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A Goodbudget alternative without the free-plan limits
Goodbudget is a long-standing envelope budgeting app. Its free plan includes 10 regular and 10 more envelopes, one account, two devices and one year of history; Premium is $10 a month or $80 a year.
The short answer
If you love the envelope method and share a budget across devices, Goodbudget does it well. If you have more accounts or categories than the free plan allows, or hold money in more than one currency, BudgetByChat is free with no such limits.
Side by side
| Feature | BudgetByChat | Goodbudget |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (full web app) | Free plan with limits; Premium $10/month or $80/year |
| Method | Zero-based budgeting | Envelope budgeting |
| Free plan limits | No limits | 10 + 10 envelopes, 1 account, 2 devices, 1 year of history |
| Currencies | 30 currencies in one budget, converted at live rates | Not compared here |
| Bank connection | No bank connection needed: log by hand, import nothing, export CSV/PDF/Excel any time | Not compared here |
Goodbudget details checked on 10 October 2026 on Goodbudget’s own pages (see sources below). Prices can change; check before you buy.
When Goodbudget is the better choice
- You prefer the envelope metaphor and want to share one budget between partners on several devices.
When BudgetByChat is the better choice
- You have more accounts or categories than Goodbudget’s free plan allows.
- You want unlimited history without paying.
- You need several currencies in one budget.
Switching takes a few minutes
- Note your envelopes and their monthly amounts.
- Create a free BudgetByChat account; each envelope becomes a budget category.
- Add every account you have, in its own currency.
Questions
Sources
- Goodbudget plans · checked 10 October 2026
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