With Mint shutting down in early 2024, millions of people are looking for a replacement. The good news: the budgeting app market has never been better. Whether you want a free expense tracker, a zero-based budgeting system, or a full net worth dashboard, there’s a strong option for every type of budgeter in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| App | Best For | Cost | Free Plan? |
|---|
| YNAB | Zero-based budgeting, debt payoff | $109/yr | 34-day trial |
| Monarch Money | Mint replacement, couples | $99/yr | 7-day trial |
| Copilot | iPhone users, clean design | $95/yr | Free trial |
| PocketGuard | Overspenders, simple tracking | Free / $12.99/mo | Yes |
| Empower | Investment + budget tracking | Free | Yes |
Best Budgeting Apps of 2026
Best Overall · Zero-Based Budgeting
YNAB (You Need a Budget)
The gold standard for people serious about getting out of debt and building savings
Platform
iOS, Android, Web
YNAB uses a zero-based budgeting method — every dollar you earn gets assigned to a job before you spend it. YNAB users report saving an average of $600 in their first two months and $6,000 in their first year.
Best Mint Replacement · Couples
Monarch Money
The closest thing to Mint — with better features and no ads
Platform
iOS, Android, Web
Monarch Money is the top Mint replacement. It offers automatic transaction syncing, budget tracking, net worth monitoring, and investment tracking — all in a clean, ad-free interface. Especially popular with couples who want to manage finances together.
Best Free Option · Passive Tracking
Empower Personal Dashboard
Completely free budgeting + investment tracking
Platform
iOS, Android, Web
Empower offers the best free budgeting and net worth tracking available. Connect your bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts to see your complete financial picture in one place. No credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free budgeting app?
The best free budgeting apps in 2026 include Empower Personal Dashboard (formerly Personal Capital), PocketGuard free tier, and Monarch Money free trial. Empower is the most capable free option — it includes investment tracking and net worth monitoring at no cost.
What replaced Mint after it shut down?
Mint shut down in January 2024. The best Mint replacements in 2026 are Monarch Money (most similar feature set), YNAB (best for active budgeters), and Copilot (best for iPhone users). Intuit, which owned Mint, redirected users to Credit Karma.
Is YNAB worth the cost?
YNAB costs $109/year. Research shows YNAB users save an average of $600 in their first two months and $6,000 in their first year. The 34-day free trial is long enough to see real results before committing.
What budgeting app is best for couples?
Monarch Money is the top choice for couples. It allows two users to share a single account with shared dashboards, joint budget tracking, and individual spending visibility.
Editorial Disclosure: WiseIQ may earn a commission when you apply through our links.