Trout vs YNAB
YNAB proved that envelope budgeting works. Trout takes the same method and adds AI, crypto tracking, and advanced rules -- with a free hosted tier or full self-hosting.
Pricing
Trout
Free / $5/mo Pro
Free tier includes all core budgeting features.
Pro ($5/month) adds bank sync and AI. Or self-host for free with all features -- bring your own API keys.
YNAB
$99/yr
Or $14.99/month. Was $50/yr, then $84.
Includes hosting, mobile apps, and support. Price has increased twice since launch.
Feature comparison
Both apps use the same budgeting methodology. The differences are in everything around it.
| Feature | Trout | YNAB |
|---|---|---|
| Envelope Budgeting | ||
| Pricing | Free / Pro from $5/mo | $99/yr |
| Hosted Option | Cloud-only ($99/yr) | |
| Category Groups | ||
| Ready to Assign | ||
| Goal Tracking | 5 types | 3 types |
| AI Assistant | Pro | |
| Bank Sync | Pro (2,500+ EU banks) | Plaid (US/Canada focus) |
| Crypto Tracking | ||
| Multi-Currency | Native | Limited |
| Transaction Rules | Multi-condition (amount, memo, payee) | Payee matching only |
| Reports | ||
| Self-Hosted | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Mobile App | Responsive web | Native iOS/Android |
| Offline Mode | ||
| Data Export | Direct DB access | CSV export |
What YNAB does better
YNAB has been around since 2004. That two-decade head start shows in a few areas.
Native mobile apps
YNAB has polished iOS and Android apps with quick-add transactions, widget support, and push notifications. Trout is a responsive web app -- it works on phones but is not the same experience.
Offline support
YNAB works without internet and syncs when you are back online. Trout requires a connection to your server. If you budget on planes or in spotty-service areas, this matters.
Established community
Two decades of blog posts, YouTube tutorials, subreddits, and workshops. If you get stuck, someone has already asked your question. Trout is new and the community is still growing.
Two decades of polish
YNAB has refined every screen, flow, and edge case over 20 years. Trout is a newer project with a growing community. Fewer integrations and third-party tools are available compared to YNAB.
What Trout offers differently
Your data, your choice
Use the hosted version for convenience, or self-host to keep every transaction on hardware you control. Either way, Trout is open source -- you can always export your data or move to self-hosting. YNAB stores your complete financial history on their servers with no self-hosting option.
AI that knows your finances
Ask the AI "What did I spend on food this month?" or "Move $50 from Entertainment to Groceries" and it reads your actual budget data to answer. YNAB has no AI features.
Real transaction rules
YNAB only auto-categorizes based on payee name. Trout rules can match on amount ranges, memo text, payee patterns, and combine conditions with AND/OR logic. A rule like "if payee starts with 'Amazon' and amount is over $50, categorize as Shopping" is not possible in YNAB.
Crypto and investments in your net worth
Track Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other holdings with real-time prices. See your complete net worth -- bank accounts, investments, and crypto -- in one place. YNAB does not support cryptocurrency at all.
Open Banking, not Plaid
Trout connects to 2,500+ European banks through GoCardless Open Banking. Your bank credentials never touch a third party. YNAB uses Plaid, which collects and stores your banking credentials on their servers. Different trade-offs: YNAB has better US coverage, Trout has better European coverage.
Familiar concepts for YNAB users
If you know YNAB, you already know the budgeting model. The terminology is nearly identical.
| YNAB | Trout |
|---|---|
| Categories | Categories |
| Category Groups | Category Groups |
| Ready to Assign | Ready to Assign |
| Available | Available |
| Activity | Activity |
| Goals (3 types) | Goals (5 types) |
| Payee Auto-Match | Advanced Rules Engine |
A YNAB data import tool is not available yet. You will need to set up categories and enter opening balances manually.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trout a free alternative to YNAB?
Yes. Trout offers a free hosted tier that includes all core budgeting features. The Pro plan ($5/month) adds bank sync and AI. You can also self-host for free with all features included (bring your own API keys). YNAB costs $99/year ($14.99/month if you pay monthly).
Can I import my YNAB data into Trout?
Not yet. A YNAB import tool is on the roadmap, but right now you would need to set up your budget from scratch. YNAB does offer CSV export, which could be manually imported.
Does Trout work the same way as YNAB?
The budgeting methodology is identical: zero-based envelope budgeting where you assign every dollar a job. Categories, category groups, Ready to Assign, and rolling balances all work the same way. The main differences are in the extra features (AI, crypto, rules engine) and that Trout is open source with both hosted and self-hosted options.
Is Trout harder to set up than YNAB?
Not anymore. Trout now offers a hosted version -- sign up and start budgeting, just like YNAB. If you prefer self-hosting, that option is still available with Docker. The hosted free tier gives you the full budgeting experience without any server setup.
Does Trout have mobile apps?
No native mobile apps. Trout is a responsive web app that works in mobile browsers, but it is not the same as YNAB's dedicated iOS and Android apps. If mobile-first is critical for you, YNAB has the edge here.
Try it yourself
Start budgeting in minutes with the hosted version, or self-host with Docker.