending categories.

The tool is designed for simplicity, making it perfect for those who want to take control of their finances without getting bogged down by complicated features. With both a free version and a premium version that offers additional features, EveryDollar helps users plan their monthly budgets and track expenses efficiently.

Key Features of EveryDollar:

• Zero-Based Budgeting: Assign every dollar to a specific category, encouraging users to prioritize their spending and savings.
• Custom Categories: Create personalized budget categories to align with individual financial goals and preferences.
• Expense Tracking: Log expenses quickly and easily to stay on top of spending and ensure you’re within your budget.
• Goal Setting: Set and track progress toward specific financial goals, such as paying off debt or saving for a vacation.
• User-Friendly Interface: A clean, intuitive design that makes budgeting accessible for users of all levels.

EveryDollar Pricing Table:

8. Zeta

Zeta is a budgeting tool designed specifically for couples, helping them manage their shared and individual finances seamlessly. The app offers features that promote financial transparency, making it easier for partners to discuss money matters openly.

Zeta allows users to set shared goals, track expenses, and even manage bills together, which can strengthen financial cooperation and understanding between partners.

Key Features of Zeta:

• Couples-Focused Budgeting: Designed specifically for couples, Zeta helps manage joint and individual finances effectively.
• Shared Goals: Set and track shared financial goals, such as saving for a house or planning a vacation.
• Bill Management: Track and manage bills collectively to ensure timely payments and avoid late fees.
• Expense Tracking: Keep tabs on spending, with customizable categories for both shared and individual expenses.
• Financial Insights: Gain insights into spending habits, helping couples have informed discussions about their finances.

Pricing Table of Zeta:

9. Clarity Money

Clarity Money is a budgeting app designed to help users take control of their finances by simplifying expense tracking and budgeting. It automatically analyzes users’ bank transactions and provides insights into their spending habits.

Clarity Money’s unique feature is the ability to cancel unwanted subscriptions directly through the app, helping users save money and streamline their finances.

Key Features:

• Automatic Expense Tracking: Clarity Money automatically analyzes transactions from linked accounts for a comprehensive view of spending.
• Budgeting Tools: Create personalized budgets based on spending habits, with visual representations for easier tracking.
• Subscription Management: Identify and cancel unwanted subscriptions directly within the app to reduce unnecessary expenses.
• Financial Insights: Receive tailored insights and tips based on your spending patterns to encourage better financial habits.
• Savings Goals: Set and track savings goals to promote disciplined financial behavior.

10. Mvelopes

Mvelopes combines traditional envelope budgeting with modern technology, allowing users to manage their money using a digital envelope system. Users can allocate their income into different envelopes for various spending categories and track their expenses in real-time. Mvelopes supports financial planning through its goal-setting features and helps users avoid overspending by keeping a close eye on envelope balances.

Key Features:

• Digital Envelope System: Allocate funds into envelopes, helping users control spending in specific categories.
• Real-Time Tracking: Track expenses in real-time, ensuring that users stay within their budget limits.
• Goal Setting: Create financial goals and monitor progress, promoting accountability and saving.
• Debt Reduction Tools: Mvelopes includes features for managing and reducing debt effectively.
• Cross-Platform Access: Access your budget and financial information from any device, ensuring convenience and flexibility.

Pricing Table For Mvelopes:

11. Honeydue

Honeydue is a budgeting app designed specifically for couples, enabling them to manage their finances together seamlessly.

The app allows users to sync their bank accounts, track shared expenses, and set up budgets collaboratively. Honeydue encourages transparency in financial matters, which can help couples improve communication about money. It also features reminders for upcoming bills, making it easier to manage household finances.

Key Features of Honeydue:

• Couple-Centric Budgeting: Tailored specifically for couples, allowing both partners to monitor and manage their finances collaboratively.
• Expense Tracking: Sync bank accounts to automatically track spending and categorize expenses in real time.
• Bill Reminders: Set reminders for upcoming bills to ensure timely payments and avoid late fees.
• Shared Goals: Establish and track financial goals together, promoting teamwork in achieving financial stability.
• Privacy Controls: Allow users to set privacy levels, ensuring that partners can share only what they want to about their finances.

12. Simple

Simple is a budgeting app that combines banking with budgeting tools, providing users with a complete financial overview. The app offers users a checking account with built-in budgeting features, allowing for easy tracking of spending and saving.

Users can create goals and set aside money for specific purposes, making it easier to manage finances without the need for a separate budgeting app.

Key Features of Simple:

• Integrated Banking and Budgeting: Manage your finances with a checking account that includes budgeting tools.
• Goals and Reserves: Set savings goals and create reserves to allocate funds for specific purposes.
• Expense Tracking: Automatically categorize and track expenses to understand spending habits better.
• No Hidden Fees: Simple prides itself on transparent banking with no hidden fees for users.
• User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive design that makes budgeting and banking easy for everyone.

13. Prism

Prism is a bill management and budgeting app that simplifies tracking your monthly bills and payments. It consolidates all your bills in one place, allowing users to see due dates and manage payments efficiently.

Prism’s automatic reminders help prevent late fees, making it a great choice for anyone looking to simplify their financial management. It also provides an overview of spending habits, ensuring that users stay on top of their budget.

Key Features of Prism:

• Bill Consolidation: Track all your bills in one app, providing a clear overview of upcoming payments.
• Payment Reminders: Receive automatic reminders for upcoming due dates to help avoid late payments and fees.
• Spending Insights: Analyze spending habits and adjust budgets accordingly for better financial management.
• Multiple Account Integration: Link various accounts and bills for comprehensive financial oversight.
• User-Friendly Interface: A straightforward design that simplifies bill management for all users.

Prism Pricing Table:

Which YNAB Alternative is Better?

Finding the right budgeting tool can significantly impact your financial journey. While YNAB offers great features, alternatives like Mint, EveryDollar, and Clarity Money provide various functionalities that may better suit your needs. From couple-centric apps like Honeydue and Zeta to comprehensive financial management tools like Personal Capital and Tiller Money, there’s something for everyone.

Evaluating your personal preferences and financial goals allows you to choose the right tool that empowers you to take control of your budget and achieve your financial aspirations.

If you have any specific questions about these alternatives or would like to explore more tools, feel free to ask!