The Best Personal Finance and Budgeting Apps for 2025

Finding the Right Personal Finance App

Managing your money effectively is crucial, whether you’re tracking expenses, setting a budget, or planning for the future. With the discontinuation of Mint, many users are looking for alternatives that offer comprehensive financial tracking. The right personal finance app can help you understand your income, monitor your expenses, and even keep an eye on your credit score.

We’ve tested several apps to determine which ones stand out in 2025. Below are our top picks based on ease of use, features, and affordability.


Top Personal Finance Apps of 2025

App Best For Price Key Features
Simplifi Best Overall $2.99/month Budgeting, reports, easy interface
Quicken Classic Best for Power Users Starts at $2.99/month Advanced tracking, investments
YNAB Best for Budgeting Beginners $14.99/month Zero-based budgeting approach
Greenlight Best for Kids Starts at $4.99/month Kid-friendly savings and spending tools
Monarch Best for Self-Employed $99.99/year Cash flow tracking, collaboration
NerdWallet Best Free Option Free Credit score tracking, financial education
Rocket Money Best for Managing Debt Starts at $48/year Debt repayment tracking, bill cancelation
PocketGuard Best for Simplified Budgeting $74.99/year Simple budgeting, auto-categorization

Detailed Breakdown of Each App

1. Simplifi – Best Overall

Pros:

  • User-friendly dashboard
  • Excellent transaction tracking
  • Flexible budgeting tools
  • Great mobile app

Cons:

  • Savings goals aren’t linked to live accounts

Simplifi by Quicken provides an intuitive way to track your spending, income, and savings goals. It’s great for those who want an easy-to-use app without losing key features like categorizing transactions and setting up budgets.


2. Quicken Classic – Best for Power Users

Pros:

  • Comprehensive personal finance tools
  • Advanced transaction tracking
  • Customizable reports

Cons:

  • Mostly desktop-dependent
  • User interface could be improved

For users who want to track every dollar, Quicken Classic remains a top choice. It offers deep insights into your spending and investments, making it a great fit for those who need a detailed financial overview.


3. YNAB – Best for Budgeting Beginners

Pros:

  • Built on a zero-based budgeting method
  • Excellent customer support and resources
  • Family sharing for up to six people

Cons:

  • Requires commitment to use effectively
  • No investment tracking or bill pay feature

YNAB (You Need A Budget) is designed for users who need structured budgeting. It encourages users to allocate every dollar to a specific category, helping them take full control of their finances.


4. Greenlight – Best for Kids

Pros:

  • Parental controls
  • Savings and investment features for kids
  • Family safety features

Cons:

  • Higher subscription cost for premium features

Greenlight helps kids develop healthy financial habits with supervised accounts, goal-based savings, and the ability to track spending habits. It’s a great tool for parents who want to teach their children about money management.


5. Monarch – Best for Self-Employed Individuals

Pros:

  • Flexible transaction management
  • Collaborative tools for families or business partners
  • Simple interface with a clean design

Cons:

  • Higher subscription fee
  • No credit score tracking

Monarch is designed for freelancers and business owners who need to track both personal and professional finances in one place. It offers collaborative features and excellent customization options.


6. NerdWallet – Best Free Option

Pros:

  • 100% free
  • Credit score tracking
  • Net worth and cash flow monitoring

Cons:

  • No ability to set a detailed budget
  • Basic transaction tracking

For users looking for a no-cost personal finance solution, NerdWallet provides useful financial education resources, credit score tracking, and an overview of your cash flow.


7. Rocket Money – Best for Managing Debt

Pros:

  • Helps cancel unnecessary subscriptions
  • Monitors net worth and credit score
  • Useful for managing bills

Cons:

  • Premium version is costly
  • Weak investment tracking

Rocket Money is ideal for individuals focused on reducing debt. It provides tools to track spending habits, cancel unnecessary subscriptions, and plan debt repayments.


8. PocketGuard – Best for Simplified Budgeting

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Automatic transaction categorization
  • Helpful budgeting tools

Cons:

  • No investment tracking
  • No credit score monitoring

For those who feel overwhelmed by traditional budgeting tools, PocketGuard offers a streamlined way to manage expenses. It automatically categorizes spending and helps users stay within their budget.


Are Personal Finance Apps Safe?

Most personal finance apps connect to your bank and credit card accounts to import transactions. These apps use encryption and security protocols to keep your data safe. However, users should also follow best practices:

  • Use unique, strong passwords for financial apps
  • Enable multi-factor authentication
  • Keep personal details private

Conclusion

Finding the right personal finance app depends on your needs. If you want a well-balanced app, Simplifi is the best overall choice. For users who prefer detailed financial tracking, Quicken Classic is ideal. If budgeting is your priority, YNAB provides a fresh approach.

Whether you’re tracking expenses, monitoring your credit score, or teaching kids about money, there’s an app that fits your needs. The key is to choose one that aligns with your financial goals and make it a part of your daily routine.