Help centre

No. You can play as a guest straight away and your progress is saved on this device. Create a free account when you want it saved to your account, so it follows you to other devices.

Start playing

Enter your email and we send you a sign-in link (no password to forget). You can also use "Continue with Google" if it's shown, or your college or university's own sign-in if they've set it up. The link works for 15 minutes.

Sign in

Check your spam or junk folder and wait a minute or two. Links expire after 15 minutes, so ask for a new one if it's been a while. If you joined with an access code and never added an email, add one in Settings so you can sign in on other devices.

Settings

Go to Settings. Under "Your data and account" you can correct your name and display name and change your email (we send a link to the new address to confirm it). Your age range is under "Privacy and age".

Correct my details

Settings, then "Delete my account". It explains what's deleted and what we have to keep, then asks you to type DELETE to confirm. Deleting signs you out on every device, cancels Plus if you have it and sends you a confirmation email. Anyone can do this, including learners under 18.

Delete my account

Some colleges, universities, councils, housing associations and employers give their people free full access. They hand out a short code. Enter it on the Join page and you're linked to your organisation's licence.

Use a code

Check for typos (codes aren't case-sensitive), then ask whoever gave it to you whether it's expired or used up. Codes are only for people at that organisation, so please don't share them.

Grouped results only: how many people joined, completion rates, popular topics and average changes in confidence. Any group with fewer than 10 people is hidden. They can't see your individual answers, scores or AI coach chats.

Privacy notice, section 5

Guest progress lives in this browser only, so clearing your browser data or switching device loses it. If you have an account, sign in again: your levels, stars and saves come back from your account. If something still looks wrong, use "Report a problem" and tell us what you expected to see.

Play at least one level, mission or game a day to keep your streak going (or once a week in under-18 mode). Freezes protect your streak on a day you miss. Streaks are for fun: you'll never be shamed for breaking one, and you can never pay to repair one.

Coins are just for fun inside BudgetUp. They have no cash value and you can't buy them. You earn them in missions and the arcade and spend them on your place.

Your place

Lessons you've already opened keep working offline in the installed app or your browser. Your progress syncs to your account the next time you're online.

Yes. Settings, then "Download my data". You get a machine-readable file (JSON) and an easy-to-read page with everything we hold that's linked to your account. It's free and instant.

Download my data

You can ask us to correct, restrict or stop using your data, or object to how we use it. Use "Ask about something else" in Settings, or email our privacy team. We reply within one month.

Your data in SettingsYour rights

For as long as you have an account. Accounts with no sign-in and no play for 24 months are deleted (we email you 30 days before, if we have your email). Ask Nana chats go after 90 days. The full list is in our privacy notice.

Retention periods

No advertising or tracking cookies, ever. We only use what BudgetUp needs to work, plus privacy-friendly analytics if you say yes (and never in under-18 mode).

Cookie policy

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. Samaritans are there any time on 116 123 (free). You can text SHOUT to 85258 for free crisis support by text. If you're under 19, Childline is on 0800 1111. You don't have to be in crisis to call.

Safeguarding policy

Tell our safeguarding lead by email (it's read on working days, so for an emergency call 999 first). If you're at a college or university, you can also talk to its safeguarding or wellbeing team.

How we handle concerns

Free, confidential debt advice is available from StepChange (0800 138 1111) and National Debtline (0808 808 4000), and MoneyHelper can point you to the right service. BudgetUp is education, not advice, so these people are the right ones to help with your own situation.

Stop: don't send money or codes. Call your bank on the number on the back of your card (or 159 to reach most UK banks), forward scam texts to 7726, and report it to Report Fraud.

Scam lessons in the library

Plus unlocks every topic, game and learning path, My Money Plan and certificates. Learners with an institution code already get full access free. Prices are on the pricing page.

Pricing

Settings, then Billing. In your first 14 days you can cancel in one tap and get a full refund. After that, cancel any time in the billing portal and Plus runs until the end of the period you've paid for.

Billing

You can't buy it yourself, but you can ask a parent or guardian to unlock it. We send them a link (if you give us their email) and they decide. We never remind you or them about it.

Ask a parent or guardian

We cancel it before deleting your account, so you won't be charged again. If you're inside your first 14 days you get a full refund. We keep basic payment records for 6 years after the end of the financial year because tax law requires it.