Does YNAB work with New Zealand banks?

YNAB direct import only covers banks in the US, Canada, the UK and selected European countries, so transactions are added manually or by file import. Fireball connects supported NZ bank and financial accounts through Akahu, so balances and transactions stay current.

Can I still use zero based budgeting in Fireball?

Yes. Fireball Category budgets can use optional zero based planning to give every dollar a job, or you can choose a simpler Single or Flex budget.

How does Fireball pricing compare with YNAB?

YNAB costs $109 USD yearly or $14.99 USD monthly, with a 34 day trial. Fireball has a Free plan with no subscription, and Paid costs $10.99 NZD monthly or $99 NZD yearly, with a 14 day trial for eligible new customers.

Can I bring my YNAB data into Fireball?

Yes. Import your YNAB export and review accounts, categories and possible duplicates before anything is saved. Then connect supported NZ banks to keep transactions current.

Does Fireball do more than budgeting?

Yes. Fireball turns your savings, KiwiSaver, property and mortgage into a FIRE plan with a projected number and date, and can test standard FIRE against 5,000 possible market outcomes. Results are planning estimates.

Move beyond the budget. Plan your freedom.

Fireball connects your supported NZ accounts, adapts to how you budget, and turns your real savings, KiwiSaver, property and mortgage into a live FIRE plan.

See Fireball plans

Choose Free with no subscription, or try the Paid plan free for 14 days if eligible. Checkout confirms whether payment is required.

Fireball mobile dashboard showing FIRE progress and Safe to Spend

Not every money app is built for the same goal.

See where YNAB focuses, and what Fireball adds for your complete financial plan.

A comparison of YNAB and Fireball
NZ account connections
YNAB Manual or file based import in New Zealand YNAB direct import only covers banks in the US, Canada, the UK and selected European countries, so New Zealand banks need manual entry or file import.
Fireball Automatic feeds from supported NZ institutions Connect bank and financial accounts through Akahu so balances and transactions keep your plan current.
Budgeting style
YNAB A focused zero based method YNAB is strongest when you want to assign every dollar within its established method.
Fireball Single, Category or Flex budgeting Choose Single, Category or Flex. Category budgets can also use optional zero based planning. Set a savings and investing target, and reserve chosen debt payments before reviewing Safe to Spend.
FIRE planning
YNAB Goals stay centred on the budget Targets help fund future expenses, but they are not a dedicated retirement or FIRE projection.
Fireball A live NZ financial independence plan Project your FIRE number and date with KiwiSaver and NZ Super assumptions, then test standard FIRE against 5,000 possible market outcomes. Results are planning estimates.
Property and mortgage
YNAB Useful loan payoff tools Loan accounts can track payoff progress and model extra payments separately from a FIRE plan.
Fireball Link your home, mortgage and FIRE plan Track equity and repayments while keeping home equity separate from investable FIRE wealth.
Reports
YNAB Budget focused reporting Spending and net worth views support the plan you have built inside YNAB.
Fireball Reports that connect spending to progress Explore cash flow, savings rate, net worth, recurring spend, categories, merchants and account forecasts.
Alerts and widgets
YNAB Targets and scheduled transactions Budget prompts keep attention on category targets and upcoming transactions. YNAB also offers mobile widgets for category balances.
Fireball Know before the plan drifts Get configurable budget, account health and projected balance alerts in one inbox. Nine iOS and Android home screen widgets keep budgets, FIRE, net worth, goals and debt close at hand.
Multiple currencies
YNAB A separate plan for each currency YNAB recommends creating a separate budget for each currency, then recording transfers and exchange costs between those plans.
Fireball One financial picture across currencies Keep accounts in their original currencies while Fireball uses exchange rates to bring totals, goals and your wider plan together.
Shared finances
YNAB YNAB Together shares plans and a subscription YNAB Together lets the subscriber share with up to five other people, six in total, each with their own login and shared plans. The group manager can access plans created by members.
Fireball Choose Viewer or Editor access Invite trusted people through their own verified logins. Viewers can read shared finances and Editors can update ordinary financial records. Bank connections, billing, security and access management stay with the owner.
Markets
YNAB Investment accounts for your wider picture YNAB documents investment account tracking. Its reviewed feature overview does not list a market watchlist or investment price alerts.
Fireball Follow markets beside your financial plan Track indexes and an investment watchlist, set personal price alerts and compare advertised mortgage rates. Quotes refresh periodically and rates are advertised offers, not personalised quotes.
Plans, price and trial
YNAB $109 USD yearly, with a 34 day trial $14.99 USD monthly is also available, plus tax where applicable.
Fireball $0 Free plan, or Paid for $99 NZD yearly Free covers manual tracking, budgeting and basic FIRE planning with no subscription. Paid is also available for $10.99 NZD monthly. Eligible new customers may receive a 14 day Paid trial, and current introductory offers may reduce the first year.

