How to Migrate from YNAB to Cash Flow Forecaster
Step-by-step guide to switching from YNAB. Export your data, import it into Cash Flow Forecaster, and start forecasting your cash flow in minutes.
Thinking about switching from YNAB (You Need A Budget) to Cash Flow Forecaster? Whether you're frustrated with subscription costs, need better forecasting for irregular income, or just want something different—we've made the migration process as smooth as possible.
Why People Switch from YNAB
YNAB is a great budgeting tool, but it's not perfect for everyone. Here are the most common reasons people make the switch:
Subscription Costs
YNAB costs $99/year (or $14.99/month). Over 5 years, that's nearly $500. Cash Flow Forecaster offers a $99 lifetime deal—pay once, use forever.
Better Forecasting
YNAB focuses on envelope budgeting. Cash Flow Forecaster shows you your projected balance 365 days ahead—crucial for freelancers planning for lean months.
Irregular Income Focus
YNAB's "give every dollar a job" philosophy works great for steady paychecks. Cash Flow Forecaster is built specifically for variable income—gig workers, freelancers, and solopreneurs.
Credit Card Forecasting
We project your credit utilization into the future so you can see how purchases today affect your credit score timeline—something YNAB doesn't do.
Step 1: Export Your Data from YNAB
First, you'll need to export your transaction history from YNAB:
- 1Log into your YNAB account at app.ynab.com
- 2Open the budget you want to export
- 3Click on All Accounts in the left sidebar
- 4Click Export in the top right (or use File → Export)
- 5Download the CSV file to your computer
Tip: For best results, export at least 3-6 months of data. This helps our recurring detection work more accurately.
Step 2: Create Your Cash Flow Forecaster Account
If you haven't already, sign up for a free account:
Our free tier includes 30-day forecasting—enough to test the import and see if Cash Flow Forecaster works for you.
Step 3: Import Your YNAB Data
We have a dedicated YNAB import tool that understands YNAB's export format:
- 1Go to the YNAB Import page
- 2Drag and drop your YNAB export file (or click to browse)
- 3Review the preview—we'll auto-map YNAB columns
- 4Click Import to add transactions to your account
- Auto-detects YNAB's date, payee, category, and amount columns
- Preserves your YNAB categories (you can rename later)
- Identifies recurring transactions automatically
Step 4: Set Up Your Accounts
After importing, you'll want to configure your accounts:
- Set current balances — Enter your actual account balances so forecasts start from the right place
- Configure credit cards — Add credit limits to enable utilization forecasting
- Review recurring entries — Check the auto-detected bills and income are accurate
Step 5: Set Up Recurring Bills & Income
Our importer tries to detect recurring transactions, but you should review and adjust as needed:
After import, go to the Bills and Incomesections to review what we detected. You can:
- Approve suggested recurring entries
- Adjust amounts or frequencies
- Add new recurring items we didn't catch
- Delete items that are no longer relevant
What Transfers vs. What Doesn't
Here's what you can expect from your YNAB migration:
What Transfers
- • Transaction history
- • Payee/merchant names
- • Categories (as tags)
- • Amounts and dates
- • Account names
- • Memos/notes
What Doesn't Transfer
- • Category targets/goals
- • Scheduled transactions (recreate manually)
- • Budget allocations
- • Age of money metrics
These features work differently in Cash Flow Forecaster, so they need to be set up fresh.
YNAB vs. Cash Flow Forecaster: Key Differences
The two tools have different philosophies. Here's what to expect:
| Feature | YNAB | Cash Flow Forecaster |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Envelope budgeting | Cash flow forecasting |
| Best for | Steady paychecks | Irregular income |
| Future visibility | Current month | 365 days ahead |
| Credit card tracking | Balance only | Utilization forecast |
| Pricing | $99/year subscription | $99 lifetime (one-time) |
See our detailed YNAB comparison →
Need Help?
If you run into any issues during migration, we're here to help:
- Check our import guide for troubleshooting common issues
- Email us at support@cashflowforecaster.io—we typically respond within 24 hours
Ready to Make the Switch?
Export your YNAB data and start forecasting in minutes. Try free for 30 days, or get lifetime access for one payment.