A free YNAB alternative for people who live in more than one currency
YNAB made zero-based budgeting popular, and its method is excellent. But it costs $14.99 a month or $109 a year, it recommends a separate budget for each currency, and its bank sync only covers the US, Canada, the UK and some European countries.
If you live in the US or Europe, want automatic bank import and are happy to pay, YNAB is a strong choice. If you earn or spend in more than one currency, live where YNAB cannot connect to your bank, or simply want zero-based budgeting without a subscription, BudgetByChat gives you the same method for free.
Side by side
| Feature | BudgetByChat | YNAB |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (full web app) | $14.99/month or $109/year (34-day free trial) |
| Method | Zero-based budgeting | Zero-based budgeting (“give every dollar a job”) |
| Currencies | 30 currencies in one budget, converted at live rates | One currency per budget; YNAB recommends a separate budget for each currency |
| Bank connection | No bank connection needed: log by hand, import nothing, export CSV/PDF/Excel any time | Direct import in the US, Canada, the UK and select European countries |
| Where it works best | Works in any country on the web | US, Canada, UK and parts of Europe |
YNAB details checked on 10 October 2026 on YNAB’s own pages (see sources below). Prices can change; check before you buy.
When YNAB is the better choice
- You want transactions imported automatically from a bank YNAB supports.
- You budget in a single currency and live in the US, Canada, the UK or a supported European country.
- You would rather pay for a long-established app than switch.
When BudgetByChat is the better choice
- You earn in one currency and spend or save in another (AED and PKR, USD and INR…).
- Your bank is in the Gulf, South Asia or anywhere YNAB cannot connect, so you would be typing transactions in anyway.
- You want zero-based budgeting, savings goals, net worth and a debt payoff planner without paying $109 a year.
- You send money home and want remittances to be a normal budget line.
What users say about YNAB
“No bank available to link in UAE, it’s useless.”
YNAB review, App Store (UAE), 1★, Nov 2024
“It doesn’t support multiple currencies and it doesn’t recognize a lot of major banks”
YNAB review, App Store (Canada), 2★, Jan 2025
“Created my ‘plan’ in GBP. Connected my first account, which happens to be EUR. It syncs the balance 200EUR and says it’s £200.”
YNAB review, App Store (UK), 1★, Dec 2025
Switching takes a few minutes
- Export your YNAB budget to CSV so you keep your history.
- Create a free BudgetByChat account and pick your main currency.
- Add your accounts, each in its own currency, with today’s balances.
- Recreate your categories and this month’s plan; the onboarding template gets you most of the way.
Questions
Sources
- YNAB pricing · checked 10 October 2026
- YNAB help: using multiple currencies · checked 10 October 2026
- YNAB help: my bank isn’t listed · checked 10 October 2026
- YNAB help: direct import in Europe · checked 10 October 2026