Using a budgeting app to help track multiple income sources and spending can provide some relief through automation.
What Is the Best Budgeting App for Couples?
However, we do have our favorites that we are willing to share with you!
Two apps that we consistently recommend to couples areEmpowerandCleo.
Both are good for collaboration.
These relationship benefits correlated closely with communicating clearly about the big financial picture and coordinating shared savings goals.
Cleo
Cleo: Best for Fun Engagement
Cleostands out for its unique approach to financial management.
Cleos features include automatic savings, spending tracking, and even a roast mode that humorously calls out overspending.
Plus, you wont have to worry about interest, mandatory fees or credit checks.
And there are other ways EarnIn improves your financial stability.
And we love that withMonarch, theres no ads and no selling data to third parties.
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Rocket also helps users avoid paying for subscription services they no longer use.
YNAB identifies areas of overspending and gives you suggestions on how to adjust.
It also makes recommendations for your budget based on your goals.
With YNAB, youll never have an excuse not to pull up your budget.
Learn more from ourYNAB review.
It even offers a free retirement planner tool.
So, if youre looking for more in-depth insights, give Empower a try.
When we first tested Simplifi, its simple layout and design made budgeting feel less intimidating.
If youre looking for a way to budget without confusion, Simplifi is a steadfast recommendation.
Hows that for accountability?
Simplifi is courting Mint users who need a new budgeting app since Intuit shut Mint down in early 2024.
Simplifi makes it easy to import your data from Mint into its own platform.
It automatically builds your budget based on your income, recurring bills and financial goals youve set.
The premium version PocketGuard Plus includes additional features such as customized spending categories and ways to track cash purchases.
This app, whether you select free or premium, is an excellent choice for reducing overspending.
it’s possible for you to even try the app before you buy it with afree seven-day trial.
Trim can also find and help cancel any unwanted subscriptions that you may have forgotten.
Trim will even go as far as attempting to negotiate down yourmedical billsif desired.
If you want an AI-powered budgeting tool, Trim is a top pick for couples.
This app uses virtual envelopes for your various spending categories.
If youre using the free version, you get 20 envelopes and one account across two devices.
The paid version allows you unlimited envelopes and unlimited accounts across five devices.
The app does not sync to bank accounts to track spending in real time.
Like its name implies, Honeydue has a feature that reminds you and your honey when bills are due.
it’s possible for you to also chat with your partner directly in the app about all things financial.
Zeta
Zeta: Best for Split Expenses
Zetais a budgeting app designed specifically for couples.
you might sync your bank accounts or choose to manually revamp your budget.
To nail down what will work best for you and your significant other, consider the following factors.
Preferred Features
Think about how youll use your budgeting app.
Do you want something that syncs to your bank account to capture spending in real time?
Start by considering your method of use and then narrow down your options for an app from there.
Cost
Are you OK with ads or do you prefer an ad-free platform?
How about the cost?
Are you open to spending a little bit on your budgeting app each month?
In some cases, you might find it worthwhile to pay for extra features.
If it isnt something you love,cancel the trialand try something else.
you’ve got the option to always start with a free account and upgrade later.
Sharing Options
Its OK not to share everything as a couple, and that includes some financial information.
For instance, consider if you want to share account balances on unlimited accounts, includingcredit cards.
Or, you may prefer sharing a checking account or a few savings accounts to be managed jointly.
Multiple Devices
If youre Team Apple and your honey is Team Android, dont sweat.
All the options above are compatible with both operating systems.
Michael Archambault is a former senior writer at The Penny Hoarder specializing in technology.
Kaz Weida, Nicole Dow and Timothy Moore also contributed.
