Managing your money can be tough but equally important. Budgeting helps you keep track of your spending, save for future goals, and avoid debt. Luckily, technology has made this easier with budgeting apps. These apps can help you monitor your finances, set budgets, and achieve your financial goals.

There are many budgeting apps available, each with unique features. We'll review the top 10 budgeting apps of 2024 so you can get an idea of which app perfectly fits your needs.

What are the Best Budgeting Apps in 2024?

When selecting the best budgeting apps, we took a careful evaluation approach to ensure their quality and usefulness. We aim to offer a diverse list catering to various financial needs and preferences. 

Here is our curated list of top budgeting apps:

1. Rocket Money - Best Overall 

2. Honeydue - Best for Couples 

3. Monarch Money - Best for Comprehensive Financial Planning 

4. Quicken Simplifi - Best for Zero-Based Budgeting 

5. Goodbudget - Best for Cash Envelope System 

6. YNAB (You Need A Budget) - Best for Debt Payoff & Proactive Financial Planning

7. Empower - Best for Investors 

8. PocketGuard - Best for Simplicity 

9. EveryDollar - Best for Beginners 

10. Zeta - Best for Families

1. Rocket Money - Best Overall

Rocket Money, formerly known as Truebill, is an all-in-one financial management app that helps users track expenses, manage subscriptions, and optimize their finances. It stands out for its comprehensive feature set and user-friendly interface, making it a top choice for overall budgeting needs in 2024.

What We Love About It

• Automatically categorizes transactions from linked accounts, providing a clear overview of spending habits.

• Analyzes bills for potential savings and negotiates with service providers on your behalf to lower costs

• Identifies recurring charges and helps cancel unwanted subscriptions

• Allows creation of custom budgets with spending alerts

• Helps set and achieve savings goals through automated transfers

• Provides free credit score updates and monitoring

• Sends notifications for upcoming bills to avoid late fees

• Calculates total assets minus liabilities for a comprehensive financial picture

Pricing

• Free Plan: Includes basic budgeting, account syncing, and spending insights. They also offer a 7-day free trial to explore advanced features.

• Premium Plan: $6 to $12 per month (user-selected), billed annually. Includes advanced features like custom categories, premium chat support, and real-time account syncing.

Rocket Money charges a fee of 35% to 60% of your first year's savings if you successfully reduce your cost using the Bill Negotiation service, based on the percentage you choose within this range.

User Reviews

• iOS Rating: 4.2/5 stars (70.7k reviews)

• Android Rating: 4.3/5 stars (58.8K reviews)

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Comprehensive financial management in one app

• Effective at finding and canceling unwanted subscriptions

• Potential savings through bill negotiation

• Free credit score monitoring

• User-friendly interface with customizable features

Cons:

• Some advanced features require a premium subscription

• Bill negotiation service takes a percentage of savings

• Limited customer support hours

Who It's Best For

Rocket Money is ideal for users seeking an all-in-one financial management solution. 

2. Honeydue - Best for Couples

Honeydue is a popular budgeting app for couples to manage their finances together. Launched in 2017, it aims to provide transparency and collaboration in financial matters, making it easier for partners to track expenses, manage bills, and communicate about money.

What We Love About It

• Automatically categorizes transactions from linked accounts for real-time tracking.

• Allows users to monitor individual and joint accounts, toggling between the two

• Provides a shared calendar for bill reminders and upcoming expenses

• Enables users to label expenses as individual or shared

• Offers a chat function to discuss financial transactions and issues within the app

• Supports a joint bank account with no fees, no minimum deposit, and instant activity alerts

• Provides customizable alerts for new expenses and potential fraudulent activity

Pricing

• Free Plan: Includes all features, with optional in-app tips ranging from $0.99 to $9.99 per month

• Joint Bank Account: No fees or minimums, access to over 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs

User Reviews

• iOS Rating: 4.5/5 stars 

• Android Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Specifically designed for couples, promoting transparency and collaboration

• Free to use with optional tipping

• Joint bank account with no fees and instant alerts

• Customizable alerts for new expenses and potential fraudulent activity

Cons:

• Cannot be accessed from a desktop browser; mobile app only

• Limited features for investment tracking and financial goal setting

Who It's Best For

Honeydue is the best option for couples who want to manage their finances together. 

