Best Budgeting Apps: YNAB, Monarch, or Simple Excel Spreadsheets?

I am trying to get my finances under control this year, but I am torn between using a dedicated app or building my own tracking system. I've heard amazing things about YNAB's zero-based budgeting method and Monarch Money's modern interface, but part of me wonders if a classic Excel spreadsheet is just better and free. What are the actual pros and cons of each method from people who have used them long-term?

I used YNAB for three years and it genuinely changed my relationship with money, but the learning curve is steep. You really have to commit to their zero-based philosophy.

Monarch Money is the closest thing to Mint that actually feels modern and clean. The dashboard customization is fantastic if you want to see everything at a glance without entering data manually.

Honestly, I abandoned all the apps and went back to a custom Excel sheet. Nothing beats complete privacy and zero subscription fees. Plus, building formulas scratches my productivity itch just like setting up systems in my favorite digital notebook.

The biggest con of YNAB is the cost. Paying $100+ a year just to budget feels counterintuitive when you are trying to save money, even if it helps you find inefficiencies.

If you hate manual entry, skip Excel. If you love tinkering and want absolute control over your categories and graphs, Excel is undefeated.

Monarch's bank syncing has been way more reliable for me than YNAB ever was, especially with smaller credit unions and investment accounts.

A lot of people use spreadsheets for budgeting and then realize they spend way too much time fixing broken formulas instead of actually saving. If you go the Excel route, keep it simple.

YNAB forces you to be active with your money. If you just want a passive dashboard that tracks your spending passively, YNAB will stress you out.

Why not try Excel for a month first since it's free? If you find yourself falling behind on updating transactions, then upgrade to Monarch or YNAB for the automation.