YNAB alternatives: 7 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave YNAB: no free tier once the trial ends, and $109 a year is at the high end of the category. We ranked 7 alternatives by how directly each one replaces YNAB, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Actual Budget currently ranks first.
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Show all 7 alternativesThe best YNAB alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best YNAB alternative for most people
Actual BudgetOpen-source envelope budgeting in the same spirit as YNAB, free to self-host, with a built-in importer for YNAB data.
Best YNAB alternative for a free option
Firefly IIIFree and self-hosted, so your financial data stays on your own server.
Best YNAB alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
EveryDollarAlso zero-based, with a free manual version you can use indefinitely and bank import on premium.
Best YNAB alternative for open source
Actual BudgetOpen-source envelope budgeting in the same spirit as YNAB, free to self-host, with a built-in importer for YNAB data.
Best YNAB alternative for self-hosting
Actual BudgetOpen-source envelope budgeting in the same spirit as YNAB, free to self-host, with a built-in importer for YNAB data.
Best YNAB alternative for Mac
Copilot MoneyAutomatic categorization and a polished Apple-first design, for people who'd rather review than plan every dollar.
Best YNAB alternative for Windows
Actual BudgetOpen-source envelope budgeting in the same spirit as YNAB, free to self-host, with a built-in importer for YNAB data.
Best YNAB alternative for Linux
Actual BudgetOpen-source envelope budgeting in the same spirit as YNAB, free to self-host, with a built-in importer for YNAB data.
Best YNAB alternative for iPhone and Android
Monarch MoneyA full-picture tracker with flexible budgets, investments and partner sharing, for people who want less of a strict method.
Best YNAB alternative for working in the browser
GoodbudgetEnvelope budgeting with a free plan, and manual entry that keeps you close to every transaction.
YNAB alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to YNAB?
Actual Budget ranks first right now. Open-source envelope budgeting in the same spirit as YNAB, free to self-host, with a built-in importer for YNAB data. EveryDollar and Monarch Money follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to YNAB?
Yes. Actual Budget (open source), EveryDollar (free plan + paid), Goodbudget (free plan + paid) and Hunter Vault (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to YNAB?
Yes: Actual Budget. Actual Budget can also be self-hosted.
Which YNAB alternatives work on Linux?
Actual Budget runs on Linux.
Why do people switch from YNAB?
The complaints we hear most: no free tier once the trial ends; $109 a year is at the high end of the category; takes time to learn and regular attention to keep up.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces YNAB, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.