3. Monarch - Best for Comprehensive Financial Planning

Monarch Money is a comprehensive personal finance app, users can manage their money, track expenses, and achieve financial goals. Launched in 2018 by a Silicon Valley startup, Monarch has quickly become a popular choice, especially after the shutdown of Mint in early 2024.

What We Love About It

• Net Worth tracking with best-in-class data connectivity

• Flexible budgeting tools with rollover capabilities

• Recurring bill and subscription management in a calendar view

• Investment portfolio tracking and performance analysis

• Customizable reports for visualizing spending patterns

• Personalized financial dashboard

• Goal tracking for major purchases and retirement planning

• Consolidated transaction view across all accounts

• Collaboration feature for partners at no extra cost

Pricing

Monarch Money offers a subscription at $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year (equivalent to $8.33 per month). 

User Reviews

• iOS Rating: 4.9/5 stars 

• Android Rating: 4.7/5 stars

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Focus on long-term savings and goal achievement

• Easy for families to share and collaborate

• Multiple ways to sort and categorize purchases

• Highly customizable transaction categorization

• Consistent experience across web and mobile platforms

Cons:

• Higher price point compared to some alternatives

• It may have a slight learning curve for new users

Who It's Best For

Monarch Money is ideal for:

• Individuals and couples seeking comprehensive financial management

• Users focused on long-term savings and goal-tracking

• Those who prefer a balance of automation and manual control

• Former Mint users looking for a robust alternative

4. Quicken Simplifi - Best for Zero-Based Budgeting

Quicken Simplifi is a budgeting app designed to simplify financial management while offering robust features for users who prefer a zero-based budgeting approach. Launched by Quicken, a trusted name in personal finance software, Simplifi aims to provide a streamlined experience for tracking spending, managing budgets, and achieving financial goals.

What We Love About It

• Automatically categorizes transactions from linked accounts

• Customizable budget creation with zero-based budgeting capabilities

• Real-time updates and syncing across devices

• Goal tracking for savings and debt payoff

• Detailed spending reports and insights

• Bill tracking and reminders to avoid late fees

• Cash flow projections to help plan future expenses

Pricing

With Simplifi, you can get a 30-day free trial, after which it costs $2.99 per month when billed annually.

User Reviews

• iOS Rating: 4.2/5 stars 

• Android Rating: 4.3/5 stars

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Effective zero-based budgeting tools

• Real-time updates and syncing across devices

• Detailed spending reports and insights

• User-friendly interface backed 

Cons:

• Subscription costs may be higher than some alternatives

• Limited investment tracking features

Who It's Best For

Quicken Simplifi is ideal for:

• Users who prefer a zero-based budgeting approach

• Those looking for a clear overview of their cash flow and spending patterns

• Individuals who want a user-friendly budgeting tool backed by a trusted name in personal finance

5. Goodbudget - Best for Cash Envelope Budgeting

Goodbudget is a budgeting app that digitizes the traditional envelope budgeting system, making it ideal for users who prefer this method of money management.

What We Love About It

• Digital envelope budgeting system

• Syncing and sharing budgets across devices

• Expense tracking with manual transaction entry

• Debt tracking and payoff planning

• Savings goals for big expenses

• Reports and graphs for spending analysis

• Web and mobile app versions are available

Pricing

Goodbudget offers a Free Plan and a Plus Plan. The Plus Plan costs $10 per month or $80 per year and includes unlimited envelopes.

