Posted: April 05, 2024 | Updated:
As of March 23, 2024, Mint has officially ceased operations. Over the years, it has become a popular budgeting tool, earning the loyalty of its user base. With over 25 million users utilizing the Mint personal finance app for expense tracking, budget management, savings, and goal setting, its closing marks a significant transition. Intuit, Mint’s parent company since 2009, announced that Mint users could transition to Credit Karma, which it acquired in 2020.
While Credit Karma presents a viable alternative for budget management, numerous other budgeting apps are also available as Mint alternatives. Let’s explore how these Mint alternatives compare to the original budgeting app.
Image source
Mint, a free personal finance app, gained popularity for simplifying money management and saving. Acquired by Intuit Inc. in 2009, the creators of TurboTax, this mobile app is a budgeting tool that allows users to manage their spending with categorized budgets and savings goals. The Mint budgeting app syncs with your financial accounts, providing a comprehensive view of your financial health and total debt within the app. Its value lies in its ability to help users save money more effectively while enhancing financial literacy.
To utilize Mint, you must download the app and create an account. From there, you can establish a monthly budget, categorize expenses, track spending habits by category, and monitor your credit score. Mint offers features like bill reminders and alerts for exceeding your budget, incurring late fees, or nearing due dates for upcoming bills. Additionally, the app provides goal-setting tools to establish financial objectives and track progress.
In its initial announcement last November, Intuit revealed plans to integrate Mint into Credit Karma, also owned by Intuit, as a new “reimagined” product. Users will lose access to their Mint accounts on March 23, 2024, or sooner if they opt to switch to the Credit Karma app before that date.
For those sticking with Intuit, the company assures a smooth transition from Mint to Credit Karma. The app will notify users when they can transfer their financial account data. Once migrated to Credit Karma, users won’t be able to access Mint but can still download transactions.
Credit Karma will inherit some of the most popular features of Mint, and it will also introduce some new ones. Members can keep track of their spending and cash flow, and Credit Karma will use customer data to offer personalized recommendations, such as which credit card to use for rewards or what actions to take when an account balance is low. Credit Karma has also launched Intuit Assist, an AI-powered financial assistant that will help Credit Karma members with financial queries and decisions.
Using the app, users will get an overview of their finances, including average spending by category, transaction details, cash flow tracking, and insights into net worth. However, some budgeting features available in Mint will not be present in Credit Karma, leading many users to approach alternatives to Mint.
Once Mint closes its doors, numerous other budget apps are available to fill the void. Many alternatives to Mint, including various personal finance software and tools, offer similar features. Below is a list of options:
Image source
When you log in to Credit Karma, your credit score is the first thing you’ll notice, and a significant portion of the app is dedicated to helping you comprehend and enhance it. It achieves this by promoting wise decisions regarding your debt and financial products, such as credit cards, insurance, car loans, and mortgages. Credit Karma excels in tracking payments on existing credit cards and loans, a feature most competitors lack. Additionally, it offers a checking account tailored to assist individuals with low credit scores.
Continuously evolving, the Credit Karma app introduces numerous tools, products, and features, such as credit monitoring, Relief Roadmap, tax software, identity monitoring, etc., such as developing into a personal financial assistant for users. It actively seeks opportunities to optimize users’ financial situations. Currently, Credit Karma has approximately 130 million users.
Credit Karma offers its services for free, with optional premium features available for purchase.
Image source
YNAB, short for “You Need A Budget,” is a budgeting app designed to help people manage their money effectively. Firstly, YNAB encourages users to assign every dollar a specific purpose, whether paying bills or saving for future expenses. It also assists users in preparing for significant expenses, such as car repairs or vacations, by spreading out these costs over time to make them more manageable. The app helps users reallocate their funds to maintain a realistic and valuable budget when circumstances change. Finally, It also teaches users to live on the income from the previous month, reducing stress related to financial uncertainty.
While Mint adopts a familiar approach to budgeting, YNAB introduces a more forward-thinking strategy that fundamentally alters the user’s perspective. Creating a budget isn’t just an option with YNAB—it’s the foundation of the entire platform and mindset. YNAB’s approach, known as “giving every dollar a job,” requires users to allocate their income to prioritized expenses before the month begins. Instead of merely tracking spending, YNAB emphasizes proactive decision-making to align income with priorities, fostering mindful spending habits.
You can enjoy a 34-day free trial, followed by an annual subscription fee of $99, which equates to just $8.25 per month. Alternatively, you have the option of a monthly subscription at $14.99. Additionally, students who provide proof of enrollment are eligible for a complimentary 12-month subscription.
