As a millennial, your phone is probably your go-to for everything—ordering food, scrolling X, and maybe even side hustling. So why not use it to take control of your finances? Budgeting apps make it easy to track spending, save for goals like paying off student loans, and even start investing—all from your smartphone. With so many options out there, we’ve rounded up the top 10 budgeting apps for 2025, perfect for beginners and tailored to millennial life (think high rent, coffee runs, and gig economy income). From YNAB to Mint, we’ll break down features, costs, pros, and cons, plus a handy comparison table to help you choose. Let’s find the app that’ll help you master your money!

Why Budgeting Apps Are a Millennial Must-Have

Budgeting apps are a game-changer for millennials juggling rent, student loans, and dreams of financial freedom. According to a 2024 Bankrate survey, 65% of millennials want to save more but struggle with tracking expenses. Budgeting apps solve this by:

Automating tracking: Sync with your bank to categorize spending (no more manual spreadsheets!).
Simplifying goals: Set targets for savings, debt payoff, or that dream vacation.
Fitting your lifestyle: Mobile-first designs for on-the-go budgeting.

Ready to find your perfect app? Here are the top 10 budgeting apps for 2025, with millennial-friendly features and beginner accessibility in mind.

1. YNAB (You Need A Budget)

Overview: YNAB is a cult favorite for its proactive “give every dollar a job” philosophy, perfect for millennials who want control over their spending.
Key Features:
- Links to bank accounts to track transactions in real-time.
- Goal-setting tools for debt payoff or emergency funds.
- Detailed reports to spot overspending (e.g., too many Uber Eats orders).
Cost: $14.99/month or $99/year (free 34-day trial; student discount available).
Pros:
- Encourages intentional spending, great for variable incomes (e.g., freelancers).
- Robust tutorials and community support for beginners.
Cons:
- Higher cost than free alternatives.
- Steeper learning curve for newbies.
Millennial Appeal: Ideal for goal-driven millennials tackling student loans or saving for a big purchase.

2. Mint

Overview: Mint is a free, all-in-one budgeting app with a user-friendly interface, perfect for beginners.
Key Features:
- Auto-syncs with bank accounts and credit cards.
- Categorizes spending (e.g., groceries, subscriptions) with customizable budgets.
- Tracks credit score and bills for free.
Cost: Free (ad-supported).
Pros:
- No cost, perfect for tight budgets.
- Simple dashboard for quick insights.
Cons:
- Ads can be intrusive.
- Less robust goal-setting compared to YNAB.
Millennial Appeal: Great for those starting from scratch with minimal setup.

3. PocketGuard

Overview: PocketGuard shows you “how much you have to spend” after bills and savings, keeping things simple.
Key Features:
- “In My Pocket” feature calculates disposable income.
- Tracks recurring bills and subscriptions.
- Basic debt payoff planner.
Cost: Free; Plus plan at $7.99/month or $79.99/year.
Pros:
- Clean, intuitive interface.
- Helps avoid overspending on wants (e.g., concert tickets).
Cons:
- Limited features in free version.
- Less detailed than YNAB for advanced users.
Millennial Appeal: Perfect for millennials who want a quick snapshot of their finances.

4. Goodbudget

Overview: Based on the envelope system, Goodbudget lets you allocate money to virtual “envelopes” for different categories.
Key Features:
- Syncs across devices for couples or shared budgets.
- Tracks spending without linking bank accounts (manual entry option).
- Goal-setting for savings or debt.
Cost: Free; Plus plan at $8/month or $70/year.
Pros:
- Great for cash-based budgeting fans.
- Free version is robust for beginners.
Cons:
- Manual entry can be time-consuming.
- No bank sync in free version.
Millennial Appeal: Ideal for those who like a hands-on approach or share expenses with a partner.

5. EveryDollar

Overview: Created by Dave Ramsey, EveryDollar focuses on zero-based budgeting, where every dollar is assigned a purpose.
Key Features:
- Simple drag-and-drop budgeting.
- Tracks debt payoff with Ramsey’s “Baby Steps.”
- Syncs with bank accounts (premium version).
Cost: Free; Plus plan at $17.99/month or $129.99/year.
Pros:
- Easy for beginners to set up.
- Aligns with debt-free goals.
Cons:
- Bank sync requires paid plan.
- Less flexible for variable incomes.
Millennial Appeal: Great for millennials focused on paying off student loans or credit card debt.

6. Honeydue

Overview: Honeydue is designed for couples, helping millennials manage shared expenses like rent or date nights.
Key Features:
- Tracks joint and individual spending.
- Bill reminders and budget limits.
- In-app chat for financial discussions.
Cost: Free.
Pros:
- Perfect for couples or roommates.
- Simple and free to use.
Cons:
- Limited features for solo budgeting.
- No advanced goal-tracking.
Millennial Appeal: Ideal for millennials splitting bills in urban apartments.

