Managing your money can seem overwhelming, but creating a solid budget is one of the best ways to regain control and set yourself on a path toward financial success. Budgeting gives you a clear strategy, whether you want to save for a goal, pay down debt, or better understand your spending habits. Thanks to technology, budgeting is easier than ever, with apps that help you track expenses, plan for the future, and stay organized. Below, we’ve rounded up the best budgeting apps available, complete with accurate pricing and updated features. Each app offers unique benefits, so whether you’re a hands-on planner or prefer automation, there’s something here for everyone.

1. Mint (Now Part of Credit Karma)

Once a popular standalone budgeting tool, Mint transitioned into Credit Karma in March 2024. While users can no longer download a Mint app, many of its standout features (such as expense tracking, budget categorization, and account linking) are now part of the Credit Karma platform.

The updated Credit Karma system continues to provide tools for monitoring your spending, offering insights into your financial habits, and tracking your net worth. Users also benefit from free credit score updates, making this platform an excellent choice for those who want all-around financial oversight.

Price:

  • Free.

2. YNAB (You Need A Budget)

YNAB, or You Need A Budget, is a favorite for hands-on budgeting enthusiasts. It’s built around the principle of zero-based budgeting, where you assign every dollar you earn to a specific task, whether it’s covering expenses, saving for the future, or tackling debt.

One of YNAB’s biggest advantages is its ability to help you budget for intermittent expenses, such as holidays or annual insurance payments, by breaking them into smaller monthly allocations. The app also encourages flexibility, letting you move money between budget categories as your needs evolve. For new users, YNAB offers comprehensive tutorials and resources to teach its proactive money management approach.

Although it’s pricier than some alternatives, many users find the investment worthwhile because it significantly improves their financial habits.

Price:

  • $14.99/month or $109/year (after a 34-day free trial).

3. PocketGuard

PocketGuard is an excellent choice if you’re focused on simplifying your budgeting routine. Its standout feature is the “In My Pocket” calculation, which tells you exactly how much money you can safely spend after accounting for bills, savings, and daily necessities.

The app helps you organize your finances by connecting to your bank accounts, credit cards, and loans to provide a real-time view of your budget. While the free version offers basic tools to get started, upgrading to PocketGuard Plus unlocks advanced features such as custom categories, unlimited financial accounts, and a debt payoff plan.

Price:

  • Free version available.
  • PocketGuard Plus costs $12.99/month or $74.99/year.

4. Goodbudget

For fans of the traditional envelope budgeting system, Goodbudget offers a digital twist. Instead of linking to your bank accounts, this app requires users to manually allocate income into virtual “envelopes,” such as groceries, utilities, and entertainment. Once an envelope runs out, it signals that spending in that category should stop.

Goodbudget is particularly helpful for couples or families, as it allows multiple users to access and update the same budget. With both free and paid plans available, it offers flexibility depending on how detailed you want your budgeting to be. Of course, more hands-on effort is required since it lacks automatic transaction tracking.

Price:

  • Free version available with limited envelopes.
  • Goodbudget Premium costs $10/month or $80/year.

5. EveryDollar

Created by finance expert Dave Ramsey, EveryDollar is another app designed for zero-based budgeting. The app encourages users to assign every dollar of their income to specific categories manually, ensuring all funds have a purpose.

The free version of EveryDollar offers basic tools such as manual transaction entry, but upgrading to the premium version unlocks functionality like automatic transaction imports, custom budget recommendations, and syncing with savings and investing accounts. With a user-friendly interface, this app simplifies the budgeting process for those who prefer to work within Ramsey’s financial frameworks.

Price:

  • Free version available.
  • Premium version costs $17.99/month or $79.99/year.

6. Honeydue

Honeydue is a budgeting app specifically designed for couples who want to manage their finances together. It allows you and your partner to sync your bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investments within a single platform. You can decide how much financial information to share with each other, making it suitable for those maintaining separate accounts while working toward shared financial goals.

One of its best features is the ability to set monthly spending limits across customizable categories. The app sends alerts when you or your partner are nearing those limits, helping to maintain accountability. Honeydue also includes reminders for upcoming bills, ensuring nothing gets overlooked. It has a built-in chat feature that lets you communicate about financial matters directly in the app.

Price:

  • Free version available.

Whichever app fits your needs best, the key to success is consistent use. By sticking to a budgeting system, you’ll make more informed financial choices and be able to plan confidently for the future. Many of the apps on this list are affordable, or even free, eliminating barriers to getting started. Now’s the perfect time to download and begin taking control of your financial health today.