Budgeting Apps / YNAB Alternatives for 2025

Micawber17

I've been a YNAB user for almost 8 years now. It's been a good tool for me, and overall I've been very happy with it.

However, the price does seem to creep up year on year. My renewal is coming up soon & I like to look around to see if there's anything better/cheaper on the Market.

Would welcome any suggestions or recommendations from users of other budgeting software or apps, particulary if you're an ex YNAB-er.

Thanks

Purpleheart

I use Moneyspire which is good for keeping a record of my transactions and has a budgeting tool but I'd prefer to use a zero based budgeting app like YNAB. I'll therefore also be interested in any suggestions. 

nyermen

It's a tricky one to answer - in my case I've just gone back to YNABv4 (the old desktop version they used to sell), it still works fine, and since I pretty much use just one device and like to do things manually, I've lost little over the online version.

There is a thread on reddit for "alternatives to YNAB", which retains the envelope style processing (and with that, you can enforce the YNAB concepts fine).  Some are freeware/opensource style but a bit fiddly, others are a cost but smoother.  I'd suggest having a look for the various threads.  Eg. this one...
https://www.reddit.com/r/ynab/comments/1dssll4/alternatives/?rdt=39907

NorwichMan

I switched from using YNAB4 to Actual Budget back in June and I really like it. It's similar to YNAB4 in many ways but feels modern and updated. I use the GoCardless integration to sync with 21 accounts for free. It is open source with an active community, I self-host the software so pay nothing for it. If you are not techy you can just pay a very modest price to have it hosted for you on pikapods, then it should work from any browser. The phone app (which is PWA, there is no app on Google play or apple equivalent) is okay, it works, you can add transactions on the go if needed, view/edit budget and see accounts. 

I use this frequently and would very much recommend it.

Fat_Turtle

this is a very useful reddit thread if you want ynab4 - 

https://www.reddit.com/r/ynab/comments/1bfm96z/latest_versions_of_ynab4_macos_catalina_support/

stuartp2000

I have tried a lot of alternatives and in this last few weeks looked at another couple of options as my YNAB renewal is in February, sadly none cut the mustard so I will renew with YNAB again.

Buxfer The biggest issue here was syncing, lots of reports of issues around and sadly they are true, support was ok and said they had fixed my issue but still cannot sync with my banks even though they are working in Saltedge

Banktivity This was quite good but view was not as simple and clean as YNAB and envelope budgeting was clumsy.

Pocketsmith I wanted the forecast so this was really good, albeit more expensive but manageing transfers and debt are cumbersome.

i also have tested loads this year and most fall down on Visuals as YNAB is just clean and I can see where I am at on a page view. Debt / Transfers I cannot find another software that is as simple as YNAB at managing these.

i do want more forecasting and visuals but as I say decided to stay with YNAB.

westv

I use Buxfer and have no issues with synching.
However, unless I'm mistaken, the price they charge has doubled for new users compared to what I pay.
If I was new to it now I would think twice about paying $119 a year.

SamDude

westv said:

I use Buxfer and have no issues with synching.
However, unless I'm mistaken, the price they charge has doubled for new users compared to what I pay.
If I was new to it now I would think twice about paying $119 a year.

I want to like Buxfer, but the iOS app has only been updated once (May 2024) since May 2021.
Does it work smoothly? 

westv

It works smoothly for me. I use it on my Android phone and via the web on my Chromebook.

JadedAngel88

I'm an absolute Ynab classic fan. Although the app no longer works on my current phone, I still use the app on my laptop. 

I did try the new Ynab but I couldn't understand it. I tried all the youtuber video's and it just confuses me.I just don't think I have the mental capacity to understand it, so I reverted back to the classic and that is the hill I will die on.