The 17 Great Budgeting Apps That Will Help Couples Now

Finding the right tools to monitor your household budget can be tricky, especially for new couples and families aiming to get their finances on track. With the internet offering you many options to choose from, it’s easy to get confused and pick whatever’s on top of the list. 

Fortunately, I’ve done the legwork to bring you a comprehensive roundup of the best budgeting apps for couples and families. Whether you’re after simplicity, comprehensive financial planning, or something that fits your unique family dynamics, there’s something here for everyone.

What are the Best Budgeting Apps for Couples and Families?

When selecting a budgeting tool, consider your financial goals first. Remember that each app serves a specific purpose, so it’s only natural that they don’t offer the same features. Some tools may operate on a zero-based budgeting concept, while others may use traditional envelope methods. 

All these budgeting terms may sound complex and daunting for beginners, so here are apps we can vouch for based on their convenience and user-friendly features:

• Honeydue
• You Need a Budget (or YNAB)
• The Knot
• PocketGuard
• Empower (Formerly Personal Capital)
• Rocket Money
• Goodbudget
• Simplifi by Quicken
• Copilot
• HomeBudget
• EveryDollar
• Monarch Money
• Zeta
• Wally
• Trim
• PocketSmith
• Shoeboxed

Honeydue

Honeydue isn’t your grandma’s joint bank account. It’s a financial tech marvel designed for couples who want to stop arguing about money and start planning their future, whether saving for a house, a wedding, or just making sure someone is saving for the pizza fund. This app lets partners track their finances together, ensuring no financial conflict in the long run.

Features:

• It allows couples to jointly manage their finances efficiently.
• The app ensures you never miss a payment or double-pay a bill, saving money and potential arguments.
• Users can customize budget categories to fit unique spending habits, making budgeting more relevant and engaging.
• Top-notch encryption keeps your financial data secure, offering peace of mind in a digital age.
• A built-in chat feature lets couples directly discuss finances in the app, streamlining communication and decision-making.
• It provides a detailed, color-coded monthly spending summary, making it easy to spot trends and adjust habits.
• The app’s bank-level security measures protect your financial information as securely as a bank would.
• Automatic categorization of expenses simplifies the tracking process, helping couples stick to their budget more effectively.
• The split expenses feature makes it easy to share costs fairly, reducing financial friction between partners.

Pricing:

Honeydue keeps it simple: free. They plan to roll out a premium version with more features, but for now, couples can enjoy financial bliss at no cost.

Bottomline:

Honeydue is ideal for couples looking to simplify their financial lives together, from budgeting newbies to savvy savers. If you’re ready to make money, talk less awkwardly, and be more productive, Honeydue is the right app for you.

You Need a Budget (or YNAB)

Cut through the noise of financial jargon and find clarity in managing your money with a tool designed to give you control and peace of mind. This review delivers the essentials on YNAB, helping you make an informed decision without wasting time.

It is a premier budgeting app aimed at redefining how you manage your finances. With a philosophy centered around giving every dollar a job, this budgeting platform encourages proactive money management, debt reduction, and savings growth through a user-friendly interface and real-time tracking tools.

Features:

• Assigns every dollar a job, fostering intentional spending and savings.
• Updates transactions and balances in real-time for accurate budgeting.
• You can set and track financial goals, encouraging progress and achievement.
• Offers extensive educational resources to improve financial literacy.
• It includes tools for efficient debt reduction and avoidance.
• It provides personal support for any questions or challenges.
• Securely syncs with bank accounts for up-to-date information.
• It features customizable budget categories for personalized planning.
• Available on mobile for budgeting anywhere, anytime.
• The app gives a 34-day free trial for a full-featured test run.

Pricing:

YNAB offers two straightforward pricing plans: $14.99 monthly or an annual subscription at $99, saving users approximately $80 annually. Opting for the yearly subscription offers the best value, aligning cost-effectiveness with financial management efficiency.

Bottomline:

YNAB is ideal for individuals or families eager to grasp their financial reins firmly, especially those committed to long-term financial health through disciplined budgeting and goal-oriented financial planning.

