Trying To Save? Here Are The 7 Best Budget Apps Of 2021

How does one even budget effectively? There's the never-ending monthly bills and groceries, and of course, the occasional leisure spending. It also depends on your lifestyle, so managing your money can be real tricky. But of course, we can only try, or the alternative is piling debt.

Why should I use a budget app?

Keeping track of your transactions is one of the best ways to manage your finances and save more money. Having a good budgeting app will not only help keep track of your money but also improve your financial habits. And since most of us are almost always on our mobile phones, it's easier to use as it allows you access to your account whenever and wherever you are.

Increase your savings this year and make better financial decisions with the best budgeting apps!

1. Mint

Mint has been around for quite some time now. With over 25 million users, it's one of the most used budgeting apps today, and for all the right reasons. The app is free to download and user-friendly even to those who are new at budgeting.

Users can keep track of their cash, credit cards, and investments and set up reminders for bill payments to avoid late fees. The app also provides personalized insights and custom goals to help you reach your goals such as buying for your first house, paying off your debts, and more. Improve your budgeting skills with some helpful resources from the app like blogs about personal finance and tips, and tools such as affordability calculator, loan repayment calculator.

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Key features:

• It's free.
• Bill reminders
• Track investments
• Access to your TransUnion credit score
• Personalized insights
• Subscription monitoring
• Overdraft protection alerts
• Get your credit score and credit report for free

Cons:

• Ads that can be annoying

Mint is available on the App Store and Google Play

 

2. Personal Capital

Aside from helping you budget your money, Personal Capital has a wide range of free tools to help you grow your money. The app lets you see and manage all of your accounts in one place and has a Retirement Planner tool to help you plan your retirement. Users can also choose to become investment clients to access Personal Capital's financial advisors.

Key features:

• Free to use
• Daily blog for financial planning tips
• Money-tracking dashboard and net-worth tracker
• Compare your portfolio and use the Investment Checkup to see how your investments are doing
• Fee Analyzer that helps you uncover hidden mutual fund fees

Awards:

“Best for Portfolio Management" for 2020 by Investopedia

"Best Financial App Award” for 2021 by Money Under 30

"Best App for Investors" by CNBC for 2021

Personal Capital is available on the App Store and Google Play

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3. Money Lover

Manage your personal finances in the easiest way possible. Money Lover lets you see where your money goes at a glance, and helps you improve your finances in the long run. The app notifies you if you’re close to your spending limit, and gives daily financial advice. Users can keep track of their expenses, create budgets, and connect the app to their bank accounts for easy checking. You can easily sync your account across devices and platforms.

Key features:

• It's free
• Easy-to-use
• Get notified of recurring transactions and bills
• Forecast budget
• Can be accessed on multiple devices
• Scan receipts to organize them better
• Manage debts, loans, etc. in one place
• Supports multiple currency and account

Awards:

Best of 2017 Android App

Google Top Developer

Editors' Choice App since 2016

Money Lover is available on the App Store and Google Play. You may also access your Money Lover account on your PC or browser.

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4. YNAB

If you want comprehensive budgeting, YNAB might suit you best. The company is known for its budgeting philosophy and has helped new budgeters save money in just two months. It has a proven method that helps users manage their money better and get ahead and pay off their debts. Unlike other budgeting apps, YNAB is proactive when it comes to helping you make better financial decisions. The only downside is you have to pay for the app, but no worries since they offer a 34-day free trial!

Key features:

• Sync all your accounts in one place
• Real-time updates
• Pay off your debts with Debt Paydown Tool
• Set spending goals and targets and track your progress easily
• Customizable reports
• Excellent support team

Cons:

• You need to pay $84 annually or $11.99 per month to access the app

YNAB is available on the App Store and Google Play

5. Fudget

If you want a no-fuss, easy-to-use budge app, Fudget is one of your best options. Manage your money with ease using simple yet useful features.

Key features:

• Create simple lists of your expenses and incomings
• See your balance
• One-tap adding and editing
• Tap start to repeat expenses on your future budgets
• Use the app whenever you please or however you like to budget and save your money

Cons:

• You need to pay to access the pro features such as syncing your data on Dropbox, choosing different themes for your budget goals, using a calculator, and removing ads.

Money Lover is available on the App Store and Google Play. You may also download Fudget on your PC or browser.

6. Spendee

Optimize your budgets and save money easily with Spendee. The app has all the necessary tools you need to start your budgeting journey. See all your money in one place by connecting your account to online banking, E-wallet accounts, and even crypto-wallet such as Coinbase! The app also helps you see the bigger picture using infographics, graphs, and insights to help you reach your goals.

Key features:

• Customize your expenses
• Connect your Spendee to your bank accounts
• Share wallets with your loved ones or friends to handle your finances better
• Has multiple currencies
• Set reminders and get alerts and notifications to avoid exceeding your spending limit
• Sync and backup your data
• Dark mode option
• Web version

Awards:

Winner of Mobile UX Awards 2017

Featured by Apple App Store and Google Play

Spendee is available on the App Store and Google Play.

7. Wally

From getting insights on your spending to setting financial goals, Wally has it. The app centralizes all your accounts to help you manage and improve your finances. According to its website, Wally has been recommended by finance experts and leading publications over 150 times.

Key features:

• Flexible budget periods
• Categorize your budgets
• Budget trackers to help you keep track of your progress
• Insights on your spending habits
• Real-time updates
• Highlights of your spending, etc.
• Financial calendar for past and upcoming transactions
• Scan and upload bills and receipts for better documentations
• Bill reminders

Wally is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Access your budget apps whenever and wherever you are with a fast mobile data connection! Improving your budgeting skills means keeping track of your expenses as often as you can, so make sure you have the best mobile plan for your needs.

Compare and find the best mobile plan for you here at CompareBear!