Best Budgeting Apps in 2025

Introduction

Budgeting has never been easier. With modern apps, you can track spending, save automatically, and even negotiate bills — all from your phone. But with dozens of tools out there, how do you know which one is right for you?

That’s where we come in. We tested and reviewed the best budgeting apps in 2025, breaking down features, pricing, and who they’re best for. Whether you’re trying to pay off debt, grow savings, or simply gain control over your money, there’s an app here for you.

1. YNAB (You Need a Budget) – Best for Serious Budgeters

YNAB is built around the zero-based budgeting method: every dollar you earn is assigned a job, whether that’s bills, savings, or debt payoff.

Key Features:

• Goal tracking (vacation fund, debt payoff, emergency savings)

• Real-time syncing across devices

• Reports and analytics to spot overspending patterns

• Educational resources (YNAB method workshops)

Pricing: $14.99/month or $99/year (34-day free trial).

Why It’s Great: Perfect if you want to be proactive with money and stop “winging it.”

2. Rocket Money (formerly Truebill) – Best for Bill Control

Rocket Money goes beyond budgeting — it’s like having a financial assistant in your pocket. It helps you cancel unused subscriptions, negotiate bills, and track spending automatically.

Key Features:

• Cancel subscriptions in one click

• Bill negotiation service (internet, phone, insurance)

• Credit score tracking

• Spending insights and budgeting tools

Pricing: Free version available. Premium = Pay-what-you-want ($4–$12/month).

Why It’s Great: If you’re bleeding money on unused subscriptions or high bills, Rocket Money pays for itself.

3. Monarch Money – Best All-in-One Finance App

Monarch Money is a newer app that’s quickly gaining traction. It combines budgeting, investment tracking, and net worth monitoring in one sleek dashboard.

Key Features:

• Customizable categories and goals

• Shared budgeting (great for couples)

• Investment account tracking

• Net worth dashboard

Pricing: $14.99/month or $99/year (7-day free trial).

Why It’s Great: Best for people who want both budgeting + long-term wealth planning in one place.

4. Goodbudget – Best for Envelope Budgeting Fans

Goodbudget brings the old-school envelope method into the digital age. Instead of stuffing cash into envelopes, you allocate funds into virtual categories.

Key Features:

• Digital envelope system

• Shared accounts (great for couples/families)

• Expense tracking reports

• Sync across multiple devices

Pricing: Free (limited envelopes) or $8/month for unlimited.

Why It’s Great: Simple and effective for people who love the discipline of envelopes without carrying cash.

5. Simplifi by Quicken – Best for Easy Automation

Simplifi gives you a bird’s-eye view of your finances. It automatically tracks income, bills, and savings while helping you set goals.

Key Features:

• Real-time expense tracking

• Customizable savings goals

• Bill tracking & reminders

• Clear cash-flow projections

Pricing: $3.99/month (annual plan).

Why It’s Great: Best for people who want budgeting to run in the background without much effort.

6. PocketGuard – Best for Overspending Control

PocketGuard shows you exactly how much money you have “in your pocket” after bills, goals, and necessities are covered.

Key Features:

• “In My Pocket” feature prevents overspending

• Bill tracking & categorization

• Savings goal automation

• Bank-level security

Pricing: Free basic plan, or $7.99/month for PocketGuard Plus.

Why It’s Great: Ideal for people who tend to overspend and need guardrails.

Which Budgeting App Should You Choose?

It depends on your goals:

• Want full control? Go with YNAB.

• Want to cut bills fast? Try Rocket Money.

• Want budgeting + wealth tracking? Monarch Money.

• Love envelopes? Goodbudget.

• Want automation? Simplifi.

• Need overspending help? PocketGuard.

Final Thoughts

Budgeting apps are more than digital notebooks — they’re tools that can transform how you handle money. The right app will help you save more, stress less, and finally feel in control of your finances.

The best part? Most offer free trials, so you can test them before committing.

Top Budgeting Apps in 2025

1. YNAB (You Need a Budget)

   • Best For: Zero-based budgeting

   • Price: $14.99/month or $99/year

   • Key Feature: Goal tracking & proactive budgeting

2. Rocket Money (formerly Truebill)

   • Best For: Bill negotiation & subscription tracking

   • Price: Free / $4–$12/month Premium

   • Key Feature: Cancel subscriptions automatically

3. Monarch Money

   • Best For: All-in-one finance dashboard

   • Price: $14.99/month or $99/year

   • Key Feature: Investments + budgets in one place

4. Goodbudget

   • Best For: Digital envelope budgeting

   • Price: Free / $8/month

   • Key Feature: Virtual envelope system for expenses

5. Simplifi by Quicken

   • Best For: Easy automation

   • Price: $3.99/month (annual plan)

   • Key Feature: Real-time expense tracking

6. PocketGuard

   • Best For: Overspending protection

   • Price: Free / $7.99/month for PocketGuard Plus

   • Key Feature: “In My Pocket” feature shows safe-to-spend amount