The manual budgeting app with optional bank sync
Log by hand and work offline on a permanent free plan. Bank sync is a paid upgrade.
Manual entry, done properly
Logging is the point
Most passive-tracking apps catch transactions after the fact. The Budgeting App is built around the act of logging: amount and category. That moment of awareness is what builds the habit.
Bank sync is optional
The Budgeting App works perfectly without a bank connection. Add it when you're ready. Synced transactions still come to you to review and categorise before they enter your budget, so sync saves the typing, not the awareness. Available in Australia, the United States, and Canada, and both modes work in the same book.
Works without internet
Log transactions, view your budgets, and review your categories with no connection. You only need internet to pull new bank transactions or sync across devices. Most aggregation-first apps require a connection to do any of this.
Free forever, no card required
Manual entry, offline mode, sync across all your devices, and weekly, fortnightly, and monthly budgets: all on the free plan. No trial period. No credit card. Upgrade to Pro Sync when you want bank connectivity.
The Budgeting App vs YNAB vs Monarch Money
| Feature | The Budgeting App | YNAB | Monarch Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes | No | No |
| Manual entry | Yes, on free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Works offline | Yes | Partial | No |
| Bank sync | Optional (Pro Sync) | Recommended | Recommended |
| Fortnightly budgets | Yes, on free plan | No | No |
| Annual price (with sync) | $89.99 | $109 | from $99.99 |
Feature and pricing details for YNAB and Monarch Money are based on each provider's official pricing and help documentation, last verified 19 September 2026. YNAB is $109/yr or $14.99/mo. Monarch's entry plan (Core) is $99.99/yr, and its Plus tier is $199/yr. Prices in USD and subject to change. YNAB and Monarch Money are trademarks of their respective owners, and The Budgeting App is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use The Budgeting App without connecting my bank?
Yes. Manual transaction entry is fully supported on the free plan and works independently of bank sync. You can log every transaction by hand, use bank sync, or use both together. Bank sync is an optional add-on on the Pro Sync plan.
How does manual entry work?
Tap the plus button, enter the amount, pick a category. Add a note if you want context later. The whole thing is a few taps. Recurring transactions can be templated so you only set them up once. See a complete budget setup example.
Can I add bank sync later if I start with manual entry?
Yes. You can upgrade to Pro Sync at any time. Pro Sync costs $9.99 per month or $89.99 per year and adds bank sync in Australia via Open Banking (powered by Fiskil), and in the United States and Canada via Plaid. See all plans.
Can I use manual entry and bank sync in the same budget?
Yes. Both work in the same book. Log cash transactions by hand while your card transactions sync from your bank. Everything comes together in the same budget.
Does The Budgeting App work offline?
Yes. The Budgeting App works fully offline. You can log transactions, view your budgets, and manage your categories without a connection. Bank sync data is stored on your device, so you can also review previously synced transactions offline. You only need internet to pull new bank transactions or sync across devices.
Is manual entry included in the free plan?
Yes. The free plan includes manual entry, offline mode, sync across your devices, and weekly, fortnightly, and monthly budgets. No trial period and no credit card required.
Do I need a paid plan to sync between my devices?
No. Device sync is part of the free plan and works across your phone, tablet, and other devices automatically. Pro Sync is a separate, optional plan, just for connecting your bank.
Can my partner and I share a budget?
Yes, and it's free. Sign in with the same login on both phones and your budget syncs automatically, so you both see the same transactions, categories, and balances in real time. Device sync is part of the free plan, not Pro Sync, which is the separate paid plan for connecting your bank.
Is my financial data secure?
Bank credentials are never stored in The Budgeting App, and with manual entry there's no bank connection at all. When you do use Pro Sync, connections are read-only through Fiskil in Australia and Plaid in the United States and Canada, so the app can see your transactions but can't move money or make changes to your accounts. Your budgeting data is stored in the cloud to sync across your devices, with a local copy on each device so the app works offline too.
What's the difference between manual entry and bank sync?
Manual entry means you log each transaction yourself. Bank sync means transactions pull in automatically from your bank for you to categorise and confirm. Manual entry keeps you more engaged with your spending. Bank sync saves time. You can use both in the same book. See how the spending tracker handles both.
Does The Budgeting App work in countries without bank sync?
Yes. Users in countries without supported bank connections use manual entry and get full value from every budgeting feature. Bank sync is available in Australia via Open Banking (powered by Fiskil), and in the United States and Canada via Plaid. Everywhere else, manual entry is the primary flow.
Start manual budgeting for free
Available on iOS and Android. No sign-up required.