User Reviews

• iOS Rating: 4.6/5 stars 

• Android Rating: 4/5 stars

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Effective for those who prefer envelope budgeting

• Helps users plan spending in advance

• Good for couples and families managing shared finances

• Encourages financial awareness through manual entry

Cons:

• No automatic syncing with bank accounts

• Limited features in the free version

• Manual transaction entry can be time-consuming

Who It's Best For

Goodbudget is ideal for:

• Users who prefer the envelope budgeting method

• Couples or families wanting to manage shared finances

• Those who want to be more hands-on with their budgeting

• Users looking for a proactive approach to financial planning

6. YNAB (You Need A Budget) - Best For Proactive Financial Planning & Debt Payoff

Founded in 2004, YNAB follows a zero-based budgeting system and the envelope method. The app is known for its proactive approach to budgeting and its focus on helping users gain control over their spending and achieve financial goals.

What We Love About It

• Securely links to bank accounts and imports transactions automatically.

• Users assign every dollar a job, whether for expenses, savings, or debt repayment.

• Allows users to create personalized budget categories beyond the default options.

• Teaches the "Four Rules" method for budgeting

• Enables setting and monitoring of financial goals, such as emergency funds or paying off debt.

• Provides detailed spending and net worth reports with visual graphs and charts.

• Available on the web, iOS, Android, Apple Watch, and Alexa devices.

• YNAB Together feature allows budget sharing with up to six people at no extra cost.

• Offers workshops, blog articles, and community forums to help users improve their budgeting skills.

• Monitors investment performance and progress.

• Helps users plan debt repayment strategies.

Pricing

YNAB offers a monthly subscription for $14.99 and an annual subscription for $99 per year (equivalent to $8.25 per month). A 34-day free trial is available, and they offer a 100% money-back guarantee.

User Reviews

• iOS Rating: 4.8/5 stars 

• Android Rating: 4.7/5 stars

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Encourages proactive financial management

• Highly customizable budgeting categories

• Robust reporting and goal-tracking features

• Ad-free experience

• Strong security measures

• Excellent customer support

Cons:

• Higher price point compared to many competitors

• Steeper learning curve for new users

• Requires significant time investment and regular engagement

• No free version is available

Who It's Best For

YNAB is best suited for users who want to take a proactive approach to budgeting and are willing to invest time in managing their finances. 

7. Empower - Best for Investors

Empower, formerly known as Personal Capital, is a comprehensive financial management platform that excels in investment tracking and retirement planning. It offers robust features designed to help users manage their investments, track their net worth, and plan for the future.

What We Love About It

• Investment Tracking - Monitors investment accounts and provides performance analysis through the "You Index," comparing your portfolio to major indexes.

• Retirement Planner - Offers detailed retirement planning tools, including Social Security income projections and retirement savings analysis.

• Budgeting Tools - Provides personalized budgeting features with scenarios, charts, and cash flow tables to help users forecast their financial future.

• Savings Planner - Helps users determine if they are saving enough annually to meet retirement goals and maintain an emergency fund.

• Cash Flow Management - Tracks income and expenses, providing insights into spending habits.

• Net Worth Tracking - Displays a comprehensive view of assets and liabilities, updated in real-time.

• Fee Analyzer - Analyzes investment fees and provides recommendations to minimize costs.

• Investment Checkup - Evaluates asset allocation and provides recommendations for optimizing investment portfolios.

• Employs multi-factor authentication and AES-256 encryption to protect user data.

• Users may be able to schedule free calls with a financial advisor if they have at least $100,000 in investments. 

Pricing

The core personal finance and budgeting tools are free to use. Users can also add investment management services for 0.89% of their money for accounts under $1 million. 

User Reviews

• iOS Rating: 4.8/5 stars 

• Android Rating: 4.3/5 stars

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Comprehensive suite of free financial tools

• Detailed investment tracking and analysis

• Personalized retirement planning

• Access to licensed financial advisors

• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• High minimum asset requirement for wealth management services

• Higher fees compared to some competitors

• Occasional syncing issues with financial accounts

Who It's Best For

Empower is ideal for:

• Investors looking for comprehensive investment tracking and analysis

• Individuals seeking detailed retirement planning tools

• Users who want a free financial dashboard to manage their finances

• High-net-worth individuals who can meet the minimum asset requirement for wealth management services

8. PocketGaurd - Best For Simplicity

PocketGuard is a comprehensive personal finance and budgeting app that help users manage their money, track expenses, and achieve financial goals. Launched in 2015, it become popular for user-friendly interface and automated features.

