If you’re like most people, you probably have a hard time keeping track of how much money you spend each month.
Sure, you might have a general idea of how much money is coming in and going out, but it’s hard to really know for sure.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best apps for tracking spending. These apps will help you keep an eye on your budget—and make sure it stays balanced!
Best Apps For Tracking Spending
Tracking your spending is often the first step in getting your finances in order. By understanding what you spend money on and how much you spend, you can see exactly where your cash is going and areas where you can cut back.
It’s easy to make this part of your everyday routine thanks to expense tracker apps that help you manage your money on the go. These apps certainly overlap with budgeting apps, but while the latter provide a big-picture view of your finances, expense tracker apps put more of an emphasis on your spending. These apps usually categorize your expenses and help you get a good idea of your purchasing behavior.
Whether you want an expense tracker app that easily captures all your transaction data, one that automates the expense reporting process at your job or one that holds you accountable by requiring you to manually input each one of your transactions, there’s an app out there for you.
To determine which expense tracker apps are the best overall, Select reviewed and compared over a dozen apps, looking at their pricing and features. To rank the top five, we only considered apps that focus on expenses, come with low (or no) cost to sign up, are easy to use and can be accessed on multiple devices. We favored those that have a considerable number of user reviews and high ratings.
The five apps we selected for this ranking are either free, offer a free version or have a free trial for users to test out before signing up. They have tens of thousands of reviews in the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android) combined, as well as a rating of 4 stars (out of 5) or higher on both platforms.
Below, Select reviews the top five expense tracker apps. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best expense tracker apps.)
Best expense tracker apps
Best overall free app: Mint
Best app for beginners: Goodbudget
Best app for serious budgeters: You Need a Budget (YNAB)
Best app for small business owners: QuickBooks Online
Best app for business expenses: Expensify
Expense tracker app FAQs
What is the best way to track your expenses?
Should I use an expense tracker app?
Best overall free app
Mint
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Information about Mint has been collected independently by CNBC and has not been reviewed or provided by Mint prior to publication.
Cost
Free
Standout features
Shows income, expenses, savings goals, credit score, investments, net worth
Categorizes your expenses
Yes, but users can modify
Links to accounts
Yes, bank and credit cards
Availability
Offered in both the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android)
Security features
Verisign scanning, multi-factor authentication and Touch ID mobile access
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Free to use
Syncs to your bank accounts and credit cards
Users can create savings goals, track investments
Customized alerts when over budget, for large transactions, ATM fees, etc.
Bill payment reminders
Credit monitoring service
Offers blog and education tools, such as a loan repayment calculator
Security features include Verisign scanning, multi-factor authentication and Touch ID mobile access
Cons
Some user reviews complain of ads, glitches in app, expenses assigned to wrong category
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Best app for beginners
Goodbudget
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Information about Goodbudget has been collected independently by CNBC and has not been reviewed or provided by Goodbudget prior to publication.
Cost
Get 20 envelopes for free; for unlimited envelopes, you need to upgrade to Goodbudget Plus, which is $7 per month or $60 per year
Standout features
Allows users to plan their household’s spending using the “envelope method,” where they allocate a certain amount of their income into categories like groceries, rent and debt payoff. Users are only supposed spend what’s in their envelopes and if they go beyond their budget the envelope will show red to indicate that they overspent
Categorizes your expenses
Yes, but users can customize
Links to accounts
No, users manually create “envelopes” and input their transactions
Availability
Has a web-based version, and also offered in both the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android)
Security features
256-bit bank grade encryption in a secure data center
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Free to use for creating 20 envelopes, one account user on up to two devices, one year of transaction history, debt tracking and community support
Envelope feature allows user to visualize their spending and prioritize meeting different goals
Users can customize the envelope categories according to their needs, such as saving for an emergency fund or a vacation
Requiring manual entry of data helps users to really analyze their spending habits versus it being automated (users can also download their recent activity from their bank’s website and import that into Goodbudget)
App provides real-time updates of how your transactions impact your budget and personalized reports
App offers educational resources like a blog, a podcast and online courses people can take
App plans to launch a pandemic-inspired feature allowing people to prioritize “envelopes” based on their most urgent expenses, such as housing, utility bills, etc.
Security features include 256-bit bank grade encryption in a secure data center
Cons
Costs $7 per month or $60 per year for unlimited envelopes with Goodbudget Plus, unlimited account users on up to five devices, seven years of transaction history, debt tracking and email support
Doesn’t sync to your bank accounts or credit cards, which can be a downside for people who want automation
Requires that users use the “envelope method” to track their spending
Some user reviews report experiencing technical issues with the app
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Best app for serious budgeters
You Need a Budget (YNAB)
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Information about You Need a Budget (YNAB) has been collected independently by CNBC and has not been reviewed or provided by YNAB prior to publication.
