I've tested Mint, YNAB, Copilot, Monarch Money, and a plain spreadsheet over the past 6 years. Here's my honest take.

Mint (RIP): it was free, which was its best quality. The categorization was mediocre and the ads were distracting.

YNAB: best methodology, steepest learning curve, $100/year subscription that many find worth it. Forces intentionality about every dollar.

Copilot: beautiful interface, smart auto-categorization, $80/year. Best for people who want to track spending without the YNAB intensity.

Monarch Money: closest thing to Mint's replacement, $100/year, good for couples and shared finances.

Spreadsheet: completely free, infinitely customizable, requires more manual work. What I actually use.

The honest truth: the best budgeting tool is the one you'll actually use for more than 3 months. Try YNAB if you need behavioral change. Use a spreadsheet if you like control. Use Copilot if you want beautiful and low-friction.