The Top Budgeting Apps for 2023: Streamline Your Finances with the Best Apps

In the realm of financial success, effective budgeting stands as the cornerstone, and embarking on this journey requires a profound understanding of your financial inflow and outflow. To assist you in cultivating this crucial financial habit, equipping yourself with the right tools is essential. Whether you lean towards a comprehensive app, an advanced spreadsheet, or a more hands-on approach, the quest for the best budgeting app is a crucial one. Forbes Advisor has diligently assessed a range of options, providing you with an exclusive list of the top budgeting apps for 2023. Let’s explore the world of budgeting and find the ideal app for your financial journey.

Understanding Budgeting Apps: The Financial Command Center

What is a Budgeting App

A budgeting app is a purpose-built tool designed to optimize your monthly spending and savings decisions. By consolidating all your financial commitments and aspirations in one central location, a budgeting app empowers you with a comprehensive view of your financial choices and habits. Similar to the applications offered by banks and credit unions, budgeting apps extend their functionality to include financial goal setting and the monitoring of cash flow across multiple financial accounts. These apps can sync with your bank and credit card accounts, providing an all-encompassing perspective of your finances.

Budgeting apps may adopt specific budgeting methodologies, such as the envelope or zero-based budgeting systems, or they may cater to more general budgeting needs, allowing for customization based on your individual requirements. A feature-rich budgeting app can assist you in tracking expenditures, managing recurring bills, establishing savings goals, and keeping a close eye on your monthly cash flow.

Pros and Cons of Budgeting Apps

Pros:

• Syncing: Many budgeting apps enable you to sync multiple accounts, consolidating your financial overview in one convenient location.
• Goal setting: These apps simplify the process of setting multiple financial goals, such as saving for a vacation or a down payment on a house, and allow you to track your progress.
• Convenience: Budgeting apps are easily accessible from your mobile phone or tablet, facilitating on-the-go expense tracking and budget assessments.
• Automation: Budgeting apps provide a more hands-off approach to creating and managing your budget, saving you time and effort compared to manual methods.

Cons:

• Device limitations: Desktop versions of budgeting apps may not always be available, and when they are, they might not be as user-friendly as their mobile counterparts.
• Fees: While many budgeting apps are free or offer free versions, some charge monthly usage or subscription fees. Those that don’t may feature in-app ads or promotional content.

Choosing the Perfect Budgeting App

Selecting the right budgeting app is a decision of paramount importance in your financial journey. It can significantly impact your financial life, providing valuable insights into your expenses and savings. As you embark on this selection process, consider the following factors:

• Fees: Budgeting apps vary in their cost structure. While many offer free versions, some charge a monthly fee. Don’t dismiss paid apps too quickly, as the right budgeting app could potentially transform your financial outlook, making the investment worthwhile.
• Features: Each app offers a unique set of features and benefits. Test a few different apps to determine which one best aligns with your needs. If you’re familiar with a mobile banking app, you already have a head start on what features to look for. Common features in leading budgeting apps include connecting all your financial accounts, receiving notifications for upcoming bill payments, creating a budget, tracking your credit score, monitoring spending, establishing financial goals, and more.
• Security: The security of your personal information, especially regarding your banking data and logins, is of utmost importance. Examine each app’s security features, such as encryption levels and multi-factor authentication, to ensure your information remains secure.
• Customer Service: In the event of an issue with your chosen budgeting app, having access to a responsive technical support team is invaluable. Investigate the available customer service options for both the app and its desktop version, if applicable. Reading reviews from other users can also provide insight into the quality of customer support offered by the app.

Finance Devil Tip

When searching for the ideal budgeting app, consider your personal preferences and habits. Do you prefer a detailed understanding of where every dollar goes, or would you rather automate your budgeting and minimize manual involvement? Apps like YNAB provide comprehensive insights into your spending, while apps like Oportun automate budgeting, freeing you from constant oversight.

READ ALSO: Effective Tips to Help You Master Your Budget After Planning

Streamlining Your Finances with Top Budgeting Apps

Managing your finances can quickly become overwhelming when juggling numerous accounts, from credit cards and savings to loans and investments, not to mention your monthly bills and expenses. Dealing with this manually, especially with a high volume of transactions, can be a daunting task. The solution? Embrace the best budgeting apps available, which automatically consolidate all your financial accounts into one central hub, simplifying the budgeting process.

