Best Budgeting Apps in 2024

Mint decided to take a break, but no worries – we've got your back with some stellar alternatives that'll make your money dance. In this guide, we're unveiling the top budgeting apps, breaking down their moves, and helping you decide which one suits your financial groove. Ready to dive in? Let's roll!

1. Tiller: Where Spreadsheets Meet Financial Zen

If you're the spreadsheet maestro in the financial orchestra, Tiller is your stage. Unlike the free-spirited EveryDollar, Tiller is not free, but it brings Google or Excel into the budgeting spotlight. Link your accounts, add AutoCat magic for auto-categorization, and boom – your financial life is on a spreadsheet. The price tag? $79 per year, and they throw in a free 30-day trial. Cancel anytime – no financial drama here.

2. EveryDollar: Your Budgeting BFF

Picture it as your budgeting best friend forever. It's got a free version that does all the cool stuff, and then there's a VIP version for those who want the premium experience. It's all about that zero-based life, starting with your income, shuffling in expenses, and aiming to hit that budgeting ground zero. And guess what? It's visual, customizable, and straightforward. With EveryDollar, you manually enter your transactions in the free version, but if you're feeling fancy, the premium edition lets you link your accounts. Pricing deets? $79.99 per year or $129 for Ramsey Plus, which throws in Financial Peace University and all that jazz. Oh, and there's a 14-day free trial – budgeting party, anyone?

3. YNAB: Your Money, Your Rules

Feeling hands-on with your budgeting game? Meet YNAB – short for You Need A Budget. It's like a financial personal trainer, making every dollar sweat. Link your accounts, enter transactions manually – it's a bit of a learning curve, but hey, Rome wasn't budgeted in a day. YNAB comes with a basic template, but you can dance it up as you please. One budget to rule them all – that's the YNAB way. But remember, it's not a free party after the 34-day trial. It's $99 per year or $14.99 per month. A bit steep, but you get what you pay for, right?

4. Empower: The Financial Power Move

Alright, my frugal friends, if you want a totally free app that tracks your wealth and spending like a financial ninja, Empower is your wingman. It links everything – banks, cards, investments – and gives you a dashboard that's like a financial superhero's lair. Net worth, cash flow, and monthly budgets – all there, in one glance. Transactions? Auto-imported and categorized. It's so free that it might just make you feel guilty. One caveat – it's not the budgeting champ, just the tracking hero. Want $20? Share the financial love with a friend using their referral program.

So, there you have it, budget bosses of 2024. Tiller for spreadsheet enthusiasts, EveryDollar for simplicity, YNAB for the hands-on budget dancers, and Empower for the wealth trackers. Each app has its financial groove – find the one that gets your money moving the way you want. Happy budgeting!