Finding the right budgeting tools has become more significant than ever, as 63% of Americans now struggle to save money due to inflation.
The shutdown of Mint in 2024 initially worried many users seeking alternatives, but this change brings unexpected benefits. Modern budgeting tools pack more powerful features. YNAB proves this point – its users typically save around $6,000 during their first year. Spreadsheet users should take note: nine out of ten spreadsheets contain errors that could drain your savings.
Our team tested dozens of budgeting tools, both free and premium versions, to identify the ones that genuinely boost your savings. We’ll guide you through the most valuable tools in 2025, ranging from automated saving apps to zero-based budgeting systems.
Mint Alternative Apps
We tested many budgeting tools after Mint shut down to find good replacements. Here’s what we learned about the best alternatives that will help you manage your money.
Top Mint Replacements
Quicken Simplifi stands out as our top pick with its clean, user-friendly interface and detailed tracking features at $3.99 monthly. YNAB has shown great results too – users save around $600 in their first two months.
Free vs Paid Options
Here’s our comparison of popular alternatives:
| App | Free Version | Premium Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Empower | Yes | Investment fees only |
| PocketGuard | Yes | $74.99/year |
| Rocket Money | Yes | $4-$12/month |
| YNAB | No | $109/year |
Best Features Comparison
Each alternative shines in its own way:
- Empower excels in investment tracking and has free budgeting tools
- Rocket Money has subscription tracking and bill negotiation services
- YNAB specializes in zero-based budgeting with educational resources
- Simplifi creates customized spending plans and detailed reports
Your choice really depends on what you need. Couples might like Honeydue better because it shows both partners’ finances in one app. People who focus on investments will find Empower’s detailed dashboard really helpful.
Spreadsheet fans will appreciate Tiller Money’s connection with Google Sheets and Excel, though it takes time to become skilled at using all its features. Business owners might prefer Quickbooks’ reliable expense management and planning tools.
Best Free Budgeting Tools
Our tests show free budgeting tools work just as well as paid ones. Here are the best free options we recommend.
Google Sheets Templates
Google Sheets works great for budgeting. The platform has strong security features like two-factor authentication and physical security keys. You can check your budget anywhere using the mobile app. Google Sheets also comes with ready-made templates that fit different budgeting needs, from monthly tracking to long-term financial planning.
Excel Budget Templates
Microsoft Excel stands out as a solid choice for personal budgeting. Excel templates cover several needs:
- Monthly household budgets
- Holiday planning
- Event budgeting
- Business expenses
These templates include ready-made formulas and formatting that help you track expenses easily.
Bank Budgeting Tools
Bank-provided budgeting tools have some clear advantages. Here’s what major banks offer:
| Bank | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Bank of America | Interactive charts, spending trends, category-specific tracking |
| Wells Fargo | Automated expense tracking, savings goal monitoring, customized budget creation |
| Capital One | Automatic transaction categorization, spending insights |
These tools update daily and give you live updates about your spending patterns. Most banks sort your transactions automatically and show interactive charts of your spending trends.
Bank budgeting tools stand out because they work smoothly with your existing accounts. These tools track your daily finances automatically without manual data entry. This makes them perfect if you have a busy schedule.
Best Premium Budgeting Apps
We have found that premium budgeting tools offer advanced features worth the investment after learning about free options. Our analysis shows the most powerful paid options available today.
YNAB Features
You Need A Budget (YNAB) stands out with its zero-based budgeting approach. YNAB users save an average of $600 in their first two months and $6,000 in their first year. The platform costs $109 annually. The savings typically outweigh the investment.
Key features we value:
- Real-time bank synchronization
- Customizable spending categories
- Free workshops and educational resources
- Complete customer support
Simplifi Benefits
Simplifi by Quicken has caught our attention with its efficient approach. The platform costs $35.88 annually, making it one of the most affordable premium options. The platform excels in transaction management and offers exceptional mobile apps.
Simplifi’s spending plan adapts to your income throughout the month. This makes it useful especially when you have variable income. The dashboard presents your financial data clearly without overwhelming users.