Discover the budgeting app that aligns with your specific financial goals, whether you aim to reduce debt or save for a major purchase like a home. Before committing to a money management app, it’s essential to weigh their respective advantages and drawbacks. Let’s explore some of the top contenders:

1. Mint: Master Daily Activity Monitoring

Mint holds a renowned status as one of the premier personal finance apps, and for good reason. With an intuitive interface, Mint empowers you to track your expenses and monitor your available funds effectively. Features like personalized insights, customizable budgets, and subscription tracking make Mint a powerful tool for overseeing multiple credit cards, managing monthly bills, addressing debts, and growing your wealth. Mint seamlessly integrates with all your banking activities by linking your bank accounts to the app, ensuring that all your financial transactions are automatically imported into Mint.

Pros:

• Completely free
• Credit score tracking
• Customizable budgets
• Custom alerts for upcoming bills and potential bank fees
• Desktop platform available
• Direct account connections

Cons:

• Lacks support for joint accounts
• Advertisements may disrupt the user experience

Mint not only tracks your expenses but also monitors your credit score, ensuring you never miss a credit card payment and avoid credit score drops. The app is highly regarded for its security features, utilizing multi-factor authentication and robust encryption to safeguard your data.

2. Honeydue: Strengthen Financial Bonds for Couples

Managing household finances can be a source of contention for many couples. Honeydue is designed to enhance communication and transparency in financial matters between partners. Instead of relying on text messages or phone calls, Honeydue enables couples to discuss their expenses within the app. This is further complemented by automated bill reminders, promoting clarity in bill management. Honeydue also offers options for distributing expense responsibilities and facilitating joint bank accounts.

Pros:

• Free budgeting app
• In-app chat for couples
• Account balance tracking, bill management, and more in one place
• Integration with bank accounts

Cons:

• Limited features for investment tracking
• Some users may miss more advanced financial features

Honeydue caters to the unique requirements of couples seeking to streamline their financial lives. It minimizes misunderstandings and simplifies expense tracking, contributing to healthier financial relationships.

3. YNAB (You Need A Budget): Aligning Income and Expenses

YNAB, an acronym for “You Need A Budget,” directly addresses the challenge of aligning your income with your expenses. It employs a zero-based budgeting approach, where every dollar you earn is allocated to a specific category, eliminating untracked spending. YNAB is lauded for its proactive financial management, providing a profound understanding of your financial state by combining your bank data with transaction categorization.

Pros:

• 34-day free trial
• Detailed transaction categorization
• Customizable budget categories
• Mobile and desktop platforms available
• Direct account connections
• Regular webinars and tutorials

Cons:

• Paid subscription required after the free trial
• Learning curve for beginners
• Manual account reconciliation

While YNAB offers a 34-day free trial, it does require a subscription afterward. However, many users find the cost justifiable due to its robust budgeting features. YNAB’s educational resources, including webinars and tutorials, further aid in enhancing your financial literacy.

4. PocketGuard: Financial Wellness Simplified

PocketGuard seeks to simplify your financial life by providing an uncomplicated yet powerful platform for understanding your finances. It creates a financial snapshot that highlights your available funds after factoring in upcoming bills and savings goals. PocketGuard offers a “pocket,” a personal spending limit, helping you stay on track and avoid overspending.

Pros:

• Free basic version
• Easily see available funds
• Track spending in different categories
• Monthly budget overview
• Bill tracking and reminders
• Excellent mobile app

Cons:

• Some advanced features are locked behind a premium paywall

For those seeking a user-friendly and straightforward budgeting tool, PocketGuard is an excellent choice. It promotes financial wellness by presenting your financial data in a clear and comprehensible manner.

5. EveryDollar: Dave Ramsey’s Budgeting Approach

EveryDollar is a budgeting app rooted in the financial principles of Dave Ramsey, a renowned personal finance expert. It adheres to the zero-based budgeting system, where you allocate every dollar of your income toward specific expenses or savings goals. EveryDollar aims to make budgeting straightforward and accessible, particularly for those new to the process. It offers a free version as well as a paid version with enhanced features.

