I’m looking for a replacement for the Mint app to manage my finances. Recently, I’ve had issues with its connectivity and inaccurate syncing with my accounts, so I need something reliable. Does anyone have good recommendations for similar personal finance apps?
1. YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Homepage Link: https://www.youneedabudget.com/
Pros:
- Focused on proactive budgeting rather than reactive tracking.
- Syncs well with most bank accounts, and issues are addressed promptly.
- Great for people wanting better control over their expenses with a zero-based budgeting philosophy.
- Available on various platforms – mobile, desktop, and web.
- Educational resources and tutorials available.
Cons:
- Costs $14.99/month or $98.99/year after a 34-day trial.
- Can seem overwhelming for those new to the budgeting process.
Features:
- Goal-setting tools for short and long-term savings.
- Real-time sync between devices.
- Offers deep insights into your spending patterns.
- Capability to assign every dollar to a specific purpose (zero-based budgeting).
- Phenomenal customer support and a helpful online community.
User Reviews:
Users love YNAB’s philosophy and adaptability in creating a personalized budget. Many claim it transformed how they manage money. Complaints about the learning curve and cost pop up occasionally but are minimal overall.
Verdict:
YNAB is perfect if you’re serious about digging into your finances and sticking to a plan. While it’s not the cheapest, its reliability and features make it worth every penny for those willing to commit to using it.
2. Personal Capital
Homepage Link: https://www.personalcapital.com/
Pros:
- Free to use if you’re focusing on basic financial tracking.
- Offers investment tracking and portfolio management tools, which Mint lacks.
- Unified view of all your accounts, including debts, assets, and investments.
- Top-notch security protocols in place.
Cons:
- Heavily focused on investments, so it might not fit users looking strictly for budgeting.
- Their sales team could get pushy about their paid Wealth Management service.
Features:
- Retirement and savings planners with real-time analysis.
- Easy net-worth tracking across linked accounts.
- Free tracking for mutual funds, 401ks, and other investments.
- Robust spending analysis and breakdowns.
User Reviews:
Most users praise how comprehensive its financial tools are. The investment focus, however, is either celebrated or noted as irrelevant to some people’s needs. Mixed feelings about sales tactics.
Verdict:
Best for those with a strong interest in investments alongside managing everyday finances. It’s robust and free unless you dive into the paid services.
3. Empower (formerly Clarity Money)
Homepage Link: https://empower.me/
Pros:
- Intuitive and beginner-friendly interface.
- Comes with automatic saving features, which is unique.
- Tracks subscriptions effectively and lets you cancel unwanted ones directly.
Cons:
- Limited customization compared to other tools like YNAB.
- Their paid offering might feel steep if you only need basic budgeting features ($8 a month).
Features:
- Automatic savings for users aiming to build their financial cushion.
- Analysis of historical spending trends, helping plan for recurring expenses.
- Subscription tracking functionality.
- Minimalistic design, perfect for first-time budgeting app users.
User Reviews:
Users appreciate subscription analytics and the ease of setting savings aside automatically. However, some feel its features are too basic for more advanced needs.
Verdict:
Great as a starter app for people just beginning their financial organization, but more advanced users may find it insufficient.
4. Simplifi by Quicken
Homepage Link: https://www.quicken.com/simplifi
Pros:
- Clean, modern design.
- Easy integration with multiple financial institutions.
- Customizable spending plans tailored to your goals.
- Detailed insight into cash flow and bills.
Cons:
- Monthly subscription ($5.99/month or $47.99/year).
- Limited offline usability.
Features:
- Automatic categorization of expenses.
- Real-time spending and savings tracking.
- Personalized reports for better decision-making.
- Syncs easily across devices.
User Reviews:
Simplifi receives praise for being a balanced tool that doesn’t overcomplicate things nor skimp on features. Occasional connectivity sync issues and pricing complaints are noted as drawbacks.
Verdict:
Balanced and easy to use, it’s a solid mid-range alternative between simple apps and more complex platforms.
5. EveryDollar
Homepage Link: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/everDollar/
Pros:
- Free version available with manual tracking; Paid ($12.99/month) Premium plan automates many features.
- Based on Dave Ramsey’s budgeting principles (great for fans of his method).