Monarch Money Advantages
Monarch Money offers a compelling suite of features at $99.99 yearly. The platform’s complete investment tracking capabilities set it apart. Users can access these features:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Net Worth Tracking | Up-to-the-minute portfolio monitoring |
| Goal Creation | Custom financial milestone tracking |
| Collaborator Access | Free advisor/partner sharing |
Monarch automatically tracks recurring expenses and provides detailed portfolio breakdowns. The platform helps couples manage joint finances effectively and offers unlimited customization for spending categories.
Best Tools for Couples
Couples need specialized tools that help them stay transparent and work together when managing money. We’ve found that budgeting tools designed for couples can make a big difference in how they communicate about finances and handle money together.
Honeydue Features
Our testing shows Honeydue stands out because it’s built specifically for couples. The app connects to more than 20,000 financial institutions in 5 countries. This makes it work well for couples with different financial arrangements. The platform gives you:
- Privacy controls you can adjust for shared information
- Live transaction updates and notifications
- Chat features with emoji reactions
- Bill payment reminders and alerts
- Ways to split expenses
Joint Account Management
Our analysis shows Honeydue provides reliable joint banking features through Sutton Bank. Here’s what you get:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Free ATM Access | No withdrawal fees |
| Dual Debit Cards | Independent access for both partners |
| Zero Monthly Fees | No minimum balance requirements |
| FDIC Insurance | Secure banking protection |
Shared Budget Planning
Honeydue’s banking features help couples plan their finances together. The app sorts expenses automatically into sections like ‘date nights’ and ‘home & utilities’. Partners can set spending limits and get alerts when someone gets close to the limit.
The app keeps your information safe with data encryption, Touch ID, and multi-factor authentication. Each partner decides what financial information they want to share, which creates a balance between openness and privacy.
Research shows that by 2026, money management apps for shared finances will have more than 200 million users worldwide. This shows how couple-focused budgeting tools are becoming essential for modern financial planning.
Best Investment Tracking Tools
Image Source: Empower
Simple budgeting isn’t enough when it comes to tracking investments. Our research shows that Empower leads the pack with $1.40 trillion in assets under management and more than three million users who track their finances.
Empower Dashboard
The free dashboard from Empower gives users complete investment tracking features. The platform connects naturally with different accounts:
| Account Types | Features |
|---|---|
| IRAs & 401(k)s | Live tracking |
| Stocks & ETFs | Performance monitoring |
| Mutual Funds | Fee analysis |
| Banking Accounts | Net worth calculation |
Portfolio Management
The Investment Checkup feature looks at your portfolio from different angles. We found it helps users to:
- Analyze asset allocation across accounts
- Find hidden fees in mutual funds
- Compare performance against standards like S&P 500
- Monitor sector-specific exposure
Investment Analysis
The platform’s analytical features are impressive. The system tracks performance automatically and shows detailed data through clear graphs and charts. The retirement planning tool helps you check if you’re hitting savings targets and suggests ways to adjust your investment strategy.
The Investment Checkup tool measures your portfolio’s risk level and suggests target allocations to minimize potential losses. Smart Weighting recommendations help you optimize your investment mix based on market conditions.
Empower’s strength lies in finding hidden fees that could reduce your returns. Our tests show that the platform gives you a complete view of your investments while suggesting practical ways to improve your portfolio.
Best Envelope Budgeting Tools
Digital tools have transformed the traditional envelope budgeting method. Our tests of several envelope-based budgeting tools show that modern apps pack impressive features without the hassle of managing physical cash.
