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Big Numbers

Big Numbers vs YNAB: do I need a budget app, or just to see what I spent?

Steven Zhang · October 17, 2026

Short answer: YNAB is a budgeting method. You decide what each dollar is for before you spend it, and the app helps you stick to that plan. Big Numbers is not a budget. It shows how much you spent today, this week, and this month on your iPhone, and asks for no planning. Pick YNAB if you want to plan; pick Big Numbers if you only want to watch the total.

At a glance

Big Numbers YNAB
Main idea See what you spent Plan what your money is for before you spend it
Price Free download, $0.99/week $14.99/mo or $109/yr (USD, plus tax)
Free tier Free to download No
Trial Free trial mentioned on the App Store listing; length not published there 34 days, no card needed when signing up directly. College students get 365 days.
Platforms iPhone only (iOS 26 or later) iOS, Android, web, watchOS
Availability Available on iPhone in the US and Canada. Connects to US banks only. Direct import for select US, Canadian, UK, and EU banks
Bank connection Connects to 19,000+ US banks MX and Plaid; TrueLayer for some UK and EU banks; file import; manual entry
Effort Connect a bank, done Ongoing: assign money to categories, review transactions
Sharing Not listed Up to 6 people on one subscription
Widgets Daily, weekly, or monthly total on Home Screen and Lock Screen Category balances on the Home Screen

How they differ

YNAB is built around a method. You assign money to categories, you move money between them when plans change, and you check in often. Many people like that it makes them think before spending. It works with or without a bank connection, and you can enter transactions by hand.

Big Numbers has no method. It reads your bank transactions and adds them up. You glance at a number and decide for yourself what it means.

Who should choose YNAB

  • You want a full plan for every dollar.
  • You want to pay down debt or save toward goals with structure.
  • You prefer entering transactions by hand, or your bank isn't supported.
  • You share money with a partner or family and want one plan.
  • You use Android or the web.

YNAB has a longer trial, more platforms, and a real budgeting system. Big Numbers has none of those.

Who should choose Big Numbers

  • You've tried YNAB or a similar method and didn't keep it up.
  • You don't want to assign categories, just see the total.
  • You want the number on your iPhone Lock Screen or Home Screen.

Big Numbers is a free download on the App Store, with an in-app subscription of $0.99/week. A separate read-only Grok connector is billed on its own Subscribe plans.

FAQ

Is there an alternative to YNAB that doesn't require budgeting?

Yes. Big Numbers shows your daily, weekly, and monthly spending totals and has no budgets or categories.

How long is the YNAB free trial?

34 days, with no credit card when you sign up directly with YNAB. College students can get a free 365-day trial.

Is YNAB worth it if I just want to track spending?

YNAB is designed for planning, not just tracking. If you only want a running total of what you spent, a simpler tracker may fit better.

Can I use Big Numbers and YNAB together?

Yes. They don't connect to each other, but nothing stops you from using YNAB for your plan and Big Numbers for a quick glance at the total.

Does Big Numbers support manual entry like YNAB?

No manual entry is listed. Big Numbers works from your connected bank accounts.

Sources

All accessed 2026-10-17.