10 Best Budgeting Apps to Help You Manage Your Money in 2024
Budgeting apps make managing finances easier and more accessible, helping you track expenses, set goals, and save smarter. Whether you’re looking to gain more control over your spending or save for a specific goal, here are ten of the best budgeting apps to try in 2024.
1. YNAB (You Need a Budget)
Best for proactive budgeting
YNAB uses a zero-based budgeting system, which encourages you to assign every dollar a job. It’s ideal for anyone serious about taking control of their finances.
Pros: Highly customizable, goal-oriented budgeting.
Cons: Monthly fee ($14.99/month) after a 34-day free trial.
Best for: Budgeting enthusiasts who want a proactive, hands-on approach.
2. Mint
Best free option
Mint is a popular free app that connects to your bank accounts to track your spending, categorize expenses, and offer budget insights. It also provides credit score monitoring.
Pros: Free to use, integrates with most banks, credit score tracking.
Cons: Ads can be distracting; limited customer support.
Best for: Beginners looking for a simple, free budgeting app.
3. PocketGuard
Best for tracking daily spending
PocketGuard automatically analyzes your spending to show you what you have left to spend ("In My Pocket") after bills, savings, and goals are accounted for.
Pros: Easy to use, focuses on discretionary spending, free version available.
Cons: Limited customization; premium version required for full features.
Best for: People who need help staying within their spending limits.
4. Goodbudget
Best for couples and families
Goodbudget is based on the envelope budgeting system and allows you to create digital envelopes for each spending category. You can share budgets with family members, making it ideal for couples.
Pros: Great for collaborative budgeting, user-friendly interface.
Cons: No automatic bank syncing; manual input required.
Best for: Couples or families who want a shared budgeting system.
5. Empower
Best for goal-setting and savings
Empower helps you track your expenses, set savings goals, and automate savings. It also has a unique cash advance feature for small loans (up to $250).
Pros: Simple savings tools, cash advance option.
Cons: Limited customization; monthly fee of $8.
Best for: Those looking to set specific savings goals and automate contributions.
6. EveryDollar
Best for Dave Ramsey followers
EveryDollar, from the creators of Financial Peace University, uses a zero-based budgeting method. It’s designed for people who follow Dave Ramsey’s financial strategies.
Pros: Easy-to-use interface, goal-oriented.
Cons: Paid version required for bank syncing ($12.99/month).
Best for: Fans of Dave Ramsey’s financial principles.
7. Honeydue
Best for couples
Honeydue is tailored for couples who want to manage finances together. It allows both partners to track expenses, set budgets, and manage bills collaboratively.
Pros: Allows both partners to track expenses, bill reminders.
Cons: Limited features compared to other apps; works best as a budgeting aid.
Best for: Couples looking for transparency in shared finances.
8. Zeta
Best for shared budgeting
Zeta is another app designed for couples and roommates. It has features for budgeting together, bill splitting, and goal-setting, making it ideal for shared financial management.
Pros: Free to use, designed for shared budgets, bill splitting.
Cons: Limited individual budgeting features.
Best for: Couples and roommates with shared expenses.
9. Simple
Best for basic tracking
Simple offers a straightforward approach to budgeting and tracking. It’s great for those who want an easy tool to monitor expenses and reach financial goals without too much complexity.
Pros: Basic and intuitive, goal-focused.
Cons: Fewer features than more advanced apps.
Best for: Beginners or anyone looking for an uncomplicated budgeting app.
10. Spendee
Best for travelers
Spendee allows you to track spending in multiple currencies, making it ideal for those who travel or deal with expenses in different currencies. It also has options for creating shared wallets.
Pros: Multi-currency support, shared wallets, visually appealing.
Cons: Limited features on the free version.
Best for: Travelers and people with multi-currency expenses.
Choosing the Right Budgeting App
When selecting a budgeting app, consider what you need most—whether it's help with daily spending, saving for specific goals, or managing finances with a partner. YNAB and EveryDollar are ideal for those who prefer a structured budgeting system, while Mint and PocketGuard are excellent for tracking daily expenses. For shared finances, Honeydue and Zeta are great choices.
Using one of these budgeting apps can make a real difference in managing your finances and achieving your savings goals, so you can find the one that best suits your financial needs and lifestyle.