Saving money can feel like an uphill battle, especially when life's expenses seem to crop up at every turn. But what if you could save money without thinking about it? Automatic savings apps have revolutionized how we approach finances, making it easier to tuck money away for a rainy day, big goals, or even investments. These apps use technology to streamline savings, budget smarter, and even invest spare change. For people looking to level up their finance game in 2025, we’ve reviewed seven of the top automatic savings apps: YNAB, Acorns, Qapital, PocketGuard, Rocket Money, Chime, and Current. Each app offers unique features to fit various lifestyles and savings goals. Here’s how they stack up.

YNAB (You Need A Budget)

Features

YNAB is a budgeting powerhouse that helps users take control of their finances through a simple yet disciplined process. It follows a "zero-based budgeting" method, meaning every dollar in your account is assigned a purpose. Money can be categorized for bills, financial goals, or discretionary spending. It syncs with your bank accounts in real time and provides detailed spending reports. YNAB also includes goal-setting tools, educational resources, and financial workshops, making it stand out from simpler apps.

Cost

YNAB is available for $14.99 monthly or $109 annually after a free 34-day trial.

Ideal Users

This app is perfect for detail-oriented users who want to take an active role in managing their money. If you prefer a hands-on approach to saving and have the discipline for consistent financial management, YNAB is your go-to tool.

Pros

  • Encourages proactive budgeting.
  • Offers extensive educational resources.
  • Syncs across devices.

Cons

  • Can feel complex to beginners.
  • No bill-pay feature.

Acorns

Features

Acorns is a micro-investing and savings app designed for simplicity. Its standout feature, “Round-Ups,” automatically rounds your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change into a diversified portfolio. Acorns also allows recurring deposits, making it easy to grow both savings and investments over time. Additional options include retirement accounts and environmentally conscious investment funds.

Cost

Plans range from $3 to $12 per month, based on the features you choose.

Ideal Users

Acorns is a smart choice for beginner investors or those who want to grow their savings passively without much effort. The app is especially beneficial for those who might feel intimidated by traditional investing.

Pros

  • Hands-off investing approach.
  • Supports recurring and small deposits.
  • Offers educational resources for new investors.

Cons

  • Monthly fees can cut into small savings.
  • Limited customization of portfolios.

Qapital

Features

Qapital gamifies the saving experience by allowing users to set “rules” to trigger savings. For example, you can set a rule to save $5 every time you order takeout or hit a fitness goal. The app also includes budgeting tools, multiple savings goal options, and even automated investing for those who want wealth management options.

Cost

Pricing starts at $3 per month for the basic plan and goes up to $12 per month for the premium tier.

Ideal Users

Qapital is ideal for users motivated by goals and visual progress. If you like having creative ways to save and enjoy a gamified experience, this app is a great fit.

Pros

  • Custom savings goals and triggers.
  • Collaborative tools for couples or families.
  • Automates both saving and investing.

Cons

  • No free version.
  • Savings may grow slowly if used passively.

PocketGuard

Features

This app focuses on budgeting and guiding users to what’s left “in their pocket” after covering bills and financial goals. PocketGuard syncs with your bank accounts, tracks subscriptions, and identifies areas where you can cut costs. Its “In My Pocket” tool makes it easy to see disposable income at any given time.

Cost

Free to use with limited features. The premium version costs $12.99 monthly or $74.99 annually.

Ideal Users

Best suited for users who want a snapshot of their financial health without overcomplicating things. If you’re looking for an easy way to identify where your money is going, PocketGuard might be the right choice.

Pros

  • Simple and user-friendly.
  • Provides clear disposable income calculations.
  • Tracks and manages subscriptions.

Cons

  • Limited advanced features compared to competitors.
  • Some categorization errors in tracking expenses.

Rocket Money (formerly Truebill)

Features

Rocket Money is a comprehensive financial management app. It stands out for its subscription management tool, which identifies recurring charges and helps you cancel unnecessary services. Rocket Money also offers automated savings transfers, personalized financial insights, and bill negotiation services.

Cost

The free version includes basic tools, while premium versions range from $6 to $12 per month.

Ideal Users

This app is ideal for users who want to cut unnecessary costs and streamline their budget. It works well for people who maintain subscriptions or need help managing their finances more holistically.

Pros

  • Helps cancel unwanted subscriptions.
  • Clear and intuitive interface.
  • Tracks credit scores and net worth in premium plans.

Cons

  • Free version has limited functionality.
  • Bill negotiation fees may cut into savings.

Chime

Features

Chime is a digital-first banking platform with helpful savings features. It allows you to save automatically by rounding up purchases and transferring the spare change into a savings account. Chime also lets you set a percentage of your paycheck for direct deposits into your savings. With no minimum balances or fees, it’s a straightforward option for savers.

Cost

Chime is free to use, making it a cost-effective choice.

Ideal Users

Chime is best for users who want a simple, bank-integrated way to save without extra fees. It’s also a great option for beginner savers who prefer technology over traditional banks.

Pros

  • No fees for savings transfers or accounts.
  • Round-up and paycheck allocation features.
  • Funds are FDIC-insured.

Cons

  • Limited advanced budgeting tools.
  • No investment options.

Current

Features

Current offers flexible savings tools within its mobile banking app. Users can create “Savings Pods” to organize money for specific goals. Like Chime, Current lets you round up your purchases into savings. Current offers up to 4% APY on deposits, which is significantly higher than many traditional savings accounts.

Cost

Current offers a free basic plan, with premium services available for $4.99 monthly.

Ideal Users

If you’re looking for strong interest rates on savings combined with modern banking tools, Current is an excellent option. It works well for those prioritizing short-term savings goals.

Pros

  • High APY on savings.
  • Flexible goal-based savings tools.
  • Includes cryptocurrency trading with no fees.

Cons

  • APY cap applies after $2,000 per pod.
  • Paycheck distribution is somewhat limited.

Automatic savings apps can simplify saving and make it feel less daunting. By matching the app to your financial goals, you can turn saving into a habit and make progress toward building the future you want.