With countless budgeting apps available, managing your finances in 2025 has never been easier. Whether you want to track spending, save more efficiently, or plan for financial goals, budgeting apps can help you take control of your money. Here’s a roundup of the top 10 budgeting apps for 2025, each offering unique features to suit different financial needs and preferences.
Best Budgeting Apps for 2025
Keeping your finances in shape is all about having the right tools. Here’s a look at some top budgeting apps for 2025 that can help you track your spending and save money:
YNAB (You Need A Budget)
If you need a solid budgeting app, YNAB offers good bang for your buck. At $14.99 a month or $99 a year, it’s not the cheapest, but it’s packed with features. YNAB uses a zero-based budgeting system, meaning you assign every single dollar to a category, so nothing slips through the cracks. This approach helps you keep an eagle eye on your spending, making sure you’re always on top of your financial game. Imagine each dollar having a job—it’s kinda like being a boss for your money, giving you the full picture and helping you make better decisions.
Goodbudget
Like a good old-fashioned envelope system? Goodbudget has you covered. You manually input your account balances, cash, debts, and income. Then, you divvy up your money into “envelopes” or spending categories. This isn’t something you set and forget; it requires a hands-on approach, helping you keep tabs on your budget and stay disciplined. It’s as if each envelope nudges you to stay within your spending limits, offering straightforward insight into where your cash is going.
EveryDollar
EveryDollar keeps things simple with its zero-based budgeting model. The free version has you manually entering income and spending, making sure you don’t miss a beat. If you want to go fancy, the premium version adds account syncing, automatic transaction recording, and custom reports to give deeper insights. Whether you want to stick to basics or need more bells and whistles, EveryDollar helps you set a clear budget tailored to your goals.
Choosing the right budgeting app can make a big difference in your financial health. Whether you’re a hands-on manager or prefer automation, one of these apps can help you get your finances on track. So, why wait? Pick one, start budgeting, and take control of your financial future today!
Best Money Management Apps for 2025
Keeping your finances in check can be a game-changer. Say goodbye to scribbling numbers on napkins; these top money management apps for 2024 will help you take charge of your budget and savings like a pro.
Empower Personal Dashboard
Ever wondered where all your cash disappears? Empower Personal Dashboard (formerly Personal Capital) is here to help. It pulls all your accounts together, giving you a clear view of your financial life. You can customize categories to see exactly where your money goes and make smart choices about spending. Want a deeper dive? Check out Nerdwallet for a full scoop.
PocketGuard
PocketGuard makes budgeting almost too easy. Link your accounts for automatic tracking or enter things manually if you like control. Either way, it shows you what’s left after bills and requirements. It’s like having a financial snapshot in your pocket. Need more about PocketGuard? Nerdwallet has you covered.
Monarch Money
Monarch Money is your go-to for serious budgeting in 2024. For $14.99/month or $99.99/year, this app suits solos, couples, or families. Its zero-based budgeting approach ensures every dollar has a job. With an easy-to-use interface, you can see income and expenses clearly, set savings targets, and even invite others to join in. Transitioning from Mint? No problem; you can import transactions seamlessly. For more insights, hop over to WSJ BuySide.
Why These Apps Matter
These money management apps come with features designed to simplify your financial life. Whether you’re keeping tabs on spending, boosting your savings, or planning for big milestones, they’re your trusty sidekicks on the road to financial peace of mind.
Get started with one of these apps and turn your money worries into manageable goals.
Budgeting Apps for Couples
Managing money as a couple is no small feat. Luckily, in 2024, Honeydue stands out as a fantastic budgeting app for couples – and it’s free!
Honeydue makes it super easy for couples to merge their finances. You can link all your accounts to see a full financial picture. You can even categorize shared expenses, individual expenses, and split costs, helping to keep everything neat and tidy.
But what really makes Honeydue special is its ability to maintain both joint and individual views of your finances. It tracks income, balances, and transactions, so both partners know exactly where their money is going.
By using Honeydue, couples can make budgeting less of a hassle and more of a team effort. This app helps reduce money arguments and works towards achieving shared financial goals. In short, if you’re after an easy-to-use tool to manage your finances as a couple, Honeydue is a prime pick for 2024.
Interested in more budgeting tips? Check out our family budget planning page. With the right tools like Honeydue, you can improve financial communication, reach your goals, and build a stronger financial future together.
Best Free Budgeting Apps
Managing your finances without spending extra cash doesn’t have to be tough. A handy free budgeting app can make a world of difference. Let’s take a closer look at one of the top contenders out there: NerdWallet Money Tracker.
NerdWallet Money Tracker
Looking to kick off your budgeting journey? The NerdWallet Money Tracker is a fantastic free app to start with. It’s super simple to use and packed with features that help you get a grip on your spending.