Cost
34-day free trial then $84 per year or $11.99 per month (students who provide proof of enrollment get 12 months free)
Standout features
Instead of using traditional budgeting buckets, users allocate every dollar they earn to something (known as the “zero-based budgeting system” where no dollar is unaccounted for). Every dollar is assigned a “job,” whether it’s to go toward bills, savings, investments, etc.
Categorizes your expenses
No
Links to accounts
Yes, bank and credit cards
Availability
Offered in both the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android)
Security features
Encrypted data, accredited data centers, third-party audits and more
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Offers a 34-day free trial, and students get 12 months free
Designed to help you get out of debt
YNAB website claims average user saves $600 in their first two months and more than $6,000 in their first year
Syncs to your bank accounts and credit cards
Users can set goals, customize spending categories
Offers educational resources, such as budgeting advice and 100+ free workshops offered every week
Personal customer support
Security features include encrypted data, accredited data centers, third-party audits and more
Cons
Costs $84 per year or $11.99 per month
Customer reviews note that it takes longer to set up than other apps
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Best app for small business owners
QuickBooks Online
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On Intuit’s secure site
Cost
30-day free trial then plan options include: Simple Start for $12.50 per month, Essentials for $20 per month, Plus for $35 per month and Advanced for $75 per month
Standout features
Tracks your business expenses as they happen, as well as your income. Users can use app to do invoicing, accept payments, manage their cash flow, maximize tax deductions, track travel miles, run reports, send estimates, manage bills and 1099 contractors, plus pay employees
Categorizes your expenses
Yes
Links to accounts
Yes, bank and credit cards, plus third-party apps like PayPal and Square
Availability
Accessible from any web browser and also offered in both the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android)
Security features
Verisign scanning, password-protected login, firewall protected servers and the same encryption technology (128 bit SSL) used by the world’s top banks. QuickBooks also offers multiple permission levels that you can set for additional users’ access
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Offers a 30-day free trial
Syncs to your bank accounts, credit cards and third-party apps like PayPal and Square
Offers real-time dashboards so you can stay updated on all financial transactions related to your business
The most basic “Simple Start” plan tracks income, sales and expenses, organizes receipts, creates invoices, helps you prepare your taxes, categorizes your business and personal trips, offers a QuickBooks Cash account, runs reports like P&Ls and balance sheets and includes 1 user
“Essentials” plan, in addition to the above, helps you pay your bills, clock employee time and billable hours and includes up to 3 users
“Plus” plan, in addition to the above, lets you oversees projects, track inventory and includes up to 5 users
“Advanced” plan, in addition to the above, provides business analytics and insights, speeds up transactions, gives users access to VIP service QuickBooks Priority Circle that includes a dedicated account team and free online QuickBooks training, includes up to 25 users
QuickBooks offers a fourth “Self-Employed” plan for freelancers at a low $7.50 per month
All QuickBooks users get fast, customized setup of their QuickBooks with a certified bookkeeper for an additional $50 one-time live virtual session
Full-service payroll plans start at $22.50 per month
Security features include Verisign scanning, encryption technology (128 bit SSL) used by the world’s top banks and customized access for other users
Cons
Costs range from $12.50 per month to $75 per month, depending on the plan
Some user reviews complain of glitches in app and a not so user-friendly interface
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Best app for business expenses
Expensify
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On Expensify’s secure site
Cost
Free for up to 25 SmartScans of receipts per month. For unlimited SmartScans, pricing is as follows: six-week free trial then for employees, individual pricing is $4.99 per month. For companies, group pricing starts at $5 per user, per month
Standout features
Individuals can track receipts and submit expenses to their employer. Users scan their receipts and the app will automatically read the receipt then translate it into a logged expense. Also offers mileage and GPS tracking and automatic credit card importing
Categorizes your expenses
Yes, but users can customize
Links to accounts
Yes, bank and personal/company credit cards
Availability
Offered in both the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android)
Security features
Two-factor authentication so users input a generated code when logging in; banking data is protected by world-class security standards and compliant with Privacy Shield and GDPR requirements
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Free to use for up to 25 SmartScans per month
Offers a six-week free trial for unlimited SmartScans
Designed to help you get your expenses done quickly while on the go and in real time
Expensify website claims expense reports with Expensify take 83% less time
One-click receipt scanning and SmartScan automatically transcribes receipt details with the date, merchant and amount
Receipts are automatically coded and categorized once user takes photo and assigns to a report or emails their receipts to receipts@expensify.com
Users can split their expenses by using the ExpensePoint feature to split the cost
Allows users to track their mileage by manual entry, odometer readings or by using the GPS
Web dashboard shows spending by different categories and uses time references
Automatically generates and submits expense reports for automatic next-day reimbursement
Users can share or print documents/expense reports from the app for review
Syncs to your bank accounts and credit cards
Lets users send and receive money via Venmo
Connects to apps like Uber, Lyft and HotelTonight for automatic receipt import and transcription
Security features include two-factor authentication, world-class security standards and Privacy Shield / GDPR compliance
With a group plan, employers can integrate with their accounting software, including QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite and others
Two plans offered for individuals: “Track” is $4.99 per month, with unlimited SmartScans, automatic mileage tracking and categorizing expenses; “Submit” is $4.99 per month and, in addition to the above, automatically submits reports for reimbursement, submits receipts
Two plans offered for groups: “Collect” is $5 per user, per month and, in addition to the above, automates receipt collection and reimbursement, auto-syncs to accounting software and offers free Expensify card with auto-reconciliation; “Control” is $9 per user, per month and, in addition to the above, manages approval workflows
Cons
Costs $4.99 per month for individuals and starts at $5 per user, per month for groups
Some user reviews report that the interface isn’t intuitive
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Expense tracker app FAQs
What is the best way to track your expenses?
