Best Mint Replacement for Couples Sharing a Budget

Finding the best Mint replacement for couples can feel overwhelming with so many budgeting apps available. With Mint officially discontinued in 2024, couples who want to track expenses, manage different accounts, and share financial goals need alternatives tailored for household budgeting. In this guide, we’ll cover the best apps to replace Mint for couples, how to set them up, features that matter, and which tools give the most value for shared finances.

Why Couples Need a Mint App Replacement

Mint was once the go-to personal finance app. It offered free expense tracking, goal-setting, and bill reminders. However, for couples, Mint lacked robust multi-user features or joint budget collaboration tools. Now that Mint has shut down, couples must find platforms that make financial transparency and cooperative decision-making easier.

According to the Federal Reserve, nearly 43% of U.S. households rely on a budget to manage monthly spending (Federal Reserve). Couples who openly budget together tend to experience fewer money conflicts and reach their goals faster.

Key Features to Look for in a Mint Alternative for Couples

Not all financial apps are created equally. When evaluating a Mint replacement for couples, look for the following features:

• Joint Budgeting Capability: Both partners should be able to log in and manage accounts together.
• Bank Synchronization: Automatic syncing with major banks and credit card companies saves time.
• Bill Tracking: Shared bill reminders prevent missed payments.
• Goal Setting: Saving for a vacation, down payment, or emergency fund is easier with shared milestones.
• Expense Categorization: Custom categories make it easier to identify overspending.
• Cost: Understand subscription tiers and family plans before committing.

Top Mint Replacements for Couples

Let’s evaluate the top budgeting apps that work as replacements for Mint, focusing specifically on features that benefit couples.

1. YNAB (You Need A Budget)

YNAB is one of the most popular Mint replacements for couples. It uses the zero-based budgeting method, ensuring every dollar is allocated. Both partners can access synced budgets via mobile and desktop.

Setup Guide for Couples

1. Sign up at YNAB’s official site (34-day free trial).
2. Connect joint and individual bank accounts.
3. Create shared budget categories like rent, groceries, date nights, and vacations.
4. Invite your partner to join via YNAB’s collaboration feature.
5. Review spending together weekly to make adjustments.

Pricing: $14.99/month or $99/year. No free tier but offers best-in-class features for couples.

Pros:

• Powerful goal-tracking.
• Real-time syncing across devices.
• Educational resources to improve financial literacy.

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for new users.
• Subscription-based pricing may not fit all couples.

2. Honeydue

Specifically designed for couples, Honeydue is a Mint replacement that emphasizes joint money management and transparency.

Setup Guide

1. Download Honeydue for iOS or Android.
2. Invite your partner to join your account.
3. Connect both sets of accounts or selectively share certain accounts.
4. Set custom alerts for bills and unusual spending.

Pricing: Free (with optional premium features on the roadmap).

Pros:

• Free to use.
• Built for couples — bill reminders, chats, and joint goal setting.
• Option to hide sensitive transactions while still managing overall budgets.

Cons:

• Lacks deep reporting features found in YNAB.
• No desktop app currently.

3. Monarch Money

Monarch Money is a modern, AI-powered budgeting app that gives couples a shared financial dashboard with investment tracking, joint wealth planning, and goal tracking.

Setup Guide

1. Sign up at Monarch Money.
2. Invite your partner during the initial setup.
3. Sync bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investment accounts.
4. Create shared financial goals and assign tasks to each partner.

Pricing: $14.99/month or $99/year (similar to YNAB). Free trial available.

Pros:

• Modern, clean interface.
• Supports couples with real-time collaboration.
• Focuses on both spending and long-term wealth goals.

Cons:

• Costly compared to free options.
• More features than some couples need if only budgeting monthly expenses.

4. Zeta Money Manager

Zeta is another app built for couples. It combines budget tracking with joint account capabilities and financial communication tools.

Setup Guide

1. Sign up for Zeta online or through their mobile app.
2. Add both partners’ accounts and verify joint access.
3. Organize shared and personal budgets in one dashboard.
4. Use Zeta’s chat feature for in-context financial discussions.

Pricing: Free.

Pros:

• No cost for strong couple features.
• Joint account support.
• In-app messaging makes budget conversations easier.

Cons:

• Smaller adoption base compared to YNAB or Monarch.
• Fewer advanced investment tracking tools.

Comparison Table: Best Mint Replacement for Couples

How to Decide on the Right App for Your Relationship

Choosing the best Mint replacement for couples depends on your financial style:

• If you like structure and discipline, choose YNAB.
• If you prefer simplicity and free tools, try Honeydue or Zeta.
• If investments and long-term planning are priorities, go with Monarch Money.

Remember, the best budgeting app is one you and your partner will consistently use. Transparency and shared responsibility matter more than the tool itself.

Tips for Couples Budgeting Success

Regardless of the app you use, here are strategies for better couple money management:

1. Have a weekly “money date”: Spend 30 minutes reviewing your budget together.
2. Define roles: One partner tracks bills, the other manages savings.
3. Agree on discretionary spending: Give each partner some personal spending freedom.
4. Focus on goals: Align on debt payoff, savings targets, and lifestyle priorities.

For more official advice on managing household budgets, review resources from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

FAQs About Mint Replacement for Couples

1. Why was Mint discontinued?
   Intuit, Mint’s parent company, shifted focus to integrating financial services into Credit Karma.
2. What’s the easiest Mint replacement for couples?
   Honeydue is the easiest to start with since it’s free and designed for couples.
3. Does YNAB allow multiple users?
   Yes, you can share budgets with your partner using YNAB’s web or mobile app.
4. Can couples use Monarch Money together?
   Yes, Monarch lets you invite a partner for shared financial tracking.
5. Is there a free Mint replacement for couples?
   Honeydue and Zeta offer free tools designed for household budgeting.
6. How do I securely connect accounts?
   All recommended apps use bank-level encryption and secure authentication methods.
7. Can couples track debt repayment?
   Yes, YNAB, Monarch, and Zeta all allow goal setting for debt repayment.
8. Which app is best for privacy between partners?
   Honeydue allows you to hide transactions while still sharing overall budget info.
9. Do these apps support investment accounts?
   Monarch and YNAB allow syncing of investment accounts, while Honeydue focuses on spending.
10. Is it worth paying for a premium budgeting app?
    If you need in-depth reporting, goal tracking, and multi-year planning, premium apps like YNAB and Monarch are often worth the cost.

Conclusion: The Best Mint Replacement for Couples

The end of Mint doesn’t mean couples have to give up on financial clarity. Whether you want a free, intuitive solution like Honeydue or Zeta, or a structured, professional-grade tool like YNAB or Monarch Money, there is a Mint replacement that fits your needs.

The most important step is consistent, open financial communication with your partner. Start today by selecting one of these apps and committing to shared budgeting habits. Your financial future as a couple will thank you.