Ledger vs. YNAB
YNAB is a budgeting app built around a method for giving every dollar a job. Ledger includes budgeting and adds business and tax tools.
Best for
YNAB
People who want a focused budgeting method with a long free trial and a plan to share with partners or family.
Ledger
People who want budgeting plus invoices, receipts, estimated taxes, financial statements and a tax-return interview, for personal and business money.
Side by side
| Feature | Ledger | YNAB |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 a month or $119.99 a year, with a 7-day free trial | $14.99 a month, or $109 paid annually ($9.08 a month) |
| Trial | 7 days free | 34 days free; no credit card required when you sign up directly |
| Budgeting | Monthly budgets and goals with spending tracked by category | The YNAB Method: a flexible plan for your money before you spend it |
| Goals and debt | Savings goals and a debt payoff planner | Goal tracking and a loan planner |
| Net worth and reports | Net worth over time plus profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow | Spending and net worth reports |
| Bank connections | Bank connections through Plaid, manual entry, or statement import (PDF and CSV) | Direct import for select US, Canadian, UK and EU banks, and file-based import |
| Sharing | Each customer has their own account | Share one subscription with up to five other people |
| Business tools | Invoices, expenses, profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow, bills, year-end 1099-NEC and W-2 forms, up to 20 businesses | Invoicing, receipts, mileage and tax features not listed |
| Estimated taxes | Quarterly estimates from your real business profit, safe harbor amounts, due dates, payments tracked and reminders | Not listed |
| Platforms | Works in any web browser | Computer, phone and tablet |
Pricing
YNAB and Ledger have the same monthly price. YNAB's annual price is lower; Ledger's yearly price is $119.99.
Switching to Ledger
- Export your budget and transactions from YNAB as a file.
- Add your accounts in Ledger and import statements, or connect your banks.
- Create budget categories and goals, and set up your bills.
Common questions
Does Ledger use the YNAB method?
Ledger uses monthly budgets and goals by category rather than the YNAB Method. If that method is what you love, YNAB is built around it.
Can I run a side business in Ledger?
Yes. Add a business profile and keep its accounts, receipts, invoices and reports separate from your household.
Sources
YNAB information comes from the company's own website, read on November 10, 2026. Features described as not listed were not stated on the pages we read.
YNAB is a trademark of its owner. Ledger is not affiliated with or endorsed by YNAB. This comparison is meant to help you choose and is based on public information.