YNAB Lite is Here!

Grab it now.

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About jesse

Jesse is the founder of YouNeedABudget.com. When he’s not speaking on, writing about, fine-tuning software for, or doing his own budgeting, he enjoys playing the piano, working in the garden, CrossFit, marksmanship, and honing his golf swing. Jesse graduated from Brigham Young University with a Masters of Accountancy degree. Immediately after he obtained his CPA license, he let it lapse so he could work on "You Need A Budget" full-time. Jesse lives in Utah, is married to Julie, and has five children. You can conect with Jesse on Google+ here.

127 thoughts on “YNAB Lite is Here!

    • Great BUT may have been too keen. Started using YNAB4, set up Dropbox and then installed Lite on iphone but when it tries to find the budget file, the app quits. When I re-open app it tells me that it unexpectedly quit and then says import failed. Love the new ynab4 but please sort asap….

  1. Awesome!! Grabbing it now! Thanks so much, some relief until the full version hits! Thanks for everything Jesse & YNAB Team!

  2. I think that I’m going to hold out for the full version, but congratulations. It’s all coming together.

  3. I just installed it on my iPhone! It was super easy to set it up with Dropbox and see my budget file. The cloudsync works great. Thanks for a wonderful product. I look forward to the full version coming hopefully real soon.

  4. I’m trying to download it from the app store, but it just sits in a “waiting” status on my iPhone. Does anyone else have the same problem?

  5. Not working for me :( Crashes at “syncing” every time. I’ve tried deactivating and reactivating cloud sync etc

    • +1 on this issue. The app looks great and fresh, the dropbox access granted smoothly. The initial sync pops up the modal dialog message and then crashes.

    • There seems to be an issue with old PreYNAB debt categories in some budget files that causes the app to crash while syncing. We are working on a fix.

      If you’d like you can send us your budget to fix this issue in the meantime by going to Help -> Send technical information and ticking the “Include current budget folder” box on the desktop. Please also reference case 50364 in there.

    • Yep, same for me: app crashes out on trying to do the first sync after linking with DB.

      I’ll wait a while for the fix I guess.

      • I got a crash after linking too, but trying it again worked. Seemed to be once I got into Dropbox’s app, not YNAB’s.

    • We’ve fixed this! It affected some upgraders from YNAB 3 and was related to Pre-YNAB Debt categories. Download the latest update to the Desktop application and load your budget. Wait for dropbox to finish syncing, and then it will sync with YNAB Lite!

  6. Bummer Abe, keep trying and good luck. Got it downloaded and installed, synced to Dropbox with no issues on iPhone 4s running 5.0.1

    • I wrote about it in the forms last night and uploaded all my data. They sent me back a fixed file in less than an hour. You guys rock!

      • I did the same. Got a fixed budget file back from sebastian within the hour. On a saturday. There is huge amount an awful lot of companies could learn from people like YNAB. The absolute perfect example of how to get it right. Outstanding.

        Can’t wait for the iPad app ;)

  7. Having trouble with cloud sync…the app says it can’t find a ynab budget on my Dropbox but there’s definitely a YNAB4 budget file in the cloud sync directory in my Dropbox.

    Any ideas?

  8. Woohoo! I have been wanting the mobile app to do this ever since it first came out! This will definitely hold me until the full version is approved. I hope that will happen right away now that the lite version is approved! My congrats to the ynab team!

  9. It’s working for me so far! Great job! I can only imagine the huge sigh of relief and celebration that the YNAB team is having now.

  10. Loving it.

    Still on my wishlist : visibility to scheduled transactions so I can see what’s coming up in the pipeline. Keeping to the budget, though, alleviates some of that need, but I’d still like to have that visibility since it’s part of the desktop app.

    However : LOVING. IT.

    This is going to make things so much easier to manage. Awesome job guys/gals!

    Appreciate all your hard work getting this to market ! Like everyone else here, I’ve been anxiously watching/waiting for the app to be approved and in the store.

    Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you !

  11. Wow! Fantastic job once again. I really like the iCloud sync. I am as impressed as I was with Apple’s MobileMe® (it always worked fantastic for me BTW).
    Can’t wait for the full version so I can install it on my wife’s iPhone as well.

