YNAB is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.1. YNAB wins on 4 of the 5 scores, PayPal on 1.
People who want to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle with a hands-on method
Online shoppers who want buyer protection and a quick, card-free checkout
Score by score
The details
| Feature | YNAB | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Money & Investing | Money & Investing |
| Category rank | #2 of 16 | #15 of 16 |
| Developer | You Need A Budget LLC | PayPal |
| Pricing | Subscription | Free |
| Usable for free | No | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is YNAB better than PayPal?
YNAB is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.1. YNAB wins on 4 of the 5 scores, PayPal on 1.
Which is cheaper, YNAB or PayPal?
YNAB: 34-day free trial, then $14.99/month or $109/year; share with up to 5 others. PayPal: Free to send from balance or bank in the US; cards cost 2.9% plus 30 cents. On value for money, PayPal scores higher.
Do YNAB and PayPal work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, YNAB or PayPal?
YNAB scores higher on privacy (8.8/10). App Store label links financial info, purchase history, precise location, contact info and usage data to you, and uses your email for marketing. No tracking is declared and the app shows no ads.
Strengths and weaknesses
YNAB
- Changes how you think about spending, not just tracks it
- One subscription covers up to six people at no extra cost
- Excellent education through free workshops and guides
- Steep learning curve for the first month
- No free plan beyond the 34-day trial
- Investment tracking is basic
YNAB is a budgeting method as much as an app. You give every dollar a job before you spend it, and the app makes overspending obvious right away. Steady updates keep smoothing the routine, from photo attachments to a Plan Reset for starting fresh. The learning curve is real and there is no free plan, but if you want to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, no app teaches it better.
Full YNAB review
PayPal
- Accepted at a huge number of online stores
- Purchase Protection when eligible orders go wrong
- Free to send to US friends from balance or bank
- Sending with a card costs 2.9% plus 30 cents
- Sending abroad costs 5% (up to $4.99) plus currency fees
- App Store label lists usage data used for tracking
PayPal is still one of the easiest ways to pay online without typing your card number, and Purchase Protection helps if an eligible order never shows up. Sending money to friends in the US is free from your balance or bank, while cards cost 2.9% plus 30 cents. The app also covers Pay in 4, savings, crypto and cash back offers. It tracks a lot, and sending abroad or converting currency gets pricey.
Full PayPal review
