Best budgeting apps in the UK (2026): prices compared
Three budgeting apps compared on price, free plans and how they connect to UK bank accounts through open banking.
Quick answer
Emma and Snoop both have free plans that connect to UK banks through open banking, so both cost nothing at the basic level. Their paid plans are Emma Plus at £41.99 a year and Snoop Plus at £47.99. YNAB is priced only in US dollars, at $109 a year, so its pound cost moves with the exchange rate and it is not ranked.
Key points
- Emma's Basic plan and Snoop's standard app are free.
- Emma Plus costs £4.99 a month or £41.99 a year; Pro and Ultimate cost £83.99 and £124.99 a year.
- Snoop Plus costs £5.99 a month or £47.99 a year.
- YNAB is priced in US dollars at $109 a year, with direct import from selected UK banks.
- Emma and Snoop are registered with the FCA under the Payment Services Regulations.
- Open-banking connections are read-only: the app can see transactions, not move money.
The list, in order
Order follows the published method on How we rank. Providers cannot pay for a position.
Emma
A free Basic plan for budgets and spending by category, with paid Plus, Pro and Ultimate plans.
Suits: people who want open-banking budgeting with a free plan. Watch for: Plus is £41.99 a year; Pro and Ultimate cost £83.99 and £124.99.
- Basic
- Free
- Plus
- £4.99/mo or £41.99/yr
- Pro
- £9.99/mo or £83.99/yr
- Trial
- 7 days
Snoop
A free app for tracking spending and setting budgets through open banking, with a Snoop Plus subscription.
Suits: people who want spending alerts and bill tracking for free. Watch for: Snoop Plus is £47.99 a year or £5.99 a month.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Snoop Plus
- £5.99/mo or £47.99/yr
YNAB
A structured budgeting method, sold in US dollars at $109 a year, with direct import from selected UK banks.
Suits: people who want a strict plan-ahead method. Watch for: it is priced only in US dollars, so the cost in pounds moves with the exchange rate.
- Price
- $109/yr (USD only)
- Trial
- 34 days
Figures read from each provider’s own page on 29 October 2026. Reference profile: the regular yearly price of the cheapest plan that includes budgeting, with free versions first. Unranked entries publish no price that fits it.
50/30/20 budget calculator
- Needs (50%): rent, bills, food, minimum debt payments£1,250.00
- Wants (30%): eating out, subscriptions, travel£750.00
- Savings and extra debt payments (20%)£500.00
The 50/30/20 split is a rule of thumb, not a standard. If needs alone take more than half your pay, the useful number is how far over you are.
UK budgeting apps work through open banking, which gives them read-only access to your transactions. The two leading UK-built apps both have free plans, so price only bites if you want the paid features.
How the ranking works
We ranked apps by the regular yearly price of the cheapest plan that includes budgeting, with free plans first, using prices read from each app's page on 29 October 2026. YNAB's price is in US dollars, so it is listed without a rank. The calculator above is a 50/30/20 planner. See how we rank.
| App | Free plan | Paid plans |
|---|---|---|
| Emma | Basic, £0 | Plus £41.99/yr; Pro £83.99/yr; Ultimate £124.99/yr |
| Snoop | Yes | Snoop Plus £47.99/yr or £5.99/mo |
| YNAB | No (34-day trial) | $109/yr, priced in US dollars |
The apps
Emma's plan comparison lists Basic free, Plus at £4.99 a month or £41.99 a year, Pro at £9.99 or £83.99, and Ultimate at £14.99 or £124.99, with a 7-day trial. Emma says it uses open banking with read-only access. It is registered with the FCA under the Payment Services Regulations, FRN 794952.
Snoop offers a free app for tracking spending and setting budgets, and Snoop Plus at £5.99 a month or £47.99 a year. Usnoop Limited is registered with the FCA, firm registration number 911638.
YNAB is priced in US dollars, at $109 a year or $14.99 a month, with direct import from selected UK banks.
Methods
Our guide to budgeting methods compares zero-based, 50/30/20 and envelope budgeting, and the 50/30/20 calculator splits your take-home pay. Some current accounts include budgeting tools too; see our UK mobile banking comparison.
Related
The US comparison covers apps priced in dollars.
Keep reading
Best budgeting apps in the US (2026): prices and methods compared
Four budgeting apps compared on what they cost a year, whether there is a free version, and the budgeting method each is built around.
Guide · US & UKZero-based, 50/30/20 and envelope budgeting: how they differ
Three common budgeting methods explained with worked examples, including how each copes with irregular freelance income and yearly bills.
Calculator · UK edition50/30/20 budget calculator
The same calculator on its own page, in pounds.
Questions
Which UK budgeting app is free?
Emma’s Basic plan costs £0 a month and lets you set budgets and track spending by category. Snoop’s free app lets you track spending, set budgets and set up a savings account. Both connect to UK banks through open banking. Prices were read on 29 October 2026.
Are budgeting apps regulated?
Apps that access your bank data through open banking must be registered with the FCA. Emma Technologies is registered under the Payment Services Regulations with FRN 794952, and Usnoop Limited with 911638. YNAB acts as an agent of Plaid Financial, FRN 804718. Registration covers data access, not budgeting advice.
Can I use YNAB in the UK?
Yes. YNAB says direct import supports selected UK banks, with file import as an alternative. It is priced only in US dollars, at $109 a year or $14.99 a month, so the cost in pounds changes with the exchange rate and your card may add a foreign transaction fee.
What do the paid plans add?
The pages we read list the prices but describe features only in general terms. Emma’s plan comparison page sets out what Plus, Pro and Ultimate add over Basic. Snoop describes Snoop Plus as a paid service on top of the free app. Check the feature lists before paying.
Is it safe to connect my bank to a budgeting app?
Open-banking connections give read-only access, so the app can see your transactions but cannot move money, and you can withdraw consent through your bank. Emma says it uses open banking with read-only access. Use only apps registered with the FCA, which you can check on the FCA Register.