The Knot Wedding Budget Planner

For couples ready to settle down, The Knot is a comprehensive wedding planning platform that streamlines the coordination of your big day. It offers tools for budget management, vendor selection, and guest organization wrapped in a user-friendly interface. 

This app saves time and reduces stress by centralizing wedding planning tasks, making it an indispensable tool for couples.

Features: 

• You can consolidate wedding tasks, from budgeting to guest management, all in one platform.
• It has an extensive database of vendors with customizable filters.
• It simplifies financial oversight with an intuitive budget calculator and planner.
• Manages invitations and RSVPs, streamlining the guest coordination process.
• Allows for the creation of a custom website to share details with guests.
• Provides customizable checklists and timelines to ensure everything is noticed.
• Access to a vast collection of style ideas and themes for inspiration.
• Free templates for spreadsheets enhance organizational efficiency.
• The free app is available on Android and iOS for planning on the go.
• It facilitates collaborative planning with partners and vendors directly through the platform.

Pricing:

The Knot Wedding Planner app is free, making it accessible on Android and iOS devices. For additional organizational support, The Knot provides free wedding planning spreadsheet templates, including budget calculators, planners, and guest list managers, compatible with Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel.

Bottomline:

The Knot is ideal for couples seeking a comprehensive, stress-free approach to wedding planning. It’s especially beneficial as one of the best budgeting apps for couples and families, offering free resources to plan a memorable day without breaking the bank.

PocketGuard

PocketGuard is like having a financial guardian angel in your pocket—minus the wings and halo. This app simplifies budgeting, expense tracking, and saving, making it feel less like a chore and more like a game you’re winning. 

Its user-friendly interface connects to your accounts, providing a real-time financial snapshot. It helps you identify where your money goes, how much you can save, and what’s eating your cash faster than a kid with a chocolate bar.

Features:

• Automatically creates a budget based on income, bills, and goals, making financial planning as easy as pie—preferably one you can afford.
• It provides a glance at how much spending money you have left, preventing those end-of-the-month surprises.
• Categorizes transactions automatically, making it easy to see where you might be overspending
• Set and track savings goals, giving you a visual of your financial achievements over time.
• For those with the premium version, tailoring categories to your spending habits makes the app even more personal.
• Premium users can create as many budgets and savings plans as they need, ensuring every dollar has a purpose.

Pricing:

PocketGuard offers a free version for those just starting in budget management. For those ready to dive deeper, the premium version is available for $7.99 monthly, $34.99 yearly, or a one-time fee of $79.99 for lifetime access. It unlocks the full suite of features, including customizable categories, unlimited budgets, savings plans, and bill negotiation services.

Bottomline:

PocketGuard is perfect for anyone looking to control their finances, from budgeting newbies to savings savants. If you’ve ever wondered where your money disappears each month or need a nudge to start saving, this app is your answer.

Empower (Formerly Personal Capital)

Empower positions itself as the Swiss Army knife of personal finance apps, aiming to declutter your financial life without needing a finance degree or a personal accountant. Designed to be your go-to budgeting, saving, and investing companion, it combines analytics with advice to guide your financial decisions, all within a sleek interface that even your grandma could navigate.

Features: 

• It automates savings, setting aside money effortlessly based on personalized rules that adapt to your spending habits.
• The app simplifies budgeting with real-time tracking and notifications, helping users stick to their financial goals.
• It monitors investments, providing insights to help optimize your portfolio for better returns.
• Empower offers personalized financial advice, turning complex jargon into actionable user steps.
• Users can access instant cash advances to cover unexpected expenses, offering a lifeline without the predatory rates.
• The app identifies and helps cancel unused subscriptions, directly saving users money on monthly expenses.
• Empower features a high-yield savings account, allowing users to earn more from their saved funds with competitive interest rates.
• It also negotiates bills on your behalf, potentially lowering utility rates and other recurring payments.

Pricing:

Empower offers a straightforward pricing model with a free basic version for budget tracking and financial insights. The premium service has all the unlocked features, including personalized savings plans, investment tracking, and bill negotiation. It comes at $8 per month. There are no hidden fees, no complex structures, just simple math.

