Trying to get a handle on your money can feel like a huge task. It’s easy to get lost in all the numbers, bills, and just figuring out where your cash actually goes. But good news: your phone can actually help with that. There are tons of apps out there designed to make budgeting way less painful. They can help you see your spending, save more, and just feel better about your finances. We’ve looked at a bunch of them to help you pick the best one for you.
Key Takeaways
- Budgeting apps help you track your money easily.
- Many apps link directly to your bank accounts.
- Some apps are free, while others have a subscription.
- Features vary, so pick one that fits your needs.
- These tools can help you reach your financial goals.
1. You Need A Budget
I’ve always been a bit intimidated by budgeting. It seemed like a chore, something that would restrict my freedom. But the truth is, a budget is a must-have if you want to get control of your finances. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming, especially with the apps available today. These apps do the tedious work for you, syncing with your bank accounts and credit cards to track your spending.
I’ve realized that budgeting isn’t about restriction; it’s about awareness. It’s about knowing where my money is going and making conscious decisions about how I spend it. It’s about making sure I have enough to cover my bills, save for the future, and still leave some room for joy.
Here’s what I’ve learned about why budgeting is so important:
- It helps me identify areas where I’m overspending. I can see exactly where my money is going each month, which makes it easier to cut back on unnecessary expenses.
- It allows me to set financial goals and track my progress. Whether it’s saving for a down payment on a house or paying off debt, a budget helps me stay focused and motivated.
- It gives me peace of mind. Knowing that I have a plan for my money reduces stress and anxiety about my finances.
One app that really emphasizes this approach is You Need A Budget (YNAB). It’s designed to help you plan for future expenses rather than just tracking past spending. It encourages you to give every dollar a job, assigning all income to categories you set, such as specific bill payments and [debts need to be settled]. It’s a zero-based budgeting strategy that can be really effective if you’re willing to put in the effort.
2. EveryDollar
Okay, so EveryDollar is another budgeting app that’s been on my radar for a while. It’s heavily tied to Dave Ramsey’s financial philosophies, which, depending on your view, can be a good or bad thing. I’ve been playing around with it, and here’s what I’ve found.
The core idea is zero-based budgeting, where you assign every dollar a purpose. This means before the month even starts, you’re allocating your entire income to different categories. It’s all about being intentional with your money, which I definitely need to work on.
Here’s a breakdown:
- It’s great for people who like the envelope budgeting system but want a digital version.
- The app lets you track savings goals, which is a nice touch.
- You can share your budget with family, which could be helpful for couples managing finances together.
- It offers customizable categories, so you can really tailor it to your specific spending habits.
However, the free version is pretty limited. You have to manually enter all your transactions, which can be a pain. The paid version unlocks automatic bank syncing and other features, but it comes at a cost. Also, it doesn’t really focus on investing or wealth management, so if that’s important to you, you might need another app to supplement it.
I think EveryDollar is a solid option if you’re into the zero-based budgeting thing and want a simple, straightforward app. But if you need more advanced features or don’t want to pay for the premium version, there might be better choices out there.
3. Goodbudget
I’ve always been intrigued by the envelope budgeting system, and Goodbudget is like a digital version of that. It’s designed for people who want to allocate specific amounts of money to different spending categories. I think it’s a really interesting approach, especially if you’re trying to get a handle on where your money is actually going.
Here’s what I like about it:
- It helps you visualize your spending. Seeing those digital envelopes makes it super clear how much you have left in each category.
- It’s great for couples or families. You can easily share your budget with a partner and work together on your finances.
- It offers a free version. You can try it out without committing to a subscription.
Cost
Goodbudget has a free plan, which is cool, but it’s limited. If you want more features, like unlimited envelopes and accounts, you’ll need to go for the paid plan. It’s about $10 a month or $80 a year. I think the premium plan is worth it if you’re serious about envelope budgeting.
Rating
It gets pretty good reviews. I’ve seen it with a 4.6 on the App Store and a 4.0 on Google Play. That’s a solid score, and it tells me that most people are pretty happy with how it works.
App summary
Basically, Goodbudget lets you create digital envelopes for all your budget categories – rent, groceries, even vacations. It’ll even flag you if you’re overspending, which is super helpful. It’s best for the envelope budgeting system, so if that’s your jam, this app is definitely worth checking out. I like that it helps me stay aware of my spending trends and income habits.
4. PocketGuard
I’ve been using PocketGuard for a while now, and it’s pretty solid for keeping tabs on where my money is going. It links to your bank accounts and credit cards, so you can see all your transactions in one place. It’s not perfect, but it definitely helps me stay on track.
