Private, open-source budgeting in the browser with end-to-end encryption
- Zero-based
- Expense tracking
- Couples & families
Budget Friendly Budget
Free web-based zero-based budgeting for manual entry, installable on phones
Research-based review, not hands-on testing. Last researched .
Overview
Budget Friendly Budget (BFB) is a free web app modelled on the zero-based method: assign every dollar, plan ahead, and enter transactions by hand. It includes a calendar of scheduled transactions, goals, reports, shared budgets, and import wizards for two other budgeting apps. It works in the phone browser as an installable app rather than through app stores.
Best for: Manual-entry budgeters who want a free zero-based tool with a partner sharing option
Pros and cons
Pros
- No paid tier: the vendor states there is no subscription, premium tier, ads or card on file.
- Guided import wizards bring over accounts, categories and history from two other budgeting apps.
- Calendar of scheduled transactions, plus Split View and Plan Mode for planning ahead and testing changes.
- Goals that calculate what to assign monthly, plus a loan simulator and net worth tracking.
- Shared budgets by invitation, 2FA, and a stated policy of not selling data.
Cons
- Manual entry only by design; no bank sync.
- No native iOS or Android app; mobile use is an installed web app.
- Funded by optional voluntary tips, so long-term sustainability depends on donations.
- Data export options were not found on the pages checked.
- Multi-currency support was not confirmed.
Features
- Envelope budgeting not confirmed not confirmed
- Automatic bank sync not included
- Manual transaction entry included
- Goal tracking included
- Debt payoff tools included
- Investment tracking not confirmed not confirmed
- Bill reminders not confirmed not confirmed
- Reports & charts included
- Multi-currency not confirmed not confirmed
- Shared / household budgets included
- Separate logins for shared budgets not confirmed not confirmed
Zero-based budgeting, Auto-Assign templates, calendar, split transactions, Plan Mode, Split View, goals, custom dashboards, net worth, loan simulator, retirement plan, shared budgets
Our review
Short version
Budget Friendly Budget (BFB) is a free web app modelled on the zero-based method: assign every dollar, plan ahead, and enter transactions by hand. It includes a calendar of scheduled transactions, goals, reports, shared budgets, and import wizards for two other budgeting apps. It works in the phone browser as an installable app rather than through app stores.
Quick profile, not a full review. Built on 2026-09-29 from the vendor site, store listings and public sources. No hands-on testing: I did not sign up, start a trial or connect a bank.
Cost
- Free (optional $3/month tip)
- Free
Not confirmed
Founding year; Data export; Multi-currency; Last release date (no changelog found); Whether envelope-style rollover is supported; Bill reminder notifications.
Notes
/pricing returned 404; pricing taken from the homepage 'Free' section, which states optional $3/month tips.
Ratings are set separately against a shared rubric.
Sources
- Official product and pricing/features homepageretrieved 2026-10-14
Budget Friendly Budget alternatives
Envelope budgeting with Plaid bank sync on web and iPhone
- Envelope
- Zero-based
- Expense tracking
Manual-first envelope budgeting with optional bank sync and a free tier
- Envelope
- Zero-based
- Expense tracking