YNAB
by YNAB
What YNAB is
YNAB is a paid budgeting service for web, Android, iOS, and API use. It provides budgeting, bill tracking, net-worth tracking, savings targets, reports, and an integrated loan calculator. Users can link supported US, Canadian, UK, and EU banks to import transactions, or use file-based import in other regions. Balances, priorities, goals, and transactions synchronize across devices in real time. A spending plan can use one selected currency, but cannot combine multiple currencies. The trial lasts 34 days, requires no credit card when signing up directly, and does not charge unless you subscribe afterward. Annual billing is $109 USD, equivalent to $9.08 per month before applicable tax; monthly billing is $14.99 USD before applicable tax. College students with proof of enrollment can receive a 365-day trial, and one subscription can be shared with up to six people. YNAB says it does not sell user data, show ads, or include third-party products. Its REST JSON API and Zapier connection extend the service, although API support is limited.
Who it suits
YNAB suits people who want structured budgeting, account syncing, debt planning, and spending reports across mobile and web devices. It also supports shared use and a college-specific trial.
What it does well
- Real-time synchronization across devices
- Budgeting, bills, and net-worth tracking
- 34-day trial without a card
- Supports file import outside direct-bank regions
- One subscription can cover six people
What to know first
- No free plan
- Cannot combine currencies in one spending plan
- Direct import covers only select banks
- API support does not include detailed coding help
Limits
There is no free plan; the standard trial lasts 34 days. A spending plan cannot combine currencies, and direct import is limited to select banks in the US, Canada, UK, and EU.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Plan | $109 USD* paid annually · share with up to five favorites · plus tax where applicable | $109 a year |
| Monthly Plan | $14.99 USD*/month · share with up to five favorites · plus tax where applicable | $14.99 a month |
| Free Trial | — | On request |
| College Program | — | On request |
As ynab.com lists them, read 28 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open https://www.ynab.com/.
- Choose the 34-day trial, or check the College Program if you have proof of enrollment.
- Sign up directly without a credit card to begin the standard trial.
- Use the web service or download the Android or iOS app.
- Connect a supported bank for automatic imports, or use file-based import where direct import is unavailable.
- Select a currency for your spending plan and assign each dollar a purpose.
Verdict
YNAB offers a broad budgeting workflow with bank imports, goals, reports, and debt planning across major platforms. The subscription cost and currency limitation matter most for prospective users.
Questions
How much does YNAB cost?
Annual billing is $109 USD paid annually, or $9.08 per month before applicable tax. Monthly billing is $14.99 a month before applicable tax.
Is there a free plan or trial?
There is no free plan. The standard trial lasts 34 days, and direct sign-up does not require a credit card; college students with proof of enrollment can receive a 365-day trial.
Which platforms does YNAB support?
YNAB is available on the web, Android, and iOS, and it provides an API.
Can I import bank transactions?
Yes. Direct import supports select banks in the US, Canadian, UK, and EU markets. File-based import is available for regions outside direct-import coverage.
Does YNAB offer integrations?
YNAB provides a REST JSON API over HTTPS and a Zapier integration that connects it with more than 1,500 apps.
Can one subscription be shared?
Yes. One subscription can be shared with up to six people.
Facts from YNAB's own pages
- Account Security
- YNAB operates as an agent of Plaid, whose account information services are FCA regulated. · ynab.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Account sync
- both · ynab.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Ad policy
- YNAB says the app is always ad-free and contains no third-party products. · ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Annual Price
- $109 USD paid annually, or $9.08 per month before applicable tax. · ynab.com, 27 Sept 2026
- API support limit
- YNAB says API support is limited, may take up to a week to respond, and does not include detailed coding assistance. · support.ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Bank coverage limit
- Direct import supports select US, Canadian, UK, and EU banks, while other regions can use file-based import. · ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Bank credentials
- Bank connections are read-only, use Plaid or MX, and YNAB says it never stores users’ bank credentials. · ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Bank import
- Users can securely link accounts and import transactions automatically. · ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Bill tracking
- Yes · ynab.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Budgeting method
- YNAB teaches users to give every dollar a job and ask what their money is for. · ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Budgeting tools
- Yes · ynab.com, 19 Sept 2026
- College Trial
- College students can receive a free 365-day trial with proof of enrollment. · ynab.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Company Book
- YNAB has a New York Times Bestselling book. · ynab.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Company Founder
- The founder named on the site is Jesse Mecham. · ynab.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Currency Support
- Users can select a currency, but cannot combine multiple currencies in one spending plan. · ynab.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Data Policy
- YNAB says it does not sell user data and makes money from subscriptions. · ynab.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Data sales
- YNAB says it does not sell financial data or anything users enter in the app. · ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Debt Management
- Debt management features include an integrated loan calculator. · ynab.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Debt planning
- The loan planner calculates how much interest and time users can save with extra payments. · ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Desktop availability
- The web app runs in a browser and YNAB says there is no downloadable laptop or desktop version. · support.ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Device sync
- YNAB syncs automatically across computer, phone, and tablet, including offline use. · ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- File Import
- File-Based Import is available for regions outside the supported direct-import areas. · ynab.com, 27 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2004 · ynab.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- No · ynab.com, 19 Sept 2026
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