YNAB (You Need A Budget) taught a lot of people to give every dollar a job. It now costs $14.99/month or $109/year. If you like the method but not the bill, you don't have to start over with a different philosophy: EnvelopeBudget is built around the same envelope idea, costs $4/month or $40/year, and imports your YNAB budget.
This page is the short version. For the story of one long-time YNAB user's switch, read Why I quit YNAB; for YNAB's price history and other options, see YNAB too expensive? Cheaper alternatives.
Why people look for a YNAB alternative
The price keeps going up
YNAB has raised its annual price several times, most recently to $109/year. At $40/year, EnvelopeBudget costs a little over a third as much, and the $60 lifetime option (first 500 members) means you pay once and stop thinking about it.
You want envelopes, not just categories
In EnvelopeBudget, each envelope holds a running balance that carries from month to month, like cash in a real envelope. Late transactions land in the envelope they belong to instead of reshuffling last month's budget.
You'd rather choose how much automation you get
YNAB includes bank sync. EnvelopeBudget lets you choose manual entry (free), OFX/QFX file import (free), or automatic bank sync through SimpleFIN for an extra $1.50/month or $10/year paid to SimpleFIN. Even with sync, that's about $50/year in total.
EnvelopeBudget vs YNAB at a glance
| EnvelopeBudget | YNAB | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $4 | $14.99 |
| Annual price | $40 | $109 |
| Lifetime option | $60 one-time (first 500 members) | None |
| Free trial | 34 days, no credit card | 34 days, no credit card |
| Bank sync | Optional, via SimpleFIN (+$1.50/mo or $10/yr) | Included |
| Import from YNAB | Built in (accounts, envelopes, goals, history) | — |
| Sharing | Separate logins with per-budget Viewer/Editor access | One subscription shared with up to 6 people |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
Who should stay with YNAB
- You rely on YNAB's included bank sync and don't want to manage a separate SimpleFIN connection.
- You use YNAB's workshops, community, and educational content as much as the app itself.
- You share one subscription with a large household (YNAB allows up to 6 people) and the per-person cost is already low.
- Your budget depends on a YNAB-specific feature or third-party add-on you can't give up.
How to switch to EnvelopeBudget
- Start your free trial. Create an EnvelopeBudget account. You get 34 days with every feature, and no credit card.
- Export your budget from YNAB. In YNAB, export your budget data. Keep YNAB open until you've checked the import.
- Import it into EnvelopeBudget. Use the built-in YNAB import. It brings over your accounts, envelopes, goals, and history, so you don't rebuild your categories by hand.
- Connect your banks (optional). Link accounts through SimpleFIN ($1.50/month or $10/year, paid to SimpleFIN), import OFX/QFX files, or keep entering transactions manually.
- Run both for one month. Budget your next paycheck in EnvelopeBudget while YNAB is still active. When the numbers match and the habit sticks, cancel YNAB before it renews.
Frequently asked questions
Is EnvelopeBudget cheaper than YNAB?
Yes. EnvelopeBudget is $4/month or $40/year, versus YNAB's $14.99/month or $109/year. There's also a $60 one-time lifetime option for the first 500 members. Bank sync through SimpleFIN adds $1.50/month or $10/year.
Can I import my YNAB budget?
Yes. EnvelopeBudget has a built-in YNAB import that preserves your accounts, envelopes, goals, and history from a YNAB export.
Does EnvelopeBudget use the same method as YNAB?
Both are built on giving every dollar a job. EnvelopeBudget uses envelopes with running balances that roll over month to month, which many people find easier to read than month-by-month category budgets.
How long is the free trial?
34 days with no credit card, the same length as YNAB's trial. That's enough time to budget more than one full paycheck cycle before you decide.
Does EnvelopeBudget have bank sync?
Yes, through SimpleFIN for an extra $1.50/month or $10/year paid to SimpleFIN. Manual entry and OFX/QFX file import are always free.