Bottomline:

The app is ideal for anyone looking to streamline their financial management without getting bogged down by complexity. It’s perfect for the budget-conscious, the savings seeker, and the investment beginner who wants to make smarter financial decisions without the hassle.

Rocket Money

Rocket Money is an app that promises to streamline your finances without the usual headache. It’s like having a finance-savvy friend in your pocket, but only this one doesn’t borrow money and forgets to return it. In a world where every penny counts, this financial management tool ensures you’re not just counting them but also saving them.

Features: 

• Automatically categorizes your expenses to show where every dime goes.
• Identifies and cancels forgotten subscriptions you’re still paying for.
• Negotiates bills on your behalf to lower costs.
• It helps you create and manage effective budgets.
• It finds opportunities to save money seamlessly.
• It provides real-time alerts on fees and overcharges.
• It offers customizable categories for budgeting to fit unique spending habits.
• The app has bank-level encryption to keep your data safe.
• Features a user-friendly interface, making finance management less intimidating.
• You have free access to most features, emphasizing saving over spending.

Pricing:

Rocket Money won’t cost you a thing for its essential budgeting and subscription management services. If you want someone to haggle down your bills, that’s where it asks for a bit of back, ranging from $4 to $12 monthly, depending on the service. Think of it as investing in your savings.

Bottomline:

Rocket Money is perfect for individuals seeking a straightforward, effective tool to manage finances, cancel wasteful subscriptions, and negotiate bills. If you love saving money but hate the legwork, this app could be your new best friend.

Goodbudget

Goodbudget is a finance app that modernizes the envelope budgeting method for digital use. It allows users to allocate funds into virtual “envelopes” for different spending categories, ensuring disciplined budget management and financial planning. The platform provides a clear overview of expenses, savings, and financial goals, making it easier to track and adjust spending habits as necessary.

Features: 

• Enables users to allocate budgets into different categories with a virtual envelope system.
• It offers seamless sync across devices, ensuring budget updates are instantly accessible.
• Tracks spending against budgeted amounts in each envelope, providing real-time insights.
• It helps users manage and plan for debt repayment within the overall budget.
• It generates insightful reports on spending and savings trends.
• It allows sharing of budgets and envelope balances with family or partners.
• The free plan suits beginners, while the paid version caters to more complex financial needs.

Pricing:

Goodbudget offers a free plan that supports one financial account and access from up to two devices, including 20 envelopes for budgeting. For those needing more, the Paid Plus version at $8/month or $70/year provides unlimited accounts, access from up to five devices, unlimited envelopes, and extends financial history storage to seven years.

Bottomline:

Goodbudget is ideal for individuals or families seeking to digitally apply the envelope budgeting method, offering a structured approach to managing personal finances. The free plan suits beginners, while the Paid Plus is perfect for those with more complex financial situations or who are sharing budgeting responsibilities.

Simplifi by Quicken

In a world cluttered with complex finance apps, Simplifi by Quicken stands out by streamlining personal finance management. With a sleek interface and intuitive design, it promises to simplify the money management process. From tracking your spending in real-time to forecasting future expenses, Simplifi offers a holistic view of your financial health without needing the complex finance jargon.

Features:

• It offers an easy-to-use budgeting tool that helps users understand their monthly spending.
• The app automatically categorizes expenses, providing valuable insights into spending habits.
• Users can set and track their savings goals, turning financial aspirations into achievable targets.
• Customizable alerts keep users informed about bill due dates and subscription renewals.
• Detailed financial reports give users a comprehensive view of their financial health.
• It safely synchronizes with financial accounts, offering real-time updates.
• The intuitive interface makes navigating personal finances straightforward and stress-free.
• It helps with financial forecasting, enabling better planning for future spending and saving.
• Its mobile app allows users to manage their finances on the go.
• The platform provides extensive financial advice and customer support.

Pricing:

Opt for the annual plan at $3.99 monthly for a budget-friendly option that translates to about $47.88 yearly. If commitment isn’t your thing, the month-to-month plan at $5.99 offers flexibility but is pricier over time.

Bottomline:

Simplifi by Quicken best suits people seeking a straightforward, effective tool to navigate their financial journey. It ranks among the best budgeting apps for couples and families, blending simplicity with powerful finance management tools.

