Best Apps for Budgeting and Money Management
Whether you’re trying to get out of debt, save more, or just get a better handle on your finances, budgeting apps can make money management easier and more effective. These tools help you track spending, plan for bills, and work toward your financial goals—all from your phone or computer.
Here’s a beginner-friendly list of the best apps for budgeting and money management, along with their key features and who they’re best suited for.
1. YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Best for: Proactive, goal-based budgeting
Key Features:
- Uses a zero-based budgeting method (“give every dollar a job”)
- Helps plan for future expenses
- Syncs with your bank accounts
- Offers goal tracking and financial education
✅ Free trial for 34 days
💵 Paid: $14.99/month or $99/year
📱 iOS, Android, Web
2. Mint (by Intuit)
Best for: Beginners who want an all-in-one budget and tracking tool
Key Features:
- Automatically syncs with bank and credit card accounts
- Categorizes transactions
- Tracks spending, bills, and subscriptions
- Includes credit score monitoring
✅ Free
📱 iOS, Android, Web
3. Empower (formerly Personal Capital)
Best for: Budgeting + tracking investments and net worth
Key Features:
- Tracks all financial accounts in one place
- Budgeting tools plus retirement planning
- Great visuals for spending, saving, and investing
- Ideal for long-term wealth management
✅ Free
📱 iOS, Android, Web
4. Goodbudget
Best for: Envelope-style budgeting with a manual approach
Key Features:
- Uses digital “envelopes” to manage spending categories
- Manual entry promotes mindfulness
- Syncs between devices for couples or families
✅ Free basic plan; $8/month for premium
📱 iOS, Android, Web
5. PocketGuard
Best for: Tracking how much you can safely spend
Key Features:
- Links to your accounts and analyzes spending
- “In My Pocket” feature shows what’s left after bills and goals
- Offers insights and savings tips
✅ Free with paid version available
📱 iOS, Android
6. Monarch Money
Best for: Comprehensive financial planning with shared access
Key Features:
- Syncs all accounts for net worth and budget tracking
- Allows collaboration (great for couples)
- Includes budgeting, savings goals, and cash flow projections
✅ Free trial; $14.99/month or $99/year
📱 iOS, Android, Web
7. Zeta
Best for: Couples managing joint and personal finances
Key Features:
- Tracks individual and shared budgets
- Allows shared financial goals and bill tracking
- Promotes transparency and communication
✅ Free
📱 iOS, Android
8. Tiller Money
Best for: Spreadsheet users who want automation
Key Features:
- Automatically imports bank data into Google Sheets or Excel
- Full customization with pre-built templates
- Great for detailed and DIY-style budgeters
✅ $79/year (free 30-day trial)
📱 Web-based (Google Sheets or Excel)
9. EveryDollar (by Ramsey Solutions)
Best for: Fans of zero-based budgeting and the Dave Ramsey method
Key Features:
- Manual or automatic transaction tracking
- Simple and focused on monthly budgeting
- Clean, beginner-friendly layout
✅ Free basic version; paid plan for bank syncing
📱 iOS, Android, Web
10. Honeydue
Best for: Couples managing finances together
Key Features:
- Syncs individual and joint accounts
- Tracks bills, spending, and goals
- Lets partners comment on expenses for better communication
✅ Free
📱 iOS, Android
Bonus Tools to Consider
- Spendee: Budgeting with colorful visual charts
- YNAB Toolkit: Browser extension that enhances the YNAB experience
- Wally: Simple budget and expense tracker with global currency support
Final Thoughts
The best budgeting app is the one you’ll actually use consistently. Whether you prefer hands-on control with spreadsheets or automatic syncing and notifications, these tools can help you build better habits, avoid overspending, and make smarter financial decisions.
Let me know if you’d like help choosing the right app based on your goals, or a budgeting template to get started today!