Mint Alternative Reviews (2025)

When Mint shut down, millions of users were left looking for a new way to manage their money. What started as a simple budgeting tool turned into frustration for families who relied on it to track spending and stay organized. In 2025, the number of Mint alternatives has exploded — but not all of them are worth your time. This guide reviews the best current options, compares features, and highlights which apps work best for single parents, families, and anyone on one income.

This is an evergreen review that will be updated each year as apps evolve. You can bookmark it now, and check back for the latest rankings and new tools as they appear. If you are coming from an older post about Mint alternatives, this is the most current version for 2025.

Why People Are Leaving Mint

When Mint closed, it did not just mark the end of a long-running app. It shifted how people think about personal finance tools. Mint users valued its free price tag, automated categories, and easy charts. The shutdown pushed users toward Credit Karma, which focuses more on credit monitoring than day-to-day budgeting.

Many people also lost trust in “free” apps that rely on ads or data sharing. Families and single parents, especially those working from a single paycheck, want control over both their money and their privacy. That is why the best Mint alternatives for 2025 focus on clarity, simplicity, and real ownership of your financial data.

What to Look for in a Mint Alternative

• Affordable or free core features: Essential budgeting tools without high monthly costs.
• Shared access: Support for co-parents or partners to view and edit budgets together.
• Category flexibility: Custom categories for childcare, school, groceries, and medical costs.
• Support for irregular income: Tools that smooth variable paychecks and freelance income.
• Clear privacy policies: Apps that do not sell or share personal financial data. See ConsumerFinance.gov for guidance on what to review before connecting accounts.
• Long-term stability: Tools that update consistently and have transparent ownership.

Top Mint Alternatives Compared (2025)

Here is how this year’s leading apps stack up. Rankings are based on ease of use, reliability, cost, and real-world fit for families and single parents.

1. Monarch Money

Best for: Shared budgets, couples, and co-parents
Cost: Free trial, then subscription
Pros: Beautiful interface, shared accounts, goal setting, excellent dashboards
Cons: Limited automation on the free tier
Why it stands out: Monarch feels like Mint but better organized. It was built by former Mint team members and includes shared access for multiple users. The clean charts and calendar make it easy to manage both personal and shared expenses.

2. You Need A Budget (YNAB)

Best for: Irregular income and families on one paycheck
Cost: Free 34-day trial, then paid plan
Pros: Excellent for building a savings buffer, visual progress bars, easy goal tracking
Cons: Subscription required for continued use
Why it stands out: YNAB’s method helps single parents manage unpredictable pay cycles. Each dollar gets a job, and you can plan months ahead. It is less about automation and more about awareness.

3. Honeydue

Best for: Co-parenting and shared household budgeting
Cost: Free
Pros: Simple setup, chat feature for notes, shared accounts, and reminders
Cons: Fewer detailed reports
Why it stands out: Honeydue makes collaboration easy. You can see who paid which bill, split costs, and stay aligned on expenses without another spreadsheet or text thread.

4. Tiller Money

Best for: Spreadsheet users who want automation
Cost: Free trial, then paid plan
Pros: Uses Google Sheets or Excel, full customization, strong community templates
Cons: Learning curve if you are new to spreadsheets
Why it stands out: Tiller offers the power of automation while keeping ownership in your hands. You can download and keep your files even if you stop paying. For more about spreadsheet-based budgeting, see NerdWallet’s guide to spreadsheet budgets.

5. GNUCash

Best for: Free, privacy-first users
Cost: Free (open source)
Pros: No ads, no upsells, works offline, imports CSV and QIF
Cons: Older design, setup takes patience
Why it stands out: GNUCash is a one-time setup that can run for years. No subscription. No data sharing. A top choice for users who want a permanent home for their budget.

6. EveryDollar

Best for: Hands-on budgeting and quick setup
Cost: Free with optional upgrade
Pros: Simple interface, zero-based budgeting, mobile friendly
Cons: Free version lacks automation
Why it stands out: EveryDollar is perfect for beginners or busy parents who want a fast way to plan weekly spending and stick to it.

7. PocketGuard

Best for: Quick “safe to spend” snapshot
Cost: Free with optional paid upgrade
Pros: Visual cash flow, clear “in my pocket” number, helpful alerts
Cons: Ads in free plan
Why it stands out: PocketGuard helps you avoid overspending without deep setup. A great option for families juggling multiple small expenses.

8. Empower (formerly Personal Capital)

Best for: Net worth and investment tracking
Cost: Free core features
Pros: Excellent overview of all accounts, charts for goals, investment performance
Cons: More focused on long-term wealth than monthly budgeting
Why it stands out: Empower gives you a broad picture of your financial life. Pair it with a budgeting app for day-to-day tracking.

9. Goodbudget

Best for: Envelope budgeting and shared spending
Cost: Free tier available
Pros: Easy to understand, strong for cash envelope users, syncs with multiple devices
Cons: Manual entry in free plan
Why it stands out: A good fit for single parents who like seeing exact limits on groceries, gas, and kids’ activities each week.

10. OpenBudget

Best for: Lightweight, privacy-friendly budgeting
Cost: Free (open source)
Pros: No ads, cross-platform, shared budgets
Cons: Fewer integrations
Why it stands out: Simple, minimal, and reliable. Perfect if you want a free, private tool that works on any device.

How to Switch from Mint

Most budgeting apps let you import your Mint data or start fresh. Export your Mint transactions as a CSV before closing your account. Then:

1. Save your Mint CSV file somewhere secure, like Google Drive.
2. Choose a new app from the list above.
3. Import your file if supported, or start clean and build new categories.
4. Set one weekly money check-in to keep things updated.

For guidance on protecting your data during the transition, see ConsumerFinance.gov’s financial app checklist.

Budgeting Tips for Families and Single Parents

• Keep categories simple: Groceries, childcare, transportation, health, and savings.
• Build a monthly buffer: Even $50 a month toward an emergency fund helps smooth the hard weeks. Learn how in How to Start an Emergency Fund on One Income.
• Set one goal at a time: Focus on what matters this month — debt payoff, savings, or holiday prep.
• Use shared tools: Invite your co-parent or older kids to see where money goes and how choices impact goals.

FAQs

What is the best Mint alternative in 2025?

Monarch Money is the most balanced replacement overall. It has the design simplicity of Mint, plus shared access and stronger goal features. For a free alternative, GNUCash and Goodbudget remain dependable options.

Is Mint still available?

No. Mint officially shut down in 2024. Users were redirected to Credit Karma, which focuses on credit scores and product recommendations rather than budgeting.

How often is this review updated?

This review is updated annually each January, and minor updates occur throughout the year as major apps change pricing or features. The goal is to keep this guide evergreen and accurate.

Are these apps safe?

Most use bank-level encryption and read-only data connections. Always verify security and data-sharing policies on official websites before linking your accounts.

Final Takeaway

In 2025, the best Mint alternatives are not just about automation or dashboards. They are about clarity, privacy, and fit. Whether you prefer open-source tools like GNUCash, family-friendly apps like Honeydue, or flexible spreadsheets with Tiller, the right choice depends on your needs. Start with one, test it for a month, and keep what makes life easier. Budgeting is not about perfection — it is about peace of mind.

More Helpful Guides

• The Best Budgeting Apps for Single Parents
• How to Start an Emergency Fund on One Income
• Single Mom Budget Hacks: 25 Ways to Save Fast
• 5 Side Hustles You Can Do After the Kids Are in Bed

External Resources:
ConsumerFinance.gov privacy guidance
NerdWallet spreadsheet guide
Investopedia budgeting app reviews