Best Budgeting Apps of 2023 to Keep Your Finances in Check

The year may soon be ending, but maintaining a firm grip on the reins of your finances is important no matter what the calendar may say. From expenses during Thanksgiving to the money they’ll spend on Christmas and New Years, people can easily overspend their budget limits. Project Bold Life to the rescue! Avoid money problems this Yuletide season with the best budgeting apps of 2023 to keep your finances in check.

(Wants some good books on finances? Project Bold Life has you covered with this list of must-reads!)

1.   Goodbudget

Some of the best personal finance applications have features that help users keep track of their finances, whether passively or actively. Goodbudget is one of the apps that financial experts recommend to those who want an active role in their budgeting ventures. Unlike other software and mobile applications, Goodbudget focuses on helping its users make financial plans and allocate their monthly incomes into specific spending categories called “envelopes.”

Although Goodbudget requires users to manually input their account balances, income, and other related information, their easy-to-use interface makes the process faster and more understandable. In addition, this financial app provides mobile application and web platform accessibility, which is more convenient for many users. But if you’re not that tech savvy, don’t worry because Goodbudget has informative articles and videos to guide you with its functions and features.

The other reason that Goodbudget is one of the best budgeting apps of 2023 is that it provides people with a free version with all its essential features. In addition, the app allows users to be proactive participants in making their monthly financial plans.

2.   Mint

Two notable features of a top-tier personal finance application are its device syncing and budgeting functions, which are present in Mint. Mint is a budgeting app with a massive and loyal following of users because it allows effortless syncing across different devices and account types. In addition, it has high-quality budgeting tools despite being free.

But beyond these things, Mint also offers its users the essential tools to manage debt, enhance savings, and track financial objectives. Their “Mintsights” feature gives people a better understanding of how they spend and save their money. They also provide insights into their user’s credit score and net worth, which brings a rounded outlook on all their finances.

In addition, Mint has comprehensive financial tracking features, which is another plus for people taking the passive approach when using financial apps. Users can also browse the applications’ robust support resources, including their extensive FAQ sections.

3.   PocketGuard

PocketGuard takes a place in 2023’s top financial list for being a high-quality app that simplifies the budgeting process for its users. PocketGuard makes it easier for users to connect their bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investments in one app. Due to this, users can track all their financial responsibilities with a swipe of a finger.

PocketGuard also offers an overview of the user’s remaining funds after accounting for all their bills and monthly expenditures, which provides a clearer view of their available money for other spending purposes. In addition to monitoring one’s net worth, the app allows the user to manually manage their finances without linking them to their accounts.

4.   Honeydue

Unlike other apps in this list, Honeydue is a personal finance app for couples. A cost-free budgeting app, Honeydue works to help partners in overseeing their financial responsibilities and concerns. The application allows both partners to link their bank accounts and other expenditure-related information and grants them a complete picture of their shared financial tasks and landscape. Despite that, each individual has full control over the details they want to share.

In addition to their joint budgeting tools and features, Honeydue also reminds their bills’ due dates and has an in-app function for faster communication.

5.   YNAB

You Need a Budget, or YNAB is the best budgeting app for those who’d like zero-based budgeting. Many personal finance applications focus on tracking historical functions, but with YNAB, the app guides its users to forward-thinking financial planning. Unlike most financial platforms, they follow the zero-based budgeting philosophy, meaning every dollar earned has a distinct purpose.

Upon receiving their income in YNAB, users can distribute funds across numerous categories like expenses, goals, and savings. The distribution allows a calculated approach to dealing with finances by actively determining where every dollar you earn goes.

6.   Oportun

Unlike Goodbudget or YNAB, Oportun is a budgeting app with a complete hands-off savings approach. Users would link an external bank account to the app, which uses an algorithm to distribute money for their personalized financial goals. People can also use pre-existing saving objectives and alter how much they want to save and when.

Although withdrawing and depositing funds to and from Oportun can be worrying, the app uses 256-bit encryption to ensure your money’s safety.

7.   EveryDollar

EveryDollar, like YNAB, is a top-tier financial app using zero-based budgeting. But unlike other apps that manage finances with a similar approach, EveryDollar has a more user-friendly structure. Due to this, many users find them more accessible.

EveryDollar’s free version provides an easy, straightforward budgeting practice where users can manually input their monthly income and expenses without syncing their accounts. It also categorizes budget line items and puts up bill payment reminders.

 

Don’t forget the book that lays out the principles of goal-achievement and attaining a Bold Life!