10 Best Personal Finance Apps In 2024
Personal finance apps are crucial for budgeting, monitoring spending, and maintaining an eye on one's credit score and investment holdings. These apps track subscriptions, share wallets, display spending categories, and link to bank accounts.
Author:Camilo WoodReviewer:Emmanuella SheaJan 11, 2024695 Shares63.2K Views
Personal finance apps are crucial for budgeting, monitoring spending, and maintaining an eye on one's credit score and investment holdings. These apps track subscriptions, share wallets, display spending categories, and link to bank accounts.
They can be found on the iOS and Android operating systems. Financial success requires budgeting, especially for newcomers. Based on features and user feedback, Forbes Advisor has ranked eight of the top budgeting apps available.
Knowing where your money is going each day and how it contributes to achieving long-term objectives is essential to building long-term wealth. Reaching your financial objectives can be facilitated by selecting the ideal app for your budgetary needs.
YNAB
YNAB is a unique financial app that empowers users to proactively plan for their financial future. It adopts a zero-based budgeting system, urging users to allocate every dollar earned towards specific categories.
YNAB encourages users to be more intentional with their money, fostering a sense of control and purpose in financial decision-making. The app supports users in navigating the learning curve with educational resources on its official website.
YNAB seamlessly integrates with various platforms, allowing users to link their checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and loans. It is tailored for individuals committed to actively managing their finances and emphasizes intentional decision-making.
Despite offering a 34-day free trial, the subscription cost of $14.99 per month or $99 per year may be perceived as relatively high compared to other budgeting apps.
YNAB is student-friendly, offering college students a free year of use. The app has impressive user ratings, with a stellar rating of 4.8 on the Apple Store and a commendable rating of 4.7 on Google Play.
YNAB is a valuable tool for those serious about financial planning, offering a dynamic and engaging approach to budgeting. Its hands-on nature and comprehensive educational resources make it a valuable tool for those serious about financial planning.
Wally
Wally stands out as an iOS-exclusive budgeting app, providing users with a suite of features, including customizable budgets, progress trackers, spending insights, financial calendars, and more.
While the app caters specifically to iOS users, it comes with both free and premium options. Users can opt for the free version or choose the Wally Gold membership, priced at $8.99 monthly or $39.99 annually. The app has garnered an average rating of 3.9, reflecting its overall user satisfaction.
Wally distinguishes itself by empowering users to actively monitor their progress. The app allows individuals to create a free budget and utilize progress trackers to navigate their financial journey.
Users can also sync their accounts with other household members, facilitating a comprehensive overview of spending habits and shared financial goals.
An additional noteworthy feature is Wally's international compatibility, enabling users to sync and manage foreign bank accounts across 70 countries. This aspect makes Wally particularly suitable for those who frequently spend time abroad.
Considering its array of features and compatibility with international banking, Wally can be a valuable tool for individuals seeking a versatile budgeting app within the iOS ecosystem.
PocketGuard
PocketGuard stands out for its simplicity in managing finances, offering a streamlined set of features designed to make budgeting straightforward.
The app allows you to connect various financial accounts, including bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investments. It simplifies tracking bills, providing insights into your available spending amount after allocating funds for necessities, bills, and goals.
One notable aspect of PocketGuard is its focus on simplicity. It efficiently tracks your net worth and even provides the option to manually track finances without linking accounts. The paid version, PocketGuard Plus, enhances the experience with features like a debt payoff plan and transaction export capabilities.
However, if you prefer a more hands-on approach to financial planning, PocketGuard's automated features may limit your ability to proactively manage your money. Additionally, user reviews on Google Play have seen a decline over the past year, dropping from 4.4 to 3.7.
PocketGuard's basic version is free, while PocketGuard Plus is available at $7.99 per month, $34.99 per year, or a one-time lifetime purchase of $79.99. With a solid Apple Store rating of 4.7 and a Google Play rating of 3.7, PocketGuard caters to users seeking a user-friendly and simplified financial management experience.
Buddy
Buddy emerges as a straightforward mobile budgeting app, catering to individuals keen on monitoring spending, income, and savings, as well as those looking to manage shared budgets with friends or loved ones.
This mobile-only app introduces a pricing model where users can access enhanced features through a premium subscription, priced at $4.99 monthly or $34.99 annually, offering a renewed subscription option. With an impressive average app rating of 4.7, Buddy stands out for its user satisfaction within the mobile app space.
