The 8 Best Budget and Money Management Apps of 2020

Track your spending and expenses quickly and easily

By
Karen Marcus
Karen Marcus
Writer
Karen Marcus is a former Lifewire writer who has also written for companies like HP, Intel, IBM, Samsung, and others.
our editorial process
Karen Marcus
Updated February 16, 2020

Money impacts everything else you do in life, so it's essential to manage it well. The programs and apps described here can help you do just that. Whether you want to perform just one function (such as create a budget) or have an at-a-glance view of all your finances, you’ll likely find something here that suits your needs. 

01
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Best Money Management App: Mint

3 iOS screens for Mint

This free and widely respected app from the makers of TurboTax® can help you with several financial tasks: make budgets, track spending, pay bills, and keep an eye on investments. It allows you to connect all your accounts, including banks and credit card providers. Convenient features include bill payment reminders and customized budget tips based on your spending habits.

The clean and colorful interface makes it easy to see where you stand at any given time. Use this app across multiple devices, including your Mac, PC, tablet, or phone. 

What We Like

  • Free access to your credit score

What We Don’t Like

  • May not be appropriate for those with complex finances
02
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Best Budget App: You Need a Budget

Three You Need A Budget screens on iOS

This award-winning app can help you take control of your financial life by creating the one tool anyone with money needs: a budget. After you create your budget, the app uses an easy interface to help you to stay focused on your spending and saving goals.

That means no more surprises at the end of each month. Of course it’s easy to change your budget any time your income or needs shift. Try the app (which syncs across all your devices) for free, then pay $6.99 per month if you decide to keep it – a small price to pay for financial peace of mind. 

Budgeting isn’t a once-and-done activity. Don’t be afraid to adjust upward or downward if you see you’re consistently spending more or less than you expected in a particular category. 

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

  • The app isn’t a one-stop-shop for finances; its only function is budgeting.
03
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Best Finance Tracker: Quicken

Three iOS Quicken app screens

This robust personal finance software allows you to view all your financial accounts (including banking, credit cards, investments, and retirement) in one place. It also includes features that help you manage your spending, view and manage your bills, and track your investments.

The program is designed for desktop or laptop use, but there is a companion app you can download help manage your finances on the go. Three versions allow you to choose the one that is best suited to your needs: Starter for $34.99/year, Deluxe for $49.99/year, and Premier for $74.99/year. 

Tip: The Premier version is especially useful for managing investments.

What We Like

  • Quicken is a well-known and well-respected provider of personal finance software. 

What We Don’t Like

  • It’s more expensive than other apps. 
04
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Best Finance App for Couples: Goodbudget

Three iOS GoodBudget screens

Based on the timeless “envelope” budgeting system, in which you set aside a sum from your paycheck for each spending category, Goodbudget helps you create a budget, share it with your partner, and stick to it. Use it to ensure there’s enough cash on hand for day-to-day spending, saving, and giving.

The sharing feature helps you avoid those “uh-oh” moments when one partner spends on something not in the budget, creating problems when that next unexpected expense comes along. Use the app for free, or sign up for the Plus version to get unlimited accounts and envelopes, and upgraded support. 

What We Like

  • Simple screens help you easily understand what you’ve spent compared to your budget. 

What We Don’t Like

  • There’s no way to connect directly with your financial accounts, so you must manually enter information.  
05
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Best Easy Investment App: Acorns

Three iOS Acorns app screens

You know it’s smart to invest some of your money, right? But it’s easier said than done. Rather than trying to find the right investment options and doing lots of transactions, let Acorns help you out.

It uses the spare change you accumulate throughout the day and invests it in a diversified investment portfolio (a combination of stocks and bonds that you own). Or, save specifically for retirement by using an IRA recommended just for you. Use across devices for as little as $1/month.

When investing with Acorns you can be as conservative (low risk / low reward) or aggressive (high risk / high reward) as you like.

What We Like

  • All transactions are automatic based on how you set up your account.

What We Don’t Like

  • Investing only spare change may not be adequate to meet your financial goals. 
  • The $1/month fee may seem insignificant, but unless you're investing hundreds of dollars a month it can be significantly higher than other robo-advisor investment platforms.
06
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Best Bill Paying App: Prism

Three Prism app screens from iOS

If your biggest financial frustration is late fees, try the free Prism mobile app to help you pay your bills on time! To get started, import your billers. The app syncs your account balances and presents them in an easy-to-understand format so you know exactly when each bill is due. Then you can pay your bills directly from the app; use the scheduler to plan payments for the same day or later, using the payment method that works best for you.

It’s always easy to tell how much money you have coming in and going out at any given time. Convenient reminders tell you things like when to double-check a bill that seems too high. 

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

  • You still need to log into the biller’s site to get an actual statement or bill. 
07
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Best Work Expense Tracker: Expensify

Three iOS Expensify app screens

Business travel can be a hassle, and tracking expenses (such as hotels, food, and gas) is one of the worst parts. But you can make it easier with the Expensify app. Just snap a photo of each receipt, and create an expense report to turn in to your employer. Or set up an account to receive immediate reimbursement.

Additional features include automatically importing expenses purchased with a personal or corporate card that you indicate, automatic expense categorization, and custom reports. The app is free for a limited number of scans per month, and $5/month after that. 

What We Like

  • It’s easy to use. 

What We Don’t Like

  • Some users report glitches and bugs. 
08
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Best Money App for Kids: FamZoo

Three iOS FamZoo screens

More than just an app, FamZoo issues prepaid cards that parents can put money on for kids from allowance, payment for chores, and other sources. Parents can then use the cards and the app to help kids learn about smart money management and set up separate accounts for spending, saving, and giving.

Kids learn about the connection between money and work, how to give each dollar a “job,” how to create and work toward savings goals, and even how to earn interest or pay back a loan from Mom or Dad. FamZoo is a paid service. 

What We Like

  • You can build a chore chart to help kids stay on track with household duties. 

What We Don’t Like

  • Parents need to supplement financial instruction, as the service doesn’t always mimic the real-world consequences of money mismanagement.