7. Monarch Money

Overview: A modern app with a sleek interface, Monarch Money offers budgeting and net worth tracking.
Key Features:
- Syncs all accounts (bank, investments, loans).
- Customizable dashboards and reports.
- Collaborative budgeting for couples or families.
Cost: $14.99/month or $99.99/year.
Pros:
- Comprehensive financial overview.
- Great for tracking long-term goals.
Cons:
- No free version.
- Higher cost than competitors.
Millennial Appeal: Appeals to tech-savvy millennials who want a premium experience.

8. Simplifi by Quicken

Overview: Simplifi balances simplicity and depth, offering budgeting and forecasting tools.
Key Features:
- Personalized spending plans based on income.
- Tracks subscriptions and savings goals.
- Projects cash flow for 30 days.
Cost: $5.99/month or $47.99/year.
Pros:
- Affordable compared to YNAB or Monarch.
- Intuitive for beginners.
Cons:
- Fewer features than premium competitors.
- No free version.
Millennial Appeal: Great for those who want a middle ground between free and premium apps.

9. Copilot

Overview: Copilot uses AI to analyze spending patterns, offering personalized insights.
Key Features:
- AI-driven spending categorization.
- Tracks subscriptions and predicts overspending.
- Sleek, iOS-focused design.
Cost: $8.99/month or $95/year.
Pros:
- Highly visual and user-friendly.
- Great for spotting hidden expenses.
Cons:
- iOS-only (sorry, Android users).
- No free version.
Millennial Appeal: Perfect for iPhone-loving millennials who value aesthetics.

10. Wally

Overview: Wally offers free budgeting with a focus on global accessibility and manual tracking.
Key Features:
- Supports multiple currencies (great for travelers).
- Tracks spending and savings goals.
- Receipt scanning for manual entries.
Cost: Free; premium version at $7.99/month.
Pros:
- Free version is robust.
- Works offline for manual tracking.
Cons:
- Limited bank sync in free version.
- Less advanced than paid apps.
Millennial Appeal: Ideal for budget-conscious millennials or digital nomads.

Comparison Table

App	Cost	Best For	Bank Sync	Millennial Perk
YNAB	$14.99/mo or $99/yr	Goal-driven budgeting	Yes	Student discounts
Mint	Free	Beginners on a budget	Yes	Free credit score tracking
PocketGuard	Free; $7.99/mo	Avoiding overspending	Yes (Plus)	Simple “In My Pocket” feature
Goodbudget	Free; $8/mo	Envelope budgeting	No (Free)	Great for couples
EveryDollar	Free; $17.99/mo	Debt payoff	Yes (Plus)	Aligns with Dave Ramsey’s steps
Honeydue	Free	Couples budgeting	Yes	In-app chat for partners
Monarch Money	$14.99/mo or $99.99/yr	Comprehensive tracking	Yes	Sleek design
Simplifi	$5.99/mo or $47.99/yr	Balanced features	Yes	Affordable premium option
Copilot	$8.99/mo or $95/yr	AI-driven insights	Yes	iOS-friendly, visual design
Wally	Free; $7.99/mo	Manual tracking, travelers	Limited	Multi-currency support

How to Choose the Right App for You

On a tight budget? Try Mint or Wally’s free versions.
Paying off debt? EveryDollar or YNAB align with debt-free goals.
Living with a partner? Honeydue or Goodbudget simplify shared expenses.
Want premium features? Monarch Money or Simplifi offer robust tools at a fair price.
New to budgeting? PocketGuard or Mint are the easiest to start with.

Bonus Tips for Using Budgeting Apps

Link accounts securely: Use apps with bank-level encryption (all listed here do).
Check weekly: Spend 5 minutes reviewing your app to stay on track.
Cancel unused subscriptions: Most apps flag recurring charges—cut those you don’t need.
Combine with a budget: Pair your app with the 50/30/20 rule (see our post, “The 50/30/20 Budget Rule: Does It Work for Millennials?”).

Conclusion

Budgeting doesn’t have to be a drag, especially with the right app. Whether you’re saving for a trip, paying off student loans, or just trying to spend less on takeout, these top 10 budgeting apps for 2025 make it easy for millennials to take control. Start with a free option like Mint or dive into a premium tool like YNAB—there’s something for every budget and lifestyle. Pick one, download it today, and start mastering your money!

Call-to-Action: Which budgeting app are you trying first? Share your pick in the comments or on X with #MoneyTips! For more budgeting basics, check out our guide, “How to Create a Budget in 5 Simple Steps.” Join our newsletter for weekly money tips tailored to millennials.