![Best_Budgeting_Apps_1200x628 Budgeting app for 2023](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Best_Budgeting_Apps_1200x628.png)
Getting your financial life in order is the first step to increasing your wealth. Technology can help keep you on the right track, especially with budgeting and money tracking apps. can be difficult.
After reviewing dozens of apps, we’ve got a comprehensive picture of which budget management apps are worth downloading and which are safe to ignore.
Plus, it’s important to think about what you need in a budgeting app or spending tracker? Need a serious budgeting tool or investment tracker? Looking for a credit score? Every budgeting app focuses on a specific niche, and we break down the best budgeting apps we’ve found why you should consider using one.
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Editor’s Pick: Best Budgeting Apps
Budgeting and financial tracking app is designed to help you track your income, expenses and net worth over time. Most of these apps also have budgeting features that help you proactively plan your spending based on your income. We select the best budgeting and financial tracking apps based on our trials and tests.
- Inab
- monarch money
- empower
- co-pilot
- tiller
- Kubera
1. Inabu
![University-Investor-Best-Award-Static-1080x1080 (1) Best Budgeting App of 2023: YNAB](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/college-investor-best-of-award-static-1080x1080-1-1.png)
YNAB, short for You Need a Budget, is one of the leading budgeting software services. This allows users to set budgets based on their income and adjust categories throughout the month when the unexpected happens.
If you have a decent income but are still living paycheck to paycheck, YNAB can help you master cash flow, start saving, and break the cycle. This is the best dedicated budget management app you’ve ever seen.
YNAB charges $14.99 per month or $99 per year. But if you’re a college student, you can now use YNAB for free for one year.All you have to do is present your student ID card or other proof that you are a college student.
Read our full budget-needed review here.
![YNAB logo Best Budgeting App: YNAB](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/YNAB-Logo.png)
2. monarch money
![University-Investor-Best-Award-Static-1080x1080 (1) Best Budgeting Tool: Monarch Money](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/college-investor-best-of-award-static-1080x1080-1-1.png)
Monarch has built an amazing budgeting and net worth tracking app that combines all the features we love: transaction classification, net worth tracking, and investment monitoring.
And unlike other apps that automatically connect and update your account, Monarch actually works. I rarely see any connection issues or issues.
However, this is a paid app and you will be paying $9.99/month or $89.99/year.
Read our full Monarch review here.
![monarch money logo Best Budgeting App: Monarch](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/logo-color.png)
3. Empower
![University-Investor-Best-Award-Static-1080x1080 (1) Best Budgeting App: Empower](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/college-investor-best-of-award-static-1080x1080-1-1.png)
Empower (formerly Personal Capital) is one of the original wealth allocation, portfolio management, and net worth tracking apps. Users can also use the app to track their income and expenses.
Its strength is that it tracks investments better than most budgeting apps.
Please note that Empower is also a financial advisory firm. You will receive a call from Empower to request that you purchase Advisory Services. But in return, it’s also one of the only free budgeting tools to make the list.
Read our full review of Empower here.
![empowering logo Best Budgeting App: Empower (formerly Personal Capital)](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Empower-Logo.png)
4. Copilot
![University-Investor-Best-Award-Static-1080x1080 (1) Best Budgeting App: Copilot](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/college-investor-best-of-award-static-1080x1080-1-1.png)
Copilot is one of the newer apps on our list, but they make great budgeting and financial tracking apps. It offers great connectivity, great visualizations and is one of the few apps that also supports cryptocurrencies.
One downside right now is that the app is only available for Mac and iPhone (honestly, this is very rare as most apps prefer PC).
Copilot is a paid app. Free for 30 days, then $8.99/month or $69.99/year.
![copilot money Best Tracking App: Copilot](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Copilot-money.png)
5. Tiller money
![University-Investor-Best-Award-Static-1080x1080 (1) Best budgeting tool: tiller money](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/college-investor-best-of-award-static-1080x1080-1-1.png)
Tiller Money is an app that feeds your financial transactions and balance statements into your Excel spreadsheets or Google Sheets. As far as “apps” go, it couldn’t be easier. The downside is that you need to be a spreadsheet expert to make the app easy to use.
However, it’s a great app for those who want flexibility in their app. It can be used for traditional budgeting, financial tracking, and cash flow and income statement creation for your business.
