Worthy vs YNAB
The YNAB alternative for net worth tracking
Worthy
$16.99
One-time purchase. Free for up to 5 assets.
YNAB
$109/yr
or $14.99/mo billed monthly
| Total cost | Worthy | YNAB |
|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | $17 | $109 |
| After 3 years | $17 | $327 |
| After 5 years | $17 | $545 |
Based on YNAB's $109/yr plan at today's price. Prices in USD.
What YNAB is, honestly
YNAB (You Need A Budget) is powerful for budgeting, but costs $109 a year (or $14.99 a month) and requires constant maintenance. If you just want to track your net worth without the budgeting complexity, Worthy is simpler and more affordable.
Where YNAB wins
Real strengths, no hedging.
Zero-based budgeting
Transaction categorization
Goal tracking
Where Worthy wins
Also no hedging.
One-time purchase (no subscription)
100% offline & private
No bank connection required
Simple, no learning curve
Side by side
| Feature | Worthy | YNAB |
|---|---|---|
| One-time purchase (no subscription) | ||
| 100% offline & private | ||
| No bank connection required | ||
| Simple, no learning curve | ||
| Net worth tracking | ||
| Asset & liability tracking | ||
| Zero-based budgeting | ||
| Transaction categorization | ||
| Goal tracking |
Which one is for you
Choose Worthy if
- You want your net worth kept current without linking your bank
- You want your financial data to stay on your device
- You prefer a one-time purchase to a subscription
Choose YNAB if
- You need zero-based budgeting
- You need transaction categorization
- You need goal tracking
Switching from YNAB
- 1
Note your current balances
You only need today's numbers to start: each account, investment, property and debt.
- 2
Add them to Worthy once
Stocks, ETFs and crypto update their prices automatically, mortgages amortize on schedule and savings accrue interest, so most numbers stay current without any bank connection.
- 3
Backfill the history you care about
Add past values month by month on the history timeline, so your net worth chart shows the journey you were on before you switched.
YNAB vs Worthy FAQ
Is YNAB worth it if I just want to track my net worth?
YNAB is excellent for detailed budgeting, but it's overkill (and expensive) if your main goal is net worth tracking. Worthy focuses specifically on tracking your total wealth without the complexity of zero-based budgeting.
How is Worthy different from YNAB?
YNAB is a budgeting app that happens to show net worth. Worthy is a dedicated net worth tracker. Worthy is simpler (60-second setup), cheaper (one-time payment vs $109/year), and more private (no bank connections, data stays on your device).
Can I use Worthy and YNAB together?
Absolutely! Some users use YNAB for budgeting but prefer Worthy for net worth tracking because it's faster to update and doesn't require constant transaction categorization.
Does Worthy have the YNAB 4-rule methodology?
No, Worthy doesn't do budgeting at all. It's focused purely on net worth tracking - your assets minus your liabilities. If you want to track wealth without managing a budget, Worthy is the better choice.