Top Budgeting Apps to Help You Track Your Expenses And Save More!
Ever got frustrated and felt it would be better if you had a dedicated person to track your expenses?
We have all been there…
While having a personal accountant sounds nice, there is something even better (and more affordable) right on your mobile phone – budgeting apps. As more Indians embrace digital payments and UPI, these apps have become great financial companions.
Most of these apps are free to start with, so you can try them out and see which one works with your lifestyle. The cue to find the best budgeting app is the one you will actually use consistently.
All these apps are available on Android and iOS, and they understand Indian spending patterns, from local shop payments to monthly EMIs.
Why do you need a budgeting app?
We know you have come here to find one app to take all your budgeting burden, but you can benefit a lot more from it while achieving your financial goals.
Key reasons why people find budgeting apps useful:
Budgeting apps help you track every rupee you spend. Many apps categorize expenses automatically, giving you a clear view of where your money goes each month.
With budgeting apps, you can set distinct goals, like saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund. Seeing progress toward these goals can keep you motivated and on track.
Budgeting apps spill truths about your spending habits, which can lead to better financial decisions. You will become more aware of areas where you tend to overspend, and this can help you adjust accordingly.
Most expense tracker apps send reminders for upcoming bills, helping you avoid late fees and unnecessary debt. They also show your debt-to-income ratio and other key metrics so you can keep debt under control.
Some apps link directly to savings and investment accounts, so you can watch your wealth grow over time. They help you allocate funds more effectively, making it easier to build wealth.
With a budgeting app, you have all your financial data at your fingertips, making it easy to check in on your finances wherever you are.
Many apps let you create customized budgets tailored to your specific income, expenses, and lifestyle, making it easier to manage money in a way that works best for you.
Using a budgeting app can make it simpler to achieve financial stability and freedom, giving you control over your money and more peace of mind.
Top Budgeting Apps and Their Features:
Check the list of options below, pick an app that speaks to you, and give it a shot!
1. Walnut
Overview:
Without a doubt, Walnut is one of the most popular money management apps in India. What makes it really stand out is how it handles all the work for you – you don’t need to type in numbers manually because it picks up those transaction SMS messages we all get from our banks.
Features:
It automatically sorts your expenses into categories
It sends you reminders about upcoming bills
You can track cash spending using this app
The app makes dividing expenses feel like nothing.
Why It Stands Out:
It’s built specifically with Indian users in mind, which is why that SMS tracking feature works so well here. Makes life a lot easier when you’re trying to stay on top of your finances!
Cost:
Free with in-app purchases.
2. Money Manager by Realbyte
Overview:
Money Manager has been popular among people for a few months now, and it’s honestly one of the most straightforward budgeting apps you can ever use. You can either manually input your expenses or connect your bank accounts for automatic imports – it is totally up to you!
Features:
Visual reports – They make it super easy to see where your money’s going each month.
Keeps track of all your cards in one place, which is really convenient.
Uses double-entry bookkeeping – Really accurate with tracking your money.
Why It Stands Out:
What really sold me was how I could set up my own categories. I’m big on organizing things my way and being able to create custom categories and subcategories lets me track everything exactly how I want.
Cost:
The basic version is free. There’s a premium version if you want extra features.
3. mTrakr
Overview:
Ever struggled with keeping tabs on your expenses? mTrakr is another best solution! This homegrown app is tailor-made for Indian users, making expense tracking and budgeting a no-brainer. The best part? It syncs directly with your bank accounts and credit cards, so you’ll never miss a transaction.
Features:
The app automatically categorizes your expenses by reading SMS alerts
Takes the headache out of taxes with built-in GST and tax calculators
Easily split bills with friends
Why It Stands Out:
Tax season in India can be overwhelming. mTrakr shines here by helping you stay on top of your tax game. It calculates your tax liability and even suggests deductions you might be eligible for.
Cost:
Start with the free version and upgrade to the premium if you need more features.
