Switch from YNAB to EnvelopeBudget: A Step-by-Step Migration Guide

YNAB is powerful, but if the price no longer makes sense, switching does not need to mean rebuilding your budget from scratch.

EnvelopeBudget includes a YNAB import path for the standard YNAB export files. It reads your Plan.csv and Register.csv, creates categories and envelopes, imports accounts, and brings over register transactions.

Before you start #

You need:

• An EnvelopeBudget account
• Your YNAB budget export ZIP
• About 10 minutes for import and cleanup

EnvelopeBudget works well in mobile browsers, but do the migration from a laptop or desktop if possible. CSV exports and ZIP uploads are less annoying there. Tiny mercy, huge quality-of-life improvement.

Step 1: Export your YNAB budget #

1. Open the YNAB budget you want to move.
2. Use YNAB's export option to download your budget data.
3. Keep the ZIP file intact.
4. Confirm the ZIP contains Plan.csv and Register.csv.

The plan file contains budget categories. The register file contains account transactions.

Step 2: Start the YNAB import in EnvelopeBudget #

1. Sign in to EnvelopeBudget.
2. Open the YNAB Import page.
3. Upload the ZIP export from YNAB.
4. Start the import and wait for it to complete.

EnvelopeBudget creates a new imported budget unless you choose an existing one.

Step 3: Review imported envelopes #

YNAB category groups become EnvelopeBudget categories. YNAB categories become envelopes.

After import, scan for:

• categories you no longer use
• duplicate or old envelopes
• savings categories that should become savings goals
• debt categories that should be marked as debt envelopes

This is a good moment to simplify. Migration is a rare socially acceptable time to throw away old budget clutter.

Step 4: Review accounts and transactions #

EnvelopeBudget imports YNAB register rows as transactions. Categorized transactions map to matching envelopes. Uncategorized or unclear rows may land in the inbox for review.

Check:

• account names and balances
• uncategorized inbox transactions
• transfers between accounts
• old closed accounts you may want to archive

Step 5: Run an account audit #

Open the Account Audit report after import. It helps you spot mismatches between account balances, imported transactions, and starting balances.

If something looks off, fix it before connecting bank sync. Clean imported data first; automation is much happier when it is not standing on a pile of mystery crumbs.

Step 6: Connect SimpleFIN if you want bank sync #

EnvelopeBudget supports optional SimpleFIN bank sync. You can also keep manual entry if that gives you better spending awareness.

SimpleFIN is separate from EnvelopeBudget and charges its own small fee. That keeps EnvelopeBudget's base price low for people who do not want automatic sync.

Step 7: Rebuild your budgeting rhythm #

Once the data is imported:

1. Allocate current income to envelopes.
2. Set monthly budget amounts for common envelopes.
3. Add savings goals where useful.
4. Check reports after your first week.
5. Make EnvelopeBudget your new daily budget habit.

What imports from YNAB? #

Why switch? #

YNAB is now $109/year. EnvelopeBudget is $4/month, $40/year, or a limited $60 lifetime founding plan. It keeps the envelope budgeting method, adds YNAB import, supports reports and exports, and avoids feature tiers.

If you want a simpler, lower-cost envelope budget app, start with the YNAB import and see how it feels during the 34-day free trial.

Start your free trial or compare EnvelopeBudget vs YNAB.