Ultimate Guide to the Best Budgeting Apps

Budgeting has come a long way from traditional pen-and-paper methods to the dynamic, feature-rich apps we use today. The best budgeting apps don’t just track income and expenses — they offer tools like real-time updates, goal setting and spending analysis that can help you manage your money more effectively.

When choosing a budgeting app, consider factors such as ease of use, the ability to sync with bank accounts and whether the app supports your specific financial goals. We’ve compiled a list of the top budgeting apps, each selected for its standout features, user experience and overall effectiveness. Understand the strengths of each app to choose the one that best aligns with your financial goals.

MoneyGeek curated 10 of the highest-rated budgeting apps on the market to help you find the best tool tailored to your financial needs. We considered key factors such as features, customer ratings from the App Store and Google Play, as well as pricing and pros and cons. We've listed these apps based on their average ratings across both platforms.

1. Fudget

• Best for: Simplicity
• Price: Free; Fudget Plus $14.99 bi-annually or $19.99 annually
• Average App Rating: 4.75 (App Store: 4.7 | Google Play: 4.8)

Fudget is ideal for users who want a simple and straightforward budgeting tool without the complexities of account linking or detailed financial tracking. The app focuses on basic budgeting by allowing you to create lists of income and expenses, making it perfect for those who prefer manual monitoring. Its minimalist interface is easy to navigate, allowing you to quickly set up and manage your budget.

One of Fudget’s key strengths is its simplicity. It doesn’t overwhelm users with unnecessary features or subscriptions. The Plus version adds a few extra features like themes and automatic backups, but even the free version is robust enough for basic budgeting needs.

2. YNAB (You Need a Budget)

• Best for: Hands-on budgeting
• Price: 34-day free trial, then $14.99 monthly or $109 annually
• Average App Rating: 4.6 (App Store: 4.8 | Google Play: 4.4)

YNAB is designed for those who want to actively manage their finances using a zero-based budgeting method, where every dollar is allocated purposefully. This approach deepens your understanding of spending and saving, helping you stay financially accountable. Key features include real-time updates, a loan calculator and detailed reports on spending and net worth.

The app offers customization, allowing multiple budgets and prioritization of savings goals. With synchronization across all your financial accounts, YNAB provides real-time tracking. Whether you're focused on debt reduction, saving for big purchases or gaining better control over expenses, YNAB equips you with the tools to achieve your financial goals.

3. Goodbudget

• Best for: Traditional budgeters
• Price: Free; Premium $8 monthly or $80 annually
• Average App Rating: 4.6 (App Store: 4.6 | Google Play: 4.6)

Goodbudget is perfect for those who prefer the traditional envelope budgeting method, where income is allocated to different spending categories or "envelopes." This method helps prevent overspending by limiting how much you can assign to each category. Goodbudget syncs across devices, allowing you to manage your budget collaboratively with family members.

The free version includes basic features, such as 20 envelopes and debt tracking, but limits you to one account and two devices. The premium version offers unlimited envelopes and accounts, plus access from up to five devices, making it a more comprehensive tool for managing multiple financial goals.

4. Spendee

• Best for: Visual budget tracking
• Price: Free; Spendee Plus $1.99 monthly or $14.99 annually; Spendee Premium $2.99 monthly or $22.99 annually
• Average App Rating: 4.6 (App Store: 4.6 | Google Play: 4.6)

For users who prefer a visually engaging way to manage their finances, Spendee offers an intuitive and colorful approach to budgeting. The app allows you to track spending and manage multiple wallets with visual charts and graphs, providing a clearer understanding of where your money is going. Spendee also supports multi-currency transactions, which is particularly useful for international users or those who travel frequently.

The app’s free version provides basic budgeting features, while the paid versions unlock additional capabilities such as shared wallets for collaborative budgeting, custom categories and access to more detailed financial insights.

5. Oportun (formerly Digit)

• Best for: Passive budgeters
• Price: Free for six months, then $5 monthly
• Average App Rating: 4.4 (App Store: 4.7 | Google Play: 4.1)

If you prefer a more hands-off approach to budgeting, Oportun might be the ideal tool. This app automatically analyzes your income and expenses, moving small amounts of money into savings to ensure you’re always prepared for upcoming bills. By automating the savings process, Oportun helps users stay on track with minimal effort, which is especially beneficial for those who want to save without constant attention.

