Last updated Feb. 20, 2024 | By FinanceBuzz Editors
Budgeting just sounds so un-fun. It conjures up images of penny pinching and math. (So much math!)
But, budgeting doesn't have to be like that. Not now, not with all the great new apps that make budgeting a breeze. With just a few clicks, you'll be on your way to taking control of your finances and building your savings.
Let's take a look...
Get the one budgeting app that truly does it all
Ever look at your bank account and wonder where your paycheck went? *Poof,* it's gone … and you have NO idea how you spent it all so quickly.
A budgeting app like Rocket Money could end this problem for you.
Now, some insider info: They *do* have a free version of the app ... but the real money-saving power is found in their premium subscription.
Select a premium subscription when you sign up,and you’ll unlock features that actually save you the most money possible. Like their “Cancellation Concierge,” which helps to cancel subscriptions for you. (It’s pay-what-you-want for premium, too — as little as $4 a month!)
With your premium subscription, you’ll also be able to create unlimited budgets, see your full credit report, and get automatic “smart savings” that help you grow your savings on autopilot.
Download Rocket Money
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Try it
Grow your money faster with a 5.26% APY with this online savings account
You’ve been with the same bank for years, and how do they reward your loyalty? With a laughably small interest rate on your savings.
And you’re not alone. The national average interest rate for savings accounts is just 0.47% (as of Feb. 8, 2024) APY (annual percentage yield)1, according to the FDIC. But there’s a way you could grow your wealth faster, and it doesn’t involve the volatility of the stock market.
Open a CloudBank 24/7 Savings Account and you can earn an impressive 5.26% APY2 on your account balance. That means you can sit back and watch your savings multiply without the stress of market fluctuations.
There are no fees, and you can withdraw your money whenever you need it. Plus, FDIC insurance through Third Coast Bank SSB and top-notch cybersecurity measures will help protect your data and keep your funds safe and secure.
Open an account in just a few minutes so you can start harnessing the power of this high-yield savings account right away.
Click here to open a CloudBank 24/7 online savings account
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!3
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today
Know exactly how much you can spend until payday with this smart budgeting app
Living paycheck-to-paycheck is hard. It can feel like your hard-earned money is just vanishing out of your account.
A smart budgeting app like Simplifi could solve your money woes.
What sets it apart: Know exactly how much money you have left to spend with automatic spending plans. This smart feature tracks your income and monthly expenses, so you can decide if those new shoes you’ve been eyeing fit into your budget in an instant.
Plus, you can enjoy other helpful features like real-time alerts for things like unusual transactions or upcoming bills and set up and track customizable savings goals.
Make the most out of every paycheck and access all these tools and more for as low as $2.99/month.
Get started with Simplifi today
Rocket Money Benefits
- Helps to find and cancel subscriptions
- Slash your monthly phone, cable, and internet bills
- Save an average of up to $720 a year
FAQs
The best budgeting apps, ranked*
| Ranking | Platform name | Average app rating |
|---|
| 1 | Honeydue | 4.1 |
| 2 | Empower | 4.4 |
| 3 | Simplifi | 4.3 |
| 4 | Rocket Money | 4.3 |
2 more rowsWe chose Quicken Simplifi as the best app for managing household finances because it makes tracking bills, savings goals and cash flow easy. Plus, you can add multiple people to your budget, including your partner or financial planner.
What are the pros and cons of budgeting apps? ›
Budgeting apps offer several benefits, from convenience and automation to goal tracking and financial insights. However, a potential learning curve and concerns about privacy and security can be drawbacks to using digital platforms for your finances.
How much does Rocket Money cost a month? ›
Rocket Money is a free budgeting app that offers limited budgeting features for no cost. If you want to create unlimited budgets, customize your budget categories or access features like automated savings, you'll need to pay for a Premium subscription, which costs between $4 and $12 per month.
What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.
Is there a completely free budget app? ›
The free NerdWallet app lets you track your cash flow, including how your spending fits into the 50/30/20 budget guidelines. You can also see your net worth and debt, and monitor your credit score. We also offer other free options you can try: Use a budget planner to record your expenses.
What is the secret money app? ›
POWERFUL PRACTICES TO ATTRACT ABUNDANCE INTO YOUR LIFE. The Secret to Money is an app that is designed to change the way you think about money, and to radically change the circ*mstances of money in your life. DESIRES: In this practice, you create a list of 7 things you would buy if money were no object.
What money app actually works? ›
Best Money-Making Apps
| App | Best For |
|---|
| Swagbucks | Consistent Surveys |
| Survey Junkie | Passive Income |
| Branded Surveys | New Users |
| Ibotta | Rewarding In-Person Shopping |
5 more rowsJul 18, 2024
Best Money-Saving Apps
| Money-Saving App | Best For | Monthly Fee |
|---|
| Chime | All-in-one financial services | None |
| Qapital | Goal-setting | $3 to $12 |
| Digit | Automated saving | $5 |
| Rocket Money | Tracking expenses | $4 to $12 |
4 more rowsJul 11, 2024
Research the tools you use.
Though reading the fine print for every app you use may seem tedious, it's a good idea to do a bit of research before you enter your bank account information to any website or app. Review the terms and conditions page and look up online reviews of the providers from reliable sources.
Today, Quicken is one of the most comprehensive personal finance applications available. Quicken Classic, a desktop-based software complemented by a mobile app, provides extensive financial management tools.
Do you really need a budgeting app? ›
No matter which budgeting app you use, you'll get as much out of it as you put into it. There's no magical app that can make you spend less or create more margin in your budget. However, budgeting apps can be an extremely useful tool to build financial discipline and create more slack to save and invest for retirement.
Is mint or rocket money better? ›
After several weeks of trying out these apps, my choice to replace Mint is Rocket Money. Both PocketGuard and Rocket Money felt like comparable substitutions for Mint, but I found Rocket's interface cleaner and easier to use, and I'm a fan of its sliding pricing scale.
What is the Rocket Money controversy? ›
The complaint alleges that the manipulative design of Rocket Money's interface and its misleading representations to consumers are unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices under the Dodd-Frank Act.
Which is better, monarch or rocket money? ›
Bottom line: If you're willing to pay for a budgeting app, Monarch Money could be great -- but if you need something free (and want credit score monitoring and bill negotiation), Rocket Money might be the better fit.
Is EveryDollar actually free? ›
Pay $0.00 today with your 14-day FREE trial to EveryDollar Premium (new users only). EveryDollar Premium subscriptions are $17.99/month or $79.99/year after your free trial ends. Cancel anytime.
What budget app is better than mint? ›
1. Quicken Simplifi. The Quicken Simplifi app offers a wealth of features, including customized reports and personalized spending plans. Once you import data like your bank account and billing information, the Simplifi app allows you to track income and spending, manage savings goals and stay on top of bills.
What is the best budgeting system? ›
In the 50/20/30 budget, 50% of your net income should go to your needs, 20% should go to savings, and 30% should go to your wants. If you've read the Essentials of Budgeting, you're already familiar with the idea of wants and needs. This budget recommends a specific balance for your spending on wants and needs.
Is mint worth it? ›
Easily monitor your spending
Mint is one of the best budgeting apps to use if you have a financial goal and want to monitor your spending regularly. It shows your account balance and recent transactions. It also lets you know about upcoming bills.
