6 Best Budgeting Apps for 2025 (2026)
Trying to make the most of budgeting apps? You are in the right place. Below we break it down in plain English, with practical tips you can actually use.
Key Takeaways
- 6 Best Budgeting Apps for 2025 Once you find the right budgeting tool (and start using it consistently), you'll start to see a substantial i...
- Written by Jeff Proctor Last Updated: July 22, 2025 Reviewed by Jana Lynch Home Money Management Budgeting Some of the links on DollarSprout...
- If you choose to make a purchase through one, we may earn a commission, which supports the ongoing maintenance and improvement of our site a...
Once you find the right budgeting tool (and start using it consistently), you'll start to see a substantial improvement in your finances. To help you find your perfect match, we've carefully sorted and tested dozens of apps to find the best budgeting apps for every type of budgeter.
Written by Jeff Proctor Last Updated: July 22, 2025 Reviewed by Jana LynchSome of the links on DollarSprout point to products or services from partners we trust. If you choose to make a purchase through one, we may earn a commission, which supports the ongoing maintenance and improvement of our site at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
Numerous people think about budgeting in the same way they think about counting calories.
They know it’s key but they shudder at the thought of actually doing it. And just like with calorie counting, once someone starts sticking to a budget that suits their lifestyle, they start seeing positive results.
Budgeting apps , much like food tracking apps , can make this process easier. Once you find the right tool for you, you’ll start to see a substantial improvement.
To help you find your perfect match, we’ve carefully sorted and tested dozens of apps to find the best budgeting apps for every type of budgeter.
Overview: The Best Budget Apps
- Best for Overall: Tiller
- Best for Keeping It Simple: PocketGuard
- Best for Zero-Based Budgeting: YNAB
- Best for Envelope System Budgeting: EveryDollar
- Best for Couples: Honeydue
- Best for Tracking Net Worth and Spending: Empower (previously Personal Capital)
1. Best Overall: Tiller
Cost: 30-day free trial then $79/yr ($6.58/mo)
A common complaint of numerous budget tools is that they are too rigid and don’t give users enough flexibility to customize certain parts of their budget. For users who want a higher level of control and prefer using spreadsheets over cookie-cutter apps, Tiller is a excellent solution.
Tiller automatically updates a customizable set of up to five spreadsheets with daily spending, transactions, and balances from all your accounts, including credit cards, loans, and bank accounts. Users can opt for either Google Sheets or Excel and can use Tiller’s Autocat feature to automatically categorize their spending.
Flexibility (without the headache of data entry) is the biggest selling point for Tiller. The tool supports multiple budgeting methods, including 50/30/20 budgeting and zero-based budgeting, among others. You can also receive a daily email with account balance summaries and create spreadsheets to track savings goals, freelance income, net worth, and more.
2. Best for Keeping It Simple: PocketGuard
Cost: Free or $7.99/mo for PocketGuard Plus (cheaper if paid annually)
PocketGuard is geared toward millennials who are new to budgeting and want something that’s simple to use. Similar to other apps on this list, PocketGuard allows users to sync all of their financial accounts to the app.
Where PocketGuard shines the most is its “In My Pocket” feature, which lets users quickly see what money is safe to spend after factoring in bills, ongoing spending, and savings goals. For instance, if a user finds a pair of shoes they want for $65 but they aren’t sure if they can afford them, a quick glance at their In My Pocket balance provides the answer.
PocketGuard also identifies opportunities for users to save money like canceling recurring subscriptions or negotiating bills. And through its referral program, you can accrue points to trade for a month (or more) of its PocketGuard Plus service.
Also, if you don’t like the idea of paying a monthly fee to use to use the app, PocketGuard Plus lifetime access is available for a one time purchase of $79.99.
Related: How to Make a Zero-Sum Budget: Your Tool to Financial Freedom
3. Best for Zero-Based Budgeting: YNAB
Cost: 34-day free trial, then $99/yr (or $14.99 per month)
You Need a Budget, also known as YNAB, is one of the most popular and well-known budgeting apps. It works on the premise that every dollar has a purpose. Whether it’s paying a mortgage, buying a latte, or saving for the future, the idea behind YNAB , and zero-based budgeting in general , is that every dollar is accounted for at the end of the month.
This simple-to-use app is excellent for beginner budgeters or those who want to track all of their spending because they’re trying to pay off debt or reach another financial goal. It provides a central location to manage all of your accounts and debt, and you can even share the information with a partner or spouse.
Since you have to manually enter all of your spending, it forces you to pay attention to where your money is going.
As YNAB advises, “All the dollars in your checking account are no longer at your disposal because now you are spending from the budget, from the plan, from your categories.”
4. Best for Envelope System Budgeting: EveryDollar
Cost: 14-day free trial, then $12.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
EveryDollar is the budgeting app created by Dave Ramsey, one of the most popular figures in the personal finance industry. While a bit pricier than some of its competitors, Ramsey+ (formerly EveryDollar Plus) comes with access to Financial Peace University, Dave Ramsey’s flagship personal finance course, and other features including spending insights and the ability to track your progress through the Baby Steps.
EveryDollar works off of the envelope budgeting system, which is similar to zero-based budgeting. For users looking to assemble a debt payoff plan, EveryDollar has built-in features like the Debt Snowball Tool to help. Similar to other apps on this list, Ramsey+ syncs with a user’s outside accounts and updates transactions in real time.
For anyone following Dave Ramsey’s program, this app is a perfect fit. However, if you can’t afford Ramsey+ or don’t need the other features, there is a free version that allows you to create a basic, customizable budget.
5. Best for Couples: Honeydue
Cost: Free
While numerous of the apps on this list allow for multiple users, the Honeydue app is specifically designed for couples. The app allows each partner to stay up to date on account balances, bill due dates, and it even allows users to split bills within the app.
The most unique feature of Honeydue, though, is the messaging feature. For instance, if a transaction looks suspicious or fraudulent, a quick message to your partner can clear things up. Users can also send encouraging notes and emojis, which can help facilitate difficult conversations and help couples merge their finances without any drama.
The app does have privacy settings so users can decide how much information they want to share with their partner. For instance, if you have separate accounts, you can decide to share account balances but not every specific transaction. This is particularly helpful if you’re planning a surprise gift or trip, but if you’re concerned about financial infidelity, you might want to choose an app that provides more transparency
Final Thoughts
The bottom line: a little research on budgeting apps goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is one click away.
Originally published at dollarsprout.com.
Jeff Proctor
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