someone using the best budgeting apps to control their finances

Best Budgeting Apps for Beginners in 2025

If you’re new to budgeting, finding the right app can make all the difference in simplifying your financial journey. With a plethora of options available, we’ve curated a list of the top budgeting apps for beginners in 2025, highlighting their features, costs, and user ratings to help you make an informed choice. For a comprehensive guide on creating your first budget, visit our Budgeting 101: The Basics of Creating a Budget

Why Use a Budgeting App? 

Budgeting apps can help you:

  • Track income and expenses automatically
  • Categorize spending
  • Set and monitor financial goals
  • Gain real-time insights into your financial health

According to WalletHub’s 2025 Budgeting Survey, 18% of women and 17% of men use budgeting apps, reflecting a growing trend towards digital financial management.   

Close-up view of a smartphone displaying apps like budgeting apps, held by a hand, with a blurred laptop in the background.

Top Budgeting Apps for Beginners 

Best For: Real-time expense tracking
Cost: Free basic version; $12.99/month or $74.99/year for PocketGuard Plus

Features:

Links to your bank accounts
Shows how much disposable income you have (“In My Pocket”)
Identifies opportunities to save
User Ratings: 4.4/5 on Android; 4.6/5 on iOS
Best For: Simple, zero-based budgeting
Cost: Free basic version; $17.99/month or $79.99/year for Premium

Features:

Manual expense tracking
Customizable budget categories
Financial goal setting
User Ratings: 4.4/5 on Android; 4.7/5 on iOS  
Best For: Comprehensive financial planning
Cost: $14.99/month or $99.99/year after a 7-day free trial

Features:

Aggregates all your financial accounts
Tracks net worth over time
Collaborative budgeting with partners 
User Ratings: 4.7/5 on Android; 4.9/5 on iOS 
Best For: Envelope-style budgeting
Cost: Free basic version; $10/month or $80/year for Plus

Features: 

Digital envelope system
Manual transaction entry
Syncs across multiple devices
User Ratings: 3.7/5 on Android; 4.6/5 on iOS 
Best For: Tracking spending and investments 
Cost: Free

Features:

Monitors cash flow
Tracks investment performance
Provides retirement planning tools
User Ratings: 3.8/5 on Android; 4.7/5 on iOS 
A close-up image of a person's hand holding a smartphone displaying various popular apps, including best budgeting apps.

Choosing the Best Budgeting App for You 

When selecting a budgeting app, consider: 

Ease of Use: Look for an intuitive interface that suits your comfort level. 
Features: Determine which features are essential for your financial goals.
Cost: Ensure the app fits within your budget, considering both free and paid options.
Support: Check if the app offers customer support or educational resources. 

Final Thoughts 

Embarking on your budgeting journey is a significant step towards financial stability. The right app can simplify this process, making it easier to track expenses, set goals, and monitor progress. Explore these options, take advantage of free trials, and find the one that best aligns with your financial goals.

For a comprehensive guide on creating your first budget, visit our Budgeting 101: The Basics of Creating a Budget. For help tracking your spending, check out our guide to tracking your spending.

Note: User ratings and costs are accurate as of April 2025 and are subject to change.

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