Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | YNAB | Clarity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $109/year or $14.99/mo | $99/year or $12/mo |
| Free Trial | 34 days | 14 days |
| Transaction Categorization | 100% manual | Automatic with AI |
| Recurring Subscription Detection | Manual tracking | Automatic detection |
| Crypto Support | ||
| Bank Connections | 10,000+ via Plaid | 10,000+ via Plaid |
| Budgeting Method | Zero-based (envelope system) | Category budgets with rollover |
| Time Required Per Week | 30-45 minutes | <5 minutes |
| Mobile App | iOS + Android | Web + iOS |
| Merchant Normalization | Basic | Advanced (10,000+ merchants) |
| Cost Basis Tracking (Crypto) | FIFO method included | |
| Net Worth Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Why People Love YNAB
YNAB (You Need A Budget) pioneered zero-based budgeting with the envelope method. It teaches financial discipline and has a cult following for good reason:
- The Method Works: Giving every dollar a job creates intentional spending
- Strong Community: Active forums, workshops, and educational content
- Proven Track Record: 15+ years in business, millions of users
- Comprehensive Budgeting: Every feature built around the envelope system
Why We Built Clarity
YNAB is great, but it has three major problems in 2026:
1. Manual Busywork
Every transaction needs manual categorization. You're clicking through dozens of transactions weekly, dragging them into envelopes. YNAB calls this "active budgeting." We call it unnecessary work that machines should do.
Clarity's approach: AI categorization learns your patterns. 95%+ accuracy after your first month. Spend 5 minutes reviewing vs 30 minutes categorizing.
2. No Crypto Support
If you own Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any crypto, YNAB can't track it. You need separate tools, manual spreadsheets, or just... ignore it? In 2026, that's unacceptable.
Clarity's approach: Connect exchanges (Coinbase, Kraken, Binance) and blockchain wallets (Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana). One net worth number that includes everything. FIFO cost basis tracking for tax reporting.
3. Subscription Blindness
YNAB shows you subscriptions, but only if you manually tag them. Most people don't realize they're paying $15/mo for a gym they haven't visited in 6 months.
Clarity's approach: Automatic recurring detection. We analyze frequency, amount consistency, and merchant patterns. Surface forgotten subscriptions before you even ask.
Is Clarity Right for You?
Choose Clarity if...
- You want budgeting, not a second job
- You own crypto (any amount)
- You value automation over manual control
- You want to save $10/year
- You're tired of categorizing transactions
- You need banks + crypto in one dashboard
Stick with YNAB if...
- You prefer manual envelope budgeting
- You need an Android app
- You're deeply invested in YNAB's ecosystem
- You don't own any crypto
- You enjoy the ritual of categorizing
- You need goal templates and detailed reports
The Migration Path
Switching from YNAB to Clarity takes 15 minutes:
- Export your YNAB data (optional — Clarity doesn't import it, but you can keep it for records)
- Sign up for Clarity's 14-day trial (no credit card required)
- Connect your banks via Plaid (same provider YNAB uses)
- Add crypto exchanges/wallets (if you have any)
- Set category budgets (Clarity auto-suggests based on your spending)
- Let automation work — transactions categorize themselves
Run both side-by-side for 2 weeks. If Clarity doesn't save you time and show you insights YNAB missed, cancel. No hard feelings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is YNAB worth $109/year?
YNAB's envelope method has genuinely helped millions of people get out of debt and build savings. If you enjoy manual budgeting and the discipline it teaches, it's worth the price. If you find the manual work tedious, Clarity gives you similar budgeting for $10 less with automation.
Does Clarity use the envelope method?
No. Clarity uses category-based budgets with rollover — similar concept but without requiring manual allocation of every dollar. Transactions are auto-categorized by AI. You set limits per category and Clarity tracks spending against them.
Can YNAB track crypto?
No. YNAB connects to banks and brokerages via Plaid but does not support crypto exchanges or blockchain wallets. You can manually enter crypto values as "tracking accounts" but they won't update automatically. Clarity connects directly to exchanges and wallets with real-time pricing.
How much time does Clarity save vs YNAB?
YNAB users typically spend 30-45 minutes per week manually categorizing transactions and allocating budgets. Clarity's AI categorization handles 95%+ automatically after your first month. Most users spend less than 5 minutes per week reviewing.
Compare Clarity to other apps