Copilot

Copilot transforms the monotonous chore of managing finances into an intuitive, almost enjoyable task. It employs AI to customize budget tracking and financial analysis. With real-time updates and predictive budgeting, it’s like having a financial advisor in your pocket but without the hefty fees. 

Its sleek interface and powerful analytics make navigating your financial landscape not only bearable but insightful.

Features:

• Real-time transaction updates keep you fully informed about your spending as it happens.
• You can customize categories to reflect your unique financial habits and goals.
• Predictive budgeting tools help you foresee and prepare for future financial activities.
• A subscription tracker makes it easy to monitor recurring payments and memberships.
• Investment tracking allows for a comprehensive view of your financial portfolio within the app.
• AI-driven insights provide personalized strategies to improve your financial health.
• The app’s elegant user interface simplifies financial management and makes it visually engaging.
• Robust security features ensure your financial data is always protected.
• Available on iOS and macOS, Copilot offers seamless access across your Apple devices.
• Comprehensive reports analyze your spending and savings trends over time.

Pricing:

Copilot’s pricing is as straightforward as its interface: $13 monthly for those preferring flexibility or an economical $7.92 monthly for annual subscribers. Exclusively available for iOS and macOS users, this pricing model ensures that financial management is accessible and affordable.

Bottomline:

It’s the go-to app for individuals or small business owners seeking an in-depth yet straightforward approach to budgeting and financial tracking, especially if you’re entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. Its blend of AI-driven advice with hands-on tools caters to the financially savvy and those just starting to take control of their finances.

HomeBudget

HomeBudget offers a sleek solution for managing personal finances. It enables users to track spending budgets and synchronize financial data across devices. Besides simplicity and user experience, this app stands out for its ability to provide real-time insights into financial health. 

Its purpose is to declutter your financial life, providing a clear path towards fiscal discipline and savings growth. 

Features:

• Sync across devices for real-time budget updates.
• Categorize and track expenses with detailed precision.
• Forecast income and costs to visualize future financial health.
• Get timely bill reminders to avoid late payments.
• Generate comprehensive reports for deeper financial understanding.
• Share budgeting responsibilities with family-sharing features.
• Attach receipts to transactions for digital record-keeping.
• Customize budget categories to fit personal spending habits.
• Enjoy secure data encryption for peace of mind.

Pricing:

HomeBudget simplifies its offer into two clear-cut options: $10 per month for basic features focusing on individual users and $25 per month for advanced capabilities catering to users seeking deeper financial insights and control. Volume discounts sweeten the deal for larger user groups, while nonprofits and startups benefit from special pricing, making financial management accessible to all.

Bottomline:

HomeBudget is for individuals or families looking to control their finances through detailed tracking, forecasting, and reporting, all wrapped in a user-friendly package. Whether you’re a budgeting novice or a finance enthusiast, if your goal is to whip your finances into shape, HomeBudget has the tools you need.

EveryDollar

EveryDollar is a budgeting app designed to bring clarity and control to your financial life, empowering users to manage their money confidently and efficiently. At its core, it aims to simplify personal finance for budgeting novices and seasoned savers. Prioritizing simplicity and user experience transforms the often overwhelming task of budget management into a straightforward, almost enjoyable process.

Features:

• The app simplifies budget creation, making it easy to track income and expenses.
• Quick transaction entry ensures expenses are logged in real time.
• Flexible budget categories allow for personalized financial management.
• Goal-setting tools help plan for both immediate and future financial objectives.
• Detailed expense tracking provides a clear overview of spending patterns.
• A dedicated debt payoff planner supports effective debt management strategies.
• Syncing across devices ensures budget access anytime, anywhere.
• Financial reports offer insights to help refine spending and saving habits.
• Access to a supportive community and resources enhances the budgeting experience.

Pricing:

EveryDollar has two versions to cater to different user needs. The free version offers robust features for those new to budgeting or who prefer simplicity in their financial management tools. The premium version, available for $79.99 annually, offers more advanced features, such as automatic bank transactions, advanced reporting, and personalized advice. 

