Free Template

Zero-based budget template for Google Sheets — free.

A zero-based budget in Google Sheets where every dollar of income is allocated to a category. YNAB-style budgeting in a sheet you own. Download free or connect your bank accounts for automatic transaction categorisation.

Free template (manual)

Allocate every dollar manually
Track actual spending by hand
Free forever

Finsemble

Actual spending categorised automatically
Zero-based targets vs real transactions
From $4/month

Your spreadsheet lives in your Google Drive, where you control it.

Download free template

No email required. Just a Google account to copy the sheet.

Or get the live version — connects to your bank automatically:

Free during beta. No credit card required.

Zero-based budgeting works — when you have accurate spending data.

✗ The premise of zero-based budgeting is assigning every dollar a job. But if your actual spending data is incomplete or delayed, you are assigning dollars based on guesses.
✗ The manual work of tracking every transaction across every account is what makes zero-based budgeting feel like a second job. For most people, it works for two months before life gets in the way.
✗ A budget where actual spending is manual entry will always be behind. The whole point is knowing in real time whether you are over or under in each category.

Your zero-based budget. Your actual spending. Automatically matched.

The template lets you set zero-based budget allocations by category. Connect your accounts and Finsemble automatically categorises your actual spending — so you see immediately where you are against your allocations without any manual entry.

Finsemble Budget tab showing zero-based budget allocations vs actual spending

Finsemble Transactions tab showing transactions automatically categorised for zero-based budgeting

Finsemble Categories tab showing spending breakdown for zero-based budget analysis

Most people overestimate their savings rate by 15-20% because they are working from memory rather than categorised transaction data. Zero-based budgeting only works with accurate actual spending numbers.

How Finsemble works

Download the free template

Get the zero-based budget template in your Google Drive. Set your income and allocate every dollar to a category. Track actual spending manually.

Connect your accounts for automatic tracking (optional)

Link your bank accounts and credit cards via Plaid. Every transaction is automatically categorised against your budget allocations.

See budget vs actual in real time

Your Budget tab shows your zero-based allocations alongside your real spending — so you know immediately if you are over in any category without any manual tracking.

Everything in your sheet, out of the box.

📊Dashboard

💳Transactions

🔄Recurring Payments

📈Budget

🏷️Categories

💼Holdings

🏦Loans

💰Savings

📉Balance History

🔔Alerts

📋Net Worth

Your data stays yours.

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Read-only access

Finsemble can never move money or modify your accounts. Read-only transaction data only.

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The same bank connection layer used by Venmo, Coinbase, and 8,000+ financial apps.

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Your Drive, your data

Your sheet lives in your Google Drive permanently. Cancel anytime and every row stays yours forever.

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No credentials stored

Your bank login credentials are never stored by Finsemble. Plaid handles authentication only.

Zero-based budgeting with manual tracking works for two months. Then life happens.

Download the free template and start with the zero-based framework. Connect your accounts when you want actual spending to update automatically — so the budget works all year, not just the months you have time.

11-day full Pro trial No credit card required Your sheet stays in your Drive forever

Frequently asked questions

Is the template really free?

Yes. Download and use it manually forever — no email, no account, no credit card required.

Is this the same as YNAB?

YNAB is a zero-based budgeting app with its own methodology and mobile app. This template brings zero-based budget structure to Google Sheets, which you own and control. The connected Finsemble version automates the transaction tracking without requiring YNAB's specific methodology.

How many budget categories does the template have?

The template uses 17 categories that map to typical zero-based budget allocations: Housing, Transportation, Food, Utilities, Healthcare, Entertainment, Savings, and more. All categories are editable.

Can I see rollover amounts month to month?

Yes. The template includes a monthly view that shows budget allocated, actual spent, and the variance — so you can see which categories are consistently over or under budget.

What does the live version cost?

Plans start at $4/month. All paid plans include an 11-day full Pro trial — no credit card required.

Every dollar allocated. Every transaction categorised. Automatically.

Download the free zero-based budget template or connect your accounts for automatic transaction categorisation against your budget allocations.

Free during beta. No credit card required. See pricing →