4. Goodbudget
Overview:
If you like the traditional envelope budgeting method, you’ll love Goodbudget. It takes this classic digital approach, letting you divide your money into virtual envelopes for different expenses. While it’s used worldwide, it’s particularly popular among Indian users who appreciate its seamless budgeting style.
Features:
Works just like physical envelope budgeting, but digital
Keep your budgets in sync across all your devices
See how you are doing with monthly and yearly spending reports
Why It Stands Out:
Perfect for hands-on budgeters who want complete control over their spending categories, it’s like having digital envelopes you can adjust on the go.
Cost: You can get started for free or upgrade to premium for extra features.
5. ET Money
Overview:
Think of ET Money as your financial pocket knife. Sure, it helps track your spending, but it goes way beyond that. You can explore mutual funds, compare insurance options, and manage your overall wealth all in one place.
Features:
Keep tabs on your spending and never miss a bill payment
Jump into mutual fund investments right from the app
Get smart advice on tax-saving investments
Why It Stands Out:
It’s like having a personal financial advisor in your pocket. Whether you are tracking daily expenses or planning investments, ET Money handles it all under one roof.
Cost:
Free to use, with some premium features you can buy if needed.
6. YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Overview:
YNAB has many hearts when it comes to budgeting worldwide. It’s not just about tracking money; it’s about changing how you think about your finance management.
Features:
Set meaningful financial goals and stick to them
Watch your spending as it happens with bank syncing
Get deep insights into where your money’s really going
Why It Stands Out:
YNAB doesn’t just help you budget; it teaches you better money habits. It’s like having a financial coach in your pocket.
Cost:
Try it free for 34 days, then there’s a subscription fee.
7. Cred
Overview:
Credit card users, this one’s for you! While it’s not your traditional budgeting app, Cred makes managing credit card expenses effortless and rewards you for being responsible with your payments.
Features:
Keep all your credit card expenses in one clean view
Get rewarded just for paying your bills on time
Keep a check on your credit score and what affects it
Why It Stands Out:
Finally, an app that makes paying credit card bills something to look forward to, thanks to its rewards program.
Cost:
Completely free!
8. Splitwise
Overview:
While not strictly a budgeting app, Splitwise is a lifesaver for anyone sharing expenses. Whether you’re splitting rent with roommates or dividing vacation costs with friends, this app makes it painless.
Features:
Super simple way to track and split shared expenses
Never forget who owes what with helpful reminders
Works across devices and handles different currencies like a pro
Why It Stands Out:
If you regularly split bills with others, this app is just perfect. No more awkward “who owes what” conversations.
Cost:
The basic version is free, with a pro version if you want extra features.
Final Thoughts:
Picking the Perfect App for You. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to budgeting apps. If you want something that feels local and gets how Indians handle money, Walnut and Money View are solid choices. More into traditional budgeting? Goodbudget and YNAB have got your back. And if you are all about that credit card life, Cred might be just what you need.
As already said, the best app is the one you will actually use, so take some time to try a few out. Find one that clicks with you, and you will be on your way to better financial health before you know it.
FAQs on Top Budgeting Apps to Help You Track Your Expenses And Save More!
Most popular expense apps are pretty safe, especially if you stick to well-known ones. Just make sure your chosen app has solid security basics like data encryption and two-factor authentication. And definitely read through their privacy policy. One pro tip: only download from official app stores, and think twice before sharing your actual bank passwords.
If you're already using Google Pay, you might not know about its built-in finance tracking features. Just head to the Insights tab - it's super handy! It automatically organizes your GPay transactions and even reminds you about upcoming bills. However, it's only useful if you regularly use GPay for your purchases.
Some people prefer to keep their banking info separate from their budget apps. Try these instead:
Goodbudget uses a digital envelope system, which is old-school but effective!
Spendee gives you both options - connect your accounts or don't.
YNAB works great even without bank connections.
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