Crush Your Financial Goals: Top Money Apps & Platforms for Budgeting, Investing & More!
Is it me or did the pandemic do a great reset in how we “money”? No matter if it’s investing, spending, saving, or just our understanding of it - shift. While that shift might’ve looked differently for each of us, the way that we view money or how we handle it changed. For some, they found themselves empowered and for some, they might’ve found themselves deflated by inflation, life, and interest rates. Simply put, more people wanted to learn about their wallets while they built their wealth - no matter how that looks for them.
One of the major things that we’ve noticed through the pandemic was the boom of Personal Finance/Finance Apps. The FinTech of the App Stores ( no matter which you have) not only grew but also grew our overload of download. To think about it - we’ve seen a lot of apps but got confused about how to build our money system within the cluster of them. When I first started blogging/creating content around Personal Finance, I remember a bit of a series I started (and dropped) called Appsolutely. Such a play on words, but I developed it to help people know what apps were out there that can help them learn and leverage their money better. While I dropped it, I picked it up from partnerships and positioning within my social media content. I wanted to pick it up a bit after seeing the tussle of the beloved Mint app going away in January. Even though I talked about it in short-form content, I still got a couple of messages (seriously) from you asking what apps would I suggest switching to with it going away. Even though Intuit is moving some elements of Mint to the mixed review of Credit Karma, I still wanted to give you my list (which might be updated throughout the year) of Personal Finance Apps that you should check out. While this list is budget or money-management-heavy, I will continue to update other Finance Apps that you should check.
While very few might be free and some will come with a small fee, I still wanted to list SOME, not all of those that are out there. Even though there are thousands of apps and websites around Personal Finance - just knowing where to start is important. Which is what I want this blog post to do for you. More than 78% of people are equipped with smartphones, in which, average smartphone users have 2.5 financial apps. Millennials (25-40 years old) have an average of 3.6 and it further drops to 2.3 for Gen X (41-56 Years old) and 1.4 for Baby Boomers (57-75 years old). And we know that Gen Z has the app game on lock!
Let’s Money -
What’s interesting about the Personal Finance App/Site market is the decreasing number of Free apps that we’ve known, loved, or didn’t use. While I know that companies have to make money, the influx of apps that don’t give you a free level/tier is fading fast. Sometimes it takes money to know your money; especially going into and through 2024. At the same time, this could be frustrating to some. I would tell you from the jump to understand your money management system and how many apps within your budget you can plan on having monthly. They can become a bill if you have the most (like streaming apps). So build your money team/system and then work backward to determine if you need an app for that or if you can find the free website version.
I’m going to list off some that you should look into and let you know a soundbite about them. You will also have a link to it and if it costs (a fee) or if it’s free. Let’s get to the apps I like when it comes to helping you get your accounts aligned during 2024.
Monarch Money (Budgeting, Money Management; Fee, link): This is what a lot of Mint users are moving their accounts over towards. I like Monarch due to the ease and experience (how it is to use it) and also use this with my clients to help them plan their money. You can track everything from savings to net worth, it also builds out your financial goals. Mint users get a 30-day free trial and half off a year - use that info as you will.
Credit Karma (Money Management; Free, for now, link): While I only recommend CK for reviewing your credit report - I do feel that they will be adding on to offerings like their savings account throughout the year. IF you move your accounts from Mint over to CK, some of the features will be offered. You can bring account balances, historical net worth, and 3 years of transactions over to CK. You can monitor your monthly cash flow, but keep that in mind.
Qube Money (Budgeting, Money Management, Free and Fee, link): This platform is a unique digital banking app that combines the traditional cash envelope budgeting method with modern technology. It's designed to help you take control of your finances by dividing your money into separate, virtual "qubes" or envelopes.
Empower (Budget, Money Management; Free, link): It used to be called Personal Capital but it’s one of the free apps for consumers. You can track your spending, saving, and investing within one. The features are good for no matter the user - beginner to advanced. Can be used on a desktop or phone.
Copilot Money (Budget, Money Management, Fee, link): They seem to brand themselves as your pocket financial buddy (for your phone or laptop). The design is clean; It automatically connects to your bank accounts and investment platforms, giving you a real-time overview of your finances. Helps you budget and reach your financial goals and is personalized budgets based on your spending habits, tracks your progress, and offers insights to save and invest smarter.
Digit/Opturn (Saving, Fee, link): Save money effortlessly with Digit's AI-powered micro-savings. The app analyzes your income and spending to automatically transfer small amounts into your savings account, without you even noticing. Watch your emergency fund grow without sacrificing your daily latte.
Good Budget (Free + Fee, link): Similar to Mint. You can look at your budget throughout the month within the aspect envelope style budgeting. They have a free and a fee option.
Qapital (Fee, link): like the other budgeting apps out there and on this post, Qapital helps you save for anything – vacations, bills, even rainy days – by turning small, everyday actions into automatic savings. Set it up once, and watch your piggy bank grow without even thinking about it!
