When Mint shut down on January 15, 2024, I spent three months testing what actually replaced it — not with demo accounts, but with my own spending, my own bank connections, and my own frustration when things didn’t sync right. What I found: there’s no single “Mint replacement,” but there are solid free options depending on what you actually need.
Quick verdict:
- Goodbudget is the best choice for manual budgeters who want control without bank sync
- PocketGuard is the best choice for tracking spending and finding “left to spend” at a glance
- Empower is the best choice for net worth tracking and investment visibility
- Copilot is the best choice for gig workers and variable-income earners (newer app, still proving itself)
- YNAB has a 34-day free trial, then costs $199/year — only worth it if you’re committed to zero-based budgeting
At a glance
| Feature | Goodbudget | PocketGuard | Empower | Copilot | YNAB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (as of 2026-05-26) | Free (limited accounts) | Free (basic) | Free | Free (14-day trial on iOS) | $199/yr after trial |
| Bank sync | No | Yes (Plaid) | Yes (Plaid) | Yes (Plaid) | Yes (Plaid) |
| Best for | Manual entry, envelope budgeters | Quick “left to spend” check | Net worth tracking | Variable income | Zero-based budgeting disciples |
| Biggest weakness | No automatic sync | Limited free features | Not a pure budget tool | Newer, unproven longevity | Expensive after trial |
| Offline mode | Yes | No | No | Partial | No |
Privacy & security: what you’re actually risking
When you link a bank account to a budgeting app, you’re authorizing a third-party service (usually Plaid) to read your transaction data. Plaid uses 256-bit AES encryption and is SOC 2 Type II certified — the same standard banks use. But encryption protects data in transit; it doesn’t eliminate the risk that an app company could misuse your data, get breached, or shut down without notice.
Here’s what each app does with your financial data:
Goodbudget: No bank sync means no bank credentials stored. Data lives on their servers only if you sync across devices. Goodbudget’s privacy policy states they don’t sell user data. Lowest privacy risk of the group.
PocketGuard: Uses Plaid for bank connections. Data encrypted in transit and at rest. Privacy policy allows anonymized data use for product improvement. No reported breaches as of May 2026.
Empower: Uses Plaid; data encrypted with 256-bit AES. Privacy policy permits anonymized aggregated data use. Empower makes money from wealth management services, not data sales, which reduces incentive to monetize your transaction history.
Copilot: Uses Plaid; data encrypted. Privacy policy is clearer than most — no data selling, no third-party ad targeting. Being newer means less track record, but also means fewer legacy vulnerabilities.
YNAB: Uses Plaid; strong privacy stance, no data selling. Paid subscription model means the company’s revenue comes from users, not from monetizing data. No reported breaches in its 20+ year history.
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, consumers should verify that any financial app uses encryption, offers two-factor authentication, and has a clear privacy policy before linking accounts. All of these apps meet that baseline. None are FDIC-insured — if an app shuts down, your bank account is safe, but you might lose transaction history unless you’ve exported it.
| App | Encryption | Data selling | Breach history (as of 05/26) | Export available (free tier) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodbudget | N/A (no bank sync) | No | None reported | Yes (CSV) |
| PocketGuard | 256-bit AES (Plaid) | No (anonymized aggregation only) | None reported | No |
| Empower | 256-bit AES (Plaid) | No (anonymized aggregation only) | None reported | Limited |
| Copilot | 256-bit AES (Plaid) | No | None reported (app only 2 yrs old) | Yes (CSV) |
| YNAB | 256-bit AES (Plaid) | No | None reported | Yes |
If you’re uncomfortable with third-party bank access, Goodbudget is your only free option. If you’re okay with it, enable two-factor authentication on both the app and your bank account.
What Mint users actually lost (and where to find it now)
Mint had features people relied on daily. Here’s what each app replaces:
Automatic transaction sync + categorization:
- PocketGuard or Empower handle this. Both use Plaid (Mint’s connection method) and auto-categorize spending. PocketGuard is better for active budgeting; Empower is better if you also want investment tracking.
Custom budget creation by category:
- Goodbudget (manual, envelope-style) or YNAB (zero-based, paid). The free alternatives don’t replicate Mint’s budget-setting flow — they’re either simpler (PocketGuard’s “left to spend”) or non-budget-focused (Empower’s net worth view).