  12. Crashes every time the app tries to sync with Dropbox. I love YNAB, and appreciate all of the updates on your progress with the apps, but I think you guys jumped the gun on this one. Hope you can get it working soon.

  13. Fantastic – great to be finally trying this out! Well done team, and thank you Jesse for keeping us in the loop every step of the way.

  14. Hello Ynab!

    I am trying to download the lite version to my iphone but it crashes. It starts…….waiting……..then it dissappers. I have ynab 4 on my mac.

    Thank you

  15. It’s good news after a long wait, Cloud sync is fantastic.

    I have one question I just paid for iPhone’s full version last month.
    If full version come I need to paid again or not?

  16. I’ll admit I’ve been very frustrated the past week and a half waiting for the apps to be updated since upgrading to YNAB 4…I think it’s a hard lesson learned for the YNAB team on jumping the gun. I personally think it would be unfair to blame Apple entirely for the delay as they are only doing their due diligence.

    With that said, I’m already loving the YNAB lite app! I can’t wait to be able to upgrade to the full version. I actually stayed away from using the mobile app with YNAB 3 since it was too annoying to manually sync and then approve transactions on my desktop version. You’ve done a wonderful job with this major update! Thank you Jesse and the rest of the YNAB gang. Crisis averted! =)

  17. Oh thank god. My cash is probably going to be way off now as I’m on holiday. At least I can track everything from here onwards.

    Even the lite version is looking great. Can’t wait to start using cloud sync. Wifi sync always felt rather convoluted to me.

  18. I still have unsynced entries in my old ynab app for iphone and now i have the new lite app. What should I do with those unsync entries on the old app?

    • Temporarily turn off cloud sync in ynab desktop. Sync over wifi with old ynab app (this works for uploading the new transactions off the phone). Delete the full ynab app until it’s released in the app store. Turn cloud sync back on after approving imported transactions and you’ll be good to go!

  19. Will the full version have account total and budget total like YNAB 3. I’m just one of those people who can never have enough info on hand.

  20. Wow! This Lite App is great! So nice being able to enter transactions and have them sync without connecting to the computer anymore! Thanks Jesse and team for all your work.

  21. I’m bitterly disappointed that the wait is over. I had plans to make use of the Olympic countdown clock once London had finished with it. :-D

    Kidding – thrilled to be mobile again, really looking forward to the full app becoming available. Thanks so much for keeping us involved every step of the way.

  22. yay, Yay, YAY – Triple YAY! iPhone app is working like a charm for me (downloaded this AM 7/7.) Thank you YNAB Devs for your tireless work on this project.
    The bells and whistles of the Paid app will be neat, but really, all I *needed* was what you provided in the free app – cloud sync. YAY!

    • Just went out and tested it (staying within budget :) ) and it works like a charm. I’m looking forward to the full version soon. Thanks for a great app and a great methodology!

  23. Hi Jessy,

    Will it be possible in à future version to add the possibility of sync only on wifi. My data cap is not that high and i don’t mind waiting to get home syncing automaticaly via wifi.

    Thanks

    • Hi Greg, hats a great question. The wifi sync is a very support-intensive feature (one of several downsides). That means we likely won’t ever introduce it in the Lite app. For the data-sensitive, we could probably introduce a manual sync, where it only does it on your go, so you just do it when you had a wifi connection somewhere.

    • I reread your comment and realize I misunderstood it first pass and you were basically suggesting what I did :)

      Excellent idea! ;)

  24. Awesome! Upgraded finally and syncing now. Love it! Thanks so much! Can’t wait for the full version upgrade as well. :)

  25. Already have it and rated it. :) Thank you, thank you!!!

    One thought – according to the mobile page here on your website, you still don’t offer a working app with YNAB 4, and the link on that page links to an old blog post talking about how the apps haven’t been approved yet. You may want to update that link and the info on your website (in case that somehow got overlooked).

    Congrats on getting this through!

