Verdict
Winner: YNAB
For users committed to active, zero-based budgeting and debt payoff
YNAB is better for users who want to actively manage every dollar. Rocket Money is better for users who want automated savings through subscription cancellation and bill negotiation. Different tools for different goals.
34-day free trial · No credit card required
TL;DR
Winner: YNAB
Best for: Active budgeters who want strict methodology and debt payoff tools
$39.12/yr more (YNAB $99 vs Rocket Money $59.88)
YNAB vs Rocket Money (2026): Which Is Better?
Published Jan 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Pricing verified Feb 23, 2026We compared YNAB and Rocket Money on pricing, methodology, and features. YNAB wins for active budgeters — here's why, and when Rocket Money's automation saves you more.
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Feature-by-feature
| Features |
Winner
YNAB
$8.25/mo
| $4.99/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $14.99/mo | $6.99/mo |
| Annual Price | $99/yr | $59.88/yr |
| Free Trial | 34 days | 7 days |
| Prices checked Feb 23, 2026 | ||
| 4.6/5 (28,500 reviews) | 4.5/5 (34,200 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
Rocket Money
$4.99/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
Rocket Money
Best fit
Who should choose YNAB
- Disciplined budgeters who want to assign every dollar a job before the month starts using zero-based methodology
- Debt-payoff focused users who need enforced spending limits that prevent overspending in any category
- Learners who want a structured budgeting system with a 34-day trial, learning center, and 100K+ member community
Who should choose Rocket Money
- Busy professionals who want savings on autopilot — cancel unused subscriptions and negotiate bills without lifting a finger
- Subscription-heavy users paying for 10+ recurring services who need visibility and one-tap cancellation
- Budget-friendly users who want basic spending tracking at $4.99/mo — nearly half of YNAB's annual price
Switching from Mint?
YNAB
YNAB supports CSV import and has a dedicated Mint migration guide. Expect to rebuild categories and budget targets from scratch — YNAB's methodology is fundamentally different.
CSV importRocket Money
Rocket Money does not support CSV import. It connects via Plaid and starts fresh. No Mint transaction history will transfer.
The bottom line
Our final recommendation
YNAB is better for users who want to actively manage every dollar. Rocket Money is better for users who want automated savings through subscription cancellation and bill negotiation. Different tools for different goals.
34-day free trial · No credit card required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is YNAB better than Rocket Money?
For hands-on budgeting, yes. YNAB's zero-based methodology and envelope system give you complete control over every dollar. Rocket Money takes a more passive approach — it finds savings through subscription cancellation and bill negotiation rather than manual budgeting.
How much does YNAB cost compared to Rocket Money?
YNAB costs $14.99/mo or $99/yr. Rocket Money costs $6.99/mo or $59.88/yr. Rocket Money is about $40/yr cheaper, though YNAB offers a longer 34-day free trial.
Does YNAB cancel subscriptions?
No. YNAB is a budgeting tool only — it doesn't identify or cancel subscriptions for you. Rocket Money's subscription tracking and cancellation service is one of its primary features.
Which app is better for beginners?
Rocket Money is easier for beginners — it requires less setup and manual work. YNAB has a steeper learning curve due to its zero-based methodology, but its Learning Center and community resources help new users get started.
Can YNAB negotiate my bills?
No. YNAB does not offer bill negotiation. Rocket Money's negotiation service contacts providers on your behalf to lower bills, charging a percentage of the savings achieved.
Does Rocket Money have envelope budgeting?
No. Rocket Money uses traditional category-based spending tracking, not envelope or zero-based budgeting. If you want to assign every dollar a purpose before spending, YNAB is the better choice.
Which app helps save more money?
It depends on your spending habits. YNAB users report saving an average of $600 in the first two months through intentional budgeting. Rocket Money users save through automated subscription cancellation and bill negotiation — results vary by how many unused subscriptions you have.
Is YNAB safe to use?
Yes. YNAB uses Plaid for bank connections, doesn't store your banking credentials, and encrypts data in transit and at rest. It has been operating since 2004 and is SOC 2 certified.
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