Pros:

• Free and paid versions available
• Quick and simple expense tracking
• Mobile app for on-the-go budgeting
• Debt snowball feature for debt reduction
• Financial peace courses available for deeper financial education

Cons:

• Some users might prefer more advanced financial features

EveryDollar primarily caters to those who resonate with Dave Ramsey’s financial philosophies and are looking for a streamlined budgeting tool.

6. PocketSmith: Forecasting Your Financial Future

PocketSmith goes beyond tracking your daily expenses by offering extensive financial forecasting capabilities. It provides insights into your financial future, projecting cash flow and financial scenarios based on your current spending and saving habits. With three tiers of subscription options, PocketSmith can cater to a variety of budgeting needs, from personal finances to business management.

Pros:

• In-depth financial forecasting
• Multi-currency support
• Budgeting for personal and business finances
• Integration with bank accounts

Cons:

• Some users may find the interface complex
• Premium features come at a cost

PocketSmith is ideal for those who wish to take a proactive stance in understanding their financial future and are willing to explore complex forecasting features.

7. Wally: Simplified Personal Finance Tracking

Wally offers a simplified approach to personal finance tracking. It focuses on expenses, allowing users to manually input their spending or take pictures of receipts. This hands-on approach to expense tracking provides a clear understanding of where your money is going.

Pros:

• Free budgeting app
• Intuitive expense tracking
• Receipt scanning feature
• Personal finance insights

Cons:

• Doesn’t support direct account connections

Wally is a practical choice for individuals who prefer to have a hands-on approach to tracking their expenses without the complexities of connecting to multiple accounts.

8. Goodbudget: Digital Envelope Budgeting

Goodbudget is a digital adaptation of the envelope budgeting system, where you allocate money to different “envelopes” for various expenses. This approach helps you manage your spending in a structured manner. It’s particularly useful for households and individuals seeking a clear-cut method of managing their expenses.

Pros:

• Free basic version
• Envelope-style budgeting
• Shared household budgeting
• Simple expense tracking
• Frequent updates and improvements

Cons:

• The free version has limitations
• A paid subscription required for additional features

Goodbudget is ideal for those who prefer a traditional envelope budgeting method with a digital twist, facilitating expense management for multiple family members.

9. Empower: Banking and Budgeting in One

Empower is a unique budgeting app that combines banking and budgeting in one platform. It offers high-yield interest checking accounts and cashback rewards, in addition to budgeting tools. Empower aims to optimize your financial health by providing easy access to your banking and budgeting needs in one app.

Pros:

• Integrated banking and budgeting
• High-yield interest checking account
• Cashback rewards on spending
• Expense tracking and categorization

Cons:

• Monthly fee for premium features
• Mobile app only

Empower is an excellent choice for those who seek both banking and budgeting solutions in a single, mobile-friendly app.

10. Simplifi by Quicken: Enhanced Financial Overview

Simplifi by Quicken offers an enhanced financial overview with its budgeting app. It provides insights into your spending habits, income, and savings. This app is particularly useful if you want a holistic view of your finances with minimal manual effort.

Pros:

• 30-day free trial
• Comprehensive financial overview
• Bank and credit card account connections
• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• A paid subscription required after the free trial
• Some advanced features are behind the paywall

Simplifi by Quicken is suitable for individuals who seek a comprehensive and easy-to-understand overview of their finances without extensive data entry.

Finance Devil Tip: Personalization Matters

Consider your personal preferences when selecting a budgeting app. Some individuals prefer complete visibility into their finances, while others opt for automated, hassle-free solutions. Apps like YNAB provide detailed insights into every dollar spent, while options like Oportun offer seamless, automated budgeting.

The Significance of Budgeting in Achieving Financial Wellness

In an era where more than half of Americans find themselves living paycheck to paycheck, it is imperative to recognize the pivotal role that budgeting plays in breaking free from financial struggles and establishing lasting financial stability. Over the past three decades, the United States has witnessed a steep rise in housing and healthcare costs, leaving individuals with progressively fewer resources for savings and retirement.

