If you've never budgeted before and you're not ready to hand over your bank login to an app you've never heard of, try Goodbudget.
Goodbudget is completely free, doesn't require a bank connection, and mimics the envelope finance method. The app itself may look a little Y2K, or like it was designed circa 2012 or earlier, but it's a solid option to get your spending (and saving) in check.
Download Goodbudget now:
Goodbudget is easy to use because it's familiar. My mom taught me how to save growing up by dividing my allowance into separate envelopes for spending, saving, and emergencies. Goodbudget does the same thing on your phone, minus the physical cash and the parental supervision.
How the envelope method actually works
The envelope method works by dividing your entire monthly income into spending categories at the start of the month, before you spend a single dollar. In Goodbudget, each category is a virtual envelope. You can add in rent, groceries, dining out, subscriptions, savings, and anything else you spend on regularly. Fill each envelope with an allocated amount and spend only from those envelopes during the month.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
Once an envelope hits zero, that category is done until the month resets. There is no borrowing from next month and no questioning whether you can afford another dinner out. The system forces a decision every time you open the app to log a purchase, making you financially aware.
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No bank connection, no problem
Goodbudget doesn't connect to your bank. You enter every transaction by hand, which sounds tedious until you realize what that friction actually does. Manually logging every coffee, every grocery run, and every impulse buy forces you to confront the transaction instead of letting an algorithm file it away quietly. You can't just swipe a card and forget about the charge. You will automatically spend less, simply because you don't want to open the app and type in another unnecessary CVS run.
For someone who is just learning to track spending for the first time, accountability is more important than the convenience of automatic syncing. Automatic categorization is great at telling you what you already spent. Manual entry helps you decide whether to spend in the first place.
Need a cheaper phone plan?
If you're setting up a first real budget and want to keep your phone bill low, MVNOs that run on major-carrier networks can cut your monthly cost by $20–$40 without sacrificing coverage.
Here are some of the best unlimited data plans available right now:
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Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
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Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
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XFINITY Mobile
Mobile Select Plan
$0.00/mo
(for the first year of service) <br>Regular rate of $30/mo. thereafter
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What does the free version include?
Goodbudget's free version includes 20 envelopes across two devices, which is more than enough for a first-time budgeter managing a single income. You can share your budget with one other person, which is useful if you're splitting rent with a partner or roommate. The Plus subscription (which costs $10/month) includes unlimited envelopes and syncing across unlimited devices, but most new earners won't need it.
Besides, there are better premium budgeting apps worth paying for.
Does Goodbudget sell your data? No.
Goodbudget does not sell your personal information, which is not something you can take for granted from a free app. You can read their full privacy policy for the details.
Goodbudget is intentionally limited in scope. It doesn't include any investment account following or portfolio details. But Goodbudget does teach you how to budget, and it does that very well. Once your finances get more complex, upgrading to YNAB or Simplifi is the natural next step. For a first paycheck, Goodbudget is unbeatable as a starting point.
Compare all five top budgeting apps for new earners in our full guide to the best budgeting apps for new grads.
How WhistleOut reviews apps
Our mobile experts scour the app stores looking for the best new apps for Android and iPhone. Before recommending an app, we put it to the test.
- Easy to use
Great apps simplify your phone. We select tools that don't require a complicated instructional manual. - Affordability
We lean into quality apps that don't cost a fortune. Extra points if they're free. - Hands-on testing
We tested Goodbudget by setting up real envelope categories and logging real transactions over multiple weeks.
Goodbudget: FAQ
Is Goodbudget actually free?
Yes, the free version includes 20 envelopes and syncing across two devices, with no time limit. The Plus plan at $10/month adds unlimited envelopes and more devices.
Does Goodbudget need access to your bank account?
No, you don't need a bank account to use Goodbudget. Goodbudget works entirely on manual entry, so you type in each transaction yourself rather than syncing with your bank.
What is the envelope budgeting method?
Envelope budgeting means dividing your income into spending categories at the start of the month and only spending what you've allocated to each one. When an envelope is empty, that category of spending stops until it refills next month.
Can two people share a Goodbudget account?
Yes! The free version supports sharing between two people on two devices, making it a practical option for couples or roommates managing a joint budget.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
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