# YNAB vs MoneyWell Express

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MoneyWell Express at none against YNAB's 4. MoneyWell Express also leads on review sentiment (69% vs 51%) and iOS requirement (14.1 vs 18.0). YNAB's advantage is ratings volume (62K vs 9) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. YNAB sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. MoneyWell Express asks for nothing beyond the download.

YNAB holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: YNAB has 62K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of YNAB's written reviews are positive against 69% of MoneyWell Express's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

YNAB ships an update weekly, MoneyWell Express fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | YNAB | MoneyWell Express |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (62K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ynab/id1010865877/reviews)** | [4.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moneywell-express/id1596938975/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **62K** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 51.0% of reviews | **69.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#4** | — |
| Size | 157 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [You Need A Budget LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1226490621) | [Diligent Robot Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1281008602) |

## What reviewers say

### YNAB

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

**Currently charting:** #4 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, iPhone Duo support

**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


### MoneyWell Express

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moneywell-express/id1596938975)

Manage your finances on the go with this mobile budgeting companion. It syncs seamlessly with its Mac counterpart, allowing you to check balances and enter transactions from anywhere. Keep your financial data private and secure, as the app never accesses your sensitive information.

**Highlights:** Syncs with Mac app, Check bucket balances, Enter transactions on the move, Stay in control of money, iCloud syncing, Private data storage

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is YNAB free?

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

### Is MoneyWell Express free?

MoneyWell Express is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, YNAB or MoneyWell Express?

YNAB is rated higher. YNAB averages 4.8 out of 5 from 62K ratings, while MoneyWell Express averages 4.6 from 9 ratings.

### Do YNAB or MoneyWell Express have ads?

Neither YNAB nor MoneyWell Express shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, YNAB or MoneyWell Express?

YNAB ships an update weekly, and MoneyWell Express fortnightly. Most recently, YNAB was updated on November 1, 2026 and MoneyWell Express on October 30, 2026.

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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.*