Top private personal finance apps for 2026

In 2026, the best personal finance apps aren’t just judged by budgeting features or sleek charts, they’re increasingly evaluated by how they treat your data. After the Mint shutdown (Bloomberg reported Mint would no longer be available at the start of 2024, after reaching 3.6 million monthly active users in 2021), many people migrated to new tools and became more conscious of privacy trade-offs.

This guide focuses on private personal finance apps for 2026: services that emphasize not selling your data, give you stronger control over what’s stored, and add practical privacy features for everyday use. It also reflects the broader market view from TechRadar’s “Best personal finance software of 2026” (Feb 2, 2026), which highlights leaders like Quicken, YNAB, Quicken Simplifi, Monarch, and PocketSmith.

1) What “private” means in personal finance apps in 2026

“Private” rarely means “zero data collected.” Most budgeting apps must process transactions, balances, and sometimes holdings to categorize spending, calculate net worth, and generate insights. A more realistic privacy baseline is: the app collects only what it needs, secures it well, and does not sell it for advertising.

Privacy also includes how data is synced. Many apps rely on third-party aggregators to connect bank accounts; that can be normal, but it’s a key consideration because it adds another party to the data flow. For example, Copilot Money’s privacy policy (last updated Sep 15, 2021) describes collecting balances, transactions, and holdings when you connect financial institutions and notes the use of third-party data sources for syncing.

Finally, “private” can mean safer sharing and safer viewing. Features like redacted dashboards or “privacy mode” matter when you’re screen-sharing, working in public, or sharing a household budget. Quicken Simplifi, for instance, highlights a Privacy Mode that can hide account balances, transaction amounts, net worth, and even your credit score (Help Center, updated ~1 month ago).

2) YNAB: privacy-forward budgeting with clear non-selling language

YNAB (You Need A Budget) remains a top pick in many “best of” lists, including TechRadar’s 2026 roundup, because it’s focused on intentional budgeting rather than passive tracking. Its method encourages assigning every dollar a job, which appeals to users who want control and clarity.

From a privacy standpoint, YNAB’s Privacy Policy (effective Nov 5, 2025) is unusually explicit: “We do not sell your Financial Data…” and it further clarifies it does not “sell” or “share/process” it for targeted advertising purposes, including Financial Data. That kind of direct statement helps users evaluate whether the business model depends on monetizing data.

YNAB is subscription-based, which often aligns better with privacy than ad-driven models. Still, it’s wise to review your connection choices (linked accounts vs. manual entry) and enable strong account security, since budgeting data can be sensitive even when it isn’t sold.

3) Monarch Money: net worth and budgeting built around “never sell” positioning

Monarch Money is widely discussed as a modern alternative for people who left Mint, and it’s also cited among 2026’s leading personal finance tools in coverage like TechRadar’s. It combines budgeting, transactions, and net worth tracking in a paid product aimed at households and long-term planning.

Monarch’s privacy policy (effective Apr 28, 2025) includes a clear promise: “We will never sell your financial data.” For users who worry about behavioral profiling or the re-use of spending patterns, that statement is a meaningful signal about incentives.

Even with strong privacy language, users should still practice “data minimization”: connect only the institutions you need, consider limiting older accounts you no longer track, and regularly review connected integrations. The more comprehensive your net worth dashboard, the more important it is that you’re comfortable with what is stored and for how long.

4) Copilot Money: strong anti-ad selling stance, with syncing considerations

Copilot Money has earned a reputation for polished tracking, helpful categorization, and a premium feel. It is often considered by people who want an intuitive interface without sacrificing seriousness about privacy.

On its Privacy & Security page, Copilot states: “We do not sell your personal data to third parties so that they can advertise products to you.” That’s a concrete commitment aligned with the expectations many former Mint users developed after seeing how “free” finance products can be monetized.

At the same time, Copilot’s Privacy Policy (last updated Sep 15, 2021) explains that when you connect financial institutions it collects balances, transactions, and holdings, and it notes using third-party data sources for syncing. That doesn’t automatically make it “less private,” but it’s a reminder to evaluate (1) what data is required for the features you want and (2) how many parties touch your data during bank connectivity.

5) Tiller: spreadsheet-first control for people who want maximum ownership

Tiller stands apart by centering your workflows in spreadsheets (Google Sheets or Excel), which can feel more “private” because it’s more user-controlled and less like handing everything to a black-box dashboard. It’s also recognized in broader personal finance software discussions (including outlets like TechRadar) as a strong choice for customization.

On the privacy side, Tiller’s Privacy Policy states: “Tiller does not store your usernames or passwords for financial institutions on its servers” and “We do not sell your personal information to third parties.” Those two points address common fears: credential storage and data resale.

Tiller’s Security page reinforces the positioning: “Unlike many personal finance services, Tiller does not sell your data to advertisers or third parties,” and it also emphasizes a trust-first stance attributed to founder Peter Polson (“your trust is not for sale”). If you’re willing to work in spreadsheets, this model can be one of the most privacy-aligned approaches available.

6) PocketSmith: forecasting power with explicit non-release terms

PocketSmith is best known for forecasting, helping you project cash flow and plan a, alongside traditional budgeting and categorization. It’s frequently mentioned among strong subscription tools for people who want to see not just where money went, but where it’s going.

Its Terms of Service (updated last week) includes direct language: “PocketSmith will not sell, exchange, or release any of your information or financial information to a third party without your express permission…” That’s a high bar, especially for users concerned about secondary sharing.

On its “Keeping Safe” guidance (published ~3 days ago), PocketSmith also stresses it “never move[s] or hold[s] your money” and references “industry-standard encryption” for sensitive information. Privacy is not only about policies; it’s also about practical risk reduction, including scam awareness and strong account security hygiene.

7) Quicken Simplifi (and Quicken): mainstream features plus practical privacy modes

Quicken remains a long-running brand in personal finance software, and TechRadar’s 2026 list includes Quicken products among top picks. For many users, the appeal is a mature feature set and a large ecosystem of support content.

Quicken Simplifi adds an especially practical privacy feature for everyday life: a Privacy Mode that hides sensitive information such as account balances, transaction amounts, net worth, and your credit score (Help Center, updated ~1 month ago). This matters when you’re reviewing finances at a café, sharing your screen on a call, or simply prefer not to expose detailed numbers to others nearby.

Privacy modes don’t replace good data practices, but they do reduce accidental exposure, the most common privacy failure in real life. If you want a more mainstream finance app while still valuing “private viewing,” Simplifi’s approach is a notable differentiator in 2026.

Choosing among the top private personal finance apps for 2026 comes down to matching your workflow to your privacy comfort level. YNAB, Monarch Money, Copilot Money, Tiller, PocketSmith, and Quicken Simplifi all show, through policies or features, an awareness that users increasingly expect strong data boundaries, not ad-driven monetization.

As you decide, use a simple checklist: confirm “no selling” language where available, understand whether third-party syncing is involved, connect only the accounts you truly need, and look for protective features like privacy mode or spreadsheet-based control. The best app is the one that helps you manage money confidently while keeping your financial life as private as you intend.