The best budgeting apps for 2025

Based on the provided text, here are some key points about budgeting apps:

**Top Pick: NerdWallet**

* Cost: $95 a year or $13 a month
* Unique feature: "Zero-dollar" approach to financial planning
* Steep learning curve
* Import accounts from various banks and credit cards
* Tracks spending, net worth, and credit score

**Runner-Up: Copilot Money**

* Cost: $95 a year or $13 a month
* Unique feature: Automated savings feature
* Import accounts from various banks and credit cards
* Tracks spending, net worth, and credit score
* Mobile app is more user-friendly than web version

**Other Budgeting Apps Tested**

* YNAB (You Need a Budget)
+ Cost: $110 a year or $15 a month
+ Unique feature: "Zero-dollar" approach to financial planning
+ Steep learning curve
+ Import accounts from various banks and credit cards
+ Tracks spending, net worth, and credit score
* PocketGuard
+ Cost: $13 monthly or $75 annual
+ Unique feature: Promotes an "after bills" approach to budgeting
+ Import accounts from various banks and credit cards
+ Tracks spending, net worth, and credit score

**Plaid and Its Role in Budgeting Apps**

* Plaid is the industry standard for connecting banks with third-party apps
* Uses encryption and has a policy of not selling or renting customer data to other companies
* However, was forced to pay $58 million to consumers in a class action suit for collecting "more financial data than was needed"

**Mint's Shutdown**

* Mint was shut down by its parent company Intuit
* Users will be funneled over to Credit Karma, which is not an exact replacement for Mint

**Rocket Money**

* A free financial app that tracks spending and supports balance alerts and account linking
* Offers a premium tier with additional features, including automatic subscription cancellation

I think budgeting apps are like having a personal finance BFF ! They can help you keep track of your money and make sense of it all. But what really gets me is how some of these apps have those "zero-dollar" approaches ... like, literally no fees at all! It's crazy to think about paying $95 a year for something that just saves you money . On the flip side, I feel bad for Plaid ... collecting more data than needed is just not cool . And what's up with Mint shutting down? Guess we'll have to find another go-to app . Rocket Money seems like a solid alternative though!

Ugh I'm so done with these budgeting apps rn like who thought it was a good idea to pay $95 a year to have someone tell you how much money you're spending? NerdWallet and Copilot Money are literally just different names for the same thing, just one's got a steeper learning curve lol... And don't even get me started on Plaid, like I know they had some issues but 58 million is still kinda wild . And Mint's shutdown was like a punch to the gut, I used to love using that app and now it's gone forever . But hey at least Rocket Money is free, so that's a win?

I'm so done with all these budgeting apps . I mean, who has time to learn how to use 'em? YNAB is like trying to solve a math problem every month . And don't even get me started on Copilot Money's automated savings feature... it sounds too good to be true . And what's with Plaid collecting way too much financial data? That just freaks me out . I'm stuck between Mint being shut down and Credit Karma not being exactly the same, so now I gotta find a new app . Can't they all just make one that's user-friendly and doesn't cost an arm and a leg ?

I'm loving the new budgeting apps out there! It's so cool to see all these options popping up. For me, NerdWallet and Copilot Money are total game changers . The "zero-dollar" approach is genius - who wouldn't want to save that extra cash? But honestly, I think what really sets them apart is how user-friendly they are . And it's awesome to see Plaid being held accountable for collecting more data than needed . On the other hand, Mint's shutdown is a bit of a bummer . Still, Credit Karma stepping in is a great alternative! Rocket Money sounds like a total lifesaver too - balance alerts and account linking? Yes please!

I'm low-key worried about the state of our finances . These budgeting apps are so cool, but sometimes I feel like we're just putting band-aids on a bigger issue. Like, yeah, Plaid might have been collecting more data than it needed to, that's not okay . And Mint getting shut down is like, what happened to all our trust ? At the end of the day, I think we need to focus on why we're budgeting in the first place – to take care of ourselves and our relationships . Can't we find apps that prioritize mental well-being too, you know?

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole "zero-dollar" approach to budgeting. $95 a year or $13 a month seems like a decent price tag for a service that can help me manage my finances better, but it's just too steep for some people . The learning curve on NerdWallet is pretty intense, so I'm not sure if it's worth the investment. On the other hand, Copilot Money's automated savings feature is super cool!

I've been using NerdWallet for a while now and I gotta say, it's been a game changer . The zero-dollar approach to financial planning is so solid, but I feel like the learning curve can be a bit steep . I had to take some time to get used to all the features, but once you figure it out, it's so worth it . And I love how they track your spending, net worth, and credit score - it's crazy how much info you can gain from just using one app . Have any of y'all tried Copilot Money? How does it compare to NerdWallet?