Buddy positions itself as an excellent choice for individuals who frequently split bills and manage shared expenses with friends. Alongside features like personal expense tracking and customizable budgets, the app facilitates the division of larger costs among friends, ensuring equitable contributions from all parties involved.
Despite lacking a desktop version, Buddy distinguishes itself with its high mobile app ratings, reflecting a positive user experience. This makes it a suitable option for those seeking a user-friendly and efficient mobile budgeting solution, particularly for scenarios involving shared financial responsibilities among friends or loved ones.
Simplifi
The renowned money management platform Quicken offers Simplifi, an exclusive budgeting app, and it stands out as an ad-free service serving a sizable user base of over 20 million members.
Priced at $35.88 annually or $71.88 per year with a monthly membership, Simplifi may appear slightly higher on the cost spectrum. Despite an average app rating of 3.3, the app distinguishes itself by offering an encompassing financial overview for users, extending beyond just monthly spending insights.
Simplifi positions itself as an ideal choice for individuals seeking a holistic understanding of their finances. In addition to monthly budgeting services, the app delves into debt repayment, investment tracking, tax planning, and the organization of both personal and business expenses. The inclusion of a desktop version further enhances the user experience, providing a more optimized interface.
Despite its comparatively lower app rating, Simplifi places a strong emphasis on security, utilizing 256-bit encryption to safeguard user information. This commitment to data protection adds an extra layer of assurance for individuals prioritizing the safety of their financial data.
Goodbudget
Goodbudget distinguishes itself by prioritizing financial planning over transaction tracking. Embracing the envelope budgeting system, users allocate their monthly income to specific spending categories, referred to as "envelopes."
Unlike apps that automatically sync with bank accounts, Goodbudget takes a manual approach. Users input account balances, cash amounts, debts, and income, fostering a hands-on budgeting experience. The allocation of funds to envelopes is a deliberate process that enhances financial consciousness.
Accessible on both mobile devices and the web, Goodbudget provides a wealth of helpful articles and videos to guide users through the app's functionalities. The app's free version includes one account, limited envelopes, and usage on two devices.
For those seeking additional features, the paid version, Goodbudget Plus, offers unlimited envelopes and accounts, usage on up to five devices, and other perks.
Potential drawbacks stem from the necessity to manually enter every expense since the app doesn't sync with financial accounts. Users unwilling to invest time in this aspect may find the app less effective.
Goodbudget comes with a free version, while Goodbudget Plus is available at a cost of $8 per month or a discounted annual fee of $70.
With a robust Apple Store rating of 4.7 and a commendable Google Play rating of 4.2, Goodbudget stands as a valuable tool for individuals committed to proactive financial planning and hands-on budget management.
EveryDollar
EveryDollar sets itself apart by providing a user-friendly zero-based budgeting framework, offering a simpler and potentially more manageable alternative to YNAB.
Commencing with the free version of EveryDollar, users are engaged in a manual budgeting process, avoiding automatic syncing of accounts. Income and expenses are entered manually throughout the month, allowing users to categorize budget items and set reminders for bill payments.
For enhanced features, the premium, paid version of EveryDollar becomes available. This version facilitates bank account connectivity, automatically importing transactions into the app. Additionally, users gain access to custom reports, personalized recommendations based on spending habits, and the option to link saving and investing accounts.
While the free version of EveryDollar is straightforward, its premium counterpart comes at a relatively high cost. The app's website lacks comprehensive resources to guide users in understanding its functionalities before initiating a trial. Notably, the app's Google Play rating has experienced a decline from 4 to 3.3 over the past couple of years.
In terms of cost, the basic EveryDollar version is free, and users can explore the premium version during a 14-day trial period. Subsequently, a subscription fee of $79.99 annually or $17.99 monthly is applicable.
With a commendable Apple Store rating of 4.7, EveryDollar presents itself as a viable option for those seeking an uncomplicated zero-based budgeting approach. However, potential users should consider the premium version's pricing and the need for a trial to assess its suitability for their financial management needs.
Honeydue
Honeydue distinguishes itself as a financial app tailored for couples, allowing both partners to seamlessly view their financial landscapes within one application.
The app enables syncing of bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investments for both individuals, with the flexibility to choose the level of financial information shared.