Here’s what I like about it:
- It’s great for tracking subscriptions. I always forget about those random monthly charges, and PocketGuard flags them, which is super helpful.
- The “In My Pocket” feature gives you a quick snapshot of how much money you have available to spend after bills and savings, which is really useful for financial planning tools.
- It helps you set savings goals. Seeing those goals visually makes me more likely to actually save.
Of course, there are a few downsides:
- The free version is pretty basic. You need to pay for the premium version to get all the features.
- Some people find the desktop interface a bit cluttered, but I mostly use the app on my phone, so it doesn’t bother me too much.
- It’s not as customizable as some other budgeting apps, but it gets the job done for me.
5. Monarch Money
I think Monarch Money is a solid choice, especially if you’re looking for something that can handle more complex financial situations. It’s designed to give you a complete view of your finances in one place. I’ve found it particularly useful for:
- Tracking all my accounts: I can link my bank, credit card, and investment accounts to get a holistic view.
- Customizable tracking: I can set up categories and goals to match my specific budgeting style.
- Family use: It’s designed to be easy for multiple people to use, which is great if you’re managing finances with a partner or family. I can easily track my spending habits and adjust my budget accordingly.
It’s not perfect, though. There’s no free version, and some people have trouble connecting to certain financial institutions. Also, it doesn’t monitor your credit score, which is something to keep in mind. The annual plan costs $69.99, or you can pay $14.99 monthly.
6. Quicken Simplifi
I’ve been playing around with Quicken Simplifi lately, and I have to say, it’s pretty solid if you’re looking for something that gives you a good overall snapshot of your finances. It’s made by the same people who do the regular Quicken software, but this is more of a streamlined, app-based version. It doesn’t have a free version, which is a bummer, especially since YNAB doesn’t even offer a free trial either. But, if you’re willing to pay, here’s what I’ve found:
- Simplifi really shines when it comes to customizing your budget. Instead of forcing you into rigid categories, it lets you create your own based on how you actually spend your money. This is a game-changer if you have irregular income or just don’t fit into the typical budgeting molds.
- I like that it connects to all my accounts – bank accounts, credit cards, even investment accounts. It’s nice to see everything in one place and get alerts about upcoming bills. It makes tracking expenses way easier.
- The reporting features are pretty good too. I can see where my money is going, how much I’m saving, and even get a basic overview of my investments. It’s not super in-depth, but it’s enough to give me a good idea of how I’m doing.
I think Simplifi is a good option if you want something that’s more than just a basic budgeting app but not as overwhelming as some of the more complex software out there. It’s a nice middle ground for people who want to take control of their finances without getting bogged down in too much detail.
7. Mint
Okay, so Mint. I’ve used Mint on and off for years. It was one of the first budgeting apps I ever tried, and it’s still around, which says something. It’s a free app, which is a huge plus, and it’s pretty good at pulling all your financial accounts into one place. I can see my bank accounts, credit cards, and even my investment accounts all in one dashboard.
Here’s what I like about it:
- It’s free. Can’t beat that price.
- It’s easy to set up. Connecting my accounts was pretty straightforward.
- The budgeting tools are decent. I can set budgets for different categories and track my spending.
But, like everything, it’s not perfect. Sometimes the transactions don’t categorize correctly, and I have to manually fix them. Also, I’ve heard some people say that Mint alternatives are better now, but I still think it’s a solid option, especially if you’re just starting out with budgeting and want something simple and free. Plus, it gives an overall snapshot of your finances, which is always helpful when you’re trying to reflect and grow purposefully.
8. Simplifi
I’ve found Simplifi to be a solid choice, especially if you’re looking for something that combines budgeting with a broader view of your finances. It’s great for those who want extra features but still appreciate simplicity.
Simplifi, created by Quicken, is accessible on both web and mobile. I like that it uses a flexible spending plan, letting you create custom categories that fit how you actually spend, instead of forcing you into a rigid, pre-set budget. Plus, the customizable reports based on spending, income, and savings are really useful.
As an expense tracker, it’s easy to connect my bank accounts and credit cards to keep an eye on regular payments and get alerts for upcoming bills. Beyond budgeting and tracking, Simplifi gives me a high-level overall snapshot of my investment accounts, tracking individual investments and displaying everything in one place.
Here are some things I appreciate about Simplifi:
- Customizable spending plans.
- Easy connection to bank, credit card, and investment accounts.
- Straightforward platform.
- Real-time alerts.
Of course, there’s no free plan, which might be a deal-breaker for some. Simplifi uses industry-standard 256-bit encryption to protect your financial data during transmission from bank servers.
It starts at $5.99/month or $47.99/year. There’s a 30-day free trial, and you can request a full refund within 30 days if it’s not for you.