SheetLink: The Best Mint Alternative
Mint is gone. Intuit forced users to Credit Karma with limited features. SheetLink gives you a better option: bank transactions in Google Sheets you own. Free tier + paid plans from $2/month.
What Happened to Mint?
On November 2, 2023, Intuit announced it was shutting down Mint.com after 17 years. The service officially closed on January 1, 2024. Users were forced to migrate to Credit Karma (also owned by Intuit) or find alternatives.
Many longtime Mint users were frustrated by:
- •Loss of features: Credit Karma lacks many budgeting features Mint had
- •Forced migration: No choice but to move to Credit Karma or lose data
- •Loss of historical data: Years of transaction history gone
- •Platform risk: Reminder that free services can disappear anytime
Choose SheetLink if...
- You want to own your financial data (not rent it)
- You were frustrated by Mint shutting down
- You want spreadsheet power for custom budgets
- You value privacy (no ads, no data selling)
What Mint Had
- Free (ad-supported, sold your data)
- Bank sync with automatic categorization
- Simple budgeting and bill tracking
- SHUT DOWN January 2024
Feature Comparison: SheetLink vs Mint (when it existed)
| Feature | SheetLink | Mint (Discontinued) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active | Shut Down Jan 2024 |
| Price | $0-10/month | Free (ad-supported) |
| Free Tier | ✓ 7 days history | Fully free |
| Ads / Data Selling | ✗ No ads, no tracking | ✓ Ads + sold data to partners |
| Data Ownership | ✓ You own the Google Sheet | ✗ Locked in Mint platform |
| Platform Risk | Low - data in Google Sheets | High - service shut down |
| Bank Connectivity | Plaid (10,000+ banks) | Plaid (10,000+ banks) |
| Automatic Categorization | AI categorization (Pro plan) | ✓ Built-in |
| Budgeting | Build your own in Sheets | Pre-built budgets |
| Spreadsheet Flexibility | ✓ Full Google Sheets power | ✗ Export only |
| Mobile App | Google Sheets app | Native iOS/Android (was) |
| Business Use Cases | ✓ | ✗ Personal only |
Pricing: SheetLink vs Mint (Before Shutdown)
SheetLink
Free tier + paid plans, no ads
- Free: 7 days of history, unlimited banks
- Basic: $2/mo per institution, 90 days
- Pro: $10/mo per institution, 24 months
- Privacy-first: No ads, no tracking, no data selling
Mint (Discontinued)
Ad-supported, sold your data
- Completely free to use
- Monetized through ads on dashboard
- Sold anonymized data to financial partners
- SHUT DOWN January 2024
The Real Cost of "Free":
Mint was free, but you paid with your privacy and data. Intuit monetized through ads and by selling your transaction data to banks and credit card companies. When they shut it down, you lost access to years of financial history. SheetLink costs $2-10/month (or $0 with free tier), but YOUR data stays in YOUR Google Sheet forever.
Why SheetLink is Better Than Mint Ever Was
You Own Your Data
With SheetLink, your financial data lives in YOUR Google Sheet. You control it, you can export it anytime, and no one can shut down your access. Mint locked your data in their platform - when they shut down, that data was gone unless you exported it beforehand. SheetLink eliminates platform risk.
Privacy-First, No Ads, No Data Selling
Mint was "free" because they sold your transaction data to banks, credit card companies, and financial partners. Their dashboard was filled with targeted ads. SheetLink charges a small fee ($2-10/month) instead of selling your data. No ads, no tracking, no data selling. Your financial privacy is protected.
Spreadsheet Power for Custom Analysis
Mint had pre-built budgets and reports, but you were limited to their features. SheetLink gives you raw transaction data in Google Sheets. Build custom budgets, create pivot tables, analyze spending patterns, forecast cash flow - anything spreadsheets can do. Unlimited flexibility vs Mint's rigid structure.
Works for Business Bookkeeping, Not Just Personal Finance
Mint was personal finance only. SheetLink works for freelancers, contractors, and small businesses who need to track business expenses. Categorize transactions, build P&L statements, track business vs personal spending - all in Google Sheets. A better Mint for both personal and business use.
How to Replace Mint with SheetLink
Install SheetLink Chrome Extension
Add SheetLink to Chrome from the Chrome Web Store. The extension is free to install and includes a free tier (7 days of transaction history) so you can test it before committing to paid plans.
Connect Your Banks via Plaid
SheetLink uses Plaid for bank connectivity - the same service Mint used. Connect your checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit cards. If your banks worked with Mint, they'll work with SheetLink (10,000+ institutions supported).
Import Historical Mint Data (If You Have It)
If you exported your Mint transaction history before the shutdown (as CSV), you can import that into Google Sheets to preserve historical data. SheetLink will then sync new transactions going forward, continuing where Mint left off.
Build Your Budget in Google Sheets
Recreate your Mint budget categories in Google Sheets. Use formulas like SUMIFS to categorize spending by month/category. Check SheetLink's Recipes for pre-built budget templates. You'll have more flexibility than Mint ever offered.
Enjoy True Data Ownership
Your transaction data now lives in YOUR Google Sheet. No platform risk - Google Sheets isn't going anywhere, and even if SheetLink shuts down, your data stays in your Sheet. You'll never experience a "Mint shutdown" again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Mint?
Intuit shut down Mint.com in January 2024 and forced users to migrate to Credit Karma. Many users were unhappy with the forced migration and lack of features in Credit Karma compared to Mint. SheetLink offers a direct replacement for users who want to own their financial data in Google Sheets.
Is SheetLink a good replacement for Mint?
Yes. SheetLink syncs bank transactions to Google Sheets just like Mint synced to its platform. SheetLink has a free tier (7 days of history) and paid plans ($2-10/month). You get more control and flexibility with Google Sheets, plus your data isn't locked in a platform that could shut down.
Does SheetLink cost money like Mint was free?
SheetLink has a free tier (7 days of transaction history, unlimited banks) that works forever. For more history, paid plans start at $2/month. Mint was "free" but monetized through ads and selling your data to financial institutions. SheetLink is privacy-first with no ads or data selling.
Can I import my Mint data into SheetLink?
Since Mint shut down, you can't export new data from Mint. If you exported your Mint transaction history before the shutdown (as CSV), you can import that into Google Sheets manually. SheetLink will then sync new transactions going forward, continuing where Mint left off.
Replace Mint with SheetLink Today
Own your financial data. No ads. No tracking. No shutdowns. Start with our free tier - no credit card required.
Add to Chrome - It's Free