Since Mint officially shut down in 2024, millions of users are searching for the best Mint alternatives. Whether you’re looking for a free budgeting app to track expenses or a more advanced paid tool with net worth tracking and investment insights, there are excellent choices available.
This guide compares the most reliable and user-friendly apps, shows you exactly how to set them up, breaks down their costs, and helps you choose the right tool for your financial goals.
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Why You Need a Mint Alternative in 2025
Mint was one of the most trusted personal finance apps for over a decade. However, with its shutdown, users need secure new platforms for budgeting, bill tracking, and financial planning. Budgeting isn’t just about saving money — it’s about having control over your entire financial life in real time. Now is the perfect time to explore modern tools that offer enhanced automation, better bank integrations, and improved user experiences.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Mint Alternatives
Before diving into the list, here are the essential features to consider:
- Bank Connectivity: Can the app connect to your bank and credit cards automatically?
- Budgeting System: Does it use zero-based budgeting, envelope-style, or flexible tracking?
- Costs: Is the app free, subscription-based, or a one-time payment?
- Educational Value: Does it teach financial literacy and help improve money habits?
- Security: Is two-factor authentication and bank-level encryption available?
The Best Mint Alternatives in 2025 (Free & Paid)
1. Intuit Credit Karma (Free)
When Mint closed, its parent company Intuit recommended Credit Karma as the official transition platform. While Credit Karma is primarily known for free credit score monitoring, it now includes financial dashboards, spending categories, and net worth tracking.
How to Set Up Credit Karma:
- Visit Credit Karma’s website or download the app.
- Create a free account with your SSN for verification (safe per their security policy).
- Link your bank and credit card accounts.
- Access free budgeting tools alongside your personalized credit insights.
Best for: Beginners and those who want integrated credit health insights alongside basic budgeting.
2. You Need a Budget (YNAB) – Paid
YNAB is a favorite among serious budgeters. It uses the zero-based budgeting method, ensuring every dollar you earn is assigned a role. According to Investopedia, YNAB users save on average $6,000 in their first year.
Subscription Cost: $14.99/month (or $99/year). Free 34-day trial available.
How to Get Started:
- Download the app and start your trial.
- Connect bank accounts securely or input transactions manually if you prefer manual control.
- Create expense categories such as Rent, Food, Transportation, and Savings.
- Assign every incoming dollar to a category following the zero-based budgeting model.
Best for: Families and individuals highly committed to reshaping financial behaviors long-term.
3. Monarch Money – Paid
Monarch is often called the spiritual successor to Mint. It offers shared household accounts, customizable dashboards, and investment tracking, making it ideal for couples and families.
Subscription Cost: $14.99/month or $99/year after 7-day free trial.
Setup Steps:
- Sign up with email and start a free trial.
- Link your bank, credit cards, and investments using secure aggregation.
- Create custom views for extended goals like “Vacation Fund” or “Debt-Free Tracker.”
- Invite family members for household-wide budgeting transparency.
Best for: Households and couples who want real-time shared financial visibility.
4. Simplifi by Quicken – Paid
Quicken created Simplifi as a modern alternative to Mint. The interface is clean, user-friendly, and ideal for users who want automation without complexity.
Subscription Cost: $5.99/month or $47.99/year.
Key Features:
- Real-time spending plan creation
- Cash flow forecasting
- Customizable spending watchlists
Setup Process:
- Download Simplifi app on iOS, Android, or use the web app.
- Connect to your bank accounts — all transactions auto-categorize.
- Set up watchlists for items like “Dining Out” or “Shopping.”
5. Personal Capital (Empower) – Free & Paid
Now branded as Empower, Personal Capital remains a strong choice for those focused on wealth building. The free tools include cash flow tracking, retirement calculators, and investment fee analyzers.
Premium Cost: Wealth management services start at 0.89% of assets under management.
Setup Steps:
- Download the app or register on Empower.com.
- Link checking, savings, credit, and investment accounts.
- Use the retirement planner to model different saving scenarios.
Best for: High-income earners and investors who want both free budgeting dashboards and professional wealth management options.
Comparison Table: Best Mint Alternatives 2025
| App | Cost | Budgeting Method | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Karma | Free | Basic tracking | Credit score integration |
| YNAB | $14.99/mo | Zero-based | Behavioral budgeting training |
| Monarch | $14.99/mo | Flexible customizable tracking | Shared household accounts |
| Simplifi | $5.99/mo | Spending plan | Cash flow forecasting |
| Empower | Free / AUM fees | Tracking & Investing | Retirement & Investment analytics |
Other Notable Mentions
- PocketGuard: Free and paid tiers. Excellent for showing “what’s left to spend.”
- Goodbudget: Envelope system, manual entry focused. Great for cash users.
- Tiller Money: $79/year. Creates spreadsheets connected automatically to your bank.
How to Decide Which Mint Alternative Fits You
Choosing the right app depends on your priorities. If you want zero-cost and simple tracking, Credit Karma is perfect. If you need deep control and habit-shaping, YNAB is worth the subscription. Couples who need shared, family-wide dashboards will love Monarch, while investors should gravitate toward Empower’s robust analysis tools.
“A great budgeting app is not just about tracking — it’s about guiding your behavior consistently over months and years.”
FAQs: Best Mint Alternatives 2025
- What will replace Mint in 2025?
Credit Karma, YNAB, Simplifi, Monarch, and Empower are leading replacements. - Is Credit Karma the same as Mint?
No, Credit Karma focuses on credit and now includes some spending tools but is not as feature-rich as Mint. - What is the cheapest Mint alternative?
Credit Karma is free, while paid apps like Simplifi cost under $6/month. - Which app is most similar to Mint?
Monarch and Simplifi are closest in design and functionality. - Does YNAB work offline?
Yes, you can manually track transactions without linking accounts. - Are Mint alternatives safe?
Yes, these apps use bank-level encryption and multi-factor authentication. See SEC guidelines on online security. - Which app helps reduce debt?
YNAB’s system is specifically designed to prioritize payoff planning. - What if I prefer spreadsheets?
Tiller Money offers the best spreadsheet-based alternative. - Do any apps track investments well?
Empower is strongest for investment and net worth tracking. - Should I pay for a budgeting app?
Yes, if accountability and in-depth planning tools help you save more over time.
Conclusion
With Mint gone in 2025, personal finance management has entered a more diversified and customizable era. The best Mint alternatives 2025 range from free apps like Credit Karma to powerful paid tools like YNAB and Monarch. If you want tighter control over every dollar you spend, YNAB is the gold standard. For those who want household-wide visibility, Monarch is unmatched. And if investments are your focus, Empower provides unparalleled analytics.
The most important step is to take action today: choose a replacement, set up your categories, and start tracking. The sooner you align your spending with your values, the sooner you’ll achieve financial peace of mind.
