Free budgeting apps that connect to banks without long-term goals
Free budgeting apps that automatically sync with bank accounts are extremely difficult to find, as most platforms instead lock core features behind paid subscriptions. Furthermore, the apps that are available tend to overwhelm users with rigid long-term financial planning goals rather than focusing simply on monthly spending limits.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Using spreadsheets like Google Sheets or Microsoft ExcelDid this help you?
- 2Exporting data from bank account aggregators into manual spreadsheetsDid this help you?
- 3Using self-hosted budgeting software like Actual Budget with manual or CSV importsDid this help you?
- 4Using spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets for monthly balance sheets or manual data entryDid this help you?
- 5Self-hosting and using Actual Budget with manual entry or exported importsDid this help you?
- 6Using Monarch with reliability compromisesDid this help you?
- 7Building a custom solution with ChatGPT or AI toolsDid this help you?
- 8Using Google Sheets without bank integrationDid this help you?
- 9Switching to alternative budgeting platforms like EveryDollar or Monarch MoneyDid this help you?
- 10Comparing pros and cons of different budgeting systemsDid this help you?
- 11Using spreadsheets with OneDrive or Google Sheets sharing for manual updatesDid this help you?
- 12Using Monarch Money or Copilot with household/couples featuresDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Hi, as the title says. I’m looking for a free app that’s fairly simple to use that allows me to keep track of my income/spending each month.”source ↗
“Unfortunately, you’re not going to find something free that connects to your bank accounts.”source ↗
“Does anyone have a recommendation for a good app for budgeting that allows me to near real time reconcile my spending and integrate with a banking app?”source ↗
“as someone who has used YNAB for a few years, it's UI pisses me off in a few ways that I've been wanting to find an alternative”source ↗
“Former YNABer who is now with Monarch...I recommend adding Monarch to your consideration.”source ↗
“Ideally im looking for a budget app that lets me set monthly spending limits but isn’t so focused on long term goals.”source ↗
“I really want a free budgeting app, but I’m having a hard time figuring out if I’m just not using it correctly or if it’s not the right fit for what I’m looking for.”source ↗
“It feels very focused on long-term financial goals.”source ↗
“I struggle with over spending on a budget when I have to look at multiple apps, but do well when I have real time data of what I’ve already spent in each category.”source ↗
“I also struggle to keep a spreadsheet up to date with everything.”source ↗
“is there anything free that will work a budget and real time track spending? or am I doomed to pay for Monarch or fight with excel?”source ↗
“I’m trying to decide between EveryDollar Premium vs YNAB.”source ↗
“What is a good budgeting app for couples that has a clean dashboard for budgeting along with net worth tracking/3rd party data aggregation to tie in all accounts. Willing to pay if needed”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3Why is it so hard to find a debt-focused budgeting app?
- 6Simple expense tracker with no extra features
- 2Why can't I sync my Aidvantage student loans to budgeting apps?
- 13Simple offline accounting software without monthly subscriptions
- 6Tracking business and personal finances without full accounting software
- 17Why is it so hard to find a remote accounting job?