The best budget apps let you easily take control of your money, track expenses, save more, and spend smarter. If you’re struggling to stay on top of your monthly spending, give these top-rated budgeting app picks a try. Since most offer a free plan or free trial, it won’t cost you a dime to find the budgeting app that best fits your unique spending needs.
Best Budgeting App Picks for 2025
Subscription Tracker & Auto-Cancel
Rocket Money | Find & Cancel Subscriptions, Track Your Spending, Create a Budget & More
Rocket Money is perfect for anyone looking to reduce wasteful spending. From trimming bills to spotting forgotten subscriptions, it’s one of the best budgeting apps for uncovering hidden savings. The app also offers budgeting tools with spending and expense tracking, making it a great all-in-one choice.
Pros:
- Free basic plan available, premium options on paid plans
- Tracks subscriptions and helps cancel unused ones
- Bill negotiation services to lower monthly expenses
- Smart budgeting tools and spending insights
- Bank-level security and privacy
- Real-time account syncing
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Easy "Give Every Dollar a Job" Budgeting
YNAB (You Need a Budget) | Every-Dollar Budgeting & Debt Payoff
YNAB is often regarded as the best personal budgeting app for people who want to be proactive with their money. Its unique method teaches you how to plan ahead, allocate funds purposefully, and break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. If you're serious about gaining control over your finances, YNAB is a solid, structured choice.
Pros:
- Free trial available (34 days)
- Gives every dollar a job to help you prioritize spending
- Real-time syncing across devices for household or personal use
- Detailed reports on spending and progress toward goals
- Debt payoff tools to help you stay motivated
- Bank syncing for automated transaction tracking
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Based on the Envelope System
Goodbudget | Home Budget App for Android, iPhone, & Web
Goodbudget is ideal if you prefer a more hands-on approach to budgeting. Unlike other apps, it doesn’t link directly to your bank account, which can be a plus for those who prefer privacy. It’s one of the best budget planner apps for couples and families managing shared finances.
Pros:
- Free version available; paid plan offers more envelopes
- Envelope budgeting system for mindful spending
- Syncs across multiple devices for household sharing
- Easily plan for big expenses and savings goals
- Manual transaction entry encourages awareness
- No bank connection required
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Includes a Net Worth Tracker
PocketGuard Budgeting App & Finance Planner
PocketGuard is a straightforward, minimalist app that helps you avoid overspending. Its standout feature is the ability to show you exactly what’s safe to spend after accounting for bills, goals, and necessities. If you tend to overspend or want a simple way to stay within your means, this is one of the best apps for budgeting day-to-day.
Pros:
- Offers a 7-day free trial
- “In My Pocket” feature shows how much you can safely spend
- Tracks bills, income, and savings goals
- Identifies opportunities to lower recurring expenses
- Syncs securely with your bank accounts
- Budget categories can be customized
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For Dave Ramsey Fans!
EveryDollar by Dave Ramsey
If you're following Dave Ramsey’s baby steps or want a no-nonsense budgeting method, EveryDollar is worth checking out. It’s one of the best budget planner apps for people who want to tell every dollar where to go—whether you’re working to pay off debt or save for the future.
Pros:
- Free basic plan; Ramsey+ subscription unlocks full features
- Based on Dave Ramsey’s zero-based budgeting method
- Simple drag-and-drop budgeting interface
- Tracks expenses manually or via bank sync (paid version)
- Goal tracking and debt payoff support
- Great for fans of the Ramsey financial philosophy
Try for Free
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Wondering Why Mint isn’t in the 2025 List?
Mint was one of the top-rated free budgeting apps on the market for years. However, the Mint app was moved under the umbrella of Intuit’s Credit Karma brand in 2024. We’re still assessing the outcome of this move on the new combined app’s features and costs. Stay tuned for updates or check the latest version of this budget app service out for yourself on Credit Karma’s website.
Quit Worrying… Start Budgeting!
In a recent survey, a whopping 64% of Americans reported being more worried about running out of money than about dying! But that doesn’t have to be you! Tracking where your dollars are spent, cutting out waste, and creating automatic savings and bill pay habits is easy with a budgeting app.
How to Choose the Best Budget App for You
Whether you’re trying to save for a big goal, pay off debt, or get better at managing everyday expenses, the right budgeting app can put you back in control. And choosing the right budgeting tool can make a big difference in how well you stick to your financial goals.
Here are a few top considerations to help you pick the best budget app for your needs.
Consider Ease of Use
- Look for a budget app with a user-friendly interface that matches your technology comfort level.
- Decide how hands-on you want to be. Some apps require manual entry and updates, while others offer automatic syncing, money moves, and bill pay.
What’s Your Budgeting Style?
- Zero-based budgeting (like YNAB or Ramsey’s EveryDollar) works well if you want to plan every dollar you spend.
- Envelope-style apps (like Goodbudget) align with the concept of physical cash management or shared budgets.
- Automated apps (like Rocket Money) provide budgetary overviews and automate money actions without requiring ongoing manual updates.
Look for Flexible Budget Planning Features
- Expense tracking and categorization
- Goal setting and tracking
- Bill reminders and due dates
- Subscription monitoring
- Debt payoff tools
- Financial insights and reports
Compare Budget App Free Plans vs. Paid Versions
- Many of the best budgeting apps offer a free version, but paid plans often include advanced features such as automated savings and payments, bank syncing, or custom reports.
- Consider the features you need most to stay on track to justify upgrade costs. Sometimes, it’s worth a few extra dollars to let the app do the hard work for you, helping you save more in the end.
Ensure App Security & Privacy
- Make sure the app uses bank-level encryption and offers two-factor authentication.
- Review the app’s privacy policy to understand how your data is collected, used, and shared.
Check on Customer Support & Device Compatibility
- Look for apps that offer responsive customer support, including 24/7 in-app or online chat, or robust in-app help resources with video tutorials.
- Ensure the app works on your devices (iOS/Android) and integrates with your bank, credit card providers, and other financial institutions, such as investment brokerages.
