Best budgeting apps in 2025
Managing money has never been easier with the introduction of mobile apps, but only if you use the right tools. Budgeting apps help you track spending, save faster and even invest automatically. In this article, I’ll walk you through the best budgeting apps.
1. YNAB (You Need a Budget)
You Need a Budget (Also called YNAB) is a budgeting app especially created for the people who want full control and a proven budgeting method. YNAB is widely considered the gold standard for serious budgeting, some users repoted saving an average of $600 in their first two months. They provide multiple key features such as:
- Zero-based budgeting system (every dollar has a job)
- Real-time syncing across devices
- Goal tracking (debt payoff, savings, emergency fund, …)
Price:
$14.99/month or $109 annually. (34 Days free trial)
Is this for me?
This app is considered the gold standard so if you are actively looking for the optimal budgetting systems and tools, this is the no-brainer choice. There really isn’t a better option than this.
If you are a beginner and wanting to test the waters or take baby-steps in the right direction, then this is definetly overkill and there’s a better alternative coming up later.
2. PocketGuard
PocketGuard is a well-known user-friendly app with very simple systems, which makes it especially good for beginners. The app provides a “snapshot” of your budget, meaning you know exactly how much you are actually able to spend instead of having to calculate the bills at the end of the month. They offer a multitude of features, which include:
- “In My Pocket” feature shows safe-to-spend cash.
- Track your net worth
- Debt payoff plan
- Bill and subscriptions tracking
- Easy subscription canceling
- Savings goals
Price:
$12.99/month or $74.99 annually. (7 days free trial)
Is this for me?
The app is specifically designed as a beginner budgeting app, which makes it very user-friendly and easy to learn. For a beginner trying their hand at budgeting and money management in general, this is the PERFECT mobile app for you.
For people who already have a plethera of budgeting years under the belt, this will feel like a more polished version of the budgeting apps that you are used to. But will likely lack the advanced features that you want.
3. Goodbudget
Goodbudget takes on a different aproach then the other budgeting apps. The app is specifically tailored to couples and families. Their functions revolve around their feature of managing shared budgets for people living together or those in relationships. Their key features include:
- Envelope budgeting method
- Sync across multiple devices
- Easy to split categories and save with multiple users
Price:
Free, with premium costing $10 per month or $80 annually.
Is this for me?
As I have already mentioned, this app is tailored specifically toward couples, families or roomates. Their selling point is the ease of sharing these budget systems with multiple users. And that’s exactly the target demographic for this app.
4. Qube
Qube isn’t primarily marketed as a budgeting app, but rather as a digital banking solution. However, its unique “envelope-style” system built directly into its banking functions makes it a surprisingly powerful budgeting tool. What sets it apart is that your money is split into digital “Qubes” as soon as it enters your account, helping you plan, save, and control spending in real time. Their key features include:
- Envelope budgeting built into your bank account
- Instant allocation of funds into categories “Qubes”
- Real-time notifications for spending and balances
Price:
Free basic plan, premium starting at $8 per month.
Is this for me?
Qube is perfect for those who want their budgeting and banking in one place. If you like the envelope method but dislike juggling separate apps and accounts, Qube eliminates that hassle. It’s especially useful if you want a budgeting tool that enforces discipline by tying your money management directly to how you bank.
5. Nerdwallet
NerdWallet isn’t a traditional budgeting app, but it’s a finance tool that excels at giving you an overview of your money and helping you make smarter financial decisions. What makes it stand out is its combination of budgeting insights, personalized recommendations, and easy-to-read dashboards that help you track spending and plan for the future. Their key features include:
- Overview of all accounts in one place
- Personalized recommendations for credit cards, loans and savings
- Spending insights and alerts
Price:
Free
Is this for me?
NerdWallet is ideal if you want a comprehensive view of your finances without committing to a full-fledged budgeting app. It’s especially useful for people who prefer guidance and insights alongside tracking, rather than manual entry of every expense. If your goal is smarter financial planning with minimal effort, this app fits perfectly.
If you want to learn more about budgetting.
If you want to learn all the secrets to successful budgeting and saving up for your dream goals. Read the book “The Smart Money Playbook”.
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