The absence of a well-structured financial plan and budget can lead to stress, anxiety, and overspending, exacerbating the cycle of financial instability. However, by incorporating a robust budget into your overall financial mindfulness, you can make a substantial difference in not only achieving your financial objectives but also in mitigating stress and enhancing your overall quality of life.

Crafting an Effective Budget

The foundation of a successful monthly budget is a clear understanding of your income and expenditures. Your earnings should consistently exceed your expenses, and there should be sufficient flexibility to allocate funds for savings and retirement. If your financial balance falls short of this objective, it’s high time to initiate a well-structured budgeting plan.

Finance Devil Tip: Incorporating Flexibility

Building some breathing space into your budget can be a game-changer. Rounding up your expenses to the nearest dollar or five-dollar increment can provide a comfortable cushion to prevent overdraft fees. Alternatively, consider setting a minimum balance threshold in your account, say $200, instead of risking it all at $0. This approach serves as a safety net during unforeseen financial hiccups.

Constructing Your Budget Plan

To kickstart your budget plan, begin by documenting your sources of income and your expenses. While linking your bank accounts to a reliable budgeting app is the easiest method, you can also opt for manual tracking using pen and paper or spreadsheet software. Once this is in place, categorize your expenses into fixed and variable.

Fixed expenses include unchanging costs like housing, utilities, insurance, childcare, and loan payments (such as auto loans, student loans, or credit card bills). On the other hand, variable expenses consist of items like groceries, entertainment, dining out, vacations, and streaming services. Don’t forget to allocate a portion of your monthly income to savings goals, be it for retirement or building an emergency fund.

If your expenses exceed your income, start by examining your variable expenses for potential cutbacks. Subsequently, explore ways to trim fixed costs, such as considering a move to a more affordable location or exploring debt refinancing options.

Budgeting for Grocery Expenses

Budgeting for groceries can be a challenging task, as it’s an essential part of everyone’s life. To establish a reasonable grocery budget, compare your spending with the USDA’s food plan. Keep in mind that dietary restrictions might lead to higher grocery costs. To economize, engage in meal planning by creating weekly menus that share ingredients or rely on pantry staples. Reducing meat consumption, perhaps by adopting a “Meatless Monday” approach, can significantly lower grocery expenses. Buying in bulk instead of single-use packaging also offers potential savings.

Planning Your Vacation Budget

Planning for a vacation can be an exciting savings goal if your budget permits. The initial step is to determine the desired expenditure and the timing of your trip. Suppose you’re eyeing a $5,000 beach vacation a year from now; in that case, you can break it down into a manageable monthly savings goal, roughly $420.

If a high-cost trip doesn’t align with your budget, consider lower-cost alternatives like a road trip or keep an eye out for travel deals. Budgeting for a vacation ensures you have the financial resources ready when opportunities arise, such as discounted airfares or the availability of your dream ski lodge for booking.

Allocating Funds for Rent

Determining the right amount to allocate for rent is a critical decision. Utilize the 28/36 rule, which suggests that you should spend no more than 28% of your pre-tax income on housing or 36% of your total income on debts, encompassing housing, car payments, or student loans. For example, if you earn $3,400 per month, your rent should not exceed $952, and your total monthly debt payments, including rent, should not exceed $1,224.

Consider sharing accommodations with others or relocating to a more budget-friendly area if you need to cut housing costs. If these options are not feasible, explore other aspects of your budget to identify potential cost reductions.

Creating a Wedding Budget

A wedding is one of the most significant expenses that many individuals will incur, often costing tens of thousands of dollars. To finance your wedding, begin by identifying potential contributions from family members. Determine how much you and your partner can contribute personally. Once you have a baseline budget, allocate funds to various wedding expenses. Concentrate your spending on the aspects that hold the most significance for you. If you need assistance with cost breakdowns, consider using specialized wedding planning apps.

The Components of a Successful Budget

Budgeting is a process that commences with defining your financial objectives and scrutinizing your spending and savings patterns. A profound comprehension of your financial inflows and outflows equips you to handle both anticipated and unexpected financial challenges more effectively.

The mindset you adopt in managing your finances plays a pivotal role. Establishing a budget represents a crucial initial step towards gaining control over your finances. For those unaccustomed to personal budgeting, it might take several cycles for financial habits to realign. Additionally, if you’re seeking to enhance your financial practices, consider leveraging the benefits of an appropriate budgeting app.

