Budgeting apps have changed a lot since Intuit shut down Mint in March 2024 and pointed its users toward Credit Karma, which tracks spending but is not a full budgeting tool. The good news is that the paid apps that stepped in are better at the core job: syncing your accounts, sorting transactions, and showing you where the money goes before the month is over.
This guide compares ten budgeting apps that are available in the US right now, from strict zero-based planners to hands-off trackers and free options. We list what each one costs, what style of budgeting it supports, and who it suits best, so you can match the app to how you actually handle money.
How we chose: picks are based on published pricing and features, independent expert reviews, and large samples of verified user ratings, as explained in our evaluation method.
Our top picks at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Key spec | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monarch Money | Best overall | Flex or category budgets, net worth, shared access | $99.99/yr or $14.99/mo |
| 2 | YNAB | Zero-based budgeting | 34-day free trial, up to 5 users | $109/yr or $14.99/mo |
| 3 | Copilot Money | Apple users | Web, iPhone, iPad and Mac apps | $95/yr or $13/mo |
| 4 | Quicken Simplifi | Best value | Recurring bill detection, spending plan | Around $3.99/mo first year, billed annually |
| 5 | Rocket Money | Subscription tracking | Free tier, cancellation help on Premium | Free; Premium $7 to $14/mo |
| 6 | EveryDollar | Ramsey followers | Zero-based plan, free manual version | Free; Premium $79.99/yr |
| 7 | PocketGuard | Quick spending check-ins | Pace alerts, debt payoff plan | $74.99/yr or $12.99/mo |
| 8 | Goodbudget | Envelope budgeting | Manual envelopes, shared household budget | Free; Premium $80/yr |
| 9 | Empower Personal Dashboard | Free net worth tracking | Portfolio and spending snapshot | Free |
| 10 | Honeydue | Couples on a budget | Shared bills, in-app chat | Free |
1. Monarch Money — Best overall
Monarch Money has become the go-to Mint replacement for people who want everything in one place: budgets, investments, net worth and goals. It lets you pick between a simple flex budget and detailed category budgets, and partners can share one household view. It fits anyone who wants a complete picture of their finances without juggling several apps.
- Budgeting style: Flex budgeting or classic category budgets
- Platforms: iOS, Android, web
- Extras: Net worth tracker, investment dashboard, AI assistant, shared goals
- Trial: 7-day free trial
Pros
- Very flexible budgets and detailed reports
- Built for couples and families to share one account
- Tracks home and car values alongside investments
Cons
- No free tier after the trial
- Reviewers note the web version is easier to use than the mobile app
2. YNAB — Best for zero-based budgeting
YNAB (You Need A Budget) asks you to give every dollar a job before you spend it. That approach takes more effort than passive tracking, but owners frequently report it changes how they think about money. It is best for people who want to be hands-on and are willing to check in several times a week.
- Budgeting style: Zero-based, envelope-like categories
- Sharing: Up to 5 users on one subscription
- Trial: 34 days free, no card required; one free year for college students
- Extras: Loan payoff simulator, optional manual entry
Pros
- Longest free trial on this list
- Clear method with strong educational material
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new budgeters
- One of the most expensive options
3. Copilot Money — Best for Apple users
Copilot Money is known for a polished design and AI-assisted categorization. It now runs on the web as well as iPhone, iPad and Mac, but there is still no Android app. It suits Apple users who want a clean, fast view of spending and investments.
- Platforms: Web, iPhone, iPad, Mac
- Categorization: AI-assisted automatic sorting
- Extras: Net worth and investment tracking, subscription detection
- Trial: 1 month free
Pros
- Widely praised design and review workflow
- No ads
Cons
- No Android app
4. Quicken Simplifi — Best value
Simplifi is Quicken’s lighter, app-first budgeting tool, and it is one of the cheapest full-featured options. Its spending plan shows what is left after bills and savings, and it flags recurring payments automatically. It is a good fit for people who want solid tracking without paying premium prices.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, web
- Budgeting style: Spending plan after bills and savings
- Extras: Recurring payment detection, refund tracker, net worth
- Billing: Annual only; intro price renews at around $6.99/mo
Pros
- Low first-year cost for a full-featured app
- Clean, easy-to-read dashboard
Cons
- No free trial
- Price rises after the introductory year
5. Rocket Money — Best for subscription tracking
Rocket Money started as a subscription canceler and still does that best: it finds recurring charges and, on Premium, helps you cancel them. The free tier covers basic tracking and up to three budgets, and Premium uses a pay-what-you-think-is-fair price. It suits people whose main problem is money leaking out through forgotten subscriptions.
- Free tier: Subscription tracking, up to 3 category budgets
- Premium: Unlimited budgets, cancellation help, net worth, web access
- Premium+: $15/mo, adds an AI assistant and fee-free bill negotiation
- Bill negotiation fee: 35% to 60% of first-year savings on Free and Premium
Pros
- Useful free version
- Strong at finding and cancelling subscriptions
Cons
- Bill negotiation fees can be steep
- Budgeting tools are less deep than Monarch or YNAB
6. EveryDollar — Best for Ramsey followers
EveryDollar is Ramsey Solutions’ zero-based budgeting app, built around the Ramsey money plan. The free version works with manual entry, while Premium adds bank syncing and extra planning tools. It is best for people already following Dave Ramsey’s approach.
