Managing money can be about as appealing as counting blades of grass, but it won’t be that way with the best budgeting apps. In 2025, more people will be looking for ways to take control of their financial lives, rightfully so. There are just so many bills to take care of. Thankfully, budgeting apps have their flourishing market, and they can help you manage or create a budget, no matter your lifestyle or goals.
OctoFisc presents the best budgeting apps of 2025—highlighting their unique features, user ratings, costs, and how they can help you manage your money effectively. From the most popular apps like YNAB and Mint to lesser-known options, let’s see which budgeting apps are worth checking out this year.
1. YNAB (You Need A Budget)
YNAB is one of the most popular budgeting apps for a reason. It takes a proactive approach to budgeting. YNAB follows a zero-based budgeting method, which means every dollar you earn is allocated to a specific category: expenses, savings, or debt repayment.
YNAB Key Features:
- Proactive Budgeting: Unlike traditional apps that just track your expenses, YNAB encourages users to plan ahead. You assign jobs to each dollar you earn, making sure nothing goes untracked.
- Educational Resources: YNAB’s comprehensive tutorials and active community support can help you develop strong financial habits.
- Multi-Platform Access: Available on both mobile and desktop, YNAB ensures that you can manage your finances wherever you are.
YNAB Cost:
YNAB costs $14.99 per month or $109 per year. They also offer a 34-day free trial to let you test out the app before committing.
Google Play rating: 4.7
App Store rating: 4.8
Why Choose YNAB?
If you’re serious about getting a handle on your finances and are ready to invest time into learning budgeting strategies, YNAB is one of the best budgeting apps available. Its proactive approach can help you plan for the future, not just track the past.
2. Mint
Intuit’s Mint has been a household name for years when it comes to free budgeting apps. It connects all your financial accounts in one place, giving you a comprehensive view of your spending habits and financial status. Mint is simply the best free budgeting app you can get.
Mint Key Features:
- Automatic Categorization: Mint categorizes your transactions automatically, making it easy to track where your money is going.
- Goal Tracking: Whether it’s saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund, Mint lets you set and track your financial goals.
- Credit Score Monitoring: Get free access to your credit score, along with alerts for any changes that might impact your financial standing.
Mint Cost:
Mint is entirely free to use, though it does have ads.
Google Play rating: – (unavailable)
App Store rating: 4.8
Why Choose Mint?
Mint is perfect for anyone looking for a comprehensive budgeting tool that doesn’t cost a dime. Its automatic features and goal-setting tools make it easy to get started without having to worry about monthly fees.
3. PocketGuard
PocketGuard offers a no-fuss, streamlined approach to budgeting. This app helps you see exactly how much disposable income you have after accounting for bills, savings goals, and necessities.
PocketGuard Key Features:
- “In My Pocket” Feature: This feature allows you to see how much money is left for discretionary spending once your bills and goals are accounted for. It’s great for people who struggle with overspending.
- Expense Tracking: By linking your bank accounts, you can track your expenses in real-time.
- Debt Payoff Tools: PocketGuard also offers features that help you plan and track debt repayment.
PocketGuard Cost:
PocketGuard offers a free version, and its premium version is priced at $12.99 per month or $74.99 per year.
Google Play rating: 3.9
App Store rating: 4.6
Why Choose PocketGuard?
For those who want a simple, intuitive budgeting tool that focuses on seeing how much disposable income you have, PocketGuard is a fantastic choice. The app’s minimalist approach ensures that you’re not overwhelmed with features you don’t need.
4. Goodbudget
Goodbudget takes a more hands-on approach to budgeting with its envelope budgeting system. Instead of syncing automatically with your bank accounts, you manually input your transactions, helping you become more mindful of your spending.
Goodbudget Key Features:
- Manual Entry System: Unlike most apps, Goodbudget doesn’t link to your bank accounts. You manually enter your transactions, which can help improve your financial awareness.
- Cross-Device Syncing: You can access your budget across multiple devices, including smartphones and web browsers.
- Educational Resources: Goodbudget offers a range of articles and videos to teach you the fundamentals of budgeting.
Goodbudget Cost:
The basic version of Goodbudget is free, while the premium version costs $10 per month or $80 per year.
Google Play rating: 3.8
App Store rating: 4.6
Why Choose Goodbudget?
If you prefer a more hands-on, mindful approach to budgeting and don’t want automatic syncing, Goodbudget is a great choice. It’s ideal for people who like having full control over their financial data.
5. EveryDollar
EveryDollar is an easy-to-use budgeting app that follows a zero-based budgeting system, ensuring that you’re allocating every dollar to a specific category. It’s known for its simplicity and user-friendly design.
EveryDollar Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: The app’s drag-and-drop feature makes categorizing your expenses a breeze.
- Bill Reminders: You can set reminders for upcoming bills, so you never miss a payment.
- Premium Version Benefits: The paid version allows automatic transaction syncing with your bank accounts, saving you time.
EveryDollar Cost:
EveryDollar offers a free version, with the premium version priced at $17.99 per month or $79.99 per year (after a 14-day trial).
Google Play rating: 4.3
App Store rating: 4.7
Why Choose EveryDollar?
EveryDollar is perfect for anyone who wants a simple, straightforward budgeting tool. It’s easy to use and doesn’t overwhelm you with too many features, making it ideal for budgeting newbies.
6. Empower (formerly Personal Capital)
Finally, we have Empower to conclude our list of best budgeting apps. While Empower started as an investment tracking app, it now offers robust budgeting features that allow users to manage both spending and long-term wealth-building goals in one place.
Empower Key Features:
- Comprehensive Financial Overview: You can link all your accounts—bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investments—into one dashboard.
- Spending Insights: Empower tracks your spending and provides detailed insights into your financial habits.
- Net Worth Tracking: It helps you keep track of your net worth over time, giving you a clearer picture of your financial health.
Empower Cost:
Empower is free to use, with no hidden fees.
Google Play rating: 4.5
App Store rating: 4.8
Why Choose Empower?
If you’re looking for a budgeting tool that also helps you track investments and net worth, Empower is an excellent choice. Its ability to combine wealth-building tools with budgeting makes it a worthy pick for the best budgeting apps of 2025.
FAQ: Common Questions About the Best Budgeting Apps
Are there any completely free budgeting apps?
Yes, many budgeting apps are completely free, including Mint and Empower. And they absolutely lack any hidden fees.
Which budgeting app is best for debt repayment?
YNAB and PocketGuard are excellent choices for debt repayment. YNAB helps you allocate funds to debt, while PocketGuard shows you how much money you have left after essential expenses.
How can I save money using a budgeting app?
Budgeting apps track your spending and set savings goals to help you see where your money is going. Many apps, like Mint, even let you set up specific savings targets.
Is YNAB worth the price?
If you’re serious about budgeting and don’t mind the learning curve, many users find YNAB’s price tag justified by the results they see in their finances.
Can budgeting apps really help me save money?
Absolutely! By giving you a clear picture of your spending habits, budgeting apps can help you identify areas where you can cut back and save.
The Bottom Line
In 2025, the right budgeting app can help you get control over your finances, whether you want to save more, pay off debt, or just track your spending. Each of the apps we’ve highlighted—YNAB, Mint, PocketGuard, Goodbudget, EveryDollar, and Empower—brings something unique to the table.
