5 Apps That Help You Budget Better

If you struggle to stick to a budget and are looking for better ways to  manage your personal finances, then your smartphone can be your strongest financial ally.

Budgeting apps can help you not only easily track spending, but they can also make it fun to stick to your budget, too.

Here are five popular budgeting apps available for both iOS and Android devices — and best of all, they’re free.

Goodbudget: The envelope budget, revamped

Goodbudget takes the envelope budgeting method, where cash is divided among envelopes labeled for different purposes, into the digital age.

By allocating set amounts to each spending category upfront, you can easily stay within your budget constraints and see how close you are to overspending. The app lets you use pre-set “envelope” categories, such as groceries and gas, or create your own.

The free version also syncs with up to two devices for household sharing and gives you access to a community support forum.

EveryDollar: Zero-based budgeting approach

Zero-based budgeting is when your total income minus your expenses and savings equals zero—giving every single dollar you earn a purpose. EveryDollar is designed to help you take control of your finances by tracking income, expenses, and savings goals all in one place. The simple interface is perfect for beginners who want to learn to manage money without feeling overwhelmed.

Work to build healthier habits and reduce unnecessary spending by planning your monthly finances ahead of time.

NerdWallet App: Free budgeting and expense tracking

NerdWallet combines budgeting tools with expert financial guidance to help users make smart money decisions. You can track spending, monitor credit score and cash flow, view account balances and set financial goals all in one place when you link your bank accounts.

NerdWallet's convenient all-in-one platform might be the option for you if you are looking for budgeting support and broader financial education. It could even help improve overall financial health and help you stay on track with your long-term financial goals.

Rocket Money

As one of the more popular budgeting apps available, Rocket Money could help you gain a clearer picture of your spending habits while also identifying ways you could be saving money. The app automatically tracks expenses, categorizes transactions and helps you create customizable budgets when you opt to securely link the app with bank or credit card accounts.

Along with budgeting services, the app also offers subscription management and bill negotiation services. Rocket Money could help you find recurring charges that may be draining your budget and identify bills that could be lowered—making it a valuable tool if you are looking to reduce expenses and make better money decisions.

Pocketguard: Budgeting on autopilot

Pocketguard analyzes your income, bills, and goals, and automatically creates a personalized budget. You can link everything from your checking and savings accounts to investments, so that you can see all your finances in one place.

A special feature lets you track how much money you have left over each month to set aside for savings.

The app also updates your transactions in real time and gives you the option to set spending limits for each category.

Use budgeting apps to change your financial future

Whether you’re looking to reduce your spending to get out of debt or save for a big-ticket purchase in the future, these apps can help you get your spending in line and give you insights about your financial health.