YNAB 3 Free (old)
YNAB 3 Free is a legacy version of You Need A Budget, released years before the software moved online. It looks dated now, but for many people it still does the essentials: plan a budget, track expenses, and see how money is being used. What makes it different from modern YNAB is simple — no subscriptions, no cloud, everything runs locally on a Windows machine.
Everyday use
The program sticks to the classic YNAB method: give every dollar a job. Income is split across categories such as rent, groceries, utilities, or savings goals. As expenses are entered, balances for each category update, making it clear what’s left. Reports aren’t fancy, but they show enough tables and charts to spot when a plan holds or when spending drifts off.
Why people keep it
Some users prefer YNAB 3 because it feels lighter than the new web version. It launches fast, doesn’t ask for an account, and works offline. For families or individuals who don’t want to pay a subscription or upload data to the cloud, this old edition still feels safe and dependable.
Key Details at a Glance
| Category | Information |
| Purpose | Envelope-style personal budgeting |
| Platforms | Windows desktop |
| License | Free legacy release |
| Data storage | Local budget file |
| Import / Export | CSV |
| Core features | Budgets, categories, recurring expenses |
| Reporting | Tables, summaries, simple charts |
| Extras | Envelope method rules, basic forecasting |
| Privacy | Works fully offline |
| Download | Legacy version available on this site |
Installation notes
Installing YNAB 3 Free takes just a few minutes. Download the setup file, run it, and create a budget file. It was built for older versions of Windows but still works well on newer systems. Backups are easy: copy the budget file to a USB stick or another folder.
Real-world scenarios
– A student uses it to spread part-time income across rent, food, and transport.
– A family sets envelopes for groceries, bills, and savings goals, checking balances each week.
– Retirees prefer it for its offline setup, avoiding subscriptions or cloud accounts.
Where it feels limited
Being an old edition, it doesn’t sync with phones, banks, or online services. The design is outdated and most data entry is manual. For some that’s a downside, but for others it’s exactly what makes it reliable.
Bottom line
YNAB 3 Free may be old, but it’s still practical. It offers the original envelope-style budgeting in a local, no-subscription package — simple, private, and steady enough for everyday use.