With automatic expense categorization and the option to create custom categories, Honeydue simplifies the tracking of expenditures. Partners can collaboratively set monthly limits for each category, receiving alerts when they near these limits.
The app also offers bill reminders and includes a chat feature, allowing partners to communicate and express sentiments through emojis.
However, it's important to note that Honeydue, like some other apps on our list, leans more toward retrospective analysis of past transactions than proactive planning for future expenses. Additionally, the app has experienced a decline in Google Play ratings, dropping from 4.1 to 3.3 over the past two years.
Honeydue is available for free, providing a user-friendly platform for couples to manage their finances together. While it boasts a solid Apple Store rating of 4.5, potential users should consider the Google Play rating of 3.3 when deciding if Honeydue aligns with their financial management preferences.
Empower Personal Dashboard
Empower Personal Dashboard, previously known as Personal Capital, stands out as a primarily investment-focused tool with added features beneficial for budget-conscious individuals tracking their spending.
The app enables users to connect and monitor various financial aspects, including checking, savings, credit card accounts, IRAs, 401(k)s, mortgages, and loans. Offering a spending snapshot, Empower lists recent transactions by category, allowing customization of categories and providing insights into the percentage of total monthly spending each category represents.
Beyond budgeting, Empower serves as a net worth and portfolio tracker, catering to investment needs. Accessible on both phone and desktop platforms, the app offers flexibility in managing finances.
However, if detailed spending and saving planning is your primary goal, you might consider exploring alternative routes. While Empower's budgeting features earn it a place on the list, its distinctive strength lies in its investment tools. Users seeking more comprehensive budgeting capabilities might find other apps better suited to their needs.
Empower Personal Dashboard is available for free, holding a favorable rating of 4.7 on the Apple Store and 4.3 on Google Play. As users navigate their financial journey, the app's investment-centric approach and budgeting features contribute to its appeal, making it a noteworthy option in the personal finance app landscape.
Mint
Intuit created the well-known financial app Mint, which makes credit health monitoring and spending management simple. It is available for free, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
The app offers simplified bill-tracking functionality and convenient spending categorization, helping users understand their financial habits. However, some users may find the presence of ads bothersome.
Mint links credit and debit cards, automatically retrieving and categorizing transactions and providing insights into spending patterns.
It also allows users to track bills, manage to spend, and establish budgets that align with their financial goals. Mint also offers complimentary access to credit scores, allowing users to monitor their credit health and manage investments. Overall, Mint is a comprehensive solution for addressing diverse financial needs.
FAQs - Personal Finance Apps
How Do Personal Finance Apps Contribute To Financial Literacy?
Personal finance apps play a crucial role in enhancing financial literacy by providing tools for budgeting, expense tracking, and investment management. They empower users to make informed financial decisions.
What Distinguishes The Best Personal Finance Apps In 2024?
The top personal finance apps of 2024 stand out for their diverse features, user-friendly interfaces, and innovative approaches to budgeting, saving, and investing. Each app caters to specific financial needs, offering a unique blend of functionalities.
Can Personal Finance Apps Help In Collaborative Financial Management?
Yes, some personal finance apps, such as Honeydue, are specifically designed for collaborative financial management, allowing couples or partners to synchronize their accounts, set spending limits, and receive alerts about shared expenses.
How Do Personal Finance Apps Contribute To Financial Goal Achievement?
Personal Finance Apps contribute to financial goal achievement by providing tools for goal setting, progress tracking, and budget optimization. Users can set specific financial goals and receive insights on their spending habits to align with those objectives.
What Factors Should Users Consider When Choosing A Personal Finance App?
Users should consider factors such as ease of use, cost, features, and compatibility with their financial goals when selecting a personal finance app. The best app for an individual depends on their unique financial needs and preferences.
Conclusion On Personal Finance Apps
In 2024, the financial technology sector will introduce a variety of innovative and user-friendly personal finance apps to cater to different financial needs. These apps offer tools for budgeting, spending awareness, and financial well-being.
From Mint's comprehensive financial snapshot to Honeydue's collaborative features, these apps offer diverse functionality and approaches. Users must consider factors like ease of use, cost, and alignment with their specific financial goals.
These apps not only redefine the user experience but also contribute to fostering financial literacy and responsibility. The top 10 personal finance apps in 2024 will be essential companions for financial empowerment and success.
Camilo Wood
Author
Emmanuella Shea
Reviewer
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