You Need a Budget (YNAB) App Review
- Fee
- $109 per year
- Minimum deposit to open
- $0
Our verdict
A zero-based budgeting app that helps you budget for every dollar.
You Need a Budget, or just YNAB, is a zero-based budgeting app designed to help you plan where each dollar goes before you spend it. It offers a free 34-day trial and plenty of free online workshops each week. YNAB’s interface can feel overwhelming at first, but the flexible features and educational support make it easier to stick with it over time. But after the trial ends, it’ll cost you nearly $109 per year or $14.99 per month. That said, you’re allowed to share your subscription with up to five people.
Best for: People who want an app that focuses on zero-based budgeting.
Pros
-
Free 34-day trial
-
Flexible budgeting
-
Free weekly online workshops
Cons
-
Expensive subscription fee
-
Busy interface compared to other budgeting apps
Who is YNAB best for?
YNAB is best for people looking for a zero-based budgeting app with target-setting features that could help them track their progress at a glance.
It’s also a solid app for anyone serious about saving and wants to improve their money habits. According to YNAB, YNABers save $600 in their first two months with the app and more than $6,000 after one year.
What we like about YNAB
Jesse Mecham founded YNAB in 2004 to help manage his household finances. Fast forward 20 years to today, YNAB has evolved from a simple spreadsheet into one of the most popular budgeting apps out there.
Free 34-day trial
YNAB doesn’t ask for any credit card information when you sign up for the free trial, so you don’t have to worry about paying a fee if you don’t cancel in time.
Flexible budgeting
YNAB gives you an in-depth breakdown of your income and offers tools to help you budget with a partner or child. If you overspend, you can easily move money from another category to cover it.
YNAB also doesn’t charge anything extra to budget with someone else, making it a great budget app for couples and families.
Free online educational resources
One of the best perks of YNAB is that you’ll get free access to workshops every week aimed at helping you master the art of budgeting. YNAB also has a pretty comprehensive blog that covers all things personal finance.
Where it falls short
YNAB has a lot going for it, but it isn’t flawless. It’s also not a bank account, so if you’re looking for checking or savings, check out these guides.
Hefty subscription fee
YNAB costs $109 a year. It can be worth it if you’re sharing this subscription with a couple of friends and family. But if it’s just you, $14.99 a month or $109 annually can be quite expensive, especially if you’re already struggling to save money.
If you’re looking for a budgeting app that doesn’t cost that much, check out our budgeting guide for beginners to compare other ways to save.
Busy interface compared to other budgeting apps
The most common complaint with YNAB is that it’s difficult to figure out due to its busy interface. Though it offers several online workshops to help you learn the ropes, it may still be overwhelming if you prefer something more straightforward.
YNAB’s fees and access
| Monthly fee | $14.99 ($109 annually) |
| App Store | Yes |
| Google Play | Yes |
| Supports external account connection | Yes |
| Instant funding | N/A |
| Funding limits | N/A |
| Other fees | N/A |
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How we picked theseCustomer reviews and ratings
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | D- |
| BBB customer reviews | 5 out of 5 stars, based on 1 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot score | 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on 2,593 customer reviews |
| App Store Score | 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 55,925 customer reviews |
| Google Play Score | 4.7 out of 5 stars, based on 22,131 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 28 July 2025 |
YNAB has a rough D-rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) due to failure to respond to three complaints filed against the business. The company only received one five-star customer review there, though, so it’s not super telling.
On other platforms, the feedback appears to be much more positive. Its Trustpilot profile has a solid 4.6 stars, and it also received a 4.8 on the App Store and 4.7 on Google Play.
Many users seem to really like how efficiently the app helps them save money and how easy it makes planning for upcoming expenses. One customer even said her relationship with money has totally changed after using YNAB. That said, a few users complained about the app being confusing to use and sometimes glitchy.
Frequently asked questions
Can YNAB be trusted?
YNAB is a trustworthy budgeting app with thousands of reviews on the App Store and Google Play. Your information is also password protected and secured by industry-level encryption.
Is YNAB better than Mint?
YNAB isn’t necessarily better than Mint, but it’s different. Mint, which is no longer available, provided a more comprehensive overview of your finances, whereas YNAB focuses on budgeting. Intuit discontinued Mint in early 2024.
Why is YNAB so popular?
YNAB is popular because it’s one of the few zero-based budgeting apps that lets you assign every dollar to a category right when you get paid. In other words, as soon as you receive income, you put those dollars to work.
Your reviews
Jamela Finder
Contributor
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