Best Mint Alternative for Canadians in 2026
Mint shut down in January 2024, leaving millions of Canadians scrambling for alternatives. Here's what actually works - with screenshots, pricing, and honest comparisons.
Mint is Gone. We Are Here.
Built for Canadians who miss Mint. Same simplicity, better features, Canadian focus.
| Feature | Mint(Shut down) | Waypoint BudgetCanadian-Built |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | FreePlus: $7.99/mo |
| Bank Sync | RIP | Plus tier |
| Budget Tracking | Unlimited | |
| Canadian Banks | PartialU.S. focus | RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC+ |
| TFSA/RRSP Tracking | Built-in | |
| AI Budget Coach | Free tier included | |
| Transaction Import | N/A | CSV import |
| Status | Shut down | Active & Growing |
No credit card • Free forever • Upgrade optional
January 1, 2024. That's when Intuit pulled the plug on Mint. No warning (well, very little), no real replacement, just... gone. If you're reading this, you probably used Mint for years. Free, simple, did the job. And now you're stuck figuring out what comes next.
I get it. I was in the same boat. Mint wasn't perfect, but it was reliable. Then it disappeared, and every alternative seemed like a downgrade or way too expensive. So I did the research, tried a bunch of apps, and here's what I found actually works for Canadians.
What Made Mint Great (And Why It's Hard to Replace)
Before we talk alternatives, let's be honest about what we're trying to replace:
What Mint Did Right:
- Completely free - No premium tiers, no paywalls
- Automatic bank sync - Transactions imported automatically
- Budget tracking - Set category budgets, get alerts
- Bill reminders - Never miss a payment
- Credit score tracking - Free monitoring
- Simple interface - Not overwhelming
The problem? Finding something that does all this, for free, and works well with Canadian banks. Spoiler: nothing does it exactly like Mint. But some come close, and a few are actually better.
The Best Mint Alternatives for Canadians in 2026
1. Waypoint Budget (Best Free Alternative)
What Mint Users Will Love:
- Actually free tier (not a trial)
- Canadian banks supported
- AI budget coach
- Simple, clean interface
What's Different from Mint:
- No credit score tracking (yet)
- Bank sync requires Waypoint Plus ($7.99/mo)
- Newer app (built post-Mint with lessons learned)
Connect Canadian banks via Plaid
Budget tracking by category
Real talk: I built Waypoint Budget specifically because Mint shut down and everything else was either too expensive (YNAB at $18.49 CAD/month) or missing Canadian features. The free tier is genuinely usable - manual transaction tracking, unlimited budgets, AI coach (5 messages/day). If you want automatic bank sync, it's $7.99/month, which is still way cheaper than competitors.
Best for: Canadians who want a free, simple alternative with Canadian-specific features (TFSA/RRSP tracking). Perfect if you're also trying to maximize your TFSA contributions or plan your retirement with an RRSP calculator.
2. Monarch Money (Best Premium Alternative)
Pros:
- Closest to Mint's full feature set
- Beautiful interface
- Bank sync, budgeting, investment tracking
- Couples/household features
Cons:
- Not free (no free tier at all)
- U.S.-focused (Canadian bank support varies)
- No TFSA/RRSP-specific tracking
Best for: Former Mint power users willing to pay for a premium experience. Couples or families who need collaborative features.
3. YNAB (You Need A Budget) - Best Methodology
Pros:
- Best budgeting methodology (zero-based)
- Excellent educational resources
- Strong community support
Cons:
- Most expensive option
- Steep learning curve (not like Mint)
- USD pricing (exchange rate variability)
Best for: People who want to change their financial mindset, not just track spending. Worth it if you're serious about zero-based budgeting.
4. KOHO (Best Free Canadian Option)
Pros:
- 100% free
- Canadian-built and focused
- Prepaid card with cash-back
- Basic budgeting and tracking
Cons:
- Limited budgeting features
- Can't connect external bank accounts
- More of a prepaid card than budgeting tool
Best for: Canadians who want a free card with basic budgeting, but don't need comprehensive tracking.
5. Spreadsheets (DIY Option)
Google Sheets or Excel with manual tracking
Pros:
- Complete control and customization
- Free forever
- No privacy concerns
Cons:
- All manual (no bank sync)
- Easy to abandon
- No insights or automation
Best for: People who are extremely disciplined and prefer maximum control. Not recommended if Mint's automation was what you loved.
