Best Free Budgeting Apps Compared [2025]

The Contenders

We looked at five of the most popular budgeting apps:
Mint, YNAB (You Need A Budget), PocketGuard, Goodbudget, and The Budget App.

Each of these platforms has built a following and offers something unique, but not all are as beginner-friendly, flexible, or forward-thinking as you might expect.

Features Breakdown

We compared each app across the key areas that matter most to users:

• Bank Synchronization: Does it connect securely to your bank and update automatically?

• AI & Smart Suggestions: Does it offer real-time insights and adaptive guidance?

• Category Flexibility: Can you customize your budget easily to reflect your lifestyle?

• Alerts & Notifications: Does it help you stay on track with timely reminders?

• Privacy & Data Control: Does it protect your financial data without selling it?

App: Mint
Bank Sync: Yes
AI Features: No
Custom Categories: Limited
Alerts: Basic
Privacy: Moderate

App: YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Bank Sync: Yes
AI Features: No
Custom Categories: Yes
Alerts: Yes
Privacy: Strong

App: PocketGuard
Bank Sync: Yes
AI Features: Some
Custom Categories: Limited
Alerts: Yes
Privacy: Moderate

App: Goodbudget
Bank Sync: No
AI Features: No
Custom Categories: Yes
Alerts: No
Privacy: Strong

App: The Budget App
Bank Sync: Yes
AI Features: Yes
Custom Categories: Yes
Alerts: Smart
Privacy: Strong

Final Verdict

If you love spreadsheets and strict rule-based planning, YNAB might be your pick. If you want a simple app to just check balances, Mint will do.

But if you're looking for something modern, intuitive, and helpful without the learning curve, The Budget App stands out.

It brings together live bank sync, personalized AI guidance, flexible budgets, and smart notifications in one clean and easy-to-use app. And unlike many competitors, it doesn’t compromise on privacy.

Try The Budget App and experience why more people are choosing it as their go-to budgeting tool in 2025.