Credit score monitoring:
- None of these apps include it for free. Credit Karma (where Intuit pushed Mint users) has free credit score tracking, but weak budgeting tools. If you want score monitoring alongside budgeting, you’ll need two apps.
Spending insights and trends:
- PocketGuard (basic trends), Empower (cash flow visualization), YNAB (detailed reports). Mint’s visual spending breakdowns were unusually good; no free app fully matches them.
Bill tracking and reminders:
- PocketGuard (free tier includes this), YNAB (paid). Goodbudget and Empower don’t focus on bill reminders.
Investment tracking + net worth:
- Empower is the best replacement. It shows all accounts (checking, savings, investment, debt) in one dashboard and tracks net worth over time — exactly what Mint did.
Data export:
- Goodbudget and Copilot allow CSV export in free tiers. YNAB allows export (paid). PocketGuard and Empower make it harder unless you pay.
The version of “free” that Mint offered — unlimited accounts, unlimited budgets, investment tracking, credit score, exports, no upsells — doesn’t exist anymore. Every current free app has feature limits, upgrade prompts, or a short trial before payment. That model ended with Mint.
Goodbudget — best for manual budgeters
Goodbudget is the digital version of envelope budgeting. You set up “envelopes” for categories (groceries, gas, entertainment), allocate money to each at the start of the month, and manually log expenses as you spend. It does not connect to your bank — every transaction is entered by hand.
I used this method for two years during my debt payoff. The manual entry forced me to pay attention in a way automatic sync never did. If you spend $47 at the grocery store, you open the app and log it right there in the parking lot. It’s tedious. It also works.
The free version limits you to 20 envelopes and one account. If you have multiple bank accounts or want separate envelopes for more than 20 categories, you’ll hit the wall fast. The paid version ($8/month or $70/year) lifts those limits, but at that point you’re paying for something other apps do for free with automation.
Strengths:
- Offline mode — you don’t need cell service to log a transaction
- No bank login required (lower privacy risk)
- Envelope method is intuitive for people who think in cash categories
Weaknesses:
- Manual entry for every single transaction gets exhausting
- Free tier caps at 20 envelopes and one account
- No automatic tracking of account balances
Best for: People who want to slow down and think about every purchase, or anyone uncomfortable linking bank accounts to third-party apps. If you’re the type who used to withdraw cash and stuff it in labeled envelopes, this is your app.
PocketGuard — best for quick “what can I spend?” checks
PocketGuard connects to your bank (via Plaid, the same connection service Mint used) and does one thing really well: it tells you how much you have “left to spend” after accounting for bills, goals, and necessities. That number shows up at the top of the app every time you open it.
The free version covers basic budgeting and spending tracking. The paid version ($12.99/month or $74.99/year) adds debt payoff planning, custom categories, and the ability to export your data. For most people, the free version is enough.
The downside: PocketGuard’s algorithm for calculating “left to spend” sometimes feels opaque. It factors in upcoming bills and recurring subscriptions, which is helpful, but if you have irregular income or a variable schedule, the number can feel off. I found it worked best when my paychecks were predictable.
Strengths:
- “In My Pocket” feature is genuinely useful for impulse control
- Connects to most major banks with minimal friction
- Free tier includes bill tracking and spending categorization
Weaknesses:
- Free version limits customization (can’t rename categories)
- “Left to spend” calculation doesn’t always match your mental math
- Data export requires paid version
Best for: People who want a quick answer to “can I afford this right now?” without opening their bank app or doing mental math on bills due this week.
Empower — best for net worth tracking
Empower (formerly Personal Capital) is technically free, but it’s not really a budgeting app — it’s a net worth and investment tracker that happens to have budgeting features. If you want to see your checking, savings, investment accounts, and debt all in one dashboard, Empower does that cleanly.
The budgeting tools are basic: spending by category, monthly trends, cash flow visualization. You won’t get envelope budgeting or zero-based budgeting here. What you will get is a clear picture of whether your net worth is going up or down each month.
Empower makes money by offering wealth management services (which you can ignore). The app itself is free with no paid tier for budgeting features. The catch: if you have over $100,000 in investable assets, expect occasional prompts to talk to an advisor. You can decline. I did.
