Mint

What is Mint?

Mint is a free personal finance management application that helps users track their spending, create budgets, monitor bills, and improve their financial health. Originally launched in 2006 by Aaron Patzer and acquired by Intuit in 2009 for $170 million, Mint became one of the most popular personal finance apps in the United States, helping millions of users gain visibility into their financial lives.

Note: Intuit announced the discontinuation of Mint in late 2023, with users being transitioned to Credit Karma. However, many similar features and functionality are being integrated into Credit Karma’s platform for existing Mint users seeking continued personal finance management tools.

Throughout its operation, Mint distinguished itself by aggregating all financial accounts in one place, providing a comprehensive view of income, expenses, investments, and debts. The platform’s automatic categorization, bill reminders, and budgeting tools helped users understand where their money went and make better financial decisions without manual tracking.

Key Features

• Account Aggregation: Connect all bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investments to see your complete financial picture in one dashboard.
• Automatic Categorization: Transactions are automatically categorized into spending categories like dining, groceries, and entertainment for easy tracking.
• Budget Creation: Create custom budgets by category with alerts when you’re approaching or exceeding spending limits.
• Bill Tracking: Monitor upcoming bills, receive payment reminders, and track bill payment history to avoid late fees.
• Credit Score Monitoring: Access your credit score and credit report information with tips for improvement.
• Goal Setting: Set financial goals like saving for a vacation or paying off debt with progress tracking and suggestions.
• Net Worth Tracking: Monitor your overall net worth over time by combining assets and liabilities in one view.
• Spending Trends: Visualize spending patterns over time with charts and graphs showing where money goes each month.
• Investment Tracking: Monitor investment accounts and retirement savings alongside regular bank accounts.
• Custom Alerts: Receive notifications for unusual spending, low balances, large transactions, and upcoming bills.

Latest Updates

Note: Mint was discontinued by Intuit in 2024, with users transitioned to Credit Karma for similar functionality.

• Credit Karma Migration: Existing Mint users were provided migration paths to Credit Karma for continued financial management.
• Data Export: Users were given options to export their historical financial data before the platform closure.
• Feature Integration: Many Mint features including budgeting and spending tracking have been integrated into Credit Karma.
• Account Continuity: Intuit account credentials work across Mint, Credit Karma, and TurboTax for seamless transitions.
• Alternative Recommendations: Intuit provided guidance on alternative budgeting tools for users seeking different platforms.
• Final Security: Enhanced security measures were implemented during the transition period to protect user data.
• Historical Access: Limited historical data access was provided during the transition period for record-keeping.
• Support Resources: Dedicated support resources helped users navigate the transition to alternative platforms.

System Requirements

Web Browser (Historical)

• Google Chrome (latest version)
• Mozilla Firefox (latest version)
• Safari 12 or later
• Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
• JavaScript and cookies enabled

iOS (Historical)

• Operating System: iOS 13.0 or later
• Compatible with iPhone and iPad
• Storage: 150 MB available space
• Touch ID/Face ID supported

Android (Historical)

• Operating System: Android 7.0 or later
• Storage: 100 MB available space
• RAM: 2 GB minimum
• Fingerprint authentication supported

How to Transition from Mint

Migrate to Credit Karma

1. Download Credit Karma from App Store or Google Play
2. Sign in with your existing Intuit account
3. Allow Credit Karma to import your data
4. Re-link financial accounts for continued tracking
5. Set up budgets and alerts in the new interface
6. Configure notification preferences
7. Explore additional Credit Karma features

Alternative Options

1. YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Comprehensive budgeting
2. Personal Capital – Investment-focused tracking
3. Simplifi by Quicken – Similar to Mint’s approach
4. Copilot – Modern budgeting for iOS
5. Monarch Money – Collaborative finance management
6. PocketGuard – Simplified spending tracking
7. Goodbudget – Envelope budgeting method

Pros and Cons

Pros (Historical)

• Completely Free: All features were available at no cost, making comprehensive financial management accessible to everyone.
• Comprehensive Aggregation: Ability to connect virtually all financial accounts provided a complete financial picture.
• Automatic Categorization: Smart categorization saved hours of manual transaction sorting and tracking.
• User-Friendly Interface: Clean, intuitive design made financial management approachable for beginners.
• Bill Reminders: Proactive alerts helped users avoid late payments and associated fees.
• Credit Score Access: Free credit score monitoring added value beyond basic budgeting.
• Mobile Apps: Well-designed apps provided on-the-go access to financial information.