What We Love About It

• Expense Tracking - Automatically categorizes transactions from linked accounts, providing a clear overview of spending habits.

• In My Pocket - Calculates how much disposable income you have after accounting for bills, goals, and necessities.

• Bill Tracking - Monitors upcoming bills and sends reminders to avoid late fees.

• Savings Goals - Allows users to set and track savings goals.

• Spending Limits - Helps users set limits on specific spending categories.

• Cash Flow Management - Provides insights into income and expenses to help manage cash flow.

• User-Friendly Interface - Simple design makes it easy to use.

Pricing

PocketGuard offers a Free Plan, which includes basic budgeting, expense tracking, and bill tracking. The PocketGuard Plus plan costs $12.99 per month or $74.99 per year (billed annually at $6.25 per month).

User Reviews

• iOS Rating: 4.6/5 stars 

• Android Rating: 3.9/5 stars

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• User-friendly interface with a minimal learning curve

• Automated expense tracking and budget creation

• Unique "In My Pocket" feature for quick spending decisions

• Strong security measures (256-bit SSL encryption)

• Bill negotiation services to help lower expenses

• Ad-free experience

Cons:

• Some key features are only available in the paid version

• No manual account options

• Limited customization in the free version

• Some users report syncing issues with certain banks

• No credit score monitoring

Who It's Best For

PocketGuard is ideal for:

• Users looking for a simple and straightforward budgeting app

• Users seeking an automated approach to budgeting

• Those who want to gain better control over their spending

• People looking to lower their monthly bills

• People who prefer a visual representation of their finances

9. EveryDollar - Best for Beginners 

EveryDollar is a personal budgeting app developed by Ramsey Solutions, the company founded by financial expert Dave Ramsey. Launched in 2015, EveryDollar is designed to help users create and maintain a zero-based budget, where every dollar is assigned a specific purpose. The app aims to simplify budgeting and help users gain control over their finances by following Ramsey's "7 Baby Steps" methodology.

What We Love About It

• Zero-Based Budgeting - Helps users allocate every dollar of their income to specific expenses, savings, or debt payments.

• Account Aggregation - Allows users to link their bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial accounts for automatic transaction import (available in the Plus version).

• Customizable Budget Categories - Users can create and customize budget categories to fit their unique financial situations.

• Expense Tracking - Automatically categorizes transactions and provides tools for manual entry and adjustment.

• Goal Setting - Option to set and track financial goals, such as paying off debt.

• Reports and Insights - Offers visual reports and insights into spending habits and budget performance.

• Subscription Monitoring - Helps users identify and manage recurring subscriptions.

• Debt Snowball Calculator - Available as part of the Ramsey+ bundle, this tool helps users plan and accelerate their debt payoff.

• Available on computers and can be accessed on phones and tablets.

Pricing

Free version

Includes many features, such as creating monthly budgets, customizing budget categories, setting up sinking funds, and tracking savings goals. 

Premium version

Costs $17.99 per month or $79.99 per year after a 14-day free trial. Subscriptions can be canceled at any time after the trial ends. The premium version and the EveryDollar mobile app are not available internationally.

User Reviews

• iOS Rating: 4.7/5 stars 

• Android Rating: 3.4/5 stars

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Easy to set up and use, making it great for beginners

• Effective goal-setting tools

• Automatic transactions import

• Syncs across multiple devices

• Integration with Dave Ramsey's financial planning methods

• Access to financial coaching and educational resources

Cons:

• No automatic transaction syncing in the free version

• Premium version required for advanced features

• Some users report issues with duplicate transactions

• Limited customization compared to some other budgeting apps

Who It's Best For

EveryDollar is ideal for:

• People new to budgeting who need a straightforward, easy-to-use tool.

