Best Budgeting Apps for Young People in 2025
We’ve rounded up the best budgeting apps for young people in 2025. The best apps that make tracking spending, saving money, and breaking bad financial habits effortless. Whether you’re trying to stop splurging on late-night food deliveries 🍕 or actually start saving for that dream trip ✈️, these apps have got you covered!
1. Moneta Lend – The Only Budgeting App That Roasts You into Saving 🔥
If you’ve ever needed a financial accountability buddy (who also has a savage sense of humour), Moneta Lend is for you. Unlike traditional budgeting apps, Moneta Lend tracks your spending and roasts you for bad financial decisions, making sure you never mindlessly swipe your card again.
Why It’s the Best Budgeting App:
✅ AI-Driven Insights: Real-time spending breakdowns and personalised money-saving tips.
😂 Hilarious Roasts: If your top spending category is ‘Fast Food,’ expect some tough love.
📊 Easy-to-Use Dashboard: A clear overview of your income, expenses, and savings goals.
🔔 Smart Notifications: Moneta Lend reminds you when you’re overspending (in the most entertaining way possible).
🏦 Bank Sync & AI Analysis: Moneta Lend connects with your bank accounts to track your transactions and sends real-time notifications when you’re close to achieving your financial goals.
Cons:
❌ No free version – currently, all features require a subscription.
Best For:
💰 Impulse spenders who need real-time spending tracking and personalised goals to control their budget.
2. YNAB budgeting app – Best for Zero-Based Budgeting
YNAB is great if you like structure. It helps you assign every dollar a purpose, making it easy to stay on track with saving and expenses.
Why You’ll Love It This Budgeting App:
✔️ Customizable budgeting system
✔️ Great for long-term financial planning
✔️ Syncs with bank accounts for automatic tracking
Cons:
❌ Steep learning curve – takes time to set up and get used to.
❌ Paid subscription – no free version available.
Best For:
People serious about budgeting who want to take control of every cent.
3. Monarch Money Budgeting App - Best For Financial Planning
It allows users to connect their bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial accounts for automatic tracking. You can also set up budgeting goals, track investments, and see a complete financial picture across all accounts.
Why You’ll Love It This Budgeting App:
✔️ Comprehensive Financial Dashboard – View all your accounts in one place.
✔️ Customizable Budgeting – Set goals for specific categories and see your progress.
✔️ Automatic Transaction Categorization – Monarch automatically organizes your expenses for you.
✔️ Credit Score Monitoring – Keep an eye on your credit score and receive advice.
✔️ AI Insights – Get personalized recommendations based on your spending habits.
✔️ No Ads – Enjoy an ad-free experience.
Cons:
❌ Subscription Fee – While there is a free version, some features require a premium subscription.
Best For:
People who want a comprehensive financial overview and prefer an all-in-one budgeting solution.
4. PocketGuard – Best for Sticking to a Spending Limit App
If you constantly find yourself asking, “Can I afford this?”, PocketGuard is the app for you. It calculates how much disposable income you have after bills and savings, so you know what’s safe to spend.
Why You’ll Love It This Budgeting App:
✔️ Helps prevent overspending
✔️ Shows exactly how much you can safely spend each month
✔️ Tracks subscriptions so you can cancel what you don’t need
Cons:
❌ Limited free version – many features require a paid upgrade.
❌ Not great for long-term financial planning – focuses more on short-term spending.
Best For:
Those who struggle with impulse spending.
5. Goodbudget – Best for Envelope Budgeting
Goodbudget brings the old-school envelope budgeting system into the digital world. You allocate money into different spending “envelopes,” making it easy to manage funds for different categories.
Why You’ll Love This Budgeting App::
✔️ Simple, visual budgeting system
✔️ Great for couples managing joint finances
✔️ Helps prevent overspending
Cons:
❌ No automatic syncing – you have to manually enter transactions.
❌ Not ideal for complex financial tracking – lacks advanced analytics.
Best For:
People who want a straightforward way to track spending without connecting bank accounts.
Final Thoughts: Which Budgeting App is Right for You?
If you want a fun and engaging way to improve your financial habits, Moneta Lend is hands-down the best choice. But if you prefer a traditional approach, YNAB or Monarch Money might be more your style. No matter which app you choose, taking control of your finances today will set you up for a better tomorrow.
Ready to start budgeting like a pro? Download Moneta Lend today and turn financial accountability into a habit that actually sticks! 🚀
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