To properly handle your finances, it’s crucial that you have a budget and are on top of your expenses, income, credit score, and any investments. A personal finance app can help with this, and provide you with current information about money matters, including how to get and stay out of debt.
Many apps are free or available at nominal cost. Here’s how to choose the best free personal finance software.
How to Choose the Best Personal Finance Free App
Decide what app elements are important to you. You may have to strike a balance between ease of use and features. Some apps help you manage your finances in more detail, while others are best for those who struggle with budgeting.
Whether you want to get a grip on your household spending, make sense of your budget, or stay abreast of your credit score, take a close look at each app’s offerings before settling on the best free personal finance software.
Also consider whether the app can sync with your bank accounts, send alerts for upcoming due dates, and track bills. Look at whether it can help you plan for the future, has strong security, and can share financial info with partners.
The best personal finance app is the one that you use, so try out a few and chose the one that will make it easy in your routine to stay ahead of your financial goals.
Top Personal Finance Apps
According to a variety of expert sources, the best finance apps available include:
NerdWallet
NerdWallet offers a free app that lets you import financial transactions and tracks your credit score, net worth, and cash flow. It also offers a great deal of financial literacy content with minimal advertising intrusion. Overall, this personal finance app provides you with the info, tools, insight, and data you need to make financial decisions. You can also use the application to learn about your credit score.
This app may be a solid choice for those who wish to not only assess their progress but also want credit score details and financial account management.
Credit Karma
The free app provides bill tracking and payment, save and spend accounts, good support options, and Credit Builder and New Intuit Assist features. While the app began as a way to check your credit score, it has become a more comprehensive personal finance app. You can now use it to manage income and expenses, track your net worth, and pay bills. Plus, the app provides in-depth info about your credit score.
In addition, Credit Karma offers banking services and spending accounts that may benefit you more than your existing accounts.
Pocketguard
PocketGuard offers both a free and a premium version of its budgeting app. The free plan includes basic tools like income and expense tracking, one cash account, and up to two linked financial accounts. It also allows you to set up a couple of spending categories. This version works well for users with simple budgeting needs.
For those looking for more robust features, PocketGuard Plus is available at $12.99 per month or $74.99 per year. The premium version includes unlimited bank connections, customizable spending categories, savings goals, debt payoff tracking, and subscription management.
Goodbudget
This app lets you establish budgets in a number of categories. This way, you can see what your actual spending looks like throughout the month. Goodbudget describes itself as “envelope budgeting for the modern world.” You can make multiple budgets, and sync and share them. You can also use the app, available for iPhone and Android, to save for large expenses and to pay off debt.
Note that the free version restricts you to 10 premium categories, or “envelopes.” However, if you get the premium version for $10 a month, you get unlimited envelopes.
Honeydue
While this free option is helpful for singles, it’s ideal for couples who wish to share their finances. You can use the app to track your expenses and income, establish a budget, create bill reminders, set goals, and communicate with your significant other. You can choose what you want to share and put together a joint budget.
In Summary
There are a number of personal finance apps available for free or with nominal costs. Before installing one, take the time to study offered features to see what suits your short- and long-term needs.