Image source
Rocket Money is a financial management and budgeting platform accessible via web browsers and mobile apps for both Android and iOS. While its standout feature is its ability to identify and assist in canceling monthly subscriptions, the platform is robust and comprehensive enough for most individual consumers. Users can track their credit score and expenses, budget by category, and view upcoming bills in advance, among other functionalities.
However, Rocket Money reserves some of its most valuable features, including the subscription-cancellation service, for its paid version. The free version offers basic budgeting functions like expense tracking, which may suffice for some users. On the other hand, the paid subscription, priced between $4 to $12 per month, unlocks advanced features such as custom budget categories, automated savings, and tracking of credit reports and net worth.
Rocket Money offers a free version. Users can upgrade to Rocket Money Premium for a monthly fee ranging from $4 to $12, with the option of $4 to $5 for annual billing. Users opting for the premium version can enjoy a 7-day free trial before committing to the subscription. Additionally, bill negotiation services are available, with costs ranging from 30% to 60% of the total savings achieved over 12 months through the negotiation process.
Image source
PocketGuard is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for anyone to navigate. The free version offers basic budgeting features, while the paid version includes unlimited savings goals, extended transaction histories, and debt payoff planning, distinguishing it from Rocket Money. However, unlike other budgeting apps, PocketGuard doesn’t offer a free trial, so you can’t test its premium features before committing.
Useful features like bill negotiation and spending insights cater to those looking to customize their budget, lower expenses, or save towards specific goals. With its straightforward interface, reasonable pricing, spending alerts, and personalized recommendations, PocketGuard is an excellent tool for enhancing your financial management.
PocketGuard offers a basic version for free, which provides essential budgeting tools. For users looking to access more advanced features, PocketGuard Plus has pricing options at $12.99 monthly and $74.99 annually (around $6.25 per month).
Image source
Empower, formerly Personal Capital, serves as a comprehensive platform for managing banking and investment accounts. While initially focused on investment management, its budgeting and spending tracker is now free. However, its investment management services come with additional costs.
Empower’s strength lies in its investment tracking feature, setting it apart from other platforms. However, the platform can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re primarily interested in budgeting and spending tracking.
While you can connect all your accounts for free and monitor transactions, you may find that Empower lacks the robust expense-tracking capabilities in Mint. Additionally, unlike Mint, which provides a free credit score option, Empower does not offer credit monitoring. Empower may be suitable for individuals looking to track both spending and investing. However, you may want to explore other options if you’re seeking detailed spending and expense-tracking features.
Using the Empower investment app is completely free, with all financial tools provided at no charge. The only potential fees you might encounter are associated with wealth management services, which amount to 0.89% for portfolios valued under $1 million.
Image source
Monarch Money offers a comprehensive overview of your finances, similar to Mint. It allows you to link all your financial accounts, such as bank accounts, credit cards, investments, and loans, to track your net worth in one centralized location. Additionally, you can connect to Zillow Zestimates to monitor your property values if you own real estate. For alternative investments, you can manually add them to ensure your net worth is always up-to-date.
Using AI and transaction rules, Monarch automatically categorizes your spending, providing you with a clear understanding of your spending patterns.
Monarch Money offers users two primary options: a free version and a premium plan with a 7-day free trial. The free version grants users access to the app’s fundamental features at no charge, allowing them to explore its capabilities without incurring any immediate expenses. For individuals desiring enhanced financial insights and advanced functionalities, the premium plan is accessible at a subscription fee of $14.99 per month or $99.99 annually, with a 30-day refund policy.
Image source
Quicken Simplifi, a new addition to the personal finance space from the well-known Quicken brand, is a mobile budgeting app designed to track spending, categorize expenses, set savings goals, and generate customizable reports to provide a comprehensive financial overview.
The app offers real-time alerts for low balances, upcoming expenses, and approaching spending limits, ensuring users stay informed about their financial status. While Quicken Simplifi automatically categorizes spending, it also provides ample customization options to track spending habits effectively.
Quicken Simplifi has certain limitations compared to Mint, such as a cap of 10,000 transactions per import and the need to manually set up recurring reminders for uploaded data. However, Quicken offers Mint users free access for one year if they import their Mint data within three months of signing up.
Starting in February 2024, Quicken Simplifi’s budgeting app offers a monthly subscription fee of $2.99, billed annually. Additionally, Quicken Classic offers a Premier plan priced at $4 and a Deluxe plan at $3.
You can enjoy a 30-day free trial, which you can cancel anytime before the billing date to avoid charges.