Key features of the NerdWallet Money Tracker include:
- Automatic Expense Categorization: The app organizes your past expenses into categories, helping you see where your money’s disappearing.
- Insights on Spending Habits: With practical insights into your spending trends, you can spot where to cut back or save more.
- Cash Flow Visuals: Handy visuals of your cash flow make it easy to keep track of income and expenses.
- Net Worth Tracking: See how your net worth changes over time and understand your financial health.
- Credit Score Analysis: Check your credit score and get tips on boosting it.
Now, while the NerdWallet Money Tracker is a solid choice, it isn’t perfect. It misses out on features like setting spending limits for specific categories or importing transactions from other financial services. But hey, it’s free!
Just like Mint, another popular free budgeting tool, the NerdWallet Money Tracker lets you link your accounts, manually enter transactions, and keep an eye on spending, savings, net worth, and upcoming bills. Plus, it’s easy for a newbie to get started with.
Whether you’re just beginning your financial journey or want to polish your budgeting game, the NerdWallet Money Tracker serves as a practical tool to understand your spending habits, track your progress, and make savvy decisions to hit your financial targets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 10 budgeting apps for 2025?
- YNAB (You Need a Budget) – Known for its zero-based budgeting system, YNAB helps users give every dollar a purpose. It’s ideal for those looking to get out of debt or plan every aspect of their finances.
- Mint – A classic, user-friendly app that automatically tracks spending, categorizes expenses, and offers budgeting insights. Mint is great for those who want a free, all-in-one tool for managing finances.
- EveryDollar – Created by Dave Ramsey, EveryDollar uses a zero-based budgeting system, making it easy to assign every dollar to a purpose. The paid version allows for bank syncing.
- PocketGuard – This app tracks your income, bills, and spending, showing how much “pocket money” you have left after necessary expenses. It’s perfect for those who want to avoid overspending.
- Goodbudget – A virtual envelope system that helps users budget their income into different spending categories. It’s a great choice for those who prefer manual tracking and a more traditional envelope method.
- Simplifi by Quicken – A powerful app for tracking spending and creating budgets. It helps users reach their savings goals and provides personalized insights to stay on track.
- Zeta – Tailored specifically for couples, Zeta helps manage shared finances, track expenses, and create budgets for two. It’s an ideal app for partners looking to manage money together.
- Toshl Finance – A fun, visual app that helps users manage multiple currencies, track expenses, and set financial goals. It’s particularly useful for travelers or those dealing with international finances.
- Personal Capital – While primarily an investment management app, Personal Capital also offers budgeting tools, helping users track spending, manage investments, and plan for retirement.
- Honeydue – Another app for couples, Honeydue allows partners to share financial information, track spending, and set joint budgets. It’s a good option for couples who want to stay financially transparent.
How do budgeting apps help manage finances?
Budgeting apps help manage finances by tracking your income, expenses, and savings. They categorize your spending, provide insights into your financial habits, and help set financial goals. Many apps also offer tools to automate budgeting, track bills, and analyze spending trends, making money management easier.
What should I consider when choosing a budgeting app?
When choosing a budgeting app, consider whether you prefer manual or automatic tracking, whether the app syncs with your bank accounts, and what your financial goals are (e.g., paying off debt, saving, investing). Also, check if the app is free or paid, and whether it offers any extra features like bill reminders or investment tracking.
Are there budgeting apps specifically for couples?
Yes, budgeting apps like Zeta and Honeydue are designed specifically for couples. They allow you to manage shared finances, track joint expenses, and set budgets for both partners. These apps help foster transparency and collaboration in managing money as a couple.
What’s the difference between zero-based budgeting apps and traditional budgeting apps?
Zero-based budgeting apps like YNAB and EveryDollar require users to assign every dollar of income to a specific category (bills, savings, etc.), ensuring that no money is left unaccounted for. Traditional budgeting apps, like Mint, allow more flexibility by tracking spending and income without requiring every dollar to be allocated.
Can budgeting apps help with debt repayment?
Yes, many budgeting apps offer features that help you create a debt repayment plan. Apps like YNAB and EveryDollar allow you to prioritize debt repayment, track progress, and allocate extra income toward paying off loans, credit cards, or other debts.
Are free budgeting apps as effective as paid ones?
Free budgeting apps, like Mint and Goodbudget, are highly effective for basic money management. Paid apps, such as YNAB or Simplifi, often offer more advanced features like detailed financial analysis, bank syncing, and personalized financial insights, which may be worth the investment depending on your needs.
By choosing the budgeting app that aligns with your financial goals and preferences, you can take control of your finances and set yourself up for success in 2025.
