EnvelopeBudget vs Goodbudget
Two envelope budgeting apps with different approaches. Let's see which one fits your style.
Last updated: October 8, 2026 • Method: Goodbudget plans, prices, and limits were checked on goodbudget.com/signup and goodbudget.com/subscribe-for-more on October 8, 2026. • Disclosure: No affiliate links are used on this comparison page.
Reviewed by: Dustin Davis, founder of EnvelopeBudget
Sources: Goodbudget sign-up plans , Goodbudget Plus and Premium plans , Goodbudget Premium announcement (Aug 2024) , EnvelopeBudget pricing
Already decided to leave Goodbudget? Read the Goodbudget alternative guide for a step-by-step switch.
EnvelopeBudget
Pricing
$4/month
or $40/year
34-day free trial, no credit card required
Key Features
- Unlimited envelopes on every plan
- Multiple budgets supported
- Flexible transaction entry (manual, OFX/QFX file import, SimpleFIN sync)
- Bank sync via SimpleFIN for +$1.50/month or $15/year
- Modern, responsive interface with dark mode
- Web, iOS, and Android apps
- $60 lifetime option for the first 500 members
Best For
Envelope budgeters who want unlimited envelopes and optional bank sync for less than Goodbudget Premium.
Goodbudget
Pricing
$8–$10/month
Plus: $8/month or $70/year (no bank sync)
Premium: $10/month or $80/year (US bank sync)
Free plan: 10 regular + 10 annual/goal envelopes, 1 account, 2 devices
Key Features
- Traditional envelope method
- Free-forever plan (10 regular + 10 annual/goal envelopes)
- Unlimited envelopes and accounts on paid plans
- Automatic bank sync on Premium (US banks only)
- Up to 5 devices and 7 years of history on paid plans
- Debt tracking
- Bank sync costs $10/month (Premium); Plus has none
Best For
Budgeters who want a free-forever envelope app with a small number of envelopes, or who prefer Goodbudget's long-running, traditional interface.
Detailed Comparison
Interface & User Experience
EnvelopeBudget offers a modern, clean interface that works across web, iOS, and Android, with dark mode and a responsive design.
Goodbudget has a long-running, traditional interface on the web, Android, and iPhone. It's familiar and functional, and it has changed less over the years than newer apps.
Envelope Limits
EnvelopeBudget provides unlimited envelopes on every plan. Every paying member gets every feature; there are no tiers.
Goodbudget limits the Free plan to 10 regular envelopes plus 10 annual/goal ("more") envelopes, 1 account, 2 devices, and 1 year of history. Both paid plans (Plus and Premium) include unlimited envelopes and accounts, 5 devices, and 7 years of history.
Transaction Entry & Bank Sync
EnvelopeBudget offers manual entry, bank file imports (OFX/QFX), or automatic sync through SimpleFIN. SimpleFIN is paid separately to SimpleFIN at $1.50/month or $15/year; manual entry is always free.
Goodbudget added automatic bank sync (US banks only) in its Premium plan in August 2024, at $10/month or $80/year. The Free and Plus plans don't include bank sync.
Syncing & Collaboration
EnvelopeBudget syncs in real time across all your devices, and Family & Team sharing gives each person their own login with Viewer or Editor access per budget.
Goodbudget syncs a shared household budget across 2 devices on the Free plan and 5 devices on paid plans.
Value
EnvelopeBudget costs $4/month or $40/year, or $60 once for lifetime access (first 500 members), after a 34-day free trial with no credit card. With SimpleFIN bank sync, that's about $5.50/month or $55/year in total ($70/year with the Plaid add-on).
Goodbudget is free forever for small budgets. Plus costs $8/month or $70/year, and Premium (with bank sync) costs $10/month or $80/year. Paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee rather than a timed free trial.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | EnvelopeBudget | Goodbudget |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month | $4 | $8 Plus / $10 Premium |
| Price per year | $40 | $70 Plus / $80 Premium |
| Lifetime option | $60 (first 500 members) | |
| Free plan or trial | 34-day trial, no card | Free plan; 30-day money-back on paid |
| Envelopes | Unlimited | 10 + 10 free; unlimited paid |
| Bank sync | Optional — SimpleFIN +$1.50/mo or Plaid add-on +$3/mo | Premium only (US banks) |
| Devices | Unlimited | 2 free / 5 paid |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Dark Mode | ||
| Multiple Budgets |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Goodbudget have bank sync?
Yes, on its Premium plan ($10/month or $80/year), for US banks only. The Free and Plus plans are manual entry. EnvelopeBudget offers bank sync on any plan through SimpleFIN for an extra $1.50/month or $15/year.
Is there a free plan?
Goodbudget has a free-forever plan with 10 regular and 10 annual/goal envelopes, 1 account, and 2 devices. EnvelopeBudget doesn't have a free plan; it has a 34-day free trial with no credit card, then $4/month, $40/year, or $60 lifetime.
Can I move my Goodbudget budget to EnvelopeBudget?
EnvelopeBudget doesn't have a dedicated Goodbudget importer. Most people recreate their envelopes (it takes a few minutes), then bring in transactions with SimpleFIN bank sync or an OFX/QFX file from their bank.
I used Mvelopes. Which is closer?
Both are true digital envelope apps like Mvelopes was. See the Mvelopes alternative guide for a side-by-side of the envelope apps that are still around.
Which is cheaper with bank sync?
EnvelopeBudget at $4/month plus $1.50/month for SimpleFIN is about $5.50/month, versus $10/month for Goodbudget Premium. Yearly, it's $40 + $15 = $55 versus $80 ($70 with the Plaid add-on instead).