- Budgeting style: Zero-based
- Free version: Manual transaction entry
- Premium: $79.99/yr or $17.99/mo, with bank syncing and group coaching
- Trial: 14-day free Premium trial
Pros
- Simple, focused interface
- Usable free version
Cons
- Monthly Premium billing is expensive
- Free version requires entering every transaction by hand
7. PocketGuard — Best for quick spending check-ins
PocketGuard focuses on one question: how much can you safely spend right now? It uses a zero-based setup, sends alerts when you spend faster than planned, and includes a debt payoff planner. It suits people who want a fast daily check rather than deep analysis.
- Budgeting style: Zero-based framework
- Alerts: Spending pace warnings
- Extras: Subscription manager, net worth, debt payoff plan
- Trial: 7 days free
Pros
- Very quick to read at a glance
- Built-in debt payoff tools
Cons
- No longer has a free tier
8. Goodbudget — Best for envelope budgeting
Goodbudget is a digital take on the cash envelope system. You put money into virtual envelopes and log spending by hand, which keeps you close to every purchase. It fits people who like the envelope method, or who would rather not link their bank accounts at all.
- Budgeting style: Envelope system
- Entry: Manual, with optional bank syncing on Premium
- Premium: $80/yr or $10/mo
- Extras: Free budgeting courses
Pros
- Free version is fully usable
- Works without sharing bank logins
Cons
- Manual entry takes discipline
9. Empower Personal Dashboard — Best free net worth tracker
Empower’s free dashboard is strongest on the investing side, with portfolio monitoring and a net worth tracker, plus a basic spending snapshot by category. It is not a detailed budgeting tool, but it costs nothing. It suits people who mostly want to watch their overall wealth and retirement accounts.
- Price: Free
- Focus: Net worth and investment tracking
- Budgeting: Spending snapshot by category
Pros
- Free, with strong investment tools
- Good full-picture view of assets and debts
Cons
- Limited budgeting features compared with dedicated budget apps
10. Honeydue — Best free app for couples
Honeydue is built for two people managing money together. It sorts transactions automatically and adds shared bill reminders and in-app messaging so partners can talk about spending in one place. It is a solid free choice for couples who want to coordinate without paying for Monarch or YNAB.
- Price: Free
- Focus: Couples budgeting
- Extras: Automatic categorization, shared bill reminders, chat
Pros
- Free and designed for two users
- Shared bill reminders help avoid missed payments
Cons
- Fewer reports and planning tools than paid apps
How to choose the right budgeting app
Match the app to your budgeting style
Budgeting apps follow different methods. Zero-based apps like YNAB and EveryDollar want every dollar assigned. Envelope apps like Goodbudget divide money into fixed buckets. Trackers like Copilot, Simplifi and Empower mostly sort what already happened. Pick the method you will actually keep up with; the best app is the one you open every week.
Compare the real yearly cost
Most full-featured apps cost roughly $75 to $110 a year when billed annually, and monthly billing costs noticeably more. Watch for introductory prices that renew higher, as with Simplifi. Use free trials to test bank syncing with your own accounts before you pay.
Check platforms and sharing
If you use Android, rule out Copilot. If you budget with a partner, look for shared access, which Monarch, YNAB and Honeydue all offer. Also confirm the app connects to your bank and credit union, since connection quality varies between institutions.
Think about privacy
Most apps link to your accounts through third-party data services. Free apps may earn money from ads or product offers, while paid apps usually do not. If you prefer not to link accounts at all, a manual app like Goodbudget or the free EveryDollar tier is an option.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mint still available?
No. Intuit shut down Mint in March 2024 and moved users toward Credit Karma. Credit Karma tracks spending and net worth, but reviewers note it is not a full replacement for a budgeting app.
What is the best free budgeting app?
For a free option, Goodbudget and the free EveryDollar tier work well for manual budgeting, Rocket Money’s free tier covers basic tracking, Empower is best for net worth, and Honeydue is a good fit for couples.
Are paid budgeting apps worth it?
That depends on your habits. Paid apps usually offer more reliable syncing, no ads and deeper planning tools. Use the free trial to see whether the app changes how you spend before you commit to a year.
Are budgeting apps safe to link to my bank?
Major apps use encrypted connections and read-only access through data aggregators, so they cannot move your money. Turn on two-factor authentication and review each app’s privacy policy before linking accounts.
The verdict
Monarch Money is the most complete budgeting app for most households, especially couples. Choose YNAB if you want a strict zero-based system, Copilot Money if you live in the Apple world, and Quicken Simplifi if price matters most. If you want to pay nothing, Goodbudget, EveryDollar’s free tier and Honeydue are solid starting points. This is a feature comparison, not personal financial advice, so check each provider’s site for current fees and terms before you subscribe.
Prices and availability change often; check the retailer or provider for current details.