Money management is in. Not knowing how to do it is out. That's why finding the best personal finance software for you—one that meets your needs and is easy to use—can be a game-changer in keeping your finances on track.
Whether your goal is to save money, monitor your spending habits, or grow your small business, we listed a top-rated finance software from each category for you to try out.
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Which software is best for finance?
When searching for ways to optimize your money management, you'll quickly discover that there are plenty of personal finance software options out there. You might wonder, “Which one is the best?” only to realize it's actually a tricky question. The best personal finance software depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Some software can seamlessly connect to your bank accounts, updating transactions in real time whenever you use your credit card or make a purchase. Others may require manual entry, offering more control over your data but demanding more effort. Format is also a big deal. You might prefer dealing with money on the big screen of a computer, or prioritize easy access to a mobile app.
So, the question should be, what is the best personal finance software for you? Let's find out.
Best personal finance and budgeting software by categories
Here's a list of some of the best personal finance software for 2024—pick the one that best suits your needs, and start taking control of your money.
1. Best finance software for tracking expenses
PocketGuard
PocketGuard keeps things simple, helping you track expenses effortlessly and showing how much you can safely spend. It categorizes your expenses, tracks bills, and features an “In My Pocket” function that shows your spendable money. Whether you're sticking to a budget or just need a clear view of your spending habits, PocketGuard makes money management straightforward and stress-free.
- What it does: Simplifies expense tracking with an easy-to-use interface
- Key features: Expense categorization, bill tracking, “In My Pocket” feature showing spendable money
- Ideal for: Users needing a straightforward expense tracker
- Platform: Available as both a mobile app and a web application
- Cost: Free basic version; $4.99/month or $34.99/year for PocketGuard Plus
2. Best for investment management
Quicken
Quicken is a powerhouse for those serious about their investments, offering detailed performance analysis and customizable reports. It's a versatile tool with robust investment tracking features for users with complex financial situations. Quicken allows you to manage your portfolio, analyze investment performance, and generate customizable reports, making it an invaluable resource for investors.
- What it does: A versatile tool with robust investment tracking features
- Key features: Investment performance analysis, portfolio management, customizable reports
- Ideal for: Investors with complex financial situations
- Platform: Primarily a desktop personal finance software, but also offers mobile apps for tracking on the go
- Cost: Starting at $3.49/month (billed annually) for the Starter plan
This might also interest you: 7 Best Investment Apps for Beginners in 2024
3. Best for sticking to a budget
YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Imagine a budgeting tool that feels like a financial mentor. YNAB is all about helping you break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and save money. By following a proactive budgeting approach, it assists you in gaining control over your finances, tracking goals, syncing in real-time, and generating detailed reports on spending habits. YNAB's approach caters to those committed to sticking to a budget and achieving financial freedom.
- What it does: Help you gain control over your money by following a proactive budgeting approach
- Key features: Goal tracking, real-time syncing, detailed reports
- Ideal for: Those committed to sticking to a budget and saving money
- Platform: Available on both desktop and mobile platforms
- Cost: $14.99/month or $99/year
4. Best for couples who share finances
Zeta
Zeta's goal is to make managing shared finances a breeze. It's tailored for couples who want to seamlessly manage their money, ensuring transparency and collaboration. Zeta offers joint account management, bill splitting, and shared financial goals.
- What it does: Tailored to be a home accounting software to help couples manage finances
- Key Features: Joint account management, bill splitting, shared financial goals
- Ideal for: Couples looking to manage finances together effectively
- Platform: Mainly a mobile app, with web access for additional features
- Cost: Free
5. Best for spreadsheets enthusiasts
Tiller Money
Tiller Money is for spreadsheet enthusiasts looking for automation and customization for detailed financial management. It uses spreadsheets for a unique finance management approach, automating transaction imports, and offering customizable templates. Tiller Money is the right choice for users who prefer a hands-on, spreadsheet-based method of managing their finances.
- What it does: Provides detailed insights and automates transactions for financial management
- Key features: Automated transaction imports, customizable templates
- Ideal for: Users preferring spreadsheet-based management and customization
- Platform: Works with Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, accessible on both desktop and mobile
- Cost: $79/year
6. Best for beginners who want to save money
Simplifi by Quicken
Simplifi is a personal finance software from Quicken that offers a modern approach to managing finances. It’s a perfect streamlined tool for those who want simplicity without sacrificing powerful features. Simplifi is ideal for beginners seeking an intuitive, yet powerful financial management tool that balances ease of use with functionality.
- What it does: Provides a personalized spending plan, real-time updates, and custom watchlists
- Key features: Personalized spending plan, real-time updates, custom watchlists
- Ideal for: Users seeking a balance between simplicity and powerful features
- Platform: Available as both a mobile app and a web application
- Cost: $3.99/month (billed annually) or $47.88/year
7. Best for small business
QuickBooks
If you're a small business owner, it can be challenging to separate your finances from your business. Making sure you draw a clear line between your personal and business money is crucial for both areas to flourish.
QuickBooks is a comprehensive tool designed for small businesses that offer robust features for tracking sales and finances. It simplifies accounting tasks, provides detailed financial reports, and integrates with various business apps. QuickBooks is perfect for small business owners who need to manage invoices, expenses, and payroll in one place.
- What it does: Offers comprehensive financial management for small businesses
- Key features: Invoice management, expense tracking, payroll integration, detailed financial reports
- Ideal for: Small business owners needing robust accounting software
- Platform: Available as both desktop software and a mobile app
- Cost: Starting at $25/month for the Simple Start plan
8. Best free program to track personal finances
Goodbudget
If paying for personal finance software doesn't sound good to you, we got you covered! Goodbudget is an envelope budgeting method app that helps users manage their finances using virtual envelopes for each budget category—such as eating out, debt payoff, and groceries.
It's great for those who prefer a structured approach to budgeting and expense tracking, all within a free platform.
- What it does: Help you to stick to your budget limits for each category based on the envelope budgeting system
- Key features: Expense categorization, and sync across multiple devices
- Ideal for: Users who prefer a straightforward, envelope-based approach to budget management
- Platform: Mobile app, and also accessible via web
- Cost: Free
Choosing the best money manager software is a nuanced choice—a matter of finding the right fit among the crowd.
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