# YNAB vs Budget app

The clearest difference is monetization model: Budget app at free with in-app purchases against YNAB's subscription. Budget app also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 51%) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). YNAB's advantage is chart position (#5 vs #74) and ratings volume (62K vs 16K). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. YNAB sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and Budget app sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for YNAB against 4.7 for Budget app. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 62K and 16K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 51% of YNAB's written reviews are positive against 79% of Budget app's.

YNAB ships an update weekly, Budget app every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 18, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | YNAB | Budget app |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (62K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ynab/id1010865877/reviews)** | [4.7 (16K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/budget-app-spending-tracker/id1525179720/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **62K** | 16K |
| Positive reviews | 50.9% of reviews | **79.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | #74 |
| Size | 156 MB | 241 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [You Need A Budget LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1226490621) | [InnerGrow](https://appshunter.io/developer/1828382777) |

## What reviewers say

### YNAB

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ynab/id1010865877)

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Grossing · Finance (US App Store)

This app helps users gain control of their finances by creating flexible spending plans, tracking expenses, and managing debt. It aims to reduce financial stress and empower users to reach their goals. Features include account linking, manual transaction entry, and collaborative planning for multiple users.

**Highlights:** Create and share unlimited spending plans, Automatically import transactions, Manually add transactions, Loan Planner for debt paydown, Visualize progress towards goals, Real-time updates for shared plans

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| YNAB Subscription | $14.99 | per month |
| YNAB Subscription | $14.99 | per month |
| YNAB Subscription | $109.00 | per year |
| YNAB Subscription | $109.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💰 Helps save money
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🚀 Efficient budgeting system
- 🤝 Helpful for couples/families
- 🧠 Changes financial mindset

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Steep learning curve
- 🔌 Connectivity issues with some banks
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🕰️ Reconciliation process could be improved
- 📱 Mobile app lacks some features of web version

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent disconnections from bank accounts
- Syncing issues between mobile and web versions

**Requested features**

- Fortnightly budgeting options
- Improved reporting and analytics
- Ability to upload files/documents
- Undo/redo functionality
- Biometric login for mobile app


### Budget app

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/budget-app-spending-tracker/id1525179720)

**Currently charting:** #74 Top Grossing · Finance (US App Store)

This personal finance app helps you track spending, plan budgets, and save money to achieve financial freedom. It offers features like AI-powered tracking, shared budgeting, and detailed stats to understand your financial habits.

**Highlights:** Budget Planner, Spending Tracker, Money Management, Recurring Transactions, Shared Budgeting, AI Tracking, Stats & Charts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Budget Premium Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Financial Empowerment | $5.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium | $6.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium Sale | $4.99 | one-time |
| lifetime member sale | $6.99 | one-time |
| Budget Lifetime Member | $8.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium Global | $8.99 | one-time |
| Family Premium | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🚀 Straightforward and intuitive
- 💰 Affordable one-time purchase
- 🎨 Customizable categories and colors
- 🗓️ Helpful calendar and transaction views

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Recurring bills/payments not working as expected
- 🔍 Lack of advanced reporting and analytics
- 🤝 Sharing/collaboration features not reliable
- 🇨🇦 Limited support for Canadian banks/accounts
- 🔀 Difficulty moving money between budgets

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues between devices
- Transactions not always loading correctly
- Upgrade/premium features not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Ability to carry over surplus/deficit between months
- Option to view remaining budget instead of just spent
- Multiple savings account/ledger support
- Automatic recurring bill/subscription tracking
- Web/desktop app version for easier data entry


## Frequently asked questions

### Is YNAB free?

YNAB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Budget app free?

Budget app is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, YNAB or Budget app?

YNAB is rated higher. YNAB averages 4.8 out of 5 from 62K ratings, while Budget app averages 4.7 from 16K ratings.

### Do YNAB or Budget app have ads?

Neither YNAB nor Budget app shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, YNAB or Budget app?

YNAB ships an update weekly, and Budget app every 9 days. Most recently, YNAB was updated on October 18, 2026 and Budget app on October 18, 2026.

### Which is more popular, YNAB or Budget app?

YNAB currently peaks at #5 in the App Store charts, and Budget app at #74. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*