  26. I was one of the ones with misgivings about the $40 pricetag on the upgrade from YNAB3, especially after having paid for the YNAB3 iPhone app…until:

    I…
    …saw the slick new layout of the desktop app
    …experienced the real-time cloud sync between my PC and Mac
    …read that the YNAB 4 app would be a free upgrade for YNAB3 app owners
    …and then just now experienced the YNAB Lite app
    …all while y’all were being exceptionally communicative

    *applause*

    Sincerely,
    Satisfied customer!

  27. Congrats!! And to think I was afraid to upgrade from the excel sheet version at one time because it “just worked”!! :-) Now I can hardly function without the mobile access.

  28. OK, I was going to wait for the full iPhone app, but took a look at the YNAB lite app and realized how good it is. So I have purchased the upgrade, dutifully posted in YNAB4 in the computer category and then brilliantly synched to all devices in the house (2 Macs, 1 PC, and 2 iPhones).

    I was really hoping for the iPhone app to show up as I am heading out of the country tomorrow for 2 weeks. Thanks to YNAB4 and the iPhone lite app, my wife and I will be on the same budget page while I’m away.

  29. Download of Lite app – easy
    Data entry on Lite app – easy!
    Cloud Sync with Lite app – fast and flawless!
    Everything just works. Thanks for all the communication from you and your team. Your transparency made this whole wait MUCH easier.

  30. If Jesse sees this: Does the full paid app have the blue screen with the budget amount, total account balances, and the add transaction quick button? I’m referring to the one featured on the ynab.com/mobile page.

    The lite app is great. Sync in quick. Just as Lee had demonstrated in our class last week.

    I love it!

    • Yes the full app has that familiar home screen. Lite app didn’t need it because it only has the budget view.

  31. Hi, I’ve had no problems with either the desktop or mobile apps. Will I be a able use the full mobile version to keep track of my checking account (as a register)? I currently use a separate app as a check register, it would be nice if I could dump that app and use YNAB for everything. YNAB has worked very well for me since December of 2011, don’t know what I would do without it. Thanks! Hank

  32. Worked brilliantly for me. Downloaded the app and caught up on my budgeting whilst waiting to pick up a family member at the airport.

    Can’t wait for the full version, but the lite version will hold me for the time being.

  33. Glad to have the Lite version available, sync works nicely.

    Very limiting however compared to v3. I am patiently waiting for the GPS and Favorites in the “full” iOS app, which I used all the time.

    Say, do you need the desktop app for this to work? :) Makes sense to over emphasize that fact rather than get a bunch of nasty reviews.

    • The first image for the app in the app store is very clear with the big STOP top and bottom (bright red background). It says YNAB for desktop ($60) is required. If folks miss that, they have absolutely no one to blame but themself. I don’t think Jesse and team can do anything to make it clearer.

  34. I have it working perfectly on my phone, but on my wife’s phone, it only displays Whoops! cant find the budget file. I thought that maybe it was because it is a shared Dropbox folder so I logged in to MY Dropbox and it still does it. I deleted and reinstalled the app to no avail. Am I missing something? I am going to try and reset the phone, which I should have tried first, but I have already typed this out…

    Thanks for any help!

  35. I had the opportunity to use YNAB Lite for the first time a few minutes ago and it was very COOL to see that expense already on my Mac when I checked. Well done YNAB team! I’m looking forward to the Full version now, so I can have my geolocation, favorites, and ability to look at accounts back.

  36. Just curious, but…

    Do you think the hold up on the FULL version is because there is nothing to update in the store? Since you pulled the old full version?

    Just wondering.

    Loving the Lite App. Works beautifully.

    Can’t wait for the full version.

  37. I’ve been refreshing the blog and the wait made getting the app that much more exciting! I love the background sync and it has made me even more motivated to stay on top of my budget. Thanks for the great work on YNAB 4!

  38. My parents and I do not live in the same country and have been using Dropbox to share documents for years. For our expenses, we have been using the same YNAB3 budget file sitting on a Dropbox shared folder, and this has been working like a charm for us.
    During the upgrade, YNAB4 took the YNAB3 files from the Dropbox shared folder and forced the creation of the new YNAB4 budget file in a local folder (it does not allow me to select any Dropbox folder as a destination folder to keep my budget file). As a result, my parents and I cannot work on the same budget anymore. Why is there such a limitation? This is a major issue for me. Is this going to be fixed in a future version?

