The article provides a comprehensive review of six budgeting apps that are alternatives to Mint: NerdWallet, YNAB (You Need a Budget), PocketGuard, Plaid, and Rocket Money. The authors tested these apps by setting up their accounts, importing financial data from Mint, and testing various features such as spending tracking, net worth tracking, credit score monitoring, and budgeting tools.
**Top Pick:** NerdWallet is the author's top pick for a Mint alternative, citing its ease of use, robust feature set, and competitive pricing ($110 per year or $15 per month).
**YNAB:** YNAB is a zero-based budgeting app that requires users to assign a purpose to every dollar they earn. It has a steeper learning curve than NerdWallet but can be beneficial for users who need to manage their finances more intentionally.
**PocketGuard:** PocketGuard is another free financial app that tracks spending and supports things like balance alerts and account linking. However, its premium tier costs $13 per month or $75 per year.
**Plaid:** Plaid is the underlying network that connects banks with third-party apps, including budgeting services. It works by using encryption to share information about accounts, but it has been criticized for collecting more financial data than needed.
**Rocket Money:** Rocket Money is a free financial app that can help users cancel unwanted subscriptions and track spending. However, its premium tier costs $7 per month or $79 per year.
Overall, the article concludes that while each of these apps has its strengths and weaknesses, NerdWallet is the most user-friendly and feature-rich option for Mint users looking to switch to a new budgeting app.
**Top Pick:** NerdWallet is the author's top pick for a Mint alternative, citing its ease of use, robust feature set, and competitive pricing ($110 per year or $15 per month).
**YNAB:** YNAB is a zero-based budgeting app that requires users to assign a purpose to every dollar they earn. It has a steeper learning curve than NerdWallet but can be beneficial for users who need to manage their finances more intentionally.
**PocketGuard:** PocketGuard is another free financial app that tracks spending and supports things like balance alerts and account linking. However, its premium tier costs $13 per month or $75 per year.
**Plaid:** Plaid is the underlying network that connects banks with third-party apps, including budgeting services. It works by using encryption to share information about accounts, but it has been criticized for collecting more financial data than needed.
**Rocket Money:** Rocket Money is a free financial app that can help users cancel unwanted subscriptions and track spending. However, its premium tier costs $7 per month or $79 per year.
Overall, the article concludes that while each of these apps has its strengths and weaknesses, NerdWallet is the most user-friendly and feature-rich option for Mint users looking to switch to a new budgeting app.
. I mean, $110 per year or $15 per month might seem like a lot, but if you're serious about managing your finances, it could be worth it 
. I've used NerdWallet before and it's definitely one of the more user-friendly ones, but YNAB sounds super helpful for people who want to take control of their spending 
. What really bugs me is how Plaid collects financial data - shouldn't that be private info? 
. NerdWallet is the real MVP, though - it's like having your own personal financial butler (minus the fancy outfit 
). The others are cool too, but YNAB makes me feel like I'm playing Monopoly with my money 
. And don't even get me started on Plaid... I mean, who needs that many financial details? 
Rocket Money is lit, though - it's like having a subscription detox specialist ( minus the awkward small talk 
). Anyway, if you're looking for a budgeting app that won't make your head spin, NerdWallet is the way to go 
i mean nerdwallet is super easy to use but ynab is kinda cool too if u wanna get serious about ur finances 
but rocket money is so underrated rn, it can cancel those subscription fees for u and help with budgeting 
. But honestly, NerdWallet's ease of use and features are super appealing 
. That being said, YNAB's zero-based budgeting approach does make sense if you're looking for a more intentional way to manage your finances 
!
PocketGuard is cool and all, but $13/month for premium tier? No thanks. Plaid is sketchy, though - collecting all that personal info without our explicit consent? 
. I mean, I get that it helps with tracking finances and all that, but it's just so... intense. Like, can't we just have a more chill budgeting experience? 
. But hey, everyone's different, maybe one of these apps will be your jam 
!
. And let's be real, $110 per year or $15 per month is a pretty competitive price tag considering all the bells and whistles you get 
. Just be prepared for a steeper learning curve, because it's definitely not the most user-friendly app out there 
.
. If you're looking for a Mint alternative, NerdWallet is definitely worth checking out 
.