Bottomline:

EveryDollar is the ideal app for individuals or families serious about taking control of their finances but looking for a tool that demystifies the budgeting process. It suits various financial management styles, from those who prefer hands-on categorization and tracking to users who value automatic transaction updates and detailed financial insights. 

Monarch Money

Monarch Money is a personal finance and budgeting app designed to empower users to manage their money more effectively. It integrates account tracking, budgeting, and financial planning tools in one platform, making it easier for users to see the big picture of their finances. The app’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive analytics simplify financial management tasks, from tracking spending to setting savings goals.

Features:

• It consolidates all your financial accounts in one place for an accessible overview.
• It creates customized budgets that automatically update with spending.
• You can monitor investments and compare portfolio performance against market benchmarks.
• It enables setting and tracking financial goals, such as saving for vacations or paying off debt.
• It offers detailed reports on spending habits to identify areas for cost reduction.
• It utilizes bank-level encryption to secure financial data.
• Its intuitive interface simplifies the navigation of financial information.
• It includes tools for planning major financial milestones, like home buying or retirement.
• It has customizable alerts for bill payments, budget limits, and large transactions.
• It provides responsive customer support for app-related queries.

Pricing:

Monarch Money offers a seven-day free trial for users to explore its features. Post-trial subscriptions are available at $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year, the latter reducing the monthly fee to $8.33. Unlike some budgeting apps such as Rocket Money and Honeydue, which have free plans, Monarch Money opts for a straightforward paid model.

Bottomline:

It matches individuals looking for a comprehensive financial management tool that combines simplicity with in-depth analysis and is willing to invest in a subscription for enhanced budgeting capabilities.

Zeta

Zeta is a financial management platform for couples and families striving to collaborate seamlessly on their budgeting, saving, and spending goals. This app facilitates a unified view of combined finances while offering features like shared and personal budgets, bill reminders, and a mechanism for tracking shared goals. 

Its user-friendly interface and emphasis on financial collaboration make it a standout choice for partners looking to enhance their economic synergy.

Features:

• No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
• Earn interest on your deposits if you reach the VIP level
• Share a joint account with anyone, not just your spouse
• Use in-app messaging to communicate with your partner about money
• Set up joint and individual goals and track your progress
• Create a bill reserve to pay your shared expenses automatically
• Get help from a dedicated Zeta Concierge who can answer your questions and offer tips

Pricing:

Zeta has a simple and transparent pricing model. The core app is free and includes a joint checking account, a personal checking account, two debit cards, and access to all the features mentioned above. Suppose you want to upgrade to Zeta Premium. In that case, you can pay $9.99 per month or $99 per year and get additional benefits such as unlimited ATM fee reimbursements, cash-back rewards, and priority support.

Bottomline:

Zeta is one of the best budgeting apps for couples and families who want to manage their money together in a modern and convenient way. It can help you collaborate, communicate, and celebrate your financial achievements with your partner. 

Wally

Wally is a personal finance app that helps you track your income, expenses, and savings. Thanks to its extensive features, you can set budgets, goals, and reminders to manage your money better. 

With Wally, you can sync your bank accounts, scan receipts, and categorize transactions. You can also ensure the app is easy to use, secure, and compatible with multiple currencies and languages.

Features: 

• It analyzes your spending patterns and gives personalized tips and feedback to improve your financial habits.
• You can share your financial goals and achievements with your friends and family.
• Create groups to split bills, plan trips, and save together.
• It allows you to customize your dashboard, categories, icons, and notifications to suit your preferences and needs.
• The app can generate detailed and interactive reports and charts to help you visualize and understand your finances.
• It has a dedicated support team and a vibrant community of users who can help you with any questions or issues.

Pricing:

Wally has two pricing options: Basic and Gold. The regular subscription is free and offers all the app’s essential features. Meanwhile, the paid option costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, unlocking additional features such as bank sync, advanced reports, and unlimited groups.

Bottomline:

Wally is an excellent app for anyone wanting to control their finances and achieve their goals. Whether you are a student, a freelancer, a traveler, or a family, it can help you track, budget, and save your money with ease and fun.