    • Hi Igor in the support section of the site you’ll see that you can share a Dropbox folder where your budget resides. That will allow you to still sync.

    • Igor, it sounds like you might not have cloud sync turned on in YNAB. Go to File->Budget Properrties. Is cloud sync turned on for that budget?

  39. I was really not so sure about YNAB when I bought the desktop version. I always hated Quicken but since I am retiring, I need to be a bit more diligent in managing my money. After a few months, I have simplified my budget categories and restarted from scratch. And now with the new mobile app, it is really the icing on the cake. No more stacks of receipts waiting for a couple of hours of screen time. I am looking forward to the full version, but this is really great and makes the upfront desktop investment well worth while.

    You guys are doing a great job!

  40. Amazing app – can’t wait for the full version. Jesse – you and your team did an excellent job on the update, and having the app fully functioning now only makes it better!! Thank you!!

  41. Was wondering if in the full app if there will be a possibility of changing budget category amounts? For example, I want to up my gas category $20 but drop my misc. $20.

  42. Just downloaded the YNAB Lite, and it crashed the budget that i have setup (Cannot recove my budget) :( and iphone is now stuck on the screen of “Registering device”

    Please help!

  43. Thanks to you and your team for all of your work, Jesse. I remember one of your blog entries about how much work went into cloud sync. It turned out wonderfully, it’s a game changer! Can’t wait to see what other developments you guys come up with!

  44. Woohoo! I’m patiently waiting for the update on the full version, but in the meantime the Lite will allow us to upgrade our budget to YNAB4.

    I take it the full version is still waiting for review?

  45. Awesome! Loaded YNAB Lite on my iPhone 4s yesterday. Works like a charm. I loved it that my brunch today (recorded on my iPhone) showed up on my desktop when I logged on later.

    Can’t wait for the full version!

    • Make sure you grab the latest version of YNAB 4 for Desktop. We patched that this weekend and it should fix one of the more common crashes we were seeing (had to do with Pre-YNAB debt categories in the budget).

      • Thanks. I did update the desktop version, but the iOS app is still crashing. I launch the app, hit Link Account, then the app hangs on the dropbox screen before crashing several seconds later. I’m on the latest iOS on an iPhone 4S. I don’t know, seems like I’m in a minority with the crashes here.

        • Never mind! Turns out my Dropbox app was the problem. After deleting and re-installing it, I was able to connect with YNAB. Looks like something happened to the Dropbox app, based on the app store reviews for the current version.

  46. What’s the status of the full app??

    Miss the account view and geolocation features.

    The lite is a great stop gap though

  47. Having just been through the moneywell upgrade and now the YNAB upgrade…hands down YNAB team nailed it. You made your product better and have been communicating with your fans on what the delays are. We updated to 4 and lite and it has worked beautifully for us. my wife was even able to do it and she is awful with technology. Looking forward to the full version on its release in the future.

  48. Wow! This is sweet. Love cloud sync – It’s going to be so easy now not having to chase hubby to sync for me. As an accountant I love the reconciliation feature. It is so much easier to have a point in time reconcilied if trying to find an error on the balance of an account. Well done Jesse and the YNAB team you have really improved an already great product!

  49. Team,

    Is there any update on the status of the full version? Any blog post we can follow to keep up with those full version status updates?

  50. Hi YNAB,

    Will the full version of the iOS app sync the budget without having to open the app?

    I’m trying hard to get my stunningly beautiful wife to buy in to the budgeting process. I need it to be as easy as possible or she won’t do it. We use the app on our iPods. I don’t think she’ll remember to open the app when she gets home or before she leaves.

      • Thanks Jesse,

        It doesn’t appear to run in the background, except to save the state. (an iOS thing?). In any case, I’ll just have to launch the app on her iPod at the house myself until she gets used to using it.

  51. I installed the app on my iphone 3g, but when I open it, the program is “preparing data” and then the app shutsdown.
    I have the OS 4.0 on it. Any help would be appreciated.
    Thanks
    Nathan

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