Cons (Historical)

• Now Discontinued: Mint is no longer available, requiring users to migrate to alternatives.
• Advertisement-Driven: Free model relied on financial product recommendations that some found intrusive.
• Sync Issues: Connection problems with financial institutions occasionally disrupted tracking.
• Limited Customization: Budget categories and reports had limited customization options.
• No Manual Accounts: Cash and manual tracking options were limited compared to some alternatives.

Mint Alternatives Comparison

Who Should Use Mint Alternatives?

Credit Karma is ideal for:

• Former Mint Users: Those comfortable with Intuit products seeking an easy transition path.
• Credit-Focused Users: People who want credit monitoring alongside basic budgeting.
• Free Solution Seekers: Users who want comprehensive free financial tools.
• Tax Filers: Those already using TurboTax who want account integration.

YNAB is ideal for:

• Active Budgeters: People serious about detailed budgeting and zero-based budgeting methodology.
• Debt Reducers: Those working to pay off debt who need structured planning.
• Proactive Planners: Users who want to plan spending before it happens rather than just track after.
• Financial Learners: Those willing to invest time learning effective budgeting principles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Mint?

Intuit announced the discontinuation of Mint in late 2023, with the service ending in early 2024. Users were transitioned to Credit Karma, another Intuit property, which has integrated many of Mint’s budgeting and spending tracking features. Intuit cited the desire to provide users with more comprehensive financial tools as the reason for consolidation.

Where did my Mint data go?

Intuit provided users the option to export their historical data before Mint’s closure and offered migration paths to Credit Karma. If you had an Intuit account, your login credentials work across Credit Karma, TurboTax, and other Intuit services. Some historical data was available during the transition period.

What is the best Mint alternative?

The best alternative depends on your needs. Credit Karma offers a free, similar experience with credit monitoring. YNAB provides superior budgeting for those willing to pay. Personal Capital excels for investment tracking. Simplifi by Quicken offers a Mint-like experience for a monthly fee. Consider what features matter most when choosing.

Is Credit Karma as good as Mint?

Credit Karma has integrated many Mint features including spending tracking, budgeting, and bill monitoring. Credit Karma’s strength is credit monitoring with scores from two bureaus. The budgeting features are still evolving, so users who were deeply invested in Mint’s budgeting may want to explore dedicated budgeting apps like YNAB.

Can I still access my Mint account?

After Mint’s discontinuation, direct access to Mint is no longer available. Users should have migrated to Credit Karma or exported their data during the transition period. If you need historical financial records, check your email for communications from Intuit about accessing archived data.

Final Verdict

Mint served as a pioneering force in personal finance management, demonstrating that comprehensive financial tools could be free and accessible to everyone. For over 15 years, Mint helped millions of users understand their spending, create budgets, and work toward financial goals. The platform’s intuitive design and automatic features lowered the barrier to financial awareness.

While Mint’s discontinuation marks the end of an era, the legacy continues through Credit Karma and the many alternatives that emerged inspired by Mint’s approach. Users transitioning from Mint have numerous excellent options depending on their priorities—from free Credit Karma for credit-focused monitoring to paid options like YNAB for serious budgeters.

For those seeking Mint-like functionality today, Credit Karma provides the smoothest transition for existing Intuit users, while Simplifi offers perhaps the most similar overall experience. YNAB and Personal Capital serve users with more specific needs around budgeting and investment tracking respectively. The personal finance app landscape has evolved significantly since Mint’s launch, offering more specialized tools for every financial management need.