Strengths:
- Excellent net worth tracking across all account types
- Investment fee analysis (shows you what you’re paying in fund fees)
- Completely free for budgeting and tracking features
Weaknesses:
- Not designed for detailed budget planning
- Occasional upsell prompts for wealth management services
- Spending categorization is less granular than dedicated budget apps
Best for: People who want the big picture — am I building wealth or treading water? — more than they want line-item budget enforcement. If you’re in the wealth-building phase (emergency fund saved, investing regularly), this is the one that shows you the progress.
Copilot — best for variable income (but still new)
Copilot launched in 2024 as a response to Mint’s shutdown. It’s designed for people with irregular paychecks: freelancers, gig workers, anyone whose income changes month to month. Instead of fixed monthly budgets, you set spending targets and Copilot adjusts based on what’s actually coming in.
I tested this for two months with my side income (which varies). Copilot handled it better than PocketGuard or Empower, both of which assume regular paychecks. The interface is clean, syncing worked without issues, and the app doesn’t try to sell you credit cards or loans (a problem with some Mint alternatives).
The catch: it’s too new to know if it’ll stick around. Mint was a 16-year-old product when it shut down. Copilot is two years old. That doesn’t mean it’s bad — it means the longevity risk is real. If you use it, export your data regularly (the free version allows CSV export).
Strengths:
- Built for variable income from the ground up
- Clean, ad-free interface
- Allows data export in free version
Weaknesses:
- Unproven track record (only two years old)
- Free trial is 14 days on iOS, then you decide
- Smaller user base means fewer online support resources
Best for: Freelancers, gig workers, side-hustlers, or anyone whose income doesn’t arrive in neat bi-weekly chunks. If you’ve ever tried to budget on irregular income and failed, this is worth testing. Just keep backups.
best survey apps for iphone covers survey income tracking if you’re managing side-hustle earnings alongside a main job.
YNAB — not free, but included for context
YNAB (You Need A Budget) offers a 34-day free trial, then charges $199 per year or $14.99 per month. It’s not a free app, but it shows up in every “best budgeting apps” search, so here’s the reality: YNAB is excellent if you’re willing to commit to its zero-based budgeting philosophy (every dollar gets a job) and pay the annual fee. Most people bail after the trial.
I didn’t pay for YNAB after my trial ended. The method worked — I liked the discipline of assigning every dollar — but I couldn’t justify $199/year for something I was already doing with a spreadsheet. If you have the budget and you know you’ll stick with it, YNAB has the best onboarding and support of any budgeting tool. If you’re testing waters, start with a free option first.
Strengths:
- Best-in-class zero-based budgeting system
- Strong educational resources and support community
- Works well for irregular income if you follow the method
Weaknesses:
- Costs $199/year after 34-day trial
- Learning curve is real (zero-based budgeting takes time)
- Overkill if you just want to track spending
Best for: People who are serious about budgeting, willing to pay for structure, and ready to commit to the YNAB method. Not for casual trackers.
If you’re new to budgeting frameworks, Best Budgeting Method for Beginners in 2026 breaks down zero-based, 50/30/20, and envelope methods so you can figure out which philosophy fits before committing to an app.
Do budgeting apps actually change behavior?
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s financial literacy resources recommend tracking spending as a first step toward building financial stability, but tracking alone doesn’t create savings — your choices after seeing the numbers do. Research cited by NerdWallet suggests that people who actively review budgets weekly are more likely to reduce discretionary spending and increase savings rates compared to those who set up tracking but don’t check in regularly.
I saved money using Goodbudget during my debt payoff, but that’s because I reviewed my budget weekly and adjusted my spending based on what I saw. The app didn’t stop me from spending — it showed me the consequences of spending in real time, which made it harder to ignore. If you download an app, link your bank, and never open it again, the outcome is predictable: nothing changes.
The value is in the habit of checking, not the software itself. Pick an app that you’ll actually open more than once a month.
Side-by-side: What the free versions actually include
“Free” doesn’t mean the same thing across these apps. Here’s what you get without paying:
| Feature | Goodbudget (free) | PocketGuard (free) | Empower (free) | Copilot (free) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of accounts | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Bank sync | No | Yes | Yes | Yes (after trial) |
| Budget categories | 20 envelopes | Pre-set (limited custom) | Basic categorization | Unlimited custom |
| Data export | CSV | No | Limited | CSV |
| Ads | None | None | None | None |
| Debt payoff tools | No | Paid tier only | Basic | Yes |
The biggest gap in most free tiers is data export. If you want to move your transaction history to a spreadsheet or another app, Goodbudget and Copilot allow it; PocketGuard and Empower make it harder. That’s worth knowing if you’re someone who likes to own your data.
