Best Budget Apps & Tools
Budgeting used to mean sitting at the kitchen table, squinting at receipts, and manually tracking expenses in a notebook. Thankfully, those days are over.
Today, the best budget app can do the heavy lifting for you—tracking spending, setting goals, and even automating savings. But with hundreds of budgeting tools out there, how do you know which one is right for you?
In this guide, we’ll break down the best budget apps, how they work, and which one fits your financial goals.
How Budgeting Apps Actually Help You Save
It’s easy to think, “I know what I spend, why do I need an app?” But here’s the reality—most people dramatically underestimate their spending. That $4 coffee? That impulse Amazon purchase? That $12 subscription you forgot about? It all adds up.
Budgeting apps solve this problem by: Automatically tracking where every dollar goes, setting spending limits on categories like food, entertainment, and shopping, sending alerts when you’re overspending, and helping you save money automatically. The result? More money in your pocket without obsessively checking your bank account.
Take a deeper dive on how to budget with our 50-30-20 Budget Rule.
The Best Budget Apps (And Who They’re Best For)
Not all budgeting apps are created equal. Some are great for hands-off tracking, while others give you granular control over every expense. Here’s a look at the best budgeting apps, what they do, and who should use them.
| Budgeting App | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| YNAB (You Need a Budget) | People who want full control | Zero-based budgeting, every dollar has a job, proactive planning |
| Mint | Hands-off users | Automatic tracking, bill reminders, subscription management |
| Empower | High earners | Investment tracking, net worth monitoring, cash flow insights |
| GoodBudget | Couples & families | Envelope-style budgeting, shared family budgeting |
| PocketGuard | Over-spenders | Helps prevent overspending, calculates “safe to spend” balance |
| Digit | People who struggle to save | Automated savings, AI-driven transfers to savings accounts |
How to Choose the Best Budget Apps for You
Choosing the right budgeting app depends on your financial personality.
1️⃣ Are you a hands-on budgeter?
If you want total control over every dollar, YNAB is your best bet. It uses zero-based budgeting, meaning every dollar is assigned a job—whether it’s rent, groceries, savings, or investing.
2️⃣ Do you just want to track spending without effort?
Mint is great for passive budgeting. It automatically categorizes transactions, tracks bills, and alerts you to unusual spending.
3️⃣ Are you focused on investing & building wealth?
If you want to track your net worth and investment growth, Empower (formerly Personal Capital) is the best option. It syncs with brokerage accounts, calculates fees, and provides in-depth financial analysis.
4️⃣ Do you struggle to save money?
If saving money feels impossible, Digit automates the process. It analyzes your spending habits and transfers small amounts to savings—so you save money without thinking about it.
The One Feature The Best Budget Apps Need
No matter which app you choose, make sure it connects to your bank and credit cards. Why? Because manually entering expenses is the fastest way to stop budgeting altogether. The best apps sync with your financial accounts and pull in transactions automatically.
One of the best new features to look for is AI-driven insights. Some apps, like Empower and PocketGuard, will actually tell you where you can cut costs and save more money.
For an outside perspective, Nerdwallet also maintains a running list of highly rated budgeting apps with feature comparisons and editor reviews.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Budget
The best budget app is the one you’ll actually use consistently. Whether you’re a hands-on budgeter, an over-spender, or just want to track everything in one place, there’s an app for you. Experiment with different ones and see which one jives with you.