After the initial six-month free trial, a $5 monthly fee applies for continued access to Oportun’s automated savings features and bill payment tools. While it’s a convenient option, users should consider whether the benefits of a hands-free budgeting experience justify the ongoing cost.

6. PocketGuard

• Best for: Overspenders
• Price: Free; Premium $12.99 monthly or $74.99 annually
• Average App Rating: 4.3 (App Store: 4.6 | Google Play: 4.0)

For those who struggle with overspending, PocketGuard offers a straightforward way to manage finances and avoid unnecessary expenses. The app calculates how much “pocket” money you have after setting aside funds for bills, savings goals and essentials, ensuring you don’t exceed your budget. It also incorporates the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely) goal-setting strategy to help users achieve well-defined financial targets.

Although PocketGuard’s basic version provides useful tools like spending tracking and bill reminders, opting for the premium version enhances your experience with features such as a debt payoff plan and the ability to customize spending categories to suit your financial habits better.

7. Empower (formerly Personal Capital)

• Best for: Investors
• Price: Free
• Average App Rating: 4.3 (App Store: 4.7 | Google Play: 3.9)

Empower, previously known as Personal Capital, is ideal for those who want to merge budgeting with investment tracking. The app provides a comprehensive suite of financial tools, including a net worth calculator, investment checkups and access to financial advisors. Empower is tailored for users focused on wealth management, offering a holistic view of both day-to-day finances and long-term investments.

Although the app is free, its primary strength lies in investment and wealth management rather than traditional budgeting. However, Empower still offers essential tools for tracking expenses and managing cash flow, proving to be a valuable resource for those who need a blend of budgeting and investment oversight.

8. Quicken Simplifi

• Best for: Real-time financial tracking
• Price: $2.99 monthly (billed annually)
• Average App Rating: 4.3 (App Store: 4.2 | Google Play: 4.3)

Quicken Simplifi is tailored for users who want to track their financial activities in real-time. The app provides a personalized approach to budgeting by creating custom spending plans and offering detailed insights into financial habits. It’s a great choice for consumers who prefer a more dynamic and ongoing management of their finances, as it continually updates and adjusts your budget based on actual spending.

Simplifi’s intuitive interface allows you to set up watchlists for specific spending categories and track your cash flow with ease. While the app requires a subscription, its features are robust enough to justify the cost, especially for those looking for a more interactive budgeting experience.

9. Honeydue

• Best for: Couples
• Price: Free
• Average App Rating: 4.2 (App Store: 4.5 | Google Play: 3.8)

Managing finances as a couple can be challenging, but Honeydue simplifies the process by offering tools specifically designed for shared budgeting. The app allows couples to sync their financial accounts, track spending together and set up bill reminders to avoid late payments. Honeydue also includes a built-in chat feature, making it easy for partners to communicate about their finances directly within the app.

Honeydue is free to use and offers essential features for couples to manage their finances collaboratively. It categorizes expenses automatically or lets users customize them, ensuring that both partners are on the same page financially. However, it’s worth noting that the app is more focused on tracking shared expenses rather than providing in-depth budgeting analytics.

10. EveryDollar

• Best for: Basic budgeters
• Price: Free; Premium $12.99 monthly or $79.99 annually
• Average App Rating: 4.0 (App Store: 4.7 | Google Play: 3.3)

EveryDollar is an excellent choice for users who prefer a straightforward, no-frills budgeting tool. Developed by Ramsey Solutions, this app utilizes a zero-based budgeting approach, where every dollar is assigned a job, ensuring that your income is fully accounted for. It's particularly suited for those new to budgeting or looking for a simple way to track expenses without overwhelming features.

While the basic version of EveryDollar is free and includes essential tools like budgeting categories and savings goals, the premium version offers added benefits such as bank synchronization and detailed spending reports. This makes it a flexible option for users who want to start with the free version and upgrade as their budgeting needs evolve.

With many apps available on the market, choosing one can be a bit overwhelming. Generally, the best option would be the app that fits your needs. Comparing your choices — including the prices, features, security and customer service — will give you an idea of which app is suitable for you. It’s also important to ensure the app is compatible with your device.