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Best Free Alternatives to YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Stop paying $14.99/mo or $109/yr. Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: Personal FinanceVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
Actual Budget
FREEBest Overall Alternative
Why we like it
The spiritual successor to YNAB 4; 100% free and open-source; local-first (fast); supports bank syncing via GoCardless (EU) or SimpleFIN (US) for a nominal fee; completely private.
Keep in mind
Requires self-hosting (easy via PikaPods for ~$1.50/mo) or running locally on your desktop; no native mobile app (uses a Progressive Web App).
Budget with Buckets
FREEBest 'Buy Once' App
Why we like it
An 'Untimed Free Trial' (use it forever for free if you want); $64 one-time license if you choose to pay; follows the exact same envelope method as YNAB; native desktop app.
Keep in mind
Bank syncing is less seamless than YNAB's Plaid integration; mobile app is still in beta.
Aspire Budget
FREEBest Spreadsheet
Why we like it
A super-powered Google Sheet that replicates YNAB's zero-based logic; completely free; you own the data in your Google Drive; excellent community support.
Keep in mind
Manual entry only (no bank sync); requires some spreadsheet knowledge to customize.
Beyond Rule 4
Best Android Alternative
Why we like it
Specifically designed to replicate the YNAB experience for a fraction of the cost; focuses heavily on the 'Rule 4' (Age of Money) concept.
Keep in mind
Android-first; less polished UI than the official YNAB app.
Goodbudget
FREEBest for Couples
Why we like it
Digital envelope system that excels at syncing between two phones; free tier allows 10 envelopes (good for starters).
Keep in mind
Free tier is restrictive; the 'Plus' plan is subscription-based ($8/mo), so it's not a total escape from monthly fees.
Lunch Money
Best for Techies
Why we like it
Created by a solo indie developer; beautiful, fast interface; handles multi-currency and crypto; offers a 'Pay What You Want' annual pricing model starting at $40/year.
Keep in mind
It is not strictly 'zero-based' (more flexible); no native mobile app (web only).
EveryDollar
FREEBest Simple Zero-Based
Why we like it
Dave Ramsey’s official app; extremely simple interface for zero-based budgeting; free version is perfectly usable if you don't need bank sync.
Keep in mind
Bank sync requires the expensive 'Ramsey+' subscription ($80+/yr); constantly upsells you on Ramsey's courses.
Fidelity Full View
FREEBest for Net Worth
Why we like it
If you just want to track spending and not 'budget' every dollar, this is free; aggregates all accounts in one view.
Keep in mind
It is a tracker, not a proactive budgeter; you can't 'move money' between envelopes.
Moneydance
Best Legacy Desktop
Why we like it
One-time purchase ($65); handles investments, bill pay, and budgeting; data stays local on your hard drive.
Keep in mind
UI looks like it is from 2005; mobile app is just for entry, not full management.
Copilot Money
Best UI/UX (Mac)
Why we like it
The most beautiful finance app on the market; uses AI to categorize transactions intelligently; makes budgeting feel fun.
Keep in mind
Apple ecosystem only; premium price ($95/yr) is nearly the same as YNAB.
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