Verdict
Winner: YNAB
For disciplined budgeters who want zero-based methodology, a web app, and shared household access
YNAB is better for users who want a proven zero-based budgeting methodology with a learning community. Copilot Money is better for design-focused solo users who want powerful automation rules and a polished mobile experience. Different philosophies — choose the one that matches your budgeting style.
34-day free trial · No credit card required
TL;DR
Winner: YNAB
Best for: Disciplined budgeters who want zero-based methodology, shared access, and a web app
$20.88/yr cheaper (YNAB $99 vs Copilot $119.88)
YNAB vs Copilot Money (2026): Which Is Better?
Published Jan 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Pricing verified Feb 23, 2026We compared YNAB and Copilot Money on methodology, design, and value. YNAB wins for disciplined budgeters — here's why, and when Copilot's automation is the better pick.
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Feature-by-feature
| Features |
Winner
YNAB
$8.25/mo
| $9.99/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $14.99/mo | $14.99/mo |
| Annual Price | $99/yr | $119.88/yr |
| Free Trial | 34 days | 14 days |
| Prices checked Feb 23, 2026 | ||
| 4.6/5 (28,500 reviews) | 4.8/5 (6,200 reviews) | |
| Bank Syncing | ||
| Investment Tracking | ||
| Net Worth Dashboard | ||
| Bill Tracking | ||
| Shared Household Access | ||
| Custom Categories | ||
| Recurring Transactions | ||
| Goal Tracking | ||
| Credit Score Monitoring | ||
| Subscription Tracking | ||
| Zero-Based Budgeting | ||
| Envelope Budgeting | ||
| CSV Import | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Web App | ||
| Reports & Charts | ||
| Custom Rules | ||
| Crypto Tracking | ||
| Learning Center | ||
| Negotiation Service | ||
| Get Started with YNAB 34-day free trial · No credit card required | ||
YNAB
$8.25/mo billed annually
- Bank Syncing
- Investment Tracking
- Net Worth Dashboard
- Bill Tracking
- Shared Household Access
- Custom Categories
- Recurring Transactions
- Goal Tracking
- Credit Score Monitoring
- Subscription Tracking
- Zero-Based Budgeting
- Envelope Budgeting
- CSV Import
- Mobile App
- Web App
- Reports & Charts
- Custom Rules
- Crypto Tracking
- Learning Center
- Negotiation Service
Copilot Money
$9.99/mo billed annually
- Bank Syncing
- Investment Tracking
- Net Worth Dashboard
- Bill Tracking
- Shared Household Access
- Custom Categories
- Recurring Transactions
- Goal Tracking
- Credit Score Monitoring
- Subscription Tracking
- Zero-Based Budgeting
- Envelope Budgeting
- CSV Import
- Mobile App
- Web App
- Reports & Charts
- Custom Rules
- Crypto Tracking
- Learning Center
- Negotiation Service
Pricing breakdown
How much does each app really cost?
YNAB
34-day free trial · No credit card required
Copilot Money
Best fit
Who should choose YNAB
- Disciplined budgeters who want every dollar assigned a job before the month starts using zero-based methodology
- Couples who need shared household access — Copilot has no multi-user support at any price
- Desktop users who want a full web app for managing finances on a big screen alongside mobile apps
Who should choose Copilot Money
- Design-focused users who want the most polished mobile interface in any budgeting app
- Automation power users who need granular custom rules for transaction categorization and tagging
- Investors who want portfolio tracking and net worth alongside spending — YNAB doesn't track investments
Switching from Mint?
YNAB
YNAB supports CSV import and has a dedicated Mint migration guide. Expect to rebuild budget targets from scratch — YNAB's methodology is fundamentally different.
CSV importCopilot Money
Copilot does not support CSV import. All data starts fresh from Plaid-synced accounts. Your Mint history won't transfer.
The bottom line
Our final recommendation
YNAB is better for users who want a proven zero-based budgeting methodology with a learning community. Copilot Money is better for design-focused solo users who want powerful automation rules and a polished mobile experience. Different philosophies — choose the one that matches your budgeting style.
34-day free trial · No credit card required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is YNAB better than Copilot Money?
For most budgeters, yes. YNAB offers zero-based budgeting, shared household access, a full web app, and a 34-day free trial. Copilot Money has a more polished mobile interface and stronger automation rules, but costs $20.88/yr more and lacks shared access.
How much does YNAB cost compared to Copilot?
YNAB costs $14.99/mo or $99/yr. Copilot Money costs $14.99/mo or $119.88/yr ($9.99/mo billed annually). YNAB is $20.88/yr cheaper on annual plans despite identical monthly pricing.
Does Copilot Money support zero-based budgeting?
No. Copilot Money uses traditional category-based spending tracking with automation rules. If you want strict envelope budgeting where every dollar is assigned a job, YNAB is the only option in this comparison.
Does YNAB have a web app?
Yes. YNAB has a full-featured web app alongside iOS and Android apps. Copilot Money is mobile-only — there is no web interface. If desktop access matters, YNAB has a clear advantage.
Which app has better automation?
Copilot Money has significantly stronger automation through custom rules that auto-categorize, tag, and filter transactions. YNAB does not offer custom automation rules — it relies on manual categorization as part of its methodology.
Can I share a YNAB account with my partner?
Yes. YNAB supports shared household access on all plans. Both partners can budget together with the same categories and goals. Copilot Money does not support shared accounts at any price.
Which app tracks investments?
Copilot Money tracks investment portfolios with performance charts and holdings breakdowns. YNAB does not include investment tracking — it focuses exclusively on budgeting and cash flow.
Is YNAB hard to learn?
YNAB has the steepest learning curve of any budgeting app. Its zero-based methodology requires understanding four rules before you start. However, YNAB's Learning Center, workshops, and 100K+ member community help new users get up to speed.
Which app has a longer free trial?
YNAB offers a 34-day free trial — the longest of any major budgeting app. Copilot Money offers a 14-day trial. YNAB gives you more time to evaluate the methodology.
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