Honey Due (Budget, Money Management; Free, link): This platform is focused on couples but is good for singles. What I like about it is that you can have a joint budget. It has the basics as far as budgeting.
PocketGuard (Budget, Money Management; Fee + Free, link): You can track income and expenses along with bills in one place. You can create different types of budgets which is important for those with other areas of life that need to be fine-tuned.
Albert (Budgeting, Investing, App; link): If you want to get fussed about your funds, the platform/app is hilariously harsh but keeps you focused on your money. They used just to do savings, but now they’ve expanded to financial focuses like investing, budgeting, etc.
Acorns (Savings and Investing, Fee + Free, link): This app fuses investing and saving within one swipe.
Early Bird (Investing, Savings, Kids, Free + Fee, link): If you’re looking to start saving for your kids, this platform is amazing, endorsed by Auntie Nad.
Mama Bear Legal Forms (Estate Planning, Fee, link): While you can plan your estate building out your Will, the platform has other legal documents that you may need as well!
Much (Budget, Money Management; Fee, link): What I like about Much is that it was a platform that was developed by one of my other Personal Finance Experts, Carmen of MakeRealCents. The app says that it can help you pay down debt faster so you can focus on the money decisions that really matter.
YNAB or You Need A Budget (Budget, Money Management; Fee, link): It’s one of the OGs of Personal Finance apps and is focused on a Zero-B, meaning you legit give each dollar a job. A lot of people love it and have used it for years.
Simplifi (Budget, Money Management; Fee, link): Customizable categories are what stand out to me with using. It’s mostly via a mobile format (think Quicken). Also, it lays out your budget in a calendar view and what subscriptions you may have.
Quicken (Budget, Money Management; Fee, link): Another one of the OGs, it has grown over the years with various types of budgeting platforms that can fit your budget, needs, and focus (which I like). They have where you can also fuse home and business within it.
Tiller (Budget, Money Management; Fee, link): You can link and leverage your accounts within the spreadsheets that they have on their platform. Heads up, if you don’t like spreadsheets - this isn’t for you. It can be pricey as well.
QuickBooks (Budget, Money Management;Fee, link): Another OG but the cost is paid if you need someone to assist you with it. Various levels of offerings, but another good suggestion.
StellarFi (Credit, Money Management; Fee, link): This app is focused on money habits and credit. You technically pay your bills via the platform and build your credit due to your good payment history.
Public Invest (Investing, Saving; Free, link): If you have been around here a while, you know I love Public and have been using it for years. It allows you to invest and save within one place along with getting insight from the community of dope folks. In the past couple of months, they’ve added on High-Yield Cash Accounts which allow you to save at a strong rate (similar to HYSA). Legit a brokerage and savings account in one. You get a free slice of stock when you click that link.
Trust and Will ( Estate Planning; Fee, link): If you want to build your Estate Plan on the sorta DIY tip, this is a platform that I’ve been talking about highly within my content since finding out about it.
Rocket Money (Money Management; Free, link): I like the fact that it can see your subscriptions and cancel them like Nino. I would also tell you to check behind them to see if it is indeed canceled and if you’re due a refund for the cancellation.
Capitalize (Retirement; Free, link): If you have that old 401K from that old job and want to roll it over, this platform will track it down and give you suggestions on what to do next!
NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator (Life Insurance; Free, link): If you’re looking for an old life insurance policy this website isn’t spoken about much.
Spendee (Spending, Money Management; Fee, link): If you’re looking for something to track shared expenses, this platform is for you.
Undebt.it ( Debt Management; Fee+ Free, link): If you’re focused on paying down your debt - this platform is for you. I’ve been recommending it for as long as I’ve been talking about money. So this says a lot!
Fidelity ( Investing, Budgeting, Saving; Free, link): I like the platform for investing in general, but I wanted to share that it also allows you to get your own HSA. Yes, you read that right. I know I talked about what they are over on social media, but if your company doesn’t offer an FSA/HSA, this could be clutch. Also, this platform is amazing when it comes to investing (brokerage, retirement and so forth)! They also have “Full View” for those who want a “Mint Alternative”.
If you need help with how budgeting can look to you in 2024 and beyond, check out one of my recent posts about how to format one. If I would recommend an order, I would tell you to do what that post says, then move through this list, and then set a plan to execute. If you don’t like the app or the budgeting method, guess what? You can change it up at any time. At least give it a shot for 60 days to see how it works or if you need to work in something else. Plus, if you do use an app that has a fee, make sure it’s placed in your budget. Just saying.
Bonus Tip: Combine these tools for maximum impact! Track your spending in Monarch, invest your spare change with Acorns, align your retirement with Fidelity, and build credit with StellarFi. The more you automate and track your finances, the easier it becomes to reach your goals. Learn about ‘Audit Your Wallet’ before starting your money shift here.
So, let me know what Financial Apps will be used in 2024. Which didn’t you like?