YNAB	Fireball
NZ account connections
Manual or file based import in New Zealand YNAB direct import only covers banks in the US, Canada, the UK and selected European countries, so New Zealand banks need manual entry or file import.	Automatic feeds from supported NZ institutions Connect bank and financial accounts through Akahu so balances and transactions keep your plan current.
Budgeting style
A focused zero based method YNAB is strongest when you want to assign every dollar within its established method.	Single, Category or Flex budgeting Choose Single, Category or Flex. Category budgets can also use optional zero based planning. Set a savings and investing target, and reserve chosen debt payments before reviewing Safe to Spend.
FIRE planning
Goals stay centred on the budget Targets help fund future expenses, but they are not a dedicated retirement or FIRE projection.	A live NZ financial independence plan Project your FIRE number and date with KiwiSaver and NZ Super assumptions, then test standard FIRE against 5,000 possible market outcomes. Results are planning estimates.
Property and mortgage
Useful loan payoff tools Loan accounts can track payoff progress and model extra payments separately from a FIRE plan.	Link your home, mortgage and FIRE plan Track equity and repayments while keeping home equity separate from investable FIRE wealth.
Reports
Budget focused reporting Spending and net worth views support the plan you have built inside YNAB.	Reports that connect spending to progress Explore cash flow, savings rate, net worth, recurring spend, categories, merchants and account forecasts.
Alerts and widgets
Targets and scheduled transactions Budget prompts keep attention on category targets and upcoming transactions. YNAB also offers mobile widgets for category balances.	Know before the plan drifts Get configurable budget, account health and projected balance alerts in one inbox. Nine iOS and Android home screen widgets keep budgets, FIRE, net worth, goals and debt close at hand.
Multiple currencies
A separate plan for each currency YNAB recommends creating a separate budget for each currency, then recording transfers and exchange costs between those plans.	One financial picture across currencies Keep accounts in their original currencies while Fireball uses exchange rates to bring totals, goals and your wider plan together.
Shared finances
YNAB Together shares plans and a subscription YNAB Together lets the subscriber share with up to five other people, six in total, each with their own login and shared plans. The group manager can access plans created by members.	Choose Viewer or Editor access Invite trusted people through their own verified logins. Viewers can read shared finances and Editors can update ordinary financial records. Bank connections, billing, security and access management stay with the owner.
Markets
Investment accounts for your wider picture YNAB documents investment account tracking. Its reviewed feature overview does not list a market watchlist or investment price alerts.	Follow markets beside your financial plan Track indexes and an investment watchlist, set personal price alerts and compare advertised mortgage rates. Quotes refresh periodically and rates are advertised offers, not personalised quotes.
Plans, price and trial
$109 USD yearly, with a 34 day trial $14.99 USD monthly is also available, plus tax where applicable.	$0 Free plan, or Paid for $99 NZD yearly Free covers manual tracking, budgeting and basic FIRE planning with no subscription. Paid is also available for $10.99 NZD monthly. Eligible new customers may receive a 14 day Paid trial, and current introductory offers may reduce the first year.

