Personal finance applications, also known as money tracker apps, have become increasingly popular over the past few years. These apps allow users to easily track their income, spending, budgets, investments, debt, and more in one centralized location through their mobile device or computer.
Why Use a Money Tracker App?
There are many benefits to using a money tracker application in 2024 and beyond. Here are some of the top reasons to use one:
Convenient Tracking
Money tracker apps make it simple to input all your financial transactions, from spending to income to investments. This helps you easily see where your money is going.
Budget Creation
Most money apps have tools to create customized budgets that allow you to allocate spending by category. This helps you stick to your budget goals.
Net Worth Calculation
Apps can connect to your financial accounts to automatically calculate your overall net worth based on assets and liabilities. This gives you a big picture overview.
Goal Setting
Set savings goals like an emergency fund, down payment, vacation, or holiday shopping in your app. Then track your progress towards achieving each goal.
Alerts and Notifications
Enable alerts that notify you when you go over budget in a spending category or reach a savings milestone. This keeps you accountable.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an App
With hundreds of money management apps available, narrowing down the best option for your needs can get overwhelming. Here are key factors to consider during your selection process:
Security Protections
Since these apps connect to your sensitive financial information, be sure they utilize top tier data encryption, password protection, and fraud monitoring.
Account Connectivity
The more accounts you can seamlessly connect, the better. This allows transactions to automatically populate for more accurate tracking.
Customization Options
Everyone has unique financial needs and goals, so look for robust customization features like customizable categories and budgets.
User Interface
The app should have an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. If it feels cumbersome, you’ll be less likely to use it consistently.
Customer Support
Find an app with readily available customer service in case any issues arise with setup, connectivity, or functionality.
The Top 10 Money Tracker Apps for 2024
Based on user reviews and ratings across app marketplaces like the App Store and Google Play Store, these 10 money apps stand out from the competition this year.
1. Mint
Mint is a longtime favorite for budgeting and money management.
Key Features
- Connects to over 16,000 financial institutions
- Creates helpful personalized budgets
- Allows money tracking across multiple accounts
- Provides free credit monitoring
Cost
Free
Why It’s Great
Mint stands out for its intuitive interface, abundant financial institution connections, and personalized money management tools. The app makes it simple to get a handle on your finances.
2. You Need a Budget (YNAB)
YNAB utilizes a unique budgeting methodology to align spending with income.
Key Features
- Offers web and mobile app access
- Encourages budgeting income before spending
- Helps break spending habits and reduce debt
- Integrates bank connection and transactions
Cost
$11.99 per month after 34 day free trial
Why It’s Great
YNAB is ideal for those who want an interactive, hands on approach to budget management aligned with getting ahead financially vs. just tracking spending. Their philosophy aims to stop living paycheck to paycheck.
3. Personal Capital
Personal Capital delivers a complete financial overview alongside budgeting.
Key Features
- Tracks net worth automatically
- Manages cash flow and budgets
- Overviews investment balances and performance
- Retirement and 401k planners
Cost
Free
Why It’s Great
Personal Capital stands out by combining day-to-day money management with long term retirement planning and investment performance tracking. Get your whole financial picture in one place.
4. Goodbudget
Goodbudget provides a digital envelope budgeting system.
Key Features
- Envelope-based budgeting methods
- Shared budgets for couples
- Cash envelope integrations
- Income vs spending graphs
Cost
Free or paid Plus version ($7 per month or $45 annually)
Why It’s Great
For those who want an easy-to-use digital envelope budgeting system, Goodbudget delivers. The app makes this proven budgeting methodology simple.
5. Albert
Albert operates as an intelligent financial sidekick, finding ways to save you money.
Key Features
- Automated savings transfers
- Spend summaries and alerts
- Financial advice and tips
- Finds subscriptions to cancel
Cost
Free
Why It’s Great
Albert sets itself apart with automated tools to boost saving and cut unnecessary spending. If you want an app to help control behaviors negatively impacting your bottom line, Albert fits the bill.
6. Quicken
Quicken focuses on money management for investments and retirement.
Key Features
- Investing and retirement planners
- Portfolio overviews
- Spending summaries
- Budget creation tools
Cost
$34.99 per year
Why It’s Great
Quicken shines when it comes to tracking investments and planning for retirement. If your main money priorities align with long-term financial growth, this app has you covered.
7. EveryDollar
EveryDollar follows a zero based budget approach.
Key Features
- Zero based budget methodology
- Free bill pay
- Debt reduction tools
- Flexible account connections
Cost
Free or Plus for $129 annually
Why It’s Great
For fans of the popular zero based budgeting strategy, EveryDollar makes it simple. Focus your budgets around giving each dollar saved a purpose.
8. HoneyFi
HoneyFi aims to alleviate money arguments for couples.
Key Features
- Shared budget tracking
- Customizable money goals
- Transparency modes
- Automatic expense splitting
Cost
Free for one month then $14.99 monthly
Why It’s Great
Money disputes can strain relationships. HoneyFi provides unified money management tools for couples to minimize financial disagreements.
9. DAS Budget
DAS stands out with the depth of tracking and reporting options.
Key Features
- Detailed money tracking
- Custom reports
- Alerts and reminders
- Recurring transaction logging
Cost
$4.99 per month or $44.99 annually
Why It’s Great
For those wanting next level money analysis with visual charts and graphs across spending categories, few apps can match DAS Budget’s customization and depth.
10. Mvelopes
Mvelopes modernizes envelope budgeting digitally.
Key Features
- Digital envelope budgeting
- Added tools for debt reduction
- Income/expense charting
- Connects to accounts
Cost
Premier package for $6.92 per month when billed annually
Why It’s Great
Mvelopes brings the proven envelope budgeting method into the digital age. If you like the concept but find actual envelopes cumbersome, this app delivers.
Conclusion
Personal finance applications continue improving, providing user friendly money management tools for personalized budgets, automated savings, debt reduction, investment tracking, and more. Mint, YNAB, Personal Capital, Goodbudget, Albert, Quicken, EveryDollar, HoneyFi, DAS Budget, and Mvelopes rank as the top money apps for 2024 thanks to standout features, positive user experiences, and comprehensive financial oversight. Evaluate your unique money management needs and financial goals, then select the money tracking app that best fits your requirements. Consistently utilizing these digital tools creates better spending awareness, aligns behaviors with budgets for savings, and places you firmly in control of your financial trajectory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What money app is completely free?
Mint, Personal Capital, Goodbudget, and Albert offer full feature mobile and web apps 100% free.
Which is better: Mint vs. YNAB?
Mint provides free robust money management tools, while YNAB perfects budget methods but charges a monthly fee after an introductory trial. Mint wins for free access, but YNAB offers premium budgeting experiences.
What apps sync with bank accounts?
Most money apps connect with financial accounts for automatic transaction imports, including Mint, YNAB, Personal Capital, Quicken, EveryDollar, HoneyFi, and Mvelopes.
Can couples share a money tracking app?
Yes, HoneyFi and several other money apps have account sharing and transparency features purpose built for couples to utilize collaborative financial tools.
Do any of these apps offer bill pay?
EveryDollar allows in app bill payments alongside its other money tools. Several other top apps also integrate with third-party bill pay services.
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