1What makes an app zero-based
You plan your income into categories and goals until nothing is left to assign, then spending fills each one. All three work this way.
2Price and trial
EveryDollar is free without bank sync, or $79.99 a year. YNAB is $109 a year with a 34-day trial. Oaktally is from $5.99 a month for two people with a 7-day trial.
3For two people
YNAB and EveryDollar share one budget. Oaktally shares the bills and goals but keeps each person's own spending private, and splits shared costs by income.
4Pick YNAB or EveryDollar instead if
You want bank sync, a web app or Android. YNAB only budgets money that has arrived; Oaktally also plans income you expect.
5What Oaktally does not do yet
Oaktally does not connect to your bank. You add spending by voice, with a receipt photo or with a tap, which takes a few seconds and keeps you looking at every purchase.
6How we compared
Oaktally publishes this page, so we are not neutral. Prices and features checked on each company's own site on October 29, 2026. We did not test the other apps hands-on.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best zero-based budget app?
Pick by how you pay for things. Bank sync on a budget alone: YNAB or EveryDollar Premium. Shared bills with a partner: Oaktally.
Is there a free zero-based budget app?
EveryDollar has a free version where you type in your spending.
Is a zero-based budget the same as envelopes?
Close. Both give each dollar a category before you spend. Envelopes are the cash version.
Further reading
YNAB pricing ↗YNAB features ↗EveryDollar ↗Educational examples, not individual financial advice.