If you’re looking for budgeting tools, look no further.
I’ve compiled an all-inclusive list of every high-quality budgeting tool I could find and put them all together here.
I’ve even included the price (if there is one), the format(s) available and a brief description of each. I’ll start with my favorites and then move on to the rest.
Let’s jump right in and see what our options are…
My Top 3 Budgeting Tools
1. EveryDollar
Format: Desktop, iPhone, Android
Price: Free plan / Premium plan ($14.95/month)
This is my main budgeting tool now. I have the premium version so I can attach all of my accounts. The reason I like EveryDollar is because you have to manually drag every purchase into a category, even though the transactions are automatically loaded. This manual dragging allows you to see every purchases and think about every purchase.
2. Goodbudget
Format: Desktop, iPhone, Android
Price: Free plan / Plus Plan ($5/month)
I used Goodbudget for years and I love it. If you prefer to manually input all of your expenses, then Goodbudget is a slightly less expensive alternative to EveryDollar. It’s simple and easy to use.
3. YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Format: Desktop, iPhone, Android, Kindle Fire
Price: $11.99/month or $84/year (Free trial period)
You Need A Budget does cost some money, but it’s extremely detailed and descriptive. I don’t use it personally, but if you want a complete money management system, you want this one.
Free Budgeting Tools
4. Budgetpulse
Format: Desktop
Price: Free
Budgetpulse is great for simple budgeting, without linking your accounts to the system. If you would rather not link your accounts, this is a great manual system.
5. BudgetSimple
Format: Desktop, iPhone, Android
Price: Basic (Free) / Plus ($4.99/month)
BudgetSimple is just like it sounds…simple. It’s extremely easy to use; however, to link your accounts, you have to upgrade to Plus.
6 Buxfer
Format: Desktop, iPhone, Android
Price: Basic (Free) / Plus ($3.99/month) / Pro ($4.99/month)
Buxfer allows you to sync your accounts together in one place. They also let you upload your financial statements, generate reports and receive notifications if you’re overspending. It’s a great tool and you can always try the free version first and then make the decision to upgrade later or simply stay with the free plan.
7. dsBudget
Format: Desktop
Price: Free
dsBudget used to be my main budgeting tool since it’s easy and free, but they don’t have an app and even though the program is web-based, you can only access your information from the computer it’s downloaded on.
8. GnuCash
Format: Desktop, Android
Price: Free
GnuCash is budgeting financial software for your personal accounting, but it also works great for small-business accounting. If you’re looking for a more detailed accounting program, this is one of the top free pieces of software.
9. Moneytrackin’
Format: Desktop
Price: Free
Moneytrackin’ lets you track your spending and view reports of your spending breakdown. It’s also simple and easy to use.
10. PocketSmith
Format: Desktop, Apps are currently in alpha stage
Price: Basic (Free) / Premium ($9.95/month) / Super ($19.95/month)
PocketSmith gives you the ability to see daily bank balance forecasts for up to 30 years ahead. That’s pretty cool. It’s a highly comprehensive tool, but I think it will be better once the full apps are available.
Paid Budgeting Tools
11. Moneydance
Format: Desktop
Price: $49.99 one time
Money Dance is an easy-to-use, well designed and detailed budgeting program. You can also track your investments.
12. PearBudget
Format: Desktop
Price: $4.95/month (Free trial period)
PearBudget is a simple web-based app. It’s basically a spreadsheet that was turned into actual budgeting software. It doesn’t get much easier than this, but it does require a small monthly fee.
More Budgeting Tools
If you’re more of a spreadsheet budgeter, head over to Budget are Sexy’s archive of different budgeting spreadsheets and find the one that works for you.
Also, your bank probably offers online banking, which means they probably offer a budgeting tool. It may even include an app. I bank with Bank of America and USAA, and they both offer budgeting tools. I just prefer to use my own.
This is not a complete list of every budgeting tool out there, but it could be (at least, the best tools). If you know of a great tool that isn’t here, just let me know and I’ll check it out!
That being said, I did a lot of research to compile a list with only useful resources here. I do know of some other budgeting software that I didn’t include, only because I didn’t want to include unnecessary tools that aren’t as high quality as the other tools on this list.
Before you go, check out some of my other budgeting articles…