When your income barely stretches to the end of the month, tracking every dollar feels like one more thing to worry about. But knowing where your money goes can help you stop the leaks. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. A simple app that fits your lifestyle can take a huge mental load off.
In 2025, there are more budgeting apps than ever. Some are packed with features. Others just help you track the basics. Some are free. Some charge a small fee.
This guide breaks down the best budgeting apps in 2025 — both free and paid — in a way that’s clear, practical, and easy to act on. I’ll walk through who each one’s best for, what it costs, and what makes it worth using.
No hype. No fluff. Just honest info to help you pick the one that works for you.
Free Budgeting Apps in 2025
Let’s start with what doesn’t cost a thing. Free doesn’t mean low quality. Several apps give you a solid budgeting experience without asking for your card info.
1. Monarch (Free Plan)
Monarch’s free version is best for: People who want to track spending and set goals without the extras.
Monarch has become a strong player in the budgeting space. While its full features sit behind a paywall, its free version is still useful.
- Track income and expenses manually or by linking accounts
- Set spending categories and track progress
- Create savings goals
The layout’s clean, easy to use, and not overloaded with features you’ll never touch. If you like things simple, it’ll work for you.
What’s missing: Advanced automation, shared household budgets, and deep financial planning.
2. Goodbudget
Goodbudget is best for: People who like envelope-style budgeting and want to stay in control.
If you’ve heard of envelope budgeting — where every dollar gets put into a category like “Groceries” or “Rent” — that’s what Goodbudget helps you do digitally.
You don’t link your bank account. You manually enter your income and divide it up into categories.
- Free plan allows 10 regular envelopes and 10 annual envelopes
- Track on the go through mobile apps
- Great for those who prefer hands-on budgeting
It’s not flashy. But if you like the feeling of control and don’t mind inputting numbers yourself, this app can work well.
What’s missing: Account syncing and more envelopes (in the free plan).
3. NerdWallet App
NerdWallet’s app is best for: People who want a full financial overview in one place.
This app is more than a budget tool. It connects your accounts to show your credit score, debts, and spending all in one spot.
- Free to use
- Suggests savings based on your habits
- Gives tips for credit and debt management
If you want an app that tracks your money and helps you improve your financial picture, this one’s a good choice.
What’s missing: Deep customization for budgets and categories.
4. PocketGuard (Free Version)
PocketGuard is best for: People who just want to know how much they can spend.
Its key feature is called “In My Pocket.” It takes your income, bills, and savings goals — then tells you how much money you really have left to spend.
- Syncs to your bank
- Tracks spending automatically
- Highlights recurring charges you can cancel
Great if you’re always wondering, “Can I afford this?”
What’s missing: Deeper budget category customization (unless you upgrade).
Paid Budgeting Apps in 2025
Some apps charge a monthly or yearly fee — but they often offer powerful features that make managing your money easier and more efficient. Let’s break down the best ones and what you actually get for your money.
1. YNAB (You Need A Budget)
YNAB is best for: People serious about changing how they think about money.
YNAB isn’t just an app — it teaches you a new way to manage money. The core idea? Give every dollar a job. You don’t guess what you’ll spend — you plan it ahead of time, even if your income is small.
- Sync accounts or enter transactions manually
- Set goals for each category
- Learn through built-in education tools and workshops
- Great community for support
The layout takes some getting used to, but many users say it changed their financial life.
Cost: Around $14.99/month or $99/year (may vary slightly by region)
Worth it? If you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck, yes. Even if you have a low income, YNAB’s method can help you stretch it.
2. Monarch (Premium Plan)
Monarch Premium is best for: Couples or families who want to manage money together.
While the free version is basic, the premium version adds a lot of value — especially for households with shared money.
- Create custom rules and categories
- Track net worth and investments
- Use shared accounts with a partner or family
- Build long-term plans for big goals
The layout is modern and simple. Everything’s laid out clearly — not buried in 10 menus.
Cost: Around $14.99/month or $99/year
Worth it? Yes, if you want a clean interface with strong shared budgeting tools.
3. Rocket Money (Formerly Truebill)
Rocket Money is best for: People who want help cutting expenses.
Rocket Money connects to your bank, tracks your bills, and suggests where you can save. One of its standout features is its ability to cancel subscriptions for you. That alone can be worth the price.
- Tracks bills and negotiates lower rates
- Helps you cancel unwanted charges
- Offers budgeting tools and savings goals
It does more than just budget — it finds ways to save without you having to ask.
Cost: Free version available. Premium features (like subscription cancellation) cost $4–$12/month based on what you choose to pay.
Worth it? Yes, if you’re always getting hit by surprise charges or unused subscriptions.
4. Simplifi by Quicken
Simplifi is best for: People who want a complete picture of their spending, savings, and goals — all at once.
Simplifi gives you a real-time dashboard of where your money is going. It doesn’t just show past transactions — it helps you look forward.
- Track subscriptions and bills
- Build savings goals and track progress
- Customize your dashboard
- Clean and modern design
You can set up “planned spending” categories for things like holidays or car repairs so they don’t surprise you later.
Cost: Around $2.99/month (billed annually)
Worth it? Yes, especially if you want a less intimidating alternative to YNAB.
5. EveryDollar (Premium)
EveryDollar is best for: Fans of zero-based budgeting who want automation.
EveryDollar follows a zero-based method — same as YNAB — where you give every dollar a job. The free version is manual, but the premium one adds bank syncing and deeper tracking tools.
- Plan monthly spending ahead of time
- Sync bank accounts (premium only)
- Connects to the Dave Ramsey system (if you follow it)
Good for folks who like the envelope method but want automation.
Cost: Around $79.99/year (no monthly option)
Worth it? Yes, if you want something between simple and advanced — and you like planning ahead.
Comparison Table – Budgeting Apps at a Glance
| App Name | Cost | Best For | Account Syncing | Free Version Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YNAB | $14.99/month | Building new money habits | ✅ | ❌ (Free trial only) |
| Monarch | $14.99/month | Shared budgeting, long-term goals | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rocket Money | $4–$12/month | Cutting bills, cancelling subscriptions | ✅ | ✅ |
| Simplifi | $2.99/month | Clear budget overview, goal planning | ✅ | ❌ |
| EveryDollar | $79.99/year | Zero-based budgeting with automation | ✅ | ✅ (Manual entry only) |
| Goodbudget | Free / $8/month | Envelope-style budgeting (manual entry) | ❌ | ✅ |
| PocketGuard | Free / $7.99/month | Knowing what you can spend now | ✅ | ✅ |
| NerdWallet App | Free | Full financial health picture | ✅ | ✅ |
Which Budgeting App Is Right for You?
That depends on what you need most right now.
- Just starting out? Try Goodbudget, PocketGuard (free), or Monarch’s free version.
- Trying to pay off debt or stop paycheck-to-paycheck living? YNAB or EveryDollar Premium.
- Want something automatic and low-effort? Rocket Money or Simplifi.
- Budgeting with a partner or family? Monarch Premium.
- Need to cut expenses quickly? Rocket Money.
The best budgeting app is the one you’ll actually use. Don’t chase features — pick the one that fits your habits.
Final Thoughts: Budgeting Apps Aren’t a Magic Fix — But They Help
No app will magically solve your money problems. But the right one can make life easier. It can remind you of your goals. Catch small leaks before they become floods. Help you say “no” to things you don’t need. And give you one less thing to stress about.
You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to start.
Pick one app. Use it for 30 days. See how it feels. You can always switch later.
Because once you see where your money goes — and start telling it where to go instead — things start to shift. Even if your income stays the same.
And that shift? That’s where stability starts.
