12 Best Expense Tracking Apps to Manage Your Money in 2026

Managing your finances has never been more important, and with the right expense tracking app, you can take control of your spending and save more money than ever before.

12 Best Expense Tracking Apps to Manage Your Money in 2026

This comprehensive guide explores the top expense tracking apps that will help you budget smarter and achieve your financial goals in 2026.

1. Credit Karma

Credit Karma has become a leading free financial management platform, offering robust expense tracking alongside its well-known credit monitoring services. The app helps users track spending, monitor accounts, and manage budgets while providing valuable credit insights and money-saving recommendations.

• Experience Level: Perfect for beginners and experienced budgeters
• Available on: iOS & Android
• Pros: Completely free, comprehensive credit monitoring, expense tracking, personalized financial recommendations
• Cons: Some features focus heavily on credit products, occasional targeted advertising

2. You Need A Budget (YNAB)

YNAB follows a zero-based budgeting approach, helping users give every dollar a purpose. While it costs $14.99/month (or $99 annually), the app's educational resources and real-time budget updates make it worth the investment for serious budgeters.

• Experience Level: Moderate learning curve, best for committed budgeters
• Available on: iOS & Android
• Pros: Comprehensive budgeting philosophy, excellent educational resources, strong community support
• Cons: Higher price point, steeper learning curve than other apps

3. Empower (Previously Personal Capital)

Perfect for investment-minded users, Empower combines expense tracking with powerful investment tools. The free version offers comprehensive expense tracking, while premium users get access to financial advisors starting at 0.89% of managed assets.

• Experience Level: Suitable for both beginners and advanced investors
• Available on: iOS & Android
• Pros: Strong investment tools, comprehensive wealth management, free basic version
• Cons: Full features require significant investment minimums, frequent advisor calls

4. PocketGuard

PocketGuard excels at finding ways to save money on bills and subscriptions. The free version covers basic expense tracking, while PocketGuard Plus ($4.99/month) adds custom categories and unlimited budgets.

• Experience Level: Beginner-friendly with room to grow
• Available on: iOS & Android
• Pros: Strong bill negotiation features, intuitive interface, good savings recommendations
• Cons: Limited customization in free version, some features require premium subscription

5. Truebill

Now part of Rocket Companies, Truebill specializes in subscription tracking and bill negotiation. The premium version ($3-$12/month) includes automated savings features and concierge bill negotiation services.

• Experience Level: Suitable for all users, especially those with multiple subscriptions
• Available on: iOS & Android
• Pros: Excellent subscription management, automated bill negotiation, smart savings features
• Cons: Most powerful features require premium subscription, bill negotiation fees

6. Goodbudget

Using the envelope budgeting system digitally, Goodbudget helps users allocate spending money across different categories. The free plan includes 10 envelopes, while the Plus version ($8/month) offers unlimited envelopes and debt tracking.

• Experience Level: Good for envelope budgeting enthusiasts
• Available on: iOS & Android
• Pros: Easy-to-understand envelope system, great for couples, debt tracking features
• Cons: Limited envelopes in free version, manual transaction entry

7. Monarch Money

A newer entrant to the market, Monarch Money ($9.99/month) offers beautiful visualizations and powerful customization options. The app includes investment tracking and net worth monitoring in its comprehensive financial dashboard.

• Experience Level: Intermediate to advanced users
• Available on: iOS & Android
• Pros: Beautiful interface, powerful customization, comprehensive investment tracking
• Cons: No free tier, higher monthly cost than some competitors

8. Simplifi by Quicken

For $3.99/month, Simplifi provides a streamlined version of Quicken's robust features. The app excels at creating personalized spending plans and tracking upcoming bills.

• Experience Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Available on: iOS & Android
• Pros: Clean interface, customizable spending plan, strong reporting features
• Cons: No free version, limited investment tracking

9. EveryDollar

Created by Ramsey Solutions, EveryDollar follows Dave Ramsey's budgeting principles. The free version offers basic budgeting, while Ramsey+ ($129.99/year) includes automatic bank transactions and financial education courses.

• Experience Level: Great for Dave Ramsey followers and beginners
• Available on: iOS & Android
• Pros: Simple interface, guided budgeting approach, educational resources
• Cons: Manual transaction entry in free version, expensive premium tier

10. Lunch Money

This web-based platform ($10/month) offers powerful customization options for tech-savvy users. It supports multiple currencies and cryptocurrencies, making it perfect for international users.

• Experience Level: Best for tech-savvy users and cryptocurrency investors
• Available on: Web-based platform with mobile-responsive design
• Pros: Cryptocurrency support, powerful customization, multi-currency support
• Cons: No native mobile apps, steeper learning curve for non-technical users

11. Copilot

Designed exclusively for iOS users, Copilot ($8.99/month) uses AI to categorize expenses and provide personalized insights. The app excels at subscription tracking and recurring bill management.

• Experience Level: All skill levels, iOS users only
• Available on: iOS only
• Pros: AI-powered insights, beautiful interface, strong privacy features
• Cons: iOS only, no free tier, relatively new to the market

12. Honeydue

Perfect for couples, Honeydue offers free joint expense tracking and bill management. The app includes a joint banking feature and helps couples coordinate their financial goals.

• Experience Level: Great for couples of all experience levels
• Available on: iOS & Android
• Pros: Built for couples, free to use, includes joint banking features
• Cons: Limited features compared to premium apps, focused solely on joint finances

Tips for Choosing the Right Expense Tracking App

• Consider your primary financial goals - whether it's saving on groceries, tracking investments, or managing bills
• Look for apps that integrate with your existing bank accounts and credit cards
• Consider the pricing structure and whether premium features justify the cost
• Check if the app offers the specific features you need, such as joint account management or investment tracking

Final Words

Choosing the right expense tracking app can transform your financial habits and help you achieve your money goals. While most apps offer free versions, consider investing in a premium version if it aligns with your financial needs and goals. Remember to regularly review your expenses and adjust your budget as needed. For additional ways to improve your financial health, explore our guides on shopping rebate apps and smart money-saving strategies.