Which free budgeting apps are worth trying since Mint shut down?

After Mint was discontinued at the end of 2023, its maker steered users toward Credit Karma, which offers lighter budgeting. Popular replacements include free or low-cost options that connect to your accounts and auto-categorize spending, plus subscription tools built around zero-based budgeting for people who want tighter control. Choose based on your method: pick a zero-based tool if you assign every dollar, or a passive net-worth-and-spending tracker if you mainly want visibility. Check whether the app supports your banks, how it handles data security and encryption, and whether the free tier does what you need before paying. Many people are perfectly served by a spreadsheet plus their bank's built-in transaction search. The best app is the one you will actually open.