The Effectiveness of Budgeting Apps

The efficacy of budgeting apps is contingent upon how effectively you utilize them. Irrespective of the platform – be it an app, spreadsheet, or manual tracking – the key to successful budgeting is a firm commitment to adhering to your budget and aligning your financial decisions with it. Many individuals find that the interactivity and automation offered by budgeting apps contribute to maintaining financial discipline and oversight.

Alternatives to Budgeting Apps

Budgeting apps are not the sole method for managing your finances and tracking spending. There are alternative approaches worth considering:

Budgeting Software

For a more comprehensive money management experience, budgeting software like QuickBooks or Quicken offers extended capabilities, including tax software integration and payment management. However, these come at a higher price point compared to mobile apps.

Spreadsheet Budgeting

Spreadsheets offer high levels of customization, making them ideal for those who prefer a hands-on approach to budgeting. With a spreadsheet, you have complete control over your financial tracking and budgeting, albeit with the disadvantage of manual data entry.

Cash Envelope System

If you prefer a more tactile method, the cash envelope system is a traditional way to manage your spending. You allocate physical cash to envelopes designated for various expense categories. This method encourages discipline and avoids overspending, but it’s less convenient than digital solutions.

Financial Advisors

Engaging a financial advisor is an option for those who require more personalized financial guidance. These professionals can tailor a plan specific to your financial goals and provide expert advice.

DIY (Do It Yourself)

For those who prefer a hands-on approach, you can create a budget on your own. All it takes is a pen, paper, and some effort to manually track your income and expenses. It’s a straightforward way to gain a deep understanding of your finances.

To Recap

Budgeting stands as a fundamental pillar of financial wellness. When seeking to optimize your financial habits, choosing the ideal budgeting app can play a pivotal role. The availability of a plethora of options enables you to pick the one that aligns with your financial objectives, personal preferences, and daily routines.

As you select your budgeting tool, evaluate your specific requirements, taking into account factors like costs, features, security, and customer service. Review user feedback and explore each app to gauge its ease of use, as a user-friendly interface significantly affects the overall budgeting experience.

Remember that the most effective budgeting approach is one you can sustain. Stick to your budget to build your financial wellness gradually, and consider budgeting as an essential component of your journey to financial stability and prosperity.

Incorporating budgeting into your financial life is an impactful means to manage your expenses, increase savings, pay off debt, and, ultimately, build wealth. Take the first step by exploring the budgeting apps mentioned in this guide, and pave the way for a financially secure and stress-free future. With your newfound budgeting tool, you’re well on your way to enhancing your financial habits and achieving your financial goals. Invest in your financial future, today. Happy budgeting!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best budgeting app? 

The best budgeting app is highly subjective and depends on your unique financial circumstances and goals. Several recommended apps cater to different financial styles and objectives. Additionally, many banks and credit unions offer in-app budgeting and tracking tools.

What are the best free budgeting apps? 

Numerous free budgeting apps are available, each offering distinct features and capabilities. The best free budgeting app for you is one that aligns with your specific financial goals. It’s advisable to try out multiple apps to determine which one suits your needs best.

What is the easiest budgeting app? 

Ease of use varies from person to person, as it depends on individual preferences. While it’s challenging to identify the easiest budgeting app, the highly-ranked budgeting apps mentioned earlier are designed to provide a user-friendly experience.

What is the best budget app for couples? 

For couples managing finances together, Honeydue is a highly recommended budgeting app that emphasizes transparency and collaboration. Other suitable options include Mint, Goodbudget, and YNAB.

What is the best budgeting app not linked to a bank account? 

If you are hesitant to share your bank account information with a budgeting app, YNAB allows for file-based transaction imports and manual tracking, eliminating the need for account linkage. Goodbudget is another option that does not connect to your bank account, requiring manual transaction recording.

Are budgeting apps worth it? 

Yes, budgeting apps can be highly valuable, particularly when they align with your financial goals. Numerous users have reported saving thousands of dollars within the first year of using such apps, as they encourage mindful spending and financial discipline.

In another related article, 10 Proven Methods to Increase Your Monthly Savings by $100