Tiller charges $79 annually after a 30-day free trial.
Read our full tiller money review here.
![Tiller_logo_box_500px Best Budgeting App: Tiller](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Tiller_logo_box_500px.png)
6. Kubera
![University-Investor-Best-Award-Static-1080x1080 (1) Best Net Worth Tracker: kubera](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/college-investor-best-of-award-static-1080x1080-1-1.png)
Kubera has become one of my personal favorite money apps, but its focus is a little different than most on this list. It’s a net worth tracker. I don’t do budgeting, but I had to include it on this list. Because when it comes time to graduate from budgeting and simply track net worth, Kubera should be the tool of choice.
It’s great because you can connect it to almost any account you have, including cryptocurrencies.You can add entries for personal investments, real estate, and more. They recently added support for many DeFi and NFTs as well.
Kubera charges $150 per year after a $1 14-day free trial.
Read our full Kubera review here.
![Kubera wordmark Best Budgeting App: Kubera](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Kubera-Wordmark.png)
Other key money apps
Besides budgeting apps, there are some other useful financial apps that you might want to consider. Examples include apps that help you find and reduce subscriptions, track credits, and more.
Cancel Subscription: Rocket Money
Rocket Money is a subscription monitoring and billing negotiation service that also features a full-service financial dashboard. It can even let you know if you’ve paid for your subscription and help you cancel.
If you’re struggling to manage your costs (especially your cable and phone bills), Rocket Money can help you save a lot of money.
Additionally, Rocket Money is building more and more budgeting and spending tracking capabilities.
Rocket Money has a free version, but you’ll need to upgrade to one of the paid plans to access tools like canceling your subscription.
Read our full Rocket Money review here.
![RM-Horizontal-Black Best Subscription Cancellation App: Rocket Money](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/RM-Horizontal-Black.png)
Cash Advance: Empower
empower is an app that offers cash advances up to $250**. They do not charge interest or late fees. We also don’t do credit checks.
If you’re looking for a mobile banking service that offers features like cash advances, Empower is the way to go.
Read our full review of Empower here.
Empower is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by nbkc Bank, an FDIC member.
![Empower_Black_White@12x Best Cash Advance App: Empower](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Empower_Black_White@12x.png)
Monitor Your Credit Score: Credit Karma
Credit Karma is a financial marketplace (compare loans, credit cards, etc.) that appears to be committed to providing its customers with the best money experience. We offer free credit score, credit score monitor and more.
Additionally, they recently announced a very competitive high yield savings account.
Read our full Credit Karma review here.
![credit karma logo Best Credit Monitoring App: Credit Karma](https://cdn.thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/credit-karma-logo.png)
Why are there no micro-savings or micro-investment apps on this list?
For several years, every advancement in the financial apps industry seemed to involve microsaving and microinvestment. Digit and Acorns were the frontrunners in these categories.
The idea behind these apps was that you could “round up” your purchases or save a few dollars or cents at a time. investment).
The concept seems solid and some people love these apps, but I realized they added an unnecessary layer of complexity. People will eat up their savings in app fees.
People who can save more don’t need microsavings apps. They can set up automatic transfers to investment accounts of their choice.
Budgeting app FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about budgeting apps.
What are the best budget apps?
This depends on your budgeting style and needs. Apps like YNAB have a very specific budgeting style, while others like Personal Capital are more like spending trackers. That’s why it’s important to find an app that fits your style.
Are budgeting apps safe?
yes. Budgeting apps cannot access your account to complete transactions. They are simply reading your data through a third party authorized by your bank or institution.
How much does a budgeting app typically cost?
Prices for budgeting apps range from free to around $60 per year. It all depends on what functionality you want in your app. Some apps are free miam. This means you can offer a free tier and pay for more features.
Is the budget app free?
Yes, many of the most popular budgeting apps are free. These apps typically make money by recommending products and services based on the user’s profile. Remember – if something is free, you are the product.
Do budgeting apps really work?
Yes, but it depends on what you do with your data and information. Budgeting (whether it’s paper or an app) depends on how strictly you set your goals and stick to them.
final thoughts
The best tools are the tools you use. And there is always the right tool for the job.
None of these apps are useful if you don’t like them. So give it a try and see if it fits your style. Hopefully, it will help you improve your financial life in a positive way.
Disclaimer
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**Eligibility requirements apply.