There’s no perfect expense tracking plan that fits everyone. Each person has their own method — unless of course you have no method at all.
While some people may find looking at their monthly credit or debit card statements enough to keep their spending in check, others need something more hands-on. You can opt to track your transactions daily in a spreadsheet or to use technology like an expense tracker app. If you’re not sure which is the best program for you, try out a few different methods to see what sticks.
Should I use an expense tracker app?
Keeping track of your expenses is an important part of managing your overall finances. While you don’t need an app to help you record your purchases, it can certainly come in handy.
Some expense tracker apps automatically sync to your bank accounts and credit cards, which can save you time instead of you having to manually gather all your different credit card statements and such. Other apps help you categorize your spending so you can better understand your purchasing habits. Plus, some of the best expense tracker apps offer educational tools like blogs and courses to help you learn more about budgeting and your money.
Our methodology
To determine which expense tracker apps offer the best user experience, Select analyzed over a dozen apps offered by the top companies in this market and looked at their pricing, features, user reviews and ratings.
We narrowed down our ranking by only considering apps that primarily focus on expenses, come with low (or no) cost to sign up, are easy to use and can be accessed on multiple devices so are accessible and compatible for most.
The five apps we selected for this ranking are either free, offer a free version or have a free trial for users to test out before signing up.
All of the apps in our round-up have a sizable number of user reviews and high ratings. The apps on this list have tens of thousands of reviews in the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android) combined, as well as a rating over 4 stars (out of 5) on either platform.
Other factors we looked at included apps’ security features, user customization and educational tools offered.
Budgeting can be tedious and daunting, especially when there are so many different accounts to keep track of, like for savings, investments and retirement. So when you and your partner have to manage your money together as a couple, dealing with double the number of accounts can make budgeting feel extra stressful.
That’s why there are so many budgeting apps designed to do the grunt work for you — and some of them actually work perfectly for couples.
To determine which budgeting apps are the best for couples Select reviewed and compared a variety of options, looking at their pricing, features and user reviews. (see our methodology for more information on how we choose the best budgeting apps.)
Best budgeting apps for couples
Best overall free app: Honeydue
Best for the envelope budgeting system: Goodbudget
Best for tracking your spending: Mint
Best for zero-based budgeting: You Need A Budget (YNAB)
Best overall free app
Honeydue
LEARN MORE
Information about Honeydue has been collected independently by CNBC and has not been reviewed or provided by Honeydue prior to publication.
Cost
Free
Standout features
Allows couples to see both partners’ bank accounts, credit cards, loans and investments (and each partner can select what to share with the other) so you can manage money together and see everything at one glance
Categorizes your expenses
Yes, but users can customize
Links to accounts
Yes, you and your partner’s bank and credit cards
Availability
Offered in both the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android)
Security features
Data encryption, Touch ID and multi-factor authentication
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Free to use
Helps couples manage their money together, track spending, coordinate bills
Syncs to you and your partner’s bank accounts
Choose what accounts you want to share
Users set up monthly spending limits in each category and are alerted when they or their partner is reaching limit
Bill payment reminders
Chat and send emojis to your partner through the app
Offers joint bank account
Security features include data encryption, Touch ID and multi-factor authentication
Cons
Some reports of app being buggy and transactions not showing up immediately
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Who’s this for? The Honeydue budgeting app makes it easy for you and your partner to get a comprehensive view of your finances together without having to log into a bunch of different accounts every single time. In other words, loans, investments, checking accounts and savings accounts can all be shared with your partner, but the app allows both of you to choose which accounts you want to actually connect.
The app also allows you to track spending and coordinate bill payments so you’re both on the same page. And with bill payment reminders and monthly spending limits that users set up in each category, the app helps couples make sure they aren’t overspending. If you or your partner are reaching a certain spending limit, you both will be alerted. Partners can also split expenses with each other directly in the app.
Conclusion
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