Trim

Trim is an app that helps you save money by finding and canceling unwanted subscriptions, negotiating lower bills, and getting refunds for bank fees and price drops. It also offers a high-yield savings account, a debt payoff plan, and a personalized spending plan. Trim is like having a personal financial assistant that works for you 24/7.

Features:

• It can scan your transactions and identify recurring payments.
• The app contacts your service providers and negotiates lower rates for your cable, internet, phone, and medical bills. 
• It monitors your bank accounts and credit cards and requests refunds for any fees you incur, such as overdraft, late, or foreign transaction fees.
• You can track online purchases and file claims for price adjustments if the price drops within the eligible period. 
• It works with major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and more.

Pricing:

Trim’s basic features, like subscription monitoring and financial analysis, are free. However, Trim charges 33% of the yearly savings for bill negotiation services. There are no upfront costs, making it risk-free to try their saving strategies.

Bottomline:

Trim is ideal for individuals seeking to streamline their finances, reduce unnecessary spending, and save money without becoming personal finance experts. Its no-success, no-fee model for bill negotiation makes it particularly appealing to those hesitant about financial management services.

PocketSmith

PocketSmith can help you plan your future finances by forecasting your cash flow, net worth, and budget. It connects to your bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investments and automatically updates your transactions. You can create scenarios, set goals, and track your progress with PocketSmith. The app is powerful, flexible, and intuitive.

Features:

• Create detailed budgets and track expenses in real-time for comprehensive financial management.
• Forecast your financial future for up to 30 years, visualizing potential outcomes.
• Automatically import transactions from multiple banks for consolidated financial oversight.
• Visualize financial activities with a calendar view to track bills and income easily.
• Monitor your net worth in real-time, understanding your financial standing at a glance.
• Manage accounts in multiple currencies, perfect for international financial activities.
• Customize financial categories for precise tracking of spending and income.
• Gain deeper insights into your spending habits and financial trends with advanced reporting.
• Enjoy robust security features, including read-only bank access and strong encryption.

Pricing: 

PocketSmith provides a range of financial management plans, from a free Basic option with limited features to paid tiers: Premium at $9.95/month for up to 10 accounts and automatic bank feeds, and Super at $19.95/month, offering comprehensive financial management with unlimited accounts and 30-year projections. The primary differences among these plans are the account limits and access to automatic bank feeds.

Bottomline:

It’s an excellent app for anyone who wants to plan and manage their finances confidently and clearly. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, a saver or an investor, a dreamer or a doer, PocketSmith can help you achieve your financial goals.

1. Shoeboxed

Managing receipts and financial documents can be cumbersome in today’s digital age. Shoeboxed offers a seamless solution, transforming paper clutter into digitized, categorized, and IRS-accepted data. This cloud-based service excels in automating the organization of receipts, business cards, and other documents for easy access, reporting, and tax preparation. 

With features like mileage tracking and expense reporting, Shoeboxed turns a tedious task into a streamlined process, offering invaluable tools for individuals and businesses seeking efficiency and financial clarity.

Features:

• It scans your receipts and extracts the date, amount, vendor, payment method, and category. You can add notes, tags, and custom fields to your receipts.
• You can sync your contacts with your email, CRM, or phone.
• Integrated with popular accounting, bookkeeping, and productivity apps such as QuickBooks, Xero, Wave, Evernote, and more. 
• It supports multiple users, which is ideal for family-based expense management.
• It allows custom tagging and categorization for better financial oversight.

Pricing:

Shoeboxed offers a Startup plan at $18/month for individuals or small businesses, a Professional plan at $36/month for growing businesses, and a Business plan at $54/month for larger organizations. Each plan includes a free trial for service evaluation.

Bottomline:

Shoeboxed is an excellent app for anyone who wants to organize their receipts, business cards, and documents and save time and money on their accounting and tax tasks. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right budgeting app involves considering what features are most important to you: ease of use, comprehensive financial planning, or collaboration between family members. 

Many of these apps offer trial periods, so it’s a good idea to test a few to see which fits your financial habits and goals best. Remember, the goal is to find a tool that helps you effectively manage your money, improve your budgeting skills, and achieve your financial goals as a couple or family.