• Those who follow or are interested in Dave Ramsey's financial principles and "7 Baby Steps" methodology.

• Individuals who want to implement a zero-based budgeting system.

10. Zeta - Best for Families

Zeta is a budgeting app specifically designed for couples and families, offering tools to manage joint and individual finances. Launched by Zeta, the app aims to simplify financial management for modern households by providing features that cater to shared expenses, bill tracking, and goal setting. Zeta also offers joint and personal bank accounts through its partnership with Piermont Bank.

What We Love About It

• Joint and Personal Accounts - Allows couples to manage both shared and individual accounts.

• Account Aggregation - Syncs with various financial institutions to provide a comprehensive view of finances.

• Expense Tracking - Automatically categorizes transactions and tracks spending.

• Bill Tracking - Includes an in-app bill calendar to manage and remind users of upcoming payments.

• Savings Goals - Helps users set and track financial goals.

• In-App Communication - Allows partners to add notes to transactions and communicate about spending within the app.

• Net Worth Tracking - Provides a detailed view of net worth by aggregating all accounts.

• Employs two-factor authentication (2FA) and AES-256 encryption to protect user data.

• Zeta Concierge - Dedicated support to help with account setup and ongoing financial management.

Pricing

Zeta is a budgeting app that offers a free version and a premium version called Zeta+ for $6.99 per month (Billed annually) or $9.99 per month (Billed monthly):

• Free version: Includes up to three bank accounts and three household members, and offers basic features like digital banking, Zeta Pay, and an envelope system.

• Zeta+: Includes up to four accounts and four household members, and offers premium features like Automation+, which provides custom automations for bills and goals, and Cards+, which offers more virtual cards and additional card controls.

User Reviews

• iOS Rating: 4.5/5 stars 

• Android Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Specifically designed for couples and families

• Free to use with no monthly fees for basic accounts

• In-app communication

• Comprehensive suite of features for managing shared finances

• Access to personalized support through Zeta Concierge

Cons:

• Limited Advanced Features

• Occasional syncing issues reported by users

• No credit monitoring

• Learning curve for new users

Who It's Best For

Zeta is ideal for:

• Couples and families looking to manage their finances together

• Users who want to track both joint and individual expenses

• Those who need a comprehensive tool for budgeting, goal setting, and bill splitting

• Families seeking personalized support for financial management

Why Do You Need A Budgeting App?

Traditional methods of managing finances can be challenging, but budgeting apps can be pretty handy. Here are some reasons why you should use a budgeting app:

1. Your Personal Financial Assistant

Budgeting apps act as your personal financial assistant, always ready to help you manage your money more effectively. They offer a level of convenience that traditional budgeting methods can't match, allowing you to access your financial information anytime, anywhere.

2. Effortless Money Management

Gone are the days of manual calculations and tedious data entry. Budgeting apps automate much of the process, making it easier to track your spending, set financial goals, and stick to your budget. This ease of use encourages consistent financial management.

3. A Clear Picture of Your Finances

With a budgeting app, you get a comprehensive view of your financial situation. These apps can link to your various accounts, giving you a real-time snapshot of your income, expenses, savings, and investments all in one place.

4. Spending Habits Revealed

One of the most valuable features of budgeting apps is their ability to categorize and analyze your spending. This insight helps you understand where your money is going and identify areas where you might be overspending.

5. Goal Setting Made Simple

Whether you're saving for a vacation, planning for retirement, or trying to pay off debt, budgeting apps offer tools to set and track your financial goals. A budgeting app can help you stay motivated and focused on your long-term financial objectives.

6. Never Miss a Bill Again

Many budgeting apps include bill tracking and reminder features. These tools ensure you never miss a payment. You can avoid late fees and fines and maintain a good credit score.

7. Bank-Level Security for Peace of Mind

Reputable budgeting apps use advanced security measures to protect your financial data. While it's natural to be cautious about sharing financial information, these apps often employ the same level of security as banks.

