Real ChatGPT answer + Gemini simulation · index seedy1CyIeJSLPMcompleteAI OverviewFinance and banking · budgeting and savingbrand
What are the best budgeting apps that still offer a completely free tier in twenty twenty four since Mint is dead?
ChatGPTgpt-6Geminigemini-3.5-flash-lite3 passes + 1 real-search34 queries10/30/2026
Download run
Gemini unique queries
32
2 in ≥ half the passes · stability 35%
ChatGPT real searches predicted
100%
2 of 2 matched the simulation
Fan-out diagram
Seed → topic clusters → sub-queries, per model.
SEED QUERY
What are the best budgeting apps that still offer a completely free tier in twenty twenty four since Mint is dead?
32 unique queries · 3 passes
Badge and edge weight = share of passes that produced the query. Hover a query for its intent and routing format.
Query classes
Google's semantic query class for every sub-query: what kind of answer each search is after, simulated vs real.
ChatGPT real searches (2)
Classes come from the query-classifier (a local Laya model). 1 of 2 calls are low-confidence (under 50%) — hover a query in the table to see its confidence. 32 queries are still being classified.
What the models actually searched
Each model answered the query with its own web search. These are the searches it ran, matched to the closest simulated query.
ChatGPT2 real searches · gpt-6100% predicted
budgeting apps completely free plans 2026 Mint alternatives free tier features Google ↗
best budgeting apps free tier alternatives to Mint 2026 Empower NerdWallet Goodbudget EveryDollar Rocket Money actual free plan Google ↗
- Empower website · empower.com
- Rocket Money website · rocketmoney.com
- Goodbudget website · goodbudget.com
- EveryDollar website · ramseysolutions.com
- Honeydue website · honeydue.com
- The 5 Best Free Budgeting Apps of 2026 · thepennyhoarder.com
- Best Free Budgeting Tools of 2026 · cnbc.com
- The Best Budget Apps for 2026: Pros, Cons and What Users Say · nerdwallet.com
- Best free budgeting apps in 2026 · wonderful.money
Semantic map
Every query placed by meaning (EmbeddingGemma 2, 256-d). Shaded regions are topics, nearby points are near-paraphrases, and a circle's size is how often the query came back.
Colour
SimulatedReal search
Hover a query to see its counterpart · click a topic to focus it · zoom with Ctrl/⌘ + scroll, a pinch, double-click or +
Queries
32 queries · click a column to sort
| Query / type | Search | Intent | Query class | Routing format | Cluster | Freq ↓ | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
best free budgeting apps 2024 REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a concise list of top-rated budgeting applications that do not require a paid subscription in 2024. | — | review_roundup | free apps for students and privacy | 2x of 3 | |
is empower personal dashboard still free ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to verify if Empower Personal Dashboard (formerly Personal Capital) maintains its free wealth and budget tracking. | — | pricing_page | specific app free tier features | 2x of 3 | |
best free budgeting apps 2024 mint alternatives REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a direct list of top budgeting applications available in 2024 that serve as good replacements for the discontinued Mint app. | — | review_roundup | general free mint alternatives | 1x of 3 | |
which budget planner apps are 100 percent free with no subscription IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is clarifying the requirement that the apps must have no hidden paywalls or mandatory subscriptions for basic features. | — | comparison_table | completely free subscription free tools | 1x of 3 | |
best mint alternatives completely free REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is specifically seeking direct replacements for the discontinued Mint app that cost zero dollars. | — | buyers_guide | mint shutdown replacement recommendatio… | 1x of 3 | |
best apps to replace mint free RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for direct successors to Mint that retain a no-cost model. | — | comparison_table | mint shutdown replacement recommendatio… | 1x of 3 | |
copilot vs monarch vs empower budgeting app free tiers COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to compare popular modern budgeting tools to see which ones offer a viable free version. | — | comparison_table | paid versus free app comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
pocketguard vs monarch money vs copilot money free options COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to compare popular post-Mint finance apps to see which ones offer viable free versions. | — | comparison_table | paid versus free app comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
ynab vs monarch money vs pocketguard free version comparison COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to compare the free features of the top paid and freemium budgeting apps. | — | comparison_table | paid versus free app comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
what happened to mint app and where did users go RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for context on Mint's shutdown and migration recommendations endorsed by former users. | — | web_article | mint shutdown replacement recommendatio… | 1x of 3 | |
ynab vs undebt.it free tier ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to explore specific niche or alternative budgeting tools like Undebt.it that are known for generous free offerings. | — | pricing_page | debt and credit tool comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
how to track expenses without a paid budgeting app IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for alternative methods or DIY tools if standard apps fail to meet their free tier needs. | — | how_to_steps | completely free subscription free tools | 1x of 3 | |