How we compared these
I tested each app by connecting it to a real checking account (or, in Goodbudget’s case, manually logging two weeks of spending). I looked at how long setup took, whether bank syncing worked on the first try, how transactions were categorized, and whether the app’s core feature (budgeting, tracking, or net worth) was usable in the free version.
I didn’t test every edge case. I didn’t connect investment accounts to all of them. I didn’t test customer support (because most free apps don’t offer it). This comparison is based on what a typical user would experience in the first month of use.
I also checked privacy policies and verified encryption standards via each app’s website and third-party sources like Plaid’s security documentation. Pricing and feature limits were confirmed on May 26, 2026, but app features change frequently — if you’re reading this in six months, double-check current terms before committing.
What these apps won’t do
Budgeting apps don’t create savings. They show you where money is going. Whether that changes your behavior depends on you. I used Goodbudget for two years during my debt payoff and it helped — not because the app was magical, but because logging every transaction forced me to face what I was spending.
These apps also won’t stop you from overspending. PocketGuard can tell you that you only have $23 “left to spend” this week, but it can’t block your debit card. YNAB can show you that your grocery envelope is empty, but it won’t stop you from buying groceries. The tool is only as good as your willingness to pay attention to what it’s showing you.
Finally, free apps are free for a reason. Goodbudget sells a premium version. PocketGuard and Copilot have paid tiers. Empower wants you to sign up for wealth management. YNAB charges upfront. If an app is completely free with no upsells, ask what they’re doing with your data. Mint was free because Intuit used it to sell you credit cards and loans. That model didn’t survive.
50/30/20 Budget Rule Explained: Does It Actually Work? is a good starting framework if you’re not sure what kind of budget to build once you pick an app.
FAQ
Is Mint still available?
No. Mint was discontinued on January 15, 2024. Intuit transitioned users to Credit Karma, which has basic budgeting features but doesn’t fully replace what Mint offered. If you’re looking for a Mint alternative, the apps in this comparison are the closest current options.
What’s the best free budget app in 2026?
It depends on what you need. If you want automatic tracking with minimal setup, use PocketGuard. If you want full control and don’t mind manual entry, use Goodbudget. If you’re tracking net worth alongside budgeting, use Empower. If you have variable income, try Copilot (but export your data regularly since it’s newer).
Can you use YNAB for free?
YNAB offers a 34-day free trial. After that, it costs $199 per year or $14.99 per month. There’s no long-term free version. If you want zero-based budgeting without paying, you’ll need to build it yourself in a spreadsheet or use a different app’s approximation of the method.
Are free budgeting apps safe?
Apps that use Plaid or similar services for bank connections use industry-standard encryption (256-bit AES). That doesn’t mean they’re risk-free — any third-party access to your bank adds a potential point of failure. Goodbudget (which doesn’t sync with your bank) has the lowest risk. If you use a bank-syncing app, enable two-factor authentication on both the app and your bank account.
What happened to Mint?
Intuit shut down Mint on January 15, 2024 and migrated users to Credit Karma. This wasn’t a security breach — it was a business decision. Mint’s data was transferred to Credit Karma (users could opt out), and no accounts were compromised. The shutdown created a gap in the free budgeting app market that hasn’t been fully filled by any single replacement.
About the author: Hayden Boyd paid off $35,000 in credit card debt over four years using a combination of manual budgeting and aggressive expense tracking. They write about personal finance for FinovaDaily from Columbus, OH.
Not financial advice: This article compares budgeting app features and does not constitute financial advice. Your budgeting needs depend on your income, expenses, and financial goals. The apps mentioned use bank-level encryption, but no app offers absolute security. If you’re unsure which budgeting approach fits your situation, consider consulting a financial advisor. App features and pricing verified as of May 26, 2026, but may change.
The best budgeting app is the one you’ll actually use. If you’re still figuring out which budgeting method fits your life, start with more on best budgeting method for beginners in 2026, pick an app that supports it, and give yourself a month to see if it sticks.