Goodbudget System
Goodbudget stands out with its easy-to-use approach to envelope budgeting. The platform comes in two versions: a free plan with 10 regular envelopes and a Plus version that costs $5 monthly. The free version lets you access from two devices, which works great for single users.
| Feature | Free Version | Plus Version |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Envelopes | 10 | Unlimited |
| Devices | 2 | 5 |
| History Tracking | 1 year | 7 years |
| Financial Accounts | 1 | Unlimited |
Digital Envelope Features
Goodbudget’s digital system offers several advantages compared to traditional cash envelopes:
- Live expense tracking with instant updates
- Customizable envelope categories that fit your spending needs
- Detailed reports that reveal spending patterns
- Multi-device sync so you can track on the go
Savings Categories
Our testing shows that the right envelope categories are vital for successful budgeting. Here are the most common categories we suggest:
- Food and groceries
- Entertainment
- Personal care
- Emergency funds
- Transportation
The digital envelope system helps you avoid overspending by giving you visual reminders of your budget limits. The ability to move funds between envelopes when needed impressed us the most – something you can’t do with physical cash.
The app’s dashboard uses colorful bars that change with your activity. Green bars show available funds while red bars alert you when you’ve gone over budget. This visual system helps you stay aware of your spending limits without carrying cash around.
Best Zero-Based Budgeting Tools
Zero-based budgeting tools have transformed money management by giving every dollar a purpose. Our tests have helped us find the quickest ways to implement this powerful budgeting method.
YNAB Method
YNAB (You Need A Budget) provides a detailed approach at $109 per year. Users save an average of $6,000 in their first year. The platform works with four basic rules:
- Give every dollar a job
- Embrace true expenses
- Roll with the punches
- Age your money
EveryDollar System
YNAB leads the market, but EveryDollar stands out as a strong alternative. Users can find up to $400 in hidden money and cut monthly expenses by nearly 10%. The platform’s accessible interface excels at:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Custom Categories | Unlimited budget lines |
| Bank Integration | Live transaction updates |
| Mobile Access | On-the-go expense tracking |
| Goal Setting | Progress visualization |
Category Planning
Zero-based budgeting’s success relies on organizing categories properly. Start with these essential categories:
- Four Walls (food, utilities, shelter, transportation)
- Savings and investments
- Debt payments
- Variable expenses
- Entertainment and discretionary spending
Users gain better control over their finances after implementing these tools. This improvement comes from knowing how to track every dollar and adjust spending live. The secret to success lies in consistent tracking and category management, regardless of choosing YNAB or EveryDollar.
Best Business Budgeting Tools
Image Source: QuickBooks – Intuit
Business owners looking for reliable financial management solutions will find our platform tests helpful in picking the right option. We’ve really tested many platforms to find what works best. Our research shows that complete business budgeting tools do much more than simple expense tracking.
Quickbooks Features
Our evaluation shows that QuickBooks Online gives expandable solutions at different price points:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Start | $35.00 | Basic tracking, invoicing |
| Essentials | $65.00 | Time tracking, multiple users |
| Plus | $99.00 | Inventory management |
| Advanced | $235.00 | Custom workflows |
Expense Management
Modern expense management systems can save up to 75% of your team’s time. The platform comes with:
- SmartScan technology for receipt processing
- Automated expense categorization
- Real-time transaction monitoring
- Multi-device synchronization
Business Planning
QuickBooks’ business planning capabilities impressed us with its complete approach to financial management. Users can:
- Create detailed profit and loss budgets
- Generate balance sheet forecasts
- Track fiscal year performance
- Compare actual results against budgets
The most valuable feature lets you customize budgets based on your fiscal year and business structure. Users can also import existing budgets from Excel, which makes switching from previous systems smooth.
Our testing showed the platform’s integration features stand out. It connects with over 750 business applications. This uninterrupted connectivity will give your budgeting tools smooth operation with existing business systems.
Best Automated Saving Tools
Image Source: pocketguard.com
Automatic saving has become crucial in today’s digital world. We tested many automated budgeting tools and found the best solutions that save money without any effort.
