5 Best Free YNAB Alternatives for Canadians (2026)
YNAB costs $21 CAD/month. Here are 5 free alternatives for Canadians that use the same zero-based budgeting method without the high price tag.
YNAB Pricing Breakdown
Here's what YNAB actually costs in Canadian dollars
YNAB (You Need A Budget) is great. It really is. The zero-based budgeting method works, the app is polished, and the educational content is excellent. But here's the problem: it costs approximately $21 CAD per month (billed at $14.99 USD).
That's $252 CAD per year if you pay monthly, or $153 CAD per year if you commit to the annual plan. For a budgeting app. When you're trying to save money, paying $21/month to track your budget feels... ironic.
The good news? There are free alternatives that use the same zero-based budgeting principles. I've tested all of them, and here are the 5 best options for Canadians who want YNAB's methodology without the price tag.
What Makes a Good YNAB Alternative?
Before we dive into the alternatives, here's what we're looking for:
- Zero-based budgeting: Every dollar gets assigned to a category
- Free tier (not a trial): Actually free, not "free for 30 days"
- Canadian bank support: Works with Canadian institutions
- Goal tracking: Save for specific financial goals
- Mobile access: Budget on the go
The 5 Best Free YNAB Alternatives
1. Waypoint Budget (Best Overall Free Alternative)
Why It's Like YNAB:
- Zero-based budgeting method
- Goal tracking and rollover budgets
- Real-time budget adjustments
- Mobile app (PWA)
What Makes It Better:
- Actually free (YNAB is $21 CAD/month)
- Canadian-specific features (TFSA/RRSP tracking)
- AI Budget Coach (free tier: 5 messages/day)
- Easier learning curve
What you get on the free tier: Unlimited manual transactions, receipt scanning (upload photos), CSV import, unlimited budget categories, AI Coach (5 messages/day), 24 months of history, and full goal tracking.
What you need to upgrade for: Bank sync (automatic transaction import) requires Waypoint Plus at $7.99 CAD/month - still 62% cheaper than YNAB.
Best for: Canadians who want YNAB's zero-based budgeting method without the $21/month cost. Perfect if you're okay with manual entry or already track receipts/CSVs.
No credit card required • Free forever • Upgrade optional
2. Goodbudget (Envelope Budgeting Alternative)
Pros:
- Digital envelope budgeting (similar to YNAB)
- Syncs across devices
- Household budgeting (share with partner)
- Good educational resources
Cons:
- Free tier limited to 20 envelopes (categories)
- Only 1 year of transaction history on free tier
- No bank sync (manual entry only)
- Interface feels dated
Best for: People who like the envelope method and don't need more than 20 categories. Good for couples who want to budget together.
3. EveryDollar (Dave Ramsey's Budget App)
Pros:
- Zero-based budgeting like YNAB
- Simple, easy-to-use interface
- Unlimited budget categories
- Baby Steps feature (debt payoff tracking)
Cons:
- No bank sync on free tier (manual only)
- U.S.-focused (no Canadian features)
- Premium tier is even more expensive than YNAB
- Limited reporting features
Best for: Dave Ramsey fans who want a simple zero-based budget and are committed to the Baby Steps program.
4. Spreadsheets (Google Sheets / Excel)
Pros:
- Complete control and customization
- Free forever (no company to shut down)
- No privacy concerns (data stays local)
- Many YNAB-style templates available
Cons:
- Completely manual (no automation)
- Requires discipline to maintain
- No insights or recommendations
- Not mobile-friendly
Best for: Extremely disciplined people who prefer complete control and don't mind manual work. Also great for learning budgeting concepts.
5. KOHO (Free Banking + Basic Budgeting)
Pros:
- 100% free (Canadian company)
- Prepaid card with cash-back
- Automatic transaction tracking
- Spending insights and goals
Cons:
- NOT zero-based budgeting (simple tracking)
- Can't connect external bank accounts
- Limited budgeting features
- More of a banking app than budgeting tool
Best for: Canadians who want basic spending tracking and a prepaid card. Not ideal if you want true zero-based budgeting like YNAB.
Comparison Table: Free YNAB Alternatives
| Feature | YNAB | Waypoint | Goodbudget | EveryDollar | Spreadsheet | KOHO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$21 CAD/mo | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Zero-Based Budget | ||||||
| Bank Sync (Free) | Plus only | Own card | ||||
| Canadian Focus | U.S. first | Yes | U.S. first | U.S. only | Flexible | Yes |
| Goal Tracking | Manual | Basic | ||||
| Learning Curve | Steep | Gentle | Moderate | Easy | DIY | Very Easy |
| Mobile App | Native | PWA | Native | Native | Poor | Native |
Which Free YNAB Alternative Should You Choose?