fidelity full view free features ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know what budgeting and aggregation tools Fidelity's free tool offers. | — | product_spec_sheet | specific app free tier features | 1x of 3 | |
best budgeting app for college student completely free PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for a free budgeting app tailored to individuals with low income or simple financial needs. | — | buyers_guide | free apps for students and privacy | 1x of 3 | |
how to budget without a paid app RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants alternative methods for managing money if software options are inadequate or too expensive. | — | how_to_steps | completely free subscription free tools | 1x of 3 | |
best budgeting apps for college students 100 free PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for zero-cost budgeting options tailored to a specific demographic with low income. | — | buyers_guide | free apps for students and privacy | 1x of 3 | |
best free expense tracker apps without bank sync limits REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants budgeting apps that either allow manual entry or generous free automatic bank synchronization. | — | faq_page | completely free subscription free tools | 1x of 3 | |
best free excel and google sheets budget templates RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for spreadsheet-based templates as a completely free alternative to automated apps. | — | dataset | manual spreadsheets and open source | 1x of 3 | |
free mint alternatives reddit recommendations RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants crowdsourced, real-world opinions on the best free budgeting software. | — | forum/qna | mint shutdown replacement recommendatio… | 1x of 3 | |
everydollar free version features list ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know exactly what features are locked behind EveryDollar's paywall versus its free tier. | — | product_spec_sheet | specific app free tier features | 1x of 3 | |
free budgeting apps that don't sell data IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user cares about privacy and wants to know how free budgeting apps monetize if they do not charge fees. | — | web_article | completely free subscription free tools | 1x of 3 | |
best zero based budgeting apps that are free ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is searching for free apps that specifically support the zero-based budgeting method. | — | web_article | completely free subscription free tools | 1x of 3 | |
reddit best free budgeting app after mint shutdown RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants peer recommendations and real-world user experiences regarding free budgeting apps. | — | forum/qna | mint shutdown replacement recommendatio… | 1x of 3 | |
pocketguard free vs premium differences ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to understand the exact limitations of PocketGuard's free tier. | — | faq_page | paid versus free app comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
what happened to mint app replacement options REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants context on Mint's closure and a list of approved successors. | — | faq_page | mint shutdown replacement recommendatio… | 1x of 3 | |
best budgeting app for college students free PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for zero-cost budgeting tools tailored to students with low income. | — | buyers_guide | free apps for students and privacy | 1x of 3 | |
best privacy focused budgeting apps free tier ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants budgeting apps that do not sell financial data and offer a free version. | — | review_roundup | free apps for students and privacy | 1x of 3 | |
how to budget manually with a free spreadsheet template IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is open to alternative methods like spreadsheets if app-based free tiers are too limited. | — | how_to_steps | manual spreadsheets and open source | 1x of 3 | |
nerdwallet vs credit karma budget tools free COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to evaluate free financial portal apps that include budgeting alongside credit monitoring. | — | comparison_table | debt and credit tool comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
everydollar free tier features list ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to check what manual budgeting features Ramsey's EveryDollar provides for zero dollars. | — | product_spec_sheet | specific app free tier features | 1x of 3 | |
nerdwallet vs nerdwallet free tools REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants an overview of free financial tracking tools offered by established financial advice platforms. | — | review_roundup | debt and credit tool comparisons | 1x of 3 | |
best open source personal finance software free desktop mobile ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for truly free, ad-free, open-source budgeting software like Actual Budget or GnuCash. | — | web_article | manual spreadsheets and open source | 1x of 3 |
Passes
Does another pass still surface new queries? A flattening curve means the fan-out has stabilised.
Geminix = pass, y = cumulative unique queries
| Model | Pass | Target | Generated | Seconds | Tokens (in / out) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 1 | 12 | 12 | — | 917 / 1,475 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 2 | 10 | 10 | — | 917 / 1,237 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 3 | 12 | 12 | — | 917 / 1,540 |