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Mint shut down in January 2024, leaving millions of budgeters looking for alternatives. The good news: the replacement apps are better. Here are the best budgeting apps for 2026.
Best Budgeting Apps at a Glance
| App | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| YNAB | Zero-based budgeting | $109/year or $14.99/month |
| Monarch Money | Best Mint replacement | $99.99/year |
| Copilot | Best UI / iPhone users | $95.99/year (iOS only) |
| PocketGuard | Simple spending limits | Free / $74.99/year |
| Goodbudget | Envelope budgeting (free) | Free / $80/year |
| Empower Personal Dashboard | Net worth + investing | Free |
YNAB (You Need a Budget) — Best for Zero-Based Budgeting
YNAB is the most popular budgeting app for people who want to change their financial habits. It uses a zero-based method: you assign every dollar a job before it is spent. The app focuses on stopping the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle by planning ahead rather than tracking backward.
YNAB costs $109 per year ($14.99/month). It is free for college students for 12 months. Average YNAB users report saving over $600 in their first two months. If you are serious about budgeting, no app has a stronger track record.
Monarch Money — Best Mint Replacement
Monarch Money is the most direct replacement for Mint. It connects to all your accounts, categorizes transactions automatically, tracks spending vs. budget, and shows net worth over time. It also supports multiple users and shared finances — making it a strong pick for couples.
At $99.99 per year, it is priced similarly to YNAB but takes a less rigid approach. If you liked Mint’s overview model (tracking rather than planning), Monarch is the best upgrade.
Copilot — Best App for iPhone Users
Copilot is iOS-only but has the best mobile design of any budgeting app. It learns your spending patterns and intelligently categorizes transactions. The onboarding is smooth and the dashboard is clean. At $95.99 per year, it is a great choice for iPhone users who want a polished experience. Android app is expected in 2025–2026.
PocketGuard — Best Simple Spending Tracker
PocketGuard shows you exactly how much you have left to spend after bills, goals, and necessities. It calculates your “In My Pocket” number — available spending for the day. The free version works well for basic tracking. PocketGuard Plus ($74.99/year) adds custom categories and unlimited accounts.
Goodbudget — Best Free Envelope Budgeting App
Goodbudget uses the envelope method: you divide your income into virtual envelopes for each spending category. The free plan includes 10 envelopes and one account. It does not connect to your bank (you input transactions manually), which some users prefer for privacy. The paid plan ($80/year) removes limits and adds sync for two devices.
Empower Personal Dashboard — Best Free App for Investors
Empower (formerly Personal Capital) is free and focuses on net worth tracking, portfolio analysis, and retirement planning. It connects all your accounts and shows a complete financial picture. It is not a strict budgeting tool, but it is the best free option for people who want to track assets and investments alongside spending.
Bottom Line
YNAB is the best budgeting app if you want to change spending habits. Monarch Money is the best Mint replacement for passive tracking. Copilot is the best experience on iPhone. All three offer free trials — test one for 30 days before committing to a subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is YNAB worth paying for?
YNAB costs about $109 per year. Studies of YNAB users show average savings of over $600 in the first two months. If you are serious about changing your spending habits, the subscription typically pays for itself.
What is the best free budgeting app?
Monarch Money and Copilot offer free trials. For a fully free option, Goodbudget’s free tier (10 envelopes) and PocketGuard’s free plan are the top picks. Most serious budgeting apps moved to a paid model after Mint shut down in 2024.
Do budgeting apps have access to my bank account?
Most budgeting apps connect via read-only bank feeds using services like Plaid or MX. They can view transactions but cannot move money. Review each app’s privacy policy before connecting accounts.