Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

This device is too small

If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.

Skip to main content
Advertiser Disclosure Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The Motley Fool receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear) and may influence which products we write about, but our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. We do not include all companies or offers available in the marketplace.
    |    Accessibility Options

Rocket Money vs. YNAB: Which App Is Right for You?

Updated
Dana George
Author: Dana George
Dana George
Dana George
Writer

Dana George has a BA in Management and Organization Development from Spring Arbor University. For more than 25 years, she has written and reported on business and finance, and she's still passionate about her work. Dana and her husband recently moved to Champaign, Illinois, home of the Fighting Illini. And though she finds the color orange unflattering on most people, she thinks they'll enjoy Champaign tremendously.

See Full Bio

| 1 other [ + ]
Ashley Maready
Fact Checked: Ashley Maready
Ashley Maready
Ashley Maready
Writer and Editor

Ashley Maready is a former history museum professional who made the leap to digital content writing and editing in 2021. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from Hood College and an MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University. Ashley loves creating content for the public and learning new things so she can teach others, whether it's information about salt mining, canal mules, or personal finance.

See Full Bio

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Bottom line: Rocket Money is designed for those looking to negotiate their bills, tighten their budgets, and eliminate unwanted subscription services, while You Need a Budget (YNAB) is best for those who wish to change how they approach spending and saving, potentially correcting bad financial habits.

Award Icon 2025 Award Winner
Rocket Money
Best for simplifying financesRocket Money
Learn More for Rocket Money
You Need a Budget
Best budgeting app overallYou Need a Budget
Read Review

Rocket Money vs. YNAB: App features

To get a better sense of which budgeting app is most likely to fit your needs, check out our basic feature comparisons.

Budgeting tools

Once you've linked your bank account(s) to Rocket Money, the app analyzes your transactions to help you see how much you can spend each month. Rocket Money also allows you to create goals and then alerts you when you're getting near those goals.

YNAB asks you to assign each dollar of your income a specific purpose. For example, you may assign $600 to groceries, $450 to a car payment, and $400 to miscellaneous expenses, like buying clothes or going out for dinner. This method lets you quickly see when you're overspending in one category.

Cancellation service

While Rocket Money advertises its cancellation concierge service, it's unavailable to those with a free membership. Premium members (which can cost as little as $4 per month) can automatically unsubscribe from unwanted subscriptions and receive any refunds they may be eligible for.

YNAB does not have a dedicated cancellation concierge service, but the app automatically detects recurring bills and subscriptions and notifies you before your next billing date. This gives you the heads-up you need to cancel any subscriptions you no longer want to pay for.

Bill negotiation

Paying members of Rocket Money also have access to a bill negotiation service in which live Rocket Money representatives call and negotiate your bills on your behalf. While you don't pay anything extra upfront, if a bill is successfully lowered, Rocket Money gets 30% to 60% of the savings (based on a sliding scale).

YNAB does not currently offer a bill negotiation option.

Account sharing capability

Whether you live with a partner, grown child, or roommate, it's helpful to be on the same financial page. Rocket Money offers Premium members the opportunity to share their budget with another person.

YNAB takes it one step further by allowing customers to add up to six users to one account.

Free trial

You can try Rocket Money out before committing by signing up for a free 7-day trial of Rocket's Premium membership. If it's not for you, cancel the trial and fall back on the free version or move on to another budgeting app.

YNAB offers a generous 34-day free trial, allowing you to determine if the budgeting program is what you're looking for.

Automatic savings option

Rocket Money analyzes Premium level member accounts to determine the best time to save money. Once you know, you can automate your savings so it's seamlessly moved into your savings account on the same day(s) each month.

YNAB does not offer automated savings at this time.

Dedicated customer support

Rocket Money Premium-level customers also enjoy priority support when needed. Support representatives are available via chat and email only.

YNAB also offers customer support via chat and email.

Rocket Money vs. YNAB: User interface

At first glance, the Rocket Money app and the YNAB app may look a little crowded, but don't let that discourage you from using either.

Once you wade in, you'll find the Rocket Money app intuitive and easy to use. As long as you follow the prompts, it doesn't take long to get to know the ins and outs of Rocket Money. The mobile app currently has a 4.2 out of 5-star rating from iOS users and 4.3 out of 5 stars from Android users.

YNAB may be a bit more intimidating at first, but like Rocket Money, you'll learn how it works by poking around. Plus, YNAB provides articles and videos on its website, each created to help you find your footing. The mobile app has an iOS rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, and Android users give it a solid 4.6.

Rocket Money vs. YNAB: Cost

Rocket Money offers a free version of its app, but as you've probably noticed, it lacks many of the budgeting features that make the app special. If you want access to Premium features, it will cost between $3 and $12 per month. You get to pick how much you pay with Rocket Money's pay-what-is-fair model. And, of course, you'll also get to pick how much you want to pay if you take advantage of Rocket Money's bill negotiation service and it is successful.

YNAB offers one account type. You'll pay $14.99 per month if you're billed monthly or $8.25 per month if you pay annually.

Rocket Money vs. YNAB: Customization

You can customize Rocket Money anytime, altering your budget as your situation changes. Once you customize a budget, Rocket Money will tailor a plan to your needs. That includes notifying you when you spend more than you intended.

You're also in charge of customizing YNAB right from the start, assigning a job to each dollar you bring in. You also determine which spending category you want to add each expense to, giving you a better understanding of where your money is going and whether you need to make adjustments.

Rocket Money vs. YNAB: Which app is right for you?

You know a budgeting app is successful when it leads to greater control over your money. The fact is both Rocket Money and YNAB have the potential to help users gain control and begin saving money. It's a matter of which one you're most likely to use on a regular basis, and that comes down to personal preference.

Rocket Money and YNAB both offer a free trial period. Why not take advantage of that trial period to test drive them both? By the end of one week (when the Rocket Money trial period expires), you should have a good idea of which one you can see yourself turning to more often.

Award Icon 2025 Award Winner
Rocket Money
Best for simplifying financesRocket Money
Learn More for Rocket Money
You Need a Budget
Best budgeting app overallYou Need a Budget
Read Review

FAQs

  • Rocket Money could be a fit for anyone who can use some help negotiating their current bills and ridding themselves of old, unwanted subscriptions. It's also a fit for someone who likes the idea of automating their savings efforts.

  • YNAB would be a great fit for someone who wants to delegate each dollar of their income, more closely controlling how their money is spent. YNAB is also a strong contender for anyone who likes the idea of having videos and articles to refer to as they navigate the app.