Here's my honest recommendation based on your situation:
Best overall: Waypoint Budget
If you want YNAB's methodology but free, Canadian-focused, with modern features like AI coaching. The free tier is genuinely usable, not crippled.
If you like envelopes: Goodbudget
Good for couples who want to budget together and don't need more than 20 categories. The envelope method is intuitive.
If you're a Dave Ramsey fan: EveryDollar
Simple zero-based budgeting with Baby Steps tracking. Great if you're following the Dave Ramsey method.
If you want maximum control: Spreadsheets
Complete customization and privacy. Requires discipline but gives you full ownership of your data.
If you just need basic tracking: KOHO
Not zero-based budgeting, but great if you want a free prepaid card with spending insights. Canadian company.
Can You Still Get YNAB for Free?
YNAB offers a 34-day free trial, but there's no permanent free tier. Here are the only ways to get YNAB for free:
- Students: Get 1 year free with verification (you'll need to pay after graduation)
- 34-day trial: Use it to test YNAB's method, then switch to a free alternative
- No referral bonuses: YNAB discontinued their referral program (used to give 1 free month)
The reality is that YNAB is a paid product and there's no way around it. If you want zero-based budgeting without the cost, you need an alternative.
How to Switch from YNAB to a Free Alternative
If you're currently using YNAB and want to switch, here's how:
Step-by-Step Migration:
- Export your data: In YNAB, go to Settings → Export Budget Data. Download your transaction history as CSV.
- Screenshot your budget: Take a screenshot of your current budget categories and amounts so you can recreate them.
- Set up your new app: Create an account in Waypoint Budget (or your chosen alternative).
- Import transactions: Upload your CSV export to your new app.
- Recreate your budget: Set up your categories and budget amounts based on your screenshot.
- Run both for a month: Keep YNAB running while you get used to the new app. Cancel YNAB once you're comfortable.
Most people can complete the switch in 30-60 minutes. The methodology transfers directly - you're just changing the tool, not your budgeting approach.
The Bottom Line
YNAB is excellent, but you don't need to pay $21 CAD/month ($252 CAD/year) to use zero-based budgeting. Waypoint Budget offers the same methodology, free forever, with Canadian-specific features and an easier learning curve.
If Waypoint isn't your style, try Goodbudget for envelope budgeting, EveryDollar if you're a Dave Ramsey fan, or a spreadsheet if you want maximum control.
The best budget app is the one you'll actually use. Start with a free alternative, give it 3 months, and see if it works for you. You can always switch to YNAB later if you decide the $21/month is worth it - but I bet you won't need to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free YNAB alternative?
Waypoint Budget is the best free YNAB alternative for Canadians. It uses the same zero-based budgeting method as YNAB but offers a forever-free tier with unlimited budgets, AI coaching, and Canadian bank support. The free tier includes manual transaction entry, receipt scanning, and CSV imports. Bank sync is available on the Plus plan ($7.99 CAD/month), which is still 62% cheaper than YNAB.
Are there any completely free budgeting apps like YNAB?
Yes. Waypoint Budget offers a forever-free tier (not a trial) with full budgeting features. Other free options include KOHO (prepaid card with basic budgeting), Goodbudget (envelope budgeting with limited envelopes on free tier), and spreadsheets (Google Sheets or Excel). However, most free alternatives have limitations compared to YNAB's full feature set.
Can I get YNAB for free?
YNAB offers a 34-day free trial, but there is no free tier. After the trial, you must pay $14.99 USD/month (approximately $21 CAD) or $109 USD/year (approximately $153 CAD). Students can get a free year of YNAB with verification. If you want a permanently free alternative with similar features, consider Waypoint Budget or other options listed in this article.
What is zero-based budgeting?
Zero-based budgeting is a method where you assign every dollar of income to a specific category before the month begins, leaving zero dollars unassigned. This ensures all your money has a purpose - whether it's for bills, savings, or fun. YNAB popularized this method, but several free alternatives like Waypoint Budget also use zero-based budgeting principles.
How much does YNAB cost in Canadian dollars?
YNAB costs approximately $21 CAD per month (billed at $14.99 USD) or $153 CAD per year (billed at $109 USD), based on current exchange rates. The monthly plan totals about $252 CAD per year. YNAB only displays USD pricing, and the actual cost in CAD will vary based on exchange rates at the time of billing.
Ready to Stop Paying for YNAB?
Try Waypoint Budget free. Same zero-based budgeting method, Canadian focus, AI coach included. Save $153-$252 CAD/year.
Free forever • Upgrade optional ($7.99 CAD/month for bank sync)