Budgeting & Money Management, Picking The Right App Is Key

The fantastic ad-supported Mint had to shut down in March because they were not making enough money. Sadly, those who were subscribed to its services were not able to access their data on the app anymore—and all data was lost. Intuit, which owed Mint and other platforms like TurboTax and QuickBooks tried to get everyone to migrate to Credit Karma. As one forum in Reddit notes, after trying to get their data and information retrieved, some Mint users still have not been successful in reclaiming their data.

Your eyes might be glazing over as you try to find a replacement app for budgeting, tax, estate planning and investing needs. Any free versions of apps can feel anemic at best, and leave you wanting more out of its capabilities. So, what apps do you need to manage your day-to-day economics and financial planning for now, retirement, and the future? Remember that in this day and age, you want to do it all without breaking the bank.

Here are a few standout apps that are leading the charge. They have additional comprehensive and integrated solutions that will make the difference in a more secure future for the savvy consumer.

1. Origin

While all these apps offer valuable features, Origin’s comprehensive approach to financial management sets it apart. By integrating tax filing, estate planning, budgeting, and investment management into one app, Origin eliminates the need for multiple financial tools, and more importantly, multiple fees. The all-in-one solution not only saves time and money but provides a seamless user experience. Its AI sidekick is the equivalent of a lightweight financial advisor who helps with your budget and decision making, and it understands your money. Origin’s ability to offer personalized advice and insights across all aspects of financial life makes it the ultimate one-stop shop for those looking to achieve financial well-being.

Origin is a trailblazer in the financial app market, seamlessly combining multiple essential services into one platform. It offers robust tools for tax filing, estate planning, budgeting, and investments, making it a comprehensive and holistic financial solution. Users can manage their entire financial life through a single app, ensuring streamlined processes and reduced stress. Its intuitive interface and personalized advice cater to both novices and seasoned financial planners, making Origin top choice for anyone wanting an easy way to take full control of their finances.

Cost: $12.99 a month, $99 a year

Free Version: No

2. Monarch Money

Monarch Money excels in offering a highly customizable budgeting experience. It allows users to create tailored financial plans and track their progress with ease. The app’s collaborative features make it a favorite among families and couples who want to manage their finances together. Monarch Money will look at both partners of a couple’s input and help you determine which perspectives are forward-thinking solution that will give you a better outcome. Because Monarch Money is an app—there is no bias—so there are less issues to argue about. It will let you know better solutions than you can come up with yourself.

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Cost: $14.99 a month, $99 for a year (after 7-day trial)

Free Version: No

3. Quicken Simplifi

Quicken Simplifi is known for its powerful budgeting tools and real-time expense tracking. It helps users stay on top of their finances with minimal effort, providing insights and recommendations based on individual spending patterns and guides you to what actions will help you achieve your economic goals more quickly.

Cost: $5.99 a month, $47.99 a year

Free Version: No

4. You Need A Budget

You Need A Budget promotes a proactive approach to budgeting, encouraging users to assign every dollar a job. Its educational resources and supportive community help users build better financial habits and achieve their goals. You will learn what a budget really entails and find out the process to make your financial future brighter with less errors. YNAB tells it like it is—you need a budget and it will help you get there with less fuss and trauma.

Cost: $14.99 a month, $99 a year (after 34-day trial)

Free Version: No

5. Empower

Empower is a great combination of budgeting and banking with all the features and personalized financial coaching you’ll want to be successful. Empower is designed to help users take control of their finances with expert guidance and automated tools. You’ll gain a complete tool for financial planning and investing, with a budgeting feature made to be surprisingly easy to use.

Cost: Fees only for investment management services

Free Version: Yes

6. Credit Karma

Credit Karma offers free credit scores and reports, along with personalized financial product recommendations. It helps you monitor your credit health and make informed financial decisions that you never thought possible. You’ll see the results of your financial planning reflected in your credit score and create a plan to get it even higher. Credit Karma’s financial product recommendations have been researched and proven to help people with their goals.

Cost: Free

Free Version: Yes

7. EveryDollar

Created by Dave Ramsey, Every Dollar promotes zero-based budgeting, where every dollar is accounted for. It’s a great tool for those following the Ramsey financial philosophy with the premium version featuring access to coaching. If you listen to Ramsey and have a handle on his no-nonsense approach, you’ll know you are in good hands. EveryDollar is a great choice for beginners to the budgeting world. You’ll learn, you’ll grow and if you are exact in following the program, you’ll be positioned for success.

Cost: $17.99 a month, $79.99 a year (after 14-day free trial)

Free Version: Yes

8. Copilot

Copilot uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to provide personalized financial insights and recommendations. It helps users optimize their spending and saving habits for better financial outcomes. Copilot’s use of predictive analytics to forecast future expenses based on historical data is a highly valued and desirable feature. AI can be smarter than humans, so why not put it to use helping you peer around the dark corners of financial planning and point you in the right direction.

Cost: $13 a month, $95 a year (after one-month free trial)

Free Version: No

9. PocketGuard

PocketGuard simplifies budgeting by showing users how much they can safely spend after accounting for bills, goals, and necessities. Users can set personalized spending limits for various categories, and receive real-time alerts to avoid overspending. PocketGuard is there at the ready encouraging you to be your best self—even at times when you don’t have control.

Cost: $12.99 a month, $74.99 a year

Free Version: Yes, but with extremely limited functionality

10. Rocket Money

Rocket Money offers an uncommon standout feature—its subscription monitoring tool, which identifies and helps cancel unwanted recurring charges, saving users significant amounts over time. Did you know that the average person begins to collect about $1000 per month in unwanted subscriptions? Unique to Rocket Money is its ability for premium users to detect hidden fees and negotiate refunds on behalf of its users—alerting you to unwanted subscriptions, further maximizing the savings for you.

Cost: $6 to $12 a month (after 7-day free trial)

Free Version: Yes

11. Rocket Dollar

Rocket Dollar is a mobile banking app and is a fintech platform that helps individuals use IRAs and 401 (k)s so that they can invest in alternative assets like real estate, startups and other cryptos. Rocket Dollar allows you to diversity your portfolio in a different way than those who may be investing for you and controlling your money. This app has your money invested with a trust company as the custodian who can approve your alternative investments so you don’t get into a list of prohibited investments where you don’t want to be. The Rocket Money app helps you track your spending and find ways to save money and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

Cost: $4 to $12 per month (after free trial)

Free Version: Yes, but it is a little limited

12. Bitcoin
Bitcoin
IRA

Bitcoin IRA is a free app allowing you to invest in cryptocurrencies and build your retirement account with an alternative investment. Some people say it’s the world’s most trusted cryptocurrency IRA app, allowing you the freedom to include Bitcoinin your retirement planning. There are decided advantages to investing directly in specific options like a crypto IRA. You are able to withdraw holdings once you are at an eligible age for withdrawals, and you can use it as a self-directed IRA. The Bitcoin IRA app has several layers of protection in place over client funds.

Cost: 0.99% to 4.99% – a one-time service fee that is charged up front

Free Version: No, and its paid version includes one of the higher monthly service fees

Consumers hear worries about an economic downturn and that everyone’s finances are in trouble. You don’t have to be afraid and can live in prosperity by taking charge of your money with better precision using one of these apps. Here you will gain the help you need for a better financial future.