# Envelopes vs Simple Envelope Budgeting

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Envelopes at 88% against Simple Envelope Budgeting's 38%. Envelopes also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.7) and ratings volume (127 vs 11). Simple Envelope Budgeting's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $6.99) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On ads, in-app purchases, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Envelopes costs $6.99 and Simple Envelope Budgeting $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Envelopes holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Envelopes has 127 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Envelopes's written reviews are positive against 38% of Simple Envelope Budgeting's.

Envelopes ships an update every 3 months, Simple Envelope Budgeting monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Envelopes | Simple Envelope Budgeting |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $6.99 | **$2.99** |
| Rating | **[4.4 (127 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/envelopes-budget-manager/id804726909/reviews)** | [3.7 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-envelope-budgeting/id6443788334/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **127** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | **87.6% of reviews** | 37.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#37** | #49 |
| Size | 5 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [emdentec ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/369600372) | [Frank Herring](https://appshunter.io/developer/1229497521) |

## What reviewers say

### Envelopes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/envelopes-budget-manager/id804726909)

**Currently charting:** #37 Top Paid · Finance (US App Store)

This app helps you manage your finances using the envelope budgeting method virtually. Easily track spending, distribute income, and secure your financial data with passcode or biometric authentication.

**Highlights:** Virtual envelope budgeting, Unlimited envelope creation, Quick budget setup, Track deposits and withdrawals, Passcode and biometric security, Customizable themes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Extremely simple and intuitive user interface
- 💰 One-time purchase instead of subscription model
- ⚡ Quick deposit feature for fast money allocation
- 📱 No bank account connection required (manual control)
- 🎨 Clean, minimalist design without unnecessary features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📱 No cloud sync between devices
- 👥 Cannot be shared between multiple users/family members
- 🎨 Limited color options for envelopes
- 📊 No visualization or pie charts for spending analysis
- 🔄 No recurring deposits or automatic resets

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when transferring money between envelopes
- Data loss after iOS updates
- Failed data import from legacy version
- App not downloading after purchase
- Compatibility issues with older iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Cloud sync and cross-device synchronization
- Multi-user/family sharing capabilities
- Recurring deposits and automatic monthly resets
- Spending visualization (pie charts, graphs, reports)
- Transaction categorization and tagging system


### Simple Envelope Budgeting

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-envelope-budgeting/id6443788334)

**Currently charting:** #49 Top Paid · Finance (US App Store)

Digitize your financial efforts with this straightforward budgeting app. It uses a color-coded envelope system to help you track spending, set savings goals, and avoid going over budget. Syncs across devices without ads or in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** iCloud Sync, Savings Goals, Color-Coded Envelopes, Budget Overspend Indicator, Search Function, Ad-Free Experience

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Envelopes free?

Envelopes costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Simple Envelope Budgeting free?

Simple Envelope Budgeting costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Envelopes or Simple Envelope Budgeting?

Envelopes is rated higher. Envelopes averages 4.4 out of 5 from 127 ratings, while Simple Envelope Budgeting averages 3.7 from 11 ratings.

### Do Envelopes or Simple Envelope Budgeting have ads?

Neither Envelopes nor Simple Envelope Budgeting shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Envelopes or Simple Envelope Budgeting?

Envelopes ships an update every 3 months, and Simple Envelope Budgeting monthly. Most recently, Envelopes was updated on October 24, 2026 and Simple Envelope Budgeting on October 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Envelopes or Simple Envelope Budgeting?

Envelopes currently peaks at #37 in the App Store charts, and Simple Envelope Budgeting at #49. 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.*