Managing your money in 2025 doesn’t have to be complicated—or expensive. With the rise of fintech tools, budgeting apps have become smarter, easier to use, and most importantly, free. Whether you’re saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or simply trying to get control of your daily expenses, these apps can help you stay on track.
In this guide, we’ll rank the best free budgeting apps in 2025 so you can choose the one that fits your financial lifestyle.
Contents
- 1 1. Mint (Best All-Around Budgeting App)
- 2 2. YNAB Free Trial → Now Offers Limited Free Plan
- 3 3. Goodbudget (Best for Envelope Budgeting Fans)
- 4 4. Rocket Money (Formerly Truebill)
- 5 5. EveryDollar (Best for Dave Ramsey Fans)
- 6 6. PocketGuard (Best for “Leftover” Spending)
- 7 Quick Comparison Table: Best Free Budgeting Apps in 2025
- 8 How to Choose the Right Free Budgeting App
- 9 Final Thoughts
- 10 FAQs
1. Mint (Best All-Around Budgeting App)
Why we like it:
Mint remains one of the most popular free budgeting apps in 2025 because of its simple design and powerful features. It automatically syncs with your bank accounts, credit cards, and bills to give you a full snapshot of your finances.
Top features:
- Automatic expense tracking
- Customizable budgets
- Free credit score monitoring
- Bill payment reminders
Best for: Beginners who want an easy, all-in-one solution.
2. YNAB Free Trial → Now Offers Limited Free Plan
Why we like it:
You Need A Budget (YNAB) is famous for teaching people how to give every dollar a job. While it was previously only paid, in 2025 YNAB introduced a limited free version with essential budgeting tools.
Top features:
- Zero-based budgeting
- Goal tracking
- Debt payoff planning
- Community support
Best for: People serious about breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.
3. Goodbudget (Best for Envelope Budgeting Fans)
Why we like it:
Goodbudget brings the classic envelope budgeting method into the digital world. Instead of tracking every single expense, you allocate “envelopes” for categories like groceries, rent, and entertainment.
Top features:
- Virtual envelope system
- Sync across multiple devices
- Debt payoff tracking
- Simple, distraction-free interface
Best for: Couples and families who want to manage shared budgets.
4. Rocket Money (Formerly Truebill)
Why we like it:
Rocket Money helps you uncover hidden subscriptions and negotiate bills while also offering standard budgeting tools.
Top features:
- Subscription management
- Expense categorization
- Bill negotiation (premium feature)
- Alerts for overspending
Best for: People who often forget recurring charges.
5. EveryDollar (Best for Dave Ramsey Fans)
Why we like it:
Created by personal finance expert Dave Ramsey, EveryDollar uses a zero-based budgeting approach. The free version is straightforward and beginner-friendly.
Top features:
- Easy budget creation
- Custom categories
- Goal setting tools
- Faith-based money guidance
Best for: Fans of Ramsey’s debt-free philosophy.
6. PocketGuard (Best for “Leftover” Spending)
Why we like it:
PocketGuard tells you how much money you can safely spend after accounting for bills, goals, and savings.
Top features:
- “In My Pocket” leftover cash tracker
- Bill tracking
- Categorized spending insights
- Easy goal setting
Best for: People who want quick, no-stress money tracking.
Quick Comparison Table: Best Free Budgeting Apps in 2025
| App | Best For | Unique Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint | Beginners | Free credit score | Free |
| YNAB (Free Plan) | Serious budgeters | Zero-based budgeting | Free (limited) |
| Goodbudget | Families & couples | Envelope budgeting system | Free |
| Rocket Money | Subscription management | Bill negotiation | Free |
| EveryDollar | Dave Ramsey fans | Zero-based budgeting | Free |
| PocketGuard | Simple spend tracking | “In My Pocket” feature | Free |
How to Choose the Right Free Budgeting App
When picking the best app for your needs, ask yourself:
- Do I want automation? → Mint or Rocket Money
- Do I prefer manual control? → Goodbudget or EveryDollar
- Do I want guidance to get out of debt? → YNAB or EveryDollar
- Do I need subscription tracking? → Rocket Money
Final Thoughts
Budgeting doesn’t have to cost a dime. In 2025, the best free budgeting apps give you everything from automated expense tracking to envelope-style planning. Whether you want something simple like Mint or more hands-on like Goodbudget, there’s an app that fits your money goals.
Start by trying one or two apps from this list—you may be surprised at how quickly you feel more confident with your finances.
FAQs
1. What is the best completely free budgeting app in 2025?
Mint remains the best all-around free budgeting app thanks to its automation and free features.
2. Are budgeting apps safe to use?
Yes, most budgeting apps use bank-level encryption to keep your data secure.
3. Can I use more than one budgeting app?
Absolutely. Many people use Mint for tracking and Goodbudget for planning.
4. Do free budgeting apps have ads?
Some do (like Mint), but they are usually not intrusive.
