Goodbudget Review
By Itai Varochik | Last updated February 1, 2026
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Our Verdict
Goodbudget is the best digital envelope budgeting app for households that want intentional, manual money management. If you believe awareness drives better spending habits, Goodbudget delivers. If you prefer automation, look at YNAB or Monarch.
GetASearch Score: 7/10
Rating: 4.1/5 (380 reviews)
Pros
- True envelope budgeting
- Shared budgets
- Simple philosophy
- Cross-device sync
Cons
- No bank sync
- Manual entry required
- Limited reporting
- Dated design
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Features | 5.0/10 |
| Ease of Use | 8.0/10 |
| Value for Money | 8.0/10 |
| Customer Support | 6.0/10 |
| Overall | 7.0/10 |
What is Goodbudget?
Goodbudget is an envelope-based budgeting app that digitizes the classic cash envelope system for modern households. Founded in 2009 (originally as EEBA - Easy Envelope Budget Aid), Goodbudget has built a loyal following among budget-conscious families who prefer a manual, intentional approach to money management over automatic transaction importing. The envelope system works simply: you allocate your income into virtual "envelopes" for each spending category (groceries, gas, entertainment, etc.). When an envelope is empty, you stop spending in that category or transfer from another envelope. This enforced constraint is psychologically powerful and appeals to users who struggle with the abstractness of traditional budget categories. Goodbudget syncs across devices (iOS, Android, web) and supports household sharing, making it ideal for couples or families who budget together. Both partners can log transactions and see real-time envelope balances, reducing the "who spent what" friction that undermines many household budgets. The free tier includes 10 envelopes, one account, and limited history - enough for basic budgeting. The Plus plan ($10/month or $80/year) adds unlimited envelopes, 7 accounts, 7 years of history, debt tracking, and priority support. This pricing is reasonable compared to YNAB ($14.99/month) but more expensive than free alternatives like EveryDollar's basic tier. The deliberate lack of automatic bank syncing is both Goodbudget's greatest strength and limitation. Manually entering each transaction forces awareness and intentionality - advocates argue this mindfulness is the core value. However, users accustomed to Mint or YNAB's automatic categorization may find manual entry tedious and prone to gaps. Reporting includes envelope spending summaries, income vs. expense reports, and spending trends over time. The reports are functional but basic compared to Monarch Money or YNAB's analytical depth. Goodbudget also lacks investment tracking, bill reminders, and net worth calculations.
Goodbudget Features
| Feature | Available | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Envelope System | Yes | Digital cash envelopes |
| Shared Budgets | Yes | Sync with partner |
| Reports | Yes | Spending analysis |
Goodbudget Pricing
Free / Plus $10/mo
Best For
- Envelope budgeters
- Couples
- Cash-focused budgeters
- Dave Ramsey followers
Final Verdict
Goodbudget is the best digital envelope budgeting app for households that want intentional, manual money management. If you believe awareness drives better spending habits, Goodbudget delivers. If you prefer automation, look at YNAB or Monarch.