YNAB

What YNAB does

YNAB helps users assign each dollar a job, set savings targets and track progress. The service combines bill monitoring, net-worth reporting, account imports and a built-in loan calculator.

Users can link accounts for automatic transaction imports, review spending and wealth charts, and keep balances, goals and transactions synced across devices.

Fees and plans

Monthly billing is $14.99 before applicable tax, while annual billing is $109 upfront, equivalent to $9.08 per month before applicable tax.

Starting through YNAB directly opens a 34-day trial without requiring a credit card. YNAB says charges begin only if the user subscribes after that period.

Plan information mentions sharing with as many as five favorites, whereas another YNAB statement allows one subscription for up to six people.

Where it runs

YNAB runs on iPhone, Android and the web. It also offers an API. The downloadable mobile apps keep account balances, priorities, goals and transactions synchronized in real time.

Direct account import covers select banks in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union. File-based import is offered for regions outside those areas.

A user can select a currency, but cannot combine multiple currencies in one spending plan.

Protection, as YNAB publishes it

YNAB says it does not sell user data or financial information entered in the app, and says its business is funded by subscriptions. It also says the service is ad-free and has no third-party products.

YNAB says it uses encryption in transit and at rest, restricted monitored access, code scanning and infrastructure testing. Bank connections are read-only, use Plaid or MX, and YNAB says it never stores bank credentials.

YNAB says it operates as an agent of Plaid, whose account-information services are FCA regulated. Its site provides Help Center and Contact Support links.

Strengths

Budgeting, bill tracking, savings goals and net-worth reporting sit in one service.

The loan planner calculates potential interest and time savings from making extra payments.

Automatic imports and real-time syncing keep linked account information current across devices.

Direct sign-up provides a 34-day trial without requiring a card.

Catches to check

Direct imports are limited to select banks in four regions. Other regions require file-based imports.

A single spending plan supports only one currency.

The published sharing limits differ: one statement says up to six people, while plan details say up to five favorites.

The API is available, but YNAB says support is limited, replies may take up to a week and detailed coding help is not included. Applicable tax is added to listed subscription prices.

Who may want another tool

YNAB may not fit someone seeking a free ongoing plan, multi-currency spending plans or direct imports from unsupported banks.

YNAB verdict

YNAB suits people who want a paid system for assigning money, monitoring bills, setting goals and viewing spending or net-worth reports across devices. Its trial terms are clear, and college students have a longer trial with enrollment proof.

It is less suitable for users who need a free plan, mixed currencies in one plan or direct bank connections outside the listed regions. Prospective users should also clarify the subscription-sharing limit and whether their bank is supported.

Questions