Feature Comparison: Mint vs Alternatives
Smart transaction categorization
| Feature | Mint | Waypoint Budget | Monarch | YNAB | KOHO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free / $7.99 | $14.99 | $18.49 | Free |
| Bank Sync | Plus only | ||||
| Budget Tracking | Basic | ||||
| TFSA/RRSP Tracking | |||||
| AI Insights | Limited | ||||
| Canadian Focus | Partial | U.S. first | U.S. first | ||
| Mobile Access | Native App | PWA | Native App | Native App | Native App |
| CSV Import | Limited | ||||
| Receipt Scanning | |||||
| Household Budgets |
Add to home screen (PWA)
How to Choose Your Mint Replacement
Here's my honest recommendation based on what you valued most about Mint:
If you loved that Mint was FREE:
→ Try Waypoint Budget (free tier is robust) or KOHO (simple, Canadian, free)
If you want the closest Mint replacement:
→ Monarch Money has the most similar feature set, but it's not cheap
If you're Canadian and want Canadian features:
→ Waypoint Budget (TFSA/RRSP tracking, Canadian banks, CAD pricing). Also includes free OSAP calculator for students and Canada Child Benefit calculator for families.
If you want to get serious about budgeting:
→ YNAB if price isn't a concern and you want the best methodology. Or try Waypoint's AI Budget Coach for free personalized advice.
If you're extremely disciplined:
→ Spreadsheets give you maximum control (but require maximum effort). Check out our emergency fund calculator to see how much you should save.
Migration Tips: Moving From Mint
Since Mint is gone, you can't export your data anymore. Here's how to start fresh without losing momentum:
- Screenshot your budget categories - If you had them dialed in, reference them when setting up your new app
- Start fresh in January - New year, new system. Don't worry about importing history
- Give it 3 months - Any new system feels clunky at first. Commit to 3 months before judging
- Use the free trial period wisely - Most paid apps offer 30-day trials. Actually use it during that month to decide
- Try multiple options - Start with Waypoint's free tier, test KOHO, and try Monarch's trial. See what feels right.
The Bottom Line
Mint is gone. It sucks, but it's reality. The good news? You have options, and some are actually better than Mint ever was - especially for Canadians.
If you want something free with Canadian-specific features, try Waypoint Budget. If you're willing to pay for premium features, Monarch or YNAB are solid. If you just need basic tracking and a prepaid card, KOHO works.
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is that you actually use it. Mint worked because it was simple and you used it consistently. Find an alternative that fits that same criteria, and you'll be fine. And while you're at it, make sure to optimize your finances with tools like our retirement calculator, net worth calculator, and inflation calculator to plan for your future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Mint alternative for Canadians?
The best Mint alternative for Canadians depends on what you valued most about Mint. For a free option similar to Mint, Waypoint Budget offers a robust free tier with Canadian bank support and TFSA/RRSP tracking. For the closest feature match, Monarch Money is similar but costs $14.99 USD/month. For simplicity, KOHO offers basic tracking with a prepaid card.
Is there a free Mint alternative for Canadians?
Yes. Waypoint Budget offers a free forever tier (not a trial) with unlimited manual transactions, scan receipt import (upload photos of receipts or bank statements for automatic extraction), CSV file upload from your bank, all budget categories, AI Coach (5 messages/day), and 24 months of history. The Free plan requires no bank connection - you can add transactions manually, scan receipts, or upload CSV files. Bank sync (automatic transaction import via encrypted Plaid) is optional and available on Plus/Pro plans only. KOHO also offers free basic tracking with a prepaid card. Most other Mint alternatives require paid subscriptions.
Can I export my Mint data to a new app?
Unfortunately, Mint shut down in January 2024, and you can no longer export your data from Mint. However, you can start fresh with a new app. Screenshot your budget categories from Mint if you had them set up, then reference them when setting up your new budgeting app. Most apps can import bank transaction history directly.
What Mint alternative has Canadian bank support?
Waypoint Budget uses Plaid, which supports all major Canadian banks including TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC, Tangerine, EQ Bank, Simplii Financial, and hundreds of credit unions. Monarch Money also supports Canadian banks. Always verify bank support before signing up for any budgeting app.
What happened to Mint and why did it shut down?
Mint was shut down by Intuit (its parent company) in January 2024. Intuit decided to focus on Credit Karma instead, which they acquired. Mint users were encouraged to migrate to Credit Karma, but many found it lacked Mint's budgeting features, leading to a search for alternatives.
Ready to try Waypoint Budget?
Built for Canadians who miss Mint. Free to start, TFSA/RRSP tracking included, AI budget coach.
No credit card required • Upgrade to Plus ($7.99/mo) only if you want bank sync