PocketGuard Features
PocketGuard’s complete approach really stood out to us. Users have saved over $680 million and cut their bills by more than $20 million using this platform. The standout features we found include:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Smart Algorithm | Automatic bill detection |
| Custom Categories | Tailored expense tracking |
| Goal Setting | Automated progress monitoring |
| Transaction Analysis | Spending pattern insights |
Bill Negotiation
PocketGuard’s bill negotiation service grabbed our attention with its 80% success rate for cell phone, WiFi, and cable bills. The platform teams up with Billshark to look at your regular expenses and get better rates. Our tests showed that this service alone saves users hundreds of dollars each year.
Automated Savings
We found several powerful automated saving features in a variety of platforms:
- Rocket Money’s Smart Savings moves funds based on spending patterns
- Oportun’s algorithms look at spending to figure out safe transfer amounts
- Chime moves a percentage of each paycheck straight to savings
- Qapital sets up “savings rules” linked to specific spending behaviors
Our evaluation showed that automated saving tools work remarkably well. Trim has helped its members save over $8 million. Rocket Money users can customize their savings automation with premium features that cost between $6 and $12 monthly.
Acorns takes a different approach by rounding up transactions to the nearest dollar and investing the difference. This method makes saving simple and builds wealth steadily.
Best Spreadsheet Solutions
Image Source: NerdWallet
Spreadsheet solutions are the life-blood of personal finance management. We tested Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets thoroughly and found their distinct advantages for budgeting.
Excel vs Google Sheets
Microsoft Excel shines in complex financial modeling with powerful tools like macros and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Google Sheets stands out because of its live collaboration features and cloud accessibility that make it perfect for shared budgeting tasks.
| Feature | Excel | Google Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Data Analysis | Advanced statistical tools | Basic charting |
| Automation | VBA & Macros | Google Apps Script |
| Accessibility | Desktop-focused | Cloud-native |
| Learning Curve | Steep | User-friendly |
Template Options
Both platforms have an impressive collection of pre-built templates. Vertex42 provides more than a dozen free budget spreadsheets along with complete tutorials and demo videos. These templates cover:
- Monthly household budgets
- Seasonal expense tracking
- Irregular income planning
- Multiple account management
Customization Features
Our testing showed that Excel’s customization capabilities lead the pack with hundreds of built-in formulas and visualization options. Google Sheets connects smoothly with Google Forms to create an automated expense-tracking system.
Excel’s AI capabilities impressed us the most with its trend analysis and predictive modeling. Google Sheets focuses on collaboration and its AI features help streamline group work and data interpretation.
Excel offers Power Query and advanced pivot tables for users who need professional-grade features. Google Sheets’ easy-to-use interface and automatic cloud saving make it a great choice for users who value simplicity and accessibility.
Best Bank Integration Tools
Bank integration has become vital for modern budgeting tools. We tested several platforms that connect with financial institutions to help you manage your money better.
Account Syncing
Our tests show that top budgeting platforms use Plaid technology to connect with over 11,000 U.S. banks and credit unions. This lets you:
- Link checking and savings accounts
- Connect credit cards and loans
- Integrate investment accounts
- Monitor mortgages and other debts
Transaction Tracking
Automated tracking saves you hours after connecting your accounts. QuickBooks users save about 10 hours every week thanks to bank integration. The platform gives you:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Smart Categorization | Automatic expense sorting |
| Custom Rules | Tailored transaction labels |
| Multi-Account View | Unified financial dashboard |
| Spending Analysis | Pattern recognition |
Real-time Updates
Modern bank integration tools refresh your data several times throughout the day. Banks must update data at least four times daily by law. This keeps your financial information up to date.
These tools alert you about:
- New transactions as they occur
- Updated or modified entries
- Unusual spending patterns
- Bill payment confirmations
Services like MoneyPatrol use industry-standard encryption to protect your data during syncing. Many platforms also include extra security features like two-factor authentication and biometric login options.
These integrations remove the need for manual data entry while keeping everything accurate. The systems track over 500 million transactions daily, giving you informed insights into your spending habits and financial patterns.
Best Mobile Budgeting Apps
Mobile budgeting apps have revolutionized our relationship with money. Our tests show that these tools give users unprecedented convenience and control.
