Comparison

Budget Zero vs Simpler Budget

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Budget Zero

This app helps you manage your money privately using a zero-based envelope budgeting system. It allows manual transaction logging without linking bank accounts, offering a distraction-free interface and offline functionality.

Highlights
  • Zero-based envelope budgeting
  • Private, no bank linking
  • Manual transaction logging
  • Offline functionality
  • Budget rollover
  • iCloud sync
  • Dark mode support
Features
Read full description

The budgeting app that respects your wallet AND your privacy. Budget Zero uses zero-based envelope budgeting to give every dollar a job, without linking your bank account or tracking your data. Try Budget Zero Pro free for a month, or pay once with Lifetime and skip the subscription. WHY BUDGET ZERO? • Affordable - A fraction of the cost of other budgeting apps. • Private - No bank linking. No data selling. Your finances stay yours. • Simple - Manual entry keeps you mindful of every transaction • Powerful - Full envelope budgeting, with leftover money that rolls into next month HOW IT WORKS 1. Add your accounts (checking, savings, credit cards, cash) 2. Create budget categories and organize them into groups 3. Assign dollars to each category every month 4. Log transactions and watch your budget update in real time 5. Reach zero - every dollar has a job FEATURES • Zero-based envelope budgeting system • Import your budget from YNAB: accounts, categories, transactions and balances • Multiple account support (checking, savings, credit, cash) • Monthly budget periods with easy month-to-month navigation • Rollover: unspent money carries into the next month, and you can move it to another budget • Budget groups for organized category management • Transaction tracking with payee, date, and category, plus transfers between accounts • Budgets filled in from each payee's last transaction • Credit card payment budgets that keep card spending covered • iCloud-synced across your devices • Works offline - no internet required to budget • Clean, distraction-free interface • Dark mode support BUDGET ZERO PRO Pro unlocks unlimited budgets, accounts and transactions. Start with a free month on the monthly or yearly plan, or buy Lifetime once and keep Pro forever. Either way, it costs a fraction of what other budgeting apps charge. Take control of your money. Download Budget Zero today. About Subscriptions: • Subscription Name: Budget Zero Pro • Subscription Length: 1 Month or 1 Year (Auto-renewable) • Subscription Price: shown in your local currency on the App Store before purchase • Free Trial: the monthly and yearly plans start with a 1-month free trial for eligible new subscribers. Unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends, the subscription starts and renews automatically. • Lifetime: a one-time purchase that unlocks Budget Zero Pro permanently. It does not renew. Price shown in your local currency on the App Store before purchase. • Payment will be charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. • You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple Account Settings at any time after purchase. Links: • Privacy Policy: https://budgetzeroapp.com/privacy • Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Simpler Budget

Manage your money effectively with this intuitive budgeting app. It uses the envelope system to help you track spending, categorize transactions, and visualize savings goals. Gain insights into your financial habits to make smarter decisions and reach your financial objectives.

Highlights
  • Envelope budgeting system
  • Expense and income tracking
  • Customizable categories
  • Visual savings tracker
  • Monthly financial overviews
  • Insightful spending reports
Features
Read full description

Simpler Budget - Envely is the ultimate cash tracker and savings tracker designed to give you full control over your finances. Whether you're looking to monitor your daily spending, manage monthly budgets, or analyze your expenses, Envely provides the flexibility and insights you need to stay on top of your money. Built around the powerful envelope budget method, Envely lets you allocate your income into customizable budget envelopes, helping you avoid overspending and prioritize what truly matters. With this intuitive approach, you’ll always know where your money is going—before it’s gone. Track your expenses and incomes effortlessly. Categorize every transaction with maximum customization to reflect your unique financial habits. From daily coffee runs to freelance payments, every dollar is accounted for. Envely offers detailed monthly stats on your expenses, incomes, and savings, giving you a clear picture of your financial health. Discover smart insights into your monthly cash flow and identify areas where you can save more or spend more wisely. Whether you’re saving for a trip, reducing debt, or simply trying to become more mindful of your spending, Envely makes financial tracking simple and effective. No spreadsheets. No stress. Just a clear, visual, and personal way to manage your money. Key features: Intuitive cash tracker for daily use Advanced tracker for both expenses and incomes Fully customizable categories and budget envelopes Visual savings tracker to stay motivated Monthly overviews to analyze spending habits Insightful reports on money flow and envelope budget progress Take control of your finances with Envely – the cash tracker that helps you build better habits, plan smarter, and reach your goals. Start tracking your money the smart way today with Simpler Budget - Envely: your personal cash tracker, savings tracker, and budget partner. ---------------- Envely offers different purchasable plans in order to unlock more features. Payment is charged to your iTunes account at the time of purchase confirmation. The subscription is automatically renewed 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can cancel the subscription at any time through your App Store account. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

Budget Zero4 screens
Simpler Budget3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Simpler Budget at 5.0 against Budget Zero's 4.3. Simpler Budget also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). Budget Zero's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs fortnightly). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Budget Zero sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Simpler Budget sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Simpler Budget holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Budget Zero ships an update every 3 days, Simpler Budget fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Budget Zero versus Simpler Budget: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBudget ZeroSimpler Budget
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (7 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB39 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperGrey Park, LLCCristian Bozzato

Customer experience

Budget Zero

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Simpler Budget

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Budget Zero

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription1 Month trial$3.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription1 Month trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$79.99
5 purchases

Simpler Budget

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Monthly subscription1 Month trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime PRO access$19.99
  • Lifetime access$49.99

Questions

Is Budget Zero free?
Budget Zero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Simpler Budget free?
Simpler Budget is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Budget Zero or Simpler Budget?
Simpler Budget is rated higher. Budget Zero averages 4.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Simpler Budget averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Budget Zero or Simpler Budget have ads?
Neither Budget Zero nor Simpler Budget shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Budget Zero or Simpler Budget?
Budget Zero ships an update every 3 days, and Simpler Budget fortnightly. Most recently, Budget Zero was updated on November 8, 2026 and Simpler Budget on November 4, 2026.

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