8. Accountability Partner

Some budgeting apps allow you to share your financial information with a partner or advisor. This works as an extra layer of accountability and support in achieving your financial goals.

What to Look for in a Budgeting App? 

When choosing a budgeting app, it's important to look for features that help you manage your finances without confusion. It should work well on smartphones and tablets, syncing smoothly across devices for convenience. 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to look for in a budgeting app:

Core Functionality

• The app should link to bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts to automatically import transactions. 

• Users should also be able to add transactions and categorize income and expenses with customizable labels.

• It should support various budgeting methods (e.g., envelope, 50/30/20, custom) and allow users to set budget limits for different categories. Unspent funds should roll over to the next period.

• The app should let users create short-term and long-term financial goals, set specific saving targets, and track progress. Goals should link to budget categories.

• It should track due dates and payment amounts for bills, set up reminders, and automate payments. Bills should be categorized for budgeting purposes.

Advanced Features

• The app should connect multiple financial accounts, giving a complete financial overview.

• Users should create, edit, merge, or delete personalized spending categories to track their habits effectively.

• The app should generate clear charts and graphs to help users see spending patterns, income trends, and budget progress.

• It should monitor investment portfolios, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, and track performance and returns.

• The app should manage multiple debts with details on due dates and interest rates, create debt payoff plans, and track progress.

• Users should be able to join built-in saving challenges to boost savings and set specific saving goals with fun elements.

• The app should provide articles, tips, and resources on personal finance, helping users learn about budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management.

• The app must use strong data encryption and protection measures, offer two-factor authentication, and regularly update security features.

Besides the features, good customer support is important to help users solve issues quickly. Finally, having user forums or social features can help users share tips and support each other, making budgeting easier and more enjoyable.

Are There Any Alternative Options for Budgeting Apps?

Budgeting apps are great, but they’re not the only way to manage your money. Here are some other methods that might work for you, depending on what you prefer and need

Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers

If you like to crunch numbers, spreadsheets might be your thing. You can use Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets to create your own budget. 

• Pros: Highly customizable, free or low-cost, and you can tailor it to your specific needs.

• Cons: Requires some knowledge of how to use spreadsheets, and you have to enter data manually.

Traditional Budgeting Notebooks

If you like a hands-on approach, pen and paper might be the way to go. Writing down every expense can make you more mindful of your spending.

• Pros: Simple, no tech needed, and it can make you more aware of your spending habits.

• Cons: Time-consuming and easy to lose or damage.

Envelope System

This method involves putting cash into envelopes for different spending categories. Once an envelope is empty, you can’t spend any more in that category.

• Pros: Encourages disciplined spending and is easy to understand.

• Cons: Not practical for all expenses, like online purchases, and requires carrying cash.

Financial Softwares

Financial software can offer more comprehensive tools for managing your money. These programs often include features for tracking investments, planning for retirement, and more.

• Pros: Comprehensive financial management and automated tracking.

• Cons: It can be expensive.

FAQs

Can I use a budgeting app for business expenses?

Yes, many budgeting apps can be used for business expenses. Look for features like expense categorization, receipt scanning, and the ability to separate personal and business accounts.

What is the average cost of a budgeting app?

The cost of budgeting apps varies. Free versions are available, but premium features typically range from $3 to $15 per month. Annual subscriptions often offer a discount.

Can I sync my budgeting app with my bank account?

Most budgeting apps allow you to sync with your bank account, which helps automate the tracking of income and expenses. This feature ensures that your budget is always up-to-date.

Are budgeting apps safe to use?

Reputable budgeting apps use bank-level security measures, such as 256-bit encryption and multi-factor authentication, to protect your financial data. Always check the app's security features before use.

Are there any free budgeting apps?

Yes, there are many free budgeting apps available. Some popular free options include:

• Goodbudget (free version with limited features)

• EveryDollar (free version available)

• Rocket Money (formerly Truebill, offers a free version)

• NerdWallet (completely free)