App Features
We tested and found that successful mobile budgeting apps keep users hooked, with response rates hitting 94% for Fintech apps and 98% for banking apps. The best apps come with:
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Biometric Login | Enhanced security |
| Real-time Alerts | Instant updates |
| Custom Categories | Personalized tracking |
| Multi-device Sync | Seamless access |
Mobile Experience
The best mobile budgeting tools stand out in user retention. Our analysis shows a 73% 30-day retention rate, which beats industry standards. The interface design prioritizes:
- Accessible navigation
- Quick expense entry
- Visual spending insights
- Customizable dashboards
On-the-go Tracking
Modern mobile apps now pack advanced security features like encryption and two-factor authentication. Leading platforms give users detailed tracking capabilities with up-to-the-minute information on:
- Income monitoring
- Bill payment alerts
- Subscription management
- Spending pattern analysis
These apps have ended up changing expense tracking through automated categorization and instant notifications. Users get alerts right away about low balances, upcoming bills, and suspicious activities. Scanning receipts and tracking expenses on the move has made budgeting more available than ever.
We found that there was a great feature in mobile budgeting apps that gives tailored insights based on spending patterns. These virtual assistants work around the clock and boost the user experience by answering common questions.
Comparison Table
| Tool Category | Cost/Pricing | Key Features | Best For | Notable Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Alternative Apps | $3.99-$109/year | Bank sync, expense tracking, custom categories | Former Mint users | Users save avg. $600 in first 2 months (YNAB) |
| Free Budgeting Tools | Free | Ready-made templates, automated tracking, interactive charts | Budget beginners | Up-to-the-minute insights, no cost, bank integration |
| Premium Budgeting Apps | $35.88-$109/year | Quick sync, custom categories, investment tracking | Serious budgeters | Average savings of $6,000 in first year (YNAB) |
| Tools for Couples | Free (Honeydue) | Shared accounts, bill splitting, privacy settings | Partners/couples | Links to 20,000+ financial institutions |
| Investment Tracking Tools | Free (Empower) | Portfolio monitoring, fee analysis, retirement planning | Investors | $1.40 trillion in managed assets |
| Envelope Budgeting Tools | Free-$5/month | Digital envelopes, device sync, custom categories | Cash budgeters | Quick expense tracking, flexible transfers |
| Zero-Based Budgeting Tools | $109/year (YNAB) | Dollar assignment, goal tracking, custom categories | Detail-oriented users | Helps find up to $400 in hidden money |
| Business Budgeting Tools | $35-$235/month | Expense management, profit tracking, inventory control | Business owners | Cuts expense management time by 75% |
| Automated Saving Tools | Varies | Smart algorithms, bill negotiation, auto transfers | Passive savers | Total user savings exceed $680M (PocketGuard) |
| Spreadsheet Solutions | Free-Paid | Complex formulas, data analysis, custom templates | DIY budgeters | Advanced stats tools, team features |
| Bank Integration Tools | Varies | Quick sync, multi-account tracking, smart grouping | Multi-account holders | Works with 11,000+ financial institutions |
| Mobile Budgeting Apps | Varies | Secure login, instant alerts, receipt scanning | On-the-go users | 94% user engagement rate |
Conclusion
We tested dozens of budgeting tools and found great options for every financial need. Modern budgeting apps deliver remarkable results consistently. YNAB users save $6,000 on average in their first year, while PocketGuard has helped users save over $680 million collectively.
Of course, your specific situation determines the right tool. Bank-provided budgeting tools offer solid features for beginners at no cost, while premium services make up for their cost through advanced capabilities and proven savings. All platforms protect your financial data with industry-standard encryption and multi-factor authentication.
The best approach is to start with a free tool that matches your main need. You might want investment tracking through Empower, couple-focused budgeting via Honeydue, or envelope-style spending through Goodbudget. These platforms let you test their core features before you think over premium upgrades.
Successful budgeting depends more on consistent use than finding the perfect app. Choose a tool that feels accessible and start tracking your spending today. Your budget needs regular reviews to adjust financial goals accordingly.
