Best free budget
app in 2026:
what to look for
The market is full of "free" budget apps that become paid after 30 days, or that require bank credentials you're not comfortable sharing. This guide explains what to actually look for — and why migj is the permanently free plan for serious budgeters.
5 criteria for a genuinely free budget app
Before comparing specific apps, define what you're actually looking for. A free budget app isn't necessarily worse than a paid one — but it needs to meet these requirements.
1. The free plan doesn't expire
Many apps offer "free for 30 days" then bill you £5–15/month. That's not a free plan — it's a trial. You want a permanent free tier with complete core functionality, not a countdown timer hidden in the onboarding.
2. No bank credentials required
Apps that connect directly to your bank (Open Banking, aggregators like Plaid or TrueLayer) require you to share credentials or grant account access. Many users — reasonably — aren't comfortable with this. Prefer CSV import: download the file from your bank, upload it to the app. No authorisation, no permanent connection.
3. Supports your bank's CSV format
Most budget apps are US-built and don't recognise CSV exports from European banks like Monzo, Starling, N26 or Revolut without manual column-mapping every month. Look for an app with dedicated parsers for your bank.
4. Shared budgeting works on the free plan
If you want to budget with a partner, both of you need to see and update the same budget in real time. Most free plans restrict multi-user access to the paid tier, which means either one person does all the work or you pay immediately.
5. Proactive budgeting, not just expense tracking
Tracking spending is useful — but it only tells you what already happened. The real difference is proactive budgeting: you set a limit per category before spending, and the app alerts you as you approach it. Apps that only track show you where you went; apps with budgeting help you not go there.
4 traps in "free" budget apps
❌ Trial disguised as a free plan
"Free for 30 days, then £9.99/month." That's not a free plan — it's a trial. By the time you've set up categories, linked your bank, and entered transactions, you feel locked in and too invested to start over elsewhere.
❌ Free plan with core features locked
Some apps let you view expenses but not set budgets on the free tier, or limit you to N transactions per month. The free plan should include the complete basic workflow — not just a preview of what you'd get if you paid.
❌ Data monetisation with your financial data
If the app is completely free with no premium plan, ask how the company makes money. Some free apps sell aggregated spending data to third parties (banks, insurers, advertisers). Read the privacy policy before entering real financial data.
❌ No data export
If you can't export your transactions as CSV, you're locked in. If the app closes, changes its pricing, or gets acquired — your financial history goes with it. Always choose apps that let you export data at any time, on any plan.
Comparison: migj vs leading budget apps
| Feature | migj FREE | Spendee | Wallet (BudgetBakers) | Monefy | Money Manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent free plan | ✓ Complete | Limited | Limited | Basic | Limited |
| Proactive budget per category | ✓ | Premium | Premium | Total only | ✓ |
| Bank CSV import (EU banks) | ✓ Native | ✗ | Generic only | ✗ | ✗ |
| Open Banking connection | Not used | Available | Available | No | No |
| Shared budget (couple/family) | ✓ (3 members) | Premium | Premium | No | No |
| Data CSV export | ✓ Always | Premium | Premium | Paid | ✓ |
| Savings goals | ✓ (2 free) | Premium | Premium | No | No |
| Monthly report | ✓ | Premium | Premium | Basic | ✓ |
| Premium price | ~£26/year | ~£40/year | ~£25/year | ~£4 one-off | ~£25/year |
Approximate data verified June 2026. Pricing models change frequently — always verify before subscribing.
What you get with migj FREE — permanently
migj's free plan isn't a cut-down version. It's a complete plan covering the essential budgeting workflow. Premium features (AI categorisation, advanced reports, PDF export) are additional — you don't pay to unlock basic functionality.
Unlimited CSV import
Import from Monzo, Starling, Revolut, N26, Wise, Intesa, UniCredit and more. No transaction limits, no API connection to your bank.
Monthly budget per category
Set limits for every spending category. Live dashboard. Alerts when you reach 80% of your monthly budget.
Family group (3 members)
Invite your partner or a flatmate. You both see the same budget and add expenses in real time. No extra cost.
2 savings goals
Create up to 2 goals (emergency fund, holiday, house deposit). See monthly progress and how far you are from the target.
Full monthly report
Income, spending, budget vs actual per category, monthly trends. CSV export included — your data is always yours.
Unlimited accounts & transactions
Add as many accounts as you need (current account, savings, credit card). No cap on the number of transactions.
Free budget app — frequently asked questions
⚖️ Also considering YNAB?
Full comparison of migj vs YNAB: features, price, bank support and privacy approach.