Managing your finances has never been easier, thanks to a variety of budgeting apps available in 2024. Whether you’re looking to track your daily expenses, save for a big purchase, or simply improve your financial habits, these apps offer the tools you need to stay on top of your budget without the stress. Let’s dive into some of the best budgeting apps that can help you gain control over your money and work towards your financial goals.
1. Mint: The All-In-One Budgeting Solution
If you’re new to budgeting and want something that does it all, Mint is one of the top apps you should consider. It’s completely free, and it offers a full suite of features that allows you to track your spending, set up goals, and even monitor your credit score. Mint syncs with all your accounts—bank, credit cards, loans, and investment accounts—so you can see everything in one place.
What sets Mint apart is its easy-to-use interface and automated categorization of your spending. You’ll get an overview of where your money is going, which makes it easier to spot areas where you can cut back. The app also provides monthly budgeting recommendations based on your spending habits, making it incredibly user-friendly for beginners. And don’t forget about the alerts: if you’re approaching your budget limit in any category, Mint will send you a reminder to keep you on track.
The downside? While Mint is great for basic budgeting, it doesn’t offer some of the advanced features that other apps do, like in-depth investment tracking or the ability to track cash expenses. Still, for a free, comprehensive app, it’s a solid choice for most people.
2. YNAB (You Need A Budget): For People Serious About Their Finances
For those who are looking for a more proactive approach to budgeting, YNAB (You Need A Budget) might be the best option. Unlike many budgeting apps that focus on tracking your expenses after the fact, YNAB encourages you to plan ahead. It helps you assign a job to every dollar you earn, essentially helping you budget for future expenses before they occur. This method is what makes YNAB especially appealing to people who want to build a solid savings foundation and avoid living paycheck to paycheck.
One of the key features of YNAB is the zero-based budgeting system, which means you give every dollar a job—whether it’s for bills, savings, or fun. This level of control makes it perfect for people who want to really understand where their money is going. Additionally, the app offers real-time syncing, which is a huge plus for couples or families who need to stay on the same page financially.
However, YNAB does come with a monthly or annual subscription fee. While some may find the cost a bit steep, many users swear by it for the accountability and insight it provides. If you’re serious about building long-term wealth, the investment in YNAB may be well worth it.
3. EveryDollar: Simple and Straightforward Budgeting
If you’re looking for simplicity, EveryDollar might be the budgeting app for you. Created by financial expert Dave Ramsey, EveryDollar is built around the principle of zero-based budgeting—just like YNAB—but with a more minimalist design and a focus on your actual budget. It helps you plan your expenses by giving every dollar a job.
EveryDollar offers two versions: a free version that allows you to manually track expenses, and a premium version that connects directly to your bank accounts for automatic tracking. With the paid version, the app will sync your transactions and automatically categorize your spending, making it incredibly convenient for those who want to automate as much as possible. You’ll also get access to financial tools that can help you manage debt and set up savings goals.
For people who are just getting started with budgeting and don’t need all the extra bells and whistles, EveryDollar is an excellent, no-frills option that gets the job done.
4. PocketGuard: Easy Budgeting with a Focus on Savings
If you want to make sure you’re not overspending while keeping track of your savings, PocketGuard could be the app for you. It works by syncing all your financial accounts and then calculating how much you can safely spend after accounting for your bills, goals, and savings. The app will show you your “In My Pocket” balance, which represents the money available for discretionary spending.
What makes PocketGuard particularly appealing is its focus on savings. The app encourages users to save by helping you track your goals and offering suggestions on how to improve your savings rate. It also lets you track your subscription services so you can identify any hidden or recurring charges that might be draining your budget.
While PocketGuard is great for managing daily expenses and promoting savings, it lacks the in-depth budgeting customization options of apps like YNAB. But if you’re looking for a straightforward way to manage your cash flow and increase your savings, this app will do the trick.
5. GoodBudget: Envelope Budgeting for the Digital Age
For those who prefer the classic envelope budgeting system—where you allocate cash for different spending categories—GoodBudget takes that system and digitizes it. Instead of using physical envelopes for your money, you’ll use virtual envelopes to plan and track your expenses. This app works well for people who prefer to plan ahead and stick to a strict spending limit for each category.
GoodBudget is also one of the best options if you’re budgeting for cash expenses, as it allows you to track both digital transactions and cash spending. The app offers sync functionality, so you and your spouse or partner can stay on the same page. Plus, it’s available for both iOS and Android devices, making it a convenient option for most users.
While GoodBudget doesn’t offer automatic syncing with your bank accounts like Mint or YNAB, it’s a great app if you prefer to be more hands-on with your budgeting. Plus, its simple interface and free version make it easy to get started.
6. Zeta: The Best App for Couples
If you share your finances with a partner, Zeta is a fantastic app to manage your money together. Unlike other apps that focus on individual budgeting, Zeta is specifically designed for couples, making it easy to track shared expenses, set joint savings goals, and split bills. The app also offers features like automated syncing of accounts, as well as a shared account feature that allows couples to see all of their finances in one place.
Zeta offers a straightforward budgeting interface, and it also allows you to easily manage shared goals, such as saving for a vacation or building an emergency fund. It also provides tools for tracking debt, making it easier for couples to tackle financial challenges together.
One of the downsides of Zeta is that it’s a relatively new app, so it may not have all the features of the more established options. However, if you’re looking for an app that fosters financial transparency between partners, Zeta is a great tool to consider.
7. Personal Capital: For Budgeting and Investment Tracking
While most budgeting apps focus on managing your daily expenses, Personal Capital takes it a step further by offering robust investment tracking features. If you want to keep an eye on both your budget and your investment portfolio, Personal Capital is a solid choice. It offers net worth tracking, as well as an intuitive cash flow tracker that helps you monitor income and spending.
Personal Capital connects to all your financial accounts, including bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts, giving you a complete picture of your financial life. The app also provides helpful tools for retirement planning, making it a great choice if you’re focused on building wealth for the long-term.
While Personal Capital is more investment-focused, it also offers helpful budgeting features, so if you want to track both your spending and investments, this app will provide the tools you need.
Choosing the Right App for You
With so many budgeting apps available, choosing the right one depends on your personal preferences and financial goals. If you’re looking for something free and easy to use, Mint or EveryDollar might be your best bet. On the other hand, if you’re serious about building wealth and prefer a more hands-on approach, YNAB or GoodBudget may be more suitable. PocketGuard and Personal Capital are great options if you want to focus on savings or investment tracking.
Ultimately, the best app for you is one that fits your lifestyle and financial habits. All these apps offer tools that can help you stay on top of your budget, track your spending, and work toward your financial goals—so take the time to explore them and find the one that works best for you.