# Budgetist review

> Subscription budgeting web app with envelope-style planning, bank sync and multi-asset accounts
Source: https://budgetingapps.org/apps/budgetist (researched 2026-10-14). Research-based review, not hands-on testing.

## Summary

Budgetist is a local-first web app (installable as a PWA, with a Google Play listing) that combines double-entry style transaction tracking with envelope-style budgeting of available funds. It supports savings targets, CSV import, and optional bank sync (GoCardless for EU/UK, SimpleFIN for US/Canada) on higher tiers. The vendor is a small team in Bulgaria.

**Best for:** Users who want an envelope-style budget with multi-asset accounts, plain-text export and optional bank sync on a low-cost subscription

## Key facts

- Website: https://www.budgetist.app/en/
- Price: $2.99/month; $35.88/year
- Rating: 3.7/5
- Free plan: no
- Free trial: 42-day free trial of all features
- Platforms: Android, Web
- Budgeting method: Envelope, Zero-based, Expense tracking, Forecasting
- Bank sync: Yes on Connect tiers: GoCardless (EU/UK), SimpleFIN (US/CA, external account)
- Mobile apps: Android app on Google Play; PWA for other phones
- Import: CSV bulk import; YNAB import not confirmed
- Multiple budgets: Not confirmed
- Team: Small independent team; IT Wharf EOOD, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Privacy: Local-first with optional server sync; Play data safety: collects personal and financial info, encrypted in transit, deletion on request, may share app activity/performance data

## Features

- Envelope budgeting: yes
- Automatic bank sync: yes
- Manual transaction entry: yes
- Goal tracking: yes
- Debt payoff tools: not confirmed
- Investment tracking: yes
- Bill reminders: not confirmed
- Reports & charts: yes
- Multi-currency: yes
- Shared / household budgets: not confirmed
- Separate logins for shared budgets: not confirmed

## Pros

- Bank sync via GoCardless (EU/UK) and SimpleFIN (US/Canada) on paid Connect tiers
- Local-first design that works offline, with optional cross-device sync, per the developer
- Handles investments and multiple currencies/assets without forcing conversion, per developer post
- Exports JSON and (h)ledger plain-text format (developer post); CSV bulk import
- Clear tiered pricing with a 42-day trial and no ads or data selling per vendor

## Cons

- Subscription only; lowest tier has no bank sync
- US/Canada bank sync needs a separate SimpleFIN account; EU/UK Connect One covers one institution
- Google Play listing has only 50+ downloads and no visible ratings, so the user base is very small
- Double-entry approach may be harder for beginners
- No iOS app listed; iPhone use is via the web app

## Our review

### Short version

Budgetist is a local-first web app (installable as a PWA, with a Google Play listing) that combines double-entry style transaction tracking with envelope-style budgeting of available funds. It supports savings targets, CSV import, and optional bank sync (GoCardless for EU/UK, SimpleFIN for US/Canada) on higher tiers. The vendor is a small team in Bulgaria.

**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

- Basic $2.99/mo (no bank sync); Connect One $3.99/mo; Connect Unlimited $5.49/mo (USD view, also EUR/GBP)

- Basic $35.88/yr; Connect One $47.88/yr; Connect Unlimited $65.88/yr

- Trial: 42-day free trial of all features

### Not confirmed

Founding year (HN post ~Oct 2025 is a launch announcement, not confirmed founding); Bill reminders, debt payoff, shared budgets; YNAB import; Store ratings; Independent reviews beyond a Show HN post.

### Notes

iOS/PWA and export formats come from the developer's Hacker News post.

Ratings are set separately against a shared rubric.

## Sources

- [Official product and features page](https://www.budgetist.app/en/) (retrieved 2026-10-14)
- [Official pricing page](https://www.budgetist.app/en/pricing/) (retrieved 2026-10-14)
- [Google Play listing](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.budgetist) (retrieved 2026-10-14)
- [Official privacy policy](https://www.budgetist.app/en/privacy/) (retrieved 2026-10-14)