- Straightforward zero-based budgeting.
Cons:
- The free version lacks many advanced features.
- US-focused, not ideal for international users.
Features:
- Zero-based budgeting system.
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
- Premium plans connect directly to bank accounts for automation.
User Reviews:
Loved for its ease of use and simplicity, but the premium pricing model divides opinions. Fans of Ramsey’s philosophy swear by it.
Verdict:
Great for Dave Ramsey enthusiasts, but might be underwhelming for others due to limited free options.
6. Tiller Money
Homepage Link: https://www.tillerhq.com/
Pros:
- Integrates seamlessly with Google Sheets and Excel.
- Fully customizable spreadsheets with automatic updates.
- Yearly subscription ($79/year) is reasonable for spreadsheet lovers.
Cons:
- Requires some technical familiarity with spreadsheets.
- No dedicated mobile app (though you can access spreadsheets on mobile).
Features:
- Bank syncing and automated daily updates to customized spreadsheets.
- Templates for budgeting, debt tracking, and net worth calculations.
- Full data ownership (unlike other apps).
User Reviews:
Praised by spreadsheet enthusiasts and DIY budgeters. The lack of a native app puts off those wanting mobile-friendly interfaces.
Verdict:
If you love spreadsheets and want granular control, Tiller is excellent. If not, you may prefer other automated tools.
7. PocketGuard
Homepage Link: https://pocketguard.com/
Pros:
- Automatically calculates ‘safe-to-spend’ funds after bills and savings.
- Straightforward and beginner-friendly.
- Helps manage overspending habits with alerts.
Cons:
- Premium costs ($7.99/month) might feel high for basic tracking.
- Limited reporting compared to more advanced tools.
Features:
- Safe-to-spend feature for keeping daily finances in check.
- Subscription tracker for recurring costs.
- Goal-setting for long-term savings.
User Reviews:
Ideal for people often overspending – many credit it with breaking bad habits. Power users complain about the lack of customization and depth.
Verdict:
Probably the best ‘keep-it-simple’ app for daily budgeting but not super advanced.
8. Goodbudget
Homepage Link: https://goodbudget.com/
Pros:
- Based on the envelope budgeting method.
- Free tier available for basic users ($8/month for premium).
- Manual tracking encourages mindful money management.
Cons:
- Manual data entry might be tedious for some.
- No direct bank syncing (intentional for privacy/security).
Features:
- Envelopes for categorizing expenses.
- Built-in debt-tracking feature.
- User-friendly design similar to Mint but more reliable.
User Reviews:
Fans of the envelope method love it. Manual-entry annoys others but is appreciated for keeping spending intentional.
Verdict:
Perfect for hands-on budgeters who want simplicity and mindfulness over automation.
9. CountAbout
Homepage Link: https://www.countabout.com/
Pros:
- Allows data import from Mint or Quicken seamlessly.
- Ad-free and private.
- Fully automated syncing with banks.
Cons:
- Simplistic interface might seem outdated.
- Costs $9.99/year (Basic) or $39.99/year (Premium).
Features:
- Import historical Mint data.
- Recurring transaction tracking.
- Affordable subscription model.
User Reviews:
Appreciated for its privacy and minimalism but limited market visibility means fewer community tips or shared customizations.
Verdict:
A reliable, no-frills alternative for folks migrating from Mint.
10. Moneydance
Homepage Link: https://moneydance.com/
Pros:
- Desktop-based — data stored locally (more secure).
- One-time purchase instead of subscription ($49.99).
- Supports comprehensive financial tracking, from bills to investments.
Cons:
- Less mobile-friendly than others.
- Interface feels dated.
Features:
- Local data storage for maximum privacy.
- Integrated investment tracker for stocks, bonds, etc.
- Offers a powerful reconciliation tool for bank/credit accounts.
User Reviews:
Highly regarded by users valuing privacy and offline functionality. Criticized for being clunky and lacking modern UX elements.
Verdict:
Great choice if you’re privacy-conscious and prefer managing finances on your computer.
Choose based on your preferences! If connectivity was your main Mint problem, YNAB, Simplifi, or CountAbout are excellent places to start. Responses here tried moments!