Choosing the best app to track finances can significantly simplify managing your personal budget. Whether you need a detailed overview of your spending, want to collaborate on budgeting with a partner, or require an app that connects to all your financial accounts, there’s a solution available. This article explores the top apps available for tracking finances, each offering unique features to cater to various budgeting needs.
Key Takeaways
- YNAB offers detailed zero-based budgeting for meticulous financial planning.
- Goodbudget provides envelope budgeting which helps in allocating funds for specific spending categories.
- EveryDollar simplifies zero-based budgeting, making it easy to track every dollar you spend.
- Empower Personal Wealth is ideal for tracking wealth alongside everyday spending and offers investment management services.
- PocketGuard simplifies budget overview and helps in identifying potential savings by highlighting unnecessary subscriptions.
1. Banktrack – Best Personal Finance Tracking
Banktrack is one of the best cash management software for small businesses in 2024.
All your banks in one place
Connect all your banks and get a unified global view of your accounts.
Dashboards tailored to your business
Create customized dashboards with the information you choose to keep control of what matters most to you.
Avoid running out of cash on hand
Receive personalized instant alerts through your choice of channels: Email, WhatsApp, Telegram, or SMS. “Notify me when the account balance drops below €1,000”
Organize your transactions automatically
Create custom labels to keep your bank movements organized with rules that execute automatically
Customizable financial reports
Drag and drop editor to create reports from your banks with the modules you need: charts, lists, tables, or custom texts.
Share with a single click
Send the information you choose to whoever you want, automatically, without the need to share bank credentials
2. Goodbudget
Goodbudget is a money manager and expense tracker that’s great for home budget planning. This personal finance manager is a virtual update on your grandma’s envelope budgeting method. Goodbudget is free to use, with a premium option available for those who need more features.
Cost and Ratings
- Free version available; Premium: $10/month or $80/year
- Apple Store rating: 4.6
- Google Play rating: 4.1
Features
Goodbudget doesn’t link to your bank accounts, requiring manual tracking of expenses. It’s best suited for those who prefer a hands-on approach to budget management. The app is optimized for envelope budgeting, making it ideal for couples or families who want to manage their finances together.
Accessibility
The platform is accessible from mobile devices, tablets, or desktops, and is available for both iOS and Android users.
Education
Goodbudget offers Budget Bootcamp courses to help users understand budgeting basics and tackle financial emergencies effectively.
3. EveryDollar
EveryDollar is a straightforward, easy-to-use budgeting app that allows users to create a customizable budget and set savings goals. Users can opt to upgrade to a premium account which comes with additional benefits, such as bank connectivity, paycheck planning, group financial coaching, custom budget reports, smart tracking recommendations, and more. One downside: while this platform offers mobile and desktop platforms, EveryDollar notes that users should budget from their computer for the best-quality experience.
Cost and Ratings
- Cost: $12.99 monthly or $79.99 annually
- Average app rating: 4.05
- Account syncing capabilities: Yes
Premium Features
The premium, paid version of EveryDollar includes features that allow you to connect with your bank account. Your transactions automatically appear in the app, which also provides custom reports and recommendations based on your habits. You can also connect your saving and investing accounts.
Considerations
The free version of EveryDollar is pretty bare-bones, and the premium version is pretty pricey. Also, the app’s website offers few resources to help you understand how to use the app before signing up for a trial. Over the past couple of years, its overall rating on Google Play has fallen from 4 to 3.4.
EveryDollar offers a zero-based budgeting framework that’s simpler (and perhaps easier to manage) than YNAB. The straightforward free version of EveryDollar requires manual entry of incoming and outgoing money throughout the month. You also categorize line items in your budget and set reminders for bill payments.
4. Empower Personal Wealth
Empower Personal Wealth, formerly known as Personal Capital, is a robust financial management tool that excels in investment tracking and wealth management. It’s particularly beneficial for users who aim to integrate investment oversight with everyday budgeting.
Key Features
- Free to use: Empower is accessible without any subscription fees.
- Platform Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS.
- Comprehensive Financial Tools: Includes tools for retirement savings, emergency funds, debt management, investment checkups, and real-time net worth tracking.
User Ratings
- Android: 4.1/5 based on over 18,000 reviews.
- iOS: 4.7/5 based on over 42,000 reviews.
Why Choose Empower?
Empower is a legitimate investment app and platform, offering a variety of financial tools, accounts, and advisory services to investors of all levels. The app is especially useful for those looking to understand and manage their net worth effectively.
5. PocketGuard
PocketGuard is a budgeting app that excels in helping users manage their finances by showing them how much money they have left after covering all their bills and expenses. It’s particularly useful for those who are working on paying off debt and need a clear overview of their financial status.
Cost
PocketGuard offers a free version, but for more advanced features, users can upgrade to PocketGuard Plus. The Plus version costs $12.99 per month or $74.99 annually, which is a 50% savings compared to the monthly rate.
User Ratings
The app has received positive feedback across various platforms:
- Android: 3.6/5 based on over 2,000 reviews
- iOS: 4.6/5 based on over 7,000 reviews
Security Features
PocketGuard also provides additional security measures like Touch ID on mobile devices and a desktop version for those who prefer managing their budget on a computer.
Pros & Cons
- Ability to integrate bank accounts from thousands of institutions
- Real-time spending availability for specified categories
- Build custom budgets and set goals for savings
PocketGuard is a budgeting app that uses pie charts to show you where you’re spending money. It is available in both paid and free budgeting app versions.
6. Honeydue
Honeydue stands out as a personal finance app for couples, designed to foster better communication and financial transparency between partners. It allows both individuals to sync their bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial details, while offering the flexibility to decide how much information to share with each other.
Key Features
- Automated bill reminders to keep track of upcoming payments.
- In-app chatting and emoji sending for a more engaging financial discussion.
- Ability to split expenses and monitor both joint and individual spending.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Enhances communication about finances between couples.
- Provides a comprehensive view of combined financial situations.
Cons:
- Lacks a desktop version, limiting access to mobile devices only.
- Does not support setting up savings goals, which might be a drawback for future financial planning.
Ratings and Reviews
- Google Play rating:4/5
- Apple Store rating:5/5
Conclusion
Choosing the best app to track your finances depends on your specific needs and financial goals. Whether you’re looking for detailed budgeting tools, simple expense tracking, or comprehensive financial management, there’s an app out there that can help.
Apps like Banktrack, Goodbudget, and Empower Personal Wealth offer various features that cater to different budgeting styles and needs. It’s important to consider factors such as cost, features, usability, and mobile accessibility when selecting an app. Ultimately, the right financial tracking app can provide you with the clarity and control needed to achieve your financial objectives.