Image source
Goodbudget is a budgeting app accessible on both iOS and Android platforms. It operates on a virtual envelope system, akin to the traditional paper method but with the convenience of digital technology. With Goodbudget, users can allocate their income into various categories and monitor their spending to ensure they stay within budget for each category.
While Goodbudget may lack some of the advanced features found in other Mint alternatives, it remains a practical choice for families seeking to manage their finances effectively and achieve their savings objectives.
Goodbudget offers both a free version and a paid version called Goodbudget Plus.
The free version includes ten regular and ten other envelopes, one year of transaction history, debt tracking, community support, and access on up to two devices.
For enhanced features, the premium version, Goodbudget Plus, is available for $8 per month or $70 per year. It includes unlimited envelopes and accounts, access on up to five devices, and seven years of transaction history.
Before downloading any budgeting app, it’s essential to consider several factors that will influence your decision. Here are some key features to look for in a budgeting app:
Many budgeting apps offer a free version or a free trial, which can be a great starting point. However, it’s essential to consider that free apps often come with limitations or in-app advertisements.
While paying for a budgeting app might seem counterintuitive, the premium services offered by subscription-based apps can often justify the monthly or annual fee. Before committing, ensure that the app you’re considering offers a free version or free trial so you can test it out before making a financial commitment.
Ensure that the budgeting software you select provides simple reports to track your budgeting progress monthly, quarterly, and annually. If you’re vigilant about monitoring your spending, opt for software that offers weekly reports or a real-time dashboard for quick insights into key budget categories. Basic reports typically display the budgeted amount, actual spending, and the variance between the two, with the flexibility to adjust the time frame as needed.
While it’s crucial to access straightforward budget reports, you may also require more detailed insights occasionally. Reliable budgeting software should offer options for generating detailed reports. If you prefer printing them, ensure the software supports this feature, as some may only provide on-screen reports.
Data encryption is essential, especially if you link your accounts to the budgeting software. The only exception to this rule is software that relies on manual transaction entry. Review the privacy or security statement provided by the budgeting software to understand how your information is accessed and whether it’s protected with encryption.
Many budgeting apps offer the convenience of syncing with your bank accounts and credit cards, automatically tracking your income and expenses. However, some apps require manual transaction entry, which can be time-consuming and challenging to maintain.
When selecting a budgeting app, prioritize those that sync with your accounts or provide the option for manual entry, giving you the flexibility to choose the method that suits you best.
Most budgeting software allows you to export your data to a CSV file, which is compatible with spreadsheet software like Excel. This feature is particularly useful if you anticipate not using the software long-term. Should you decide to switch to another budgeting or personal finance software, having your data in formats such as CSV or QIF can save you hours of data entry.
While spreadsheet usage may be less common among casual budgeters, it is a valuable tool for those focused on in-depth financial analysis. If you fall into this category, pay close attention to the software’s export options.
Many people who used Mint to manage their finances are now looking for alternative budgeting tools since Mint closed in March 23, 2024. While Credit Karma is a popular choice, several other budgeting apps have compelling features and benefits to consider.
Credit Karma is a budget management and credit monitoring platform that offers personalized financial recommendations and insights to over 130 million users. YNAB focuses on proactive budgeting, encouraging users to assign every dollar a job and be mindful of their spending habits. Rocket Money’s subscription-cancellation service and cross-platform accessibility stand out from other apps, while PocketGuard excels in bill management and fraud protection.
Empower, Monarch Money, Simplifi, and Goodbudget all have unique features tailored to different financial needs, such as investment tracking, collaborative budgeting, and enhanced spending insights. Ultimately, the best budgeting tool depends on personal preferences, financial goals, and desired functionality.
When choosing a budgeting app, consider cost, ease of use, security measures, and compatibility with your financial habits. With the right budgeting tool, managing finances can be more effective, allowing you to reach your financial goals confidently.
While there are numerous alternatives to Mint, many top choices come with a price tag, unlike Mint’s free service. The most suitable option for you depends on your budgeting style and preferences. Given that many budgeting apps offer free trials, trying out a few is beneficial to discover the one that best fits your needs.
Leading budgeting apps employ bank-level security measures to safeguard your data, although they are not entirely risk-free. Like any digital tool, they may be vulnerable to various security threats. However, many employ robust encryption and security protocols to protect user data.
Mint will be discontinued on March 23, 2024.
Budgeting apps offer an effective means to manage your finances. Typically, they sync with your banking, credit card, and investment accounts, enabling them to track your expenditures and provide insights into your progress toward achieving savings objectives.
Among the options listed, the top 5 best budgeting apps are: – Rocket Money – Simplifi – YNAB (You Need a Budget) – Monarch Money