Subscriptions & Budgeting

Mint (Credit Karma) vs. YNAB: Which Budgeting App Wins?

Head-to-head comparison of Mint (now part of Credit Karma) and YNAB. Compare features, pricing, budgeting methods, and which app suits your financial style.

2 options comparedUpdated March 2026

YNAB (You Need A Budget)

4.8

Start Free Trial

Best for: Active budgeters who want to control every dollar

Pros

Proactive zero-based budgeting method
Proven to change financial behavior
Excellent educational resources and community

Cons

$99/year subscription required
Learning curve for new users
No free tier (34-day trial only)

Mint (Credit Karma)

3.9

Use for Free

Best for: Free spending tracking and credit monitoring

Pros

Completely free to use
Credit score monitoring included
Automatic transaction categorization

Cons

Now part of Credit Karma (changed experience)
Passive tracking rather than proactive budgeting
Ad-supported with product recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

Is YNAB worth paying for when Mint is free?

YNAB users report saving an average of $600 in the first two months. If you commit to the method, the $99/year subscription easily pays for itself. Mint is free but uses a reactive tracking approach that may not change spending behavior as effectively.

What happened to the original Mint app?

Intuit shut down the standalone Mint app in early 2024 and migrated users to Credit Karma. Credit Karma now includes budgeting features formerly in Mint, along with credit monitoring and tax filing. The experience has changed significantly.

Can I use both Mint and YNAB together?

Yes. Some users use Credit Karma (Mint) for free credit monitoring and transaction tracking while using YNAB for active budgeting. The two serve different purposes and can complement each other.