7 Best YNAB Alternatives 2026: Free and Paid Budgeting Apps Compared

By Itai Varochik | Updated February 18, 2026 | 3 min read

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Why look for YNAB alternatives?

YNAB increased its price to $109/year ($14.99/month) and removed free trial extensions. Many users are looking for equally effective budgeting tools at lower prices.

1. monarch money - best overall YNAB alternative

Monarch Money combines budgeting, investment tracking, and net worth monitoring in a single platform at $99/year.

2. goodbudget - best free envelope budgeting

Goodbudget follows the envelope method like YNAB but offers a generous free tier with 10 envelopes and 1 account.

3. everydollar - best for debt payoff

Dave Ramsey's EveryDollar follows the zero-based budgeting approach with a strong focus on debt elimination.

Comparison table

FeatureYNABMonarchGoodbudget
Price$109/yr$99/yrFree/$80
Bank SyncYesYesPlus only

Our verdict

For most users leaving YNAB, Monarch Money is the best alternative with broader financial visibility at a lower price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is YNAB worth $109/year?

For users who fully adopt its methodology, YNAB typically saves $600+ annually through increased financial awareness.

What's the best free budgeting app?

Goodbudget (free tier) for envelope budgeting, Actual Budget for open-source options.

About the Author

Itai Varochik — Founder & Editor-in-Chief at GetASearch.