YNAB

Fireball

NZ account connections

Manual or file based import in New Zealand

YNAB direct import only covers banks in the US, Canada, the UK and selected European countries, so New Zealand banks need manual entry or file import.

Automatic feeds from supported NZ institutions

Connect bank and financial accounts through Akahu so balances and transactions keep your plan current.

Budgeting style

A focused zero based method

YNAB is strongest when you want to assign every dollar within its established method.

Single, Category or Flex budgeting

Choose Single, Category or Flex. Category budgets can also use optional zero based planning. Set a savings and investing target, and reserve chosen debt payments before reviewing Safe to Spend.

FIRE planning

Goals stay centred on the budget

Targets help fund future expenses, but they are not a dedicated retirement or FIRE projection.

A live NZ financial independence plan

Project your FIRE number and date with KiwiSaver and NZ Super assumptions, then test standard FIRE against 5,000 possible market outcomes. Results are planning estimates.

Property and mortgage

Useful loan payoff tools

Loan accounts can track payoff progress and model extra payments separately from a FIRE plan.

Link your home, mortgage and FIRE plan

Track equity and repayments while keeping home equity separate from investable FIRE wealth.

Reports

Budget focused reporting

Spending and net worth views support the plan you have built inside YNAB.

Reports that connect spending to progress

Explore cash flow, savings rate, net worth, recurring spend, categories, merchants and account forecasts.

Alerts and widgets

Targets and scheduled transactions

Budget prompts keep attention on category targets and upcoming transactions. YNAB also offers mobile widgets for category balances.

Know before the plan drifts

Get configurable budget, account health and projected balance alerts in one inbox. Nine iOS and Android home screen widgets keep budgets, FIRE, net worth, goals and debt close at hand.

Multiple currencies

A separate plan for each currency

YNAB recommends creating a separate budget for each currency, then recording transfers and exchange costs between those plans.

One financial picture across currencies

Keep accounts in their original currencies while Fireball uses exchange rates to bring totals, goals and your wider plan together.

Shared finances

YNAB Together shares plans and a subscription

YNAB Together lets the subscriber share with up to five other people, six in total, each with their own login and shared plans. The group manager can access plans created by members.

Choose Viewer or Editor access

Invite trusted people through their own verified logins. Viewers can read shared finances and Editors can update ordinary financial records. Bank connections, billing, security and access management stay with the owner.

Markets

Investment accounts for your wider picture

YNAB documents investment account tracking. Its reviewed feature overview does not list a market watchlist or investment price alerts.

Follow markets beside your financial plan

Track indexes and an investment watchlist, set personal price alerts and compare advertised mortgage rates. Quotes refresh periodically and rates are advertised offers, not personalised quotes.

Plans, price and trial

$109 USD yearly, with a 34 day trial

$14.99 USD monthly is also available, plus tax where applicable.

$0 Free plan, or Paid for $99 NZD yearly

Free covers manual tracking, budgeting and basic FIRE planning with no subscription. Paid is also available for $10.99 NZD monthly. Eligible new customers may receive a 14 day Paid trial, and current introductory offers may reduce the first year.

Independent comparison based on public product information reviewed 7 September 2026. Features can change. Fireball is not affiliated with YNAB.

Sources: YNAB bank availability · YNAB file import · YNAB features and widgets · YNAB Together · YNAB pricing · YNAB multiple currency guide

What users say and where Fireball goes further

What users appreciate

Reviewers praise YNAB for changing how they think about money and making irregular expenses easier to plan for.

What users weigh up

Recent feedback also mentions the subscription price, the effort needed to keep the budget reconciled, and a desire for more automation. Direct NZ bank import is not available.

The Fireball difference

Shared finances with Viewer or Editor access
Markets, watchlists and price alerts
Automatic connections for supported NZ accounts
Reports and proactive alerts
Mortgage aware net worth
A live FIRE number and date

Feedback is anecdotal and may not represent every customer. Sources: YNAB App Store reviews · Recent r/YNAB discussion

Common questions

Your budget should lead somewhere.

See what is safe to spend now, and what today’s choices do to your FIRE date.