Published by Lygu. This comparison reflects different workflows, rather than a universal ranking. Features can change; sources are linked below. No affiliation with YNAB is implied.
| What matters to you | Lygu | YNAB |
|---|---|---|
| Main workflow | Monthly balances and reflection | An active spending plan with categories and transactions |
| Getting data in | You enter periodic balances; no bank linking | Manual transaction entry or supported bank imports |
| Looking back | Snapshot changes and full history with Pro | Spending and net-worth reports |
| Working together | A personal iPhone review | YNAB Together supports shared subscription access |
| What to expect | About 15 minutes for a regular monthly review; initial setup varies | Maintain a plan as income, spending and priorities change |
Start with the question you want answered.
Lygu is built around a periodic review of the things you own and owe. Enter your balances, compare them with an earlier snapshot and add context in your notes. You can see the direction of your financial position without keeping a ledger of every purchase.
That simplicity has a tradeoff: Lygu cannot show exactly which merchants or spending categories explain a change. Its spending estimate depends on the balances and other inputs you provide. It is not a substitute for transaction records, accounting or tax information.
Lygu may fit if…
You prefer a personal iPhone app, manual balances and a focused monthly ritual. You do not need automatic bank feeds or a shared household budget.
YNAB may fit if…
YNAB may suit you when you want to assign money to priorities and keep transaction categories up to date. It supports goals, reporting and sharing. It can also be used with manual transaction entry, so bank linking is not a requirement.
A practical way to decide.
Write down the one question your current system leaves unanswered. If it is “what changed across my money this month?”, try a snapshot. If it requires individual payments or an actively maintained spending plan, consider the more detailed workflow.
You can also keep transaction records elsewhere and use a separate monthly reflection. There is no direct YNAB import or integration in Lygu.
Privacy and cost.
Lygu stores entered financial records locally and has no bank connection or user account. It uses TelemetryDeck for limited usage analytics. Read the privacy policy for the full distinction. We do not rank the other app’s security or privacy from its feature list.
Lygu offers a free core experience; full history, additional analysis and JSON/CSV export require Pro. See the App Store for current regional pricing and the official YNAB website for its current plans. Prices and offers are deliberately not reproduced here.
Can I use YNAB without linking a bank?
Yes. YNAB documents manual transaction entry as well as imports. The more useful distinction is whether you want transaction-level planning or occasional balance snapshots.
Sources and review method.
LYGU features were checked against its current app source and public App Store description. YNAB claims are based on these official pages, reviewed September 24, 2026. This is a documented feature comparison, not a hands-on performance benchmark.
Found a changed feature? Let us know so this page can be updated.