Money has a way of disappearing quickly — one coffee here, a subscription there, and before you know it, your paycheck’s nearly gone. If you’re hoping to save more this year without tracking every single dollar, a good money-saving app can make a big difference.
Let’s walk through 11 of the best money-saving apps out there in 2025, each with its perks depending on how you like to manage your money.
Key Takeaways
- Saving apps can help you build better habits by automating savings, tracking your spending, and keeping your budget on track.
- Many apps that help you save money are free or affordable, and some offer cash back or rewards on everyday purchases.
- The right one depends on your priorities, whether you’re focused on saving consistently, managing your budget effectively, or reducing unnecessary spending.
- To get the most out of your savings app, avoid common mistakes like connecting too many accounts or ignoring spending alerts and goal updates.
Why Use a Money-Saving App?
Your phone already tracks so much. With the right app, it can help you stay on top of your spending and save more money without putting extra effort too.
A money-saving app can:
- Set and track goals, like building an emergency fund or saving for a new phone.
- Keep your spending in check with real-time alerts and category limits.
- Round up everyday purchases and stash the difference into savings.
- Earn cashback or rewards simply by shopping as you normally do.
1. YNAB
YNAB (You Need A Budget) works by giving every dollar a job before you even spend it, so nothing gets left hanging. You can connect your bank accounts for automatic updates or add transactions yourself if you prefer. The app lets you set up your own budget categories, making it easy to tailor your plan to what matters most to you.
Pros:
- Offers strong tools for debt payoff and savings goals
- Syncs across devices for easy tracking
Cons:
- Takes a bit of time to learn if you’re new to budgeting
- Might not be the best fit if you want a set-it-and-forget-it app
Cost: After a free 30-day trial, $14.99 per month or $99 per year
Best Use: Detailed, hands-on budgeting and long-term financial planning.
2. Chime
Chime is a fully online bank that teams up with FDIC-insured banks to protect your cash. The app is built to help you manage your money better with features that work automatically in the background. You get overdraft protection without the usual fees (up to a certain limit), and handy notifications that keep you updated on your spending.
Pros:
- Automate saving with round-ups and scheduled transfers
- No monthly fees or overdraft charges within limits
Cons:
- No support for joint accounts or shared budgeting
- Customer service only available online or by phone
Cost: Free
Best Use: Automating savings and avoiding common banking fees.
3. Rocket Money
Rocket Money is like having a personal finance assistant that helps you stop wasting money without all the stress. It catches those recurring charges like subscriptions or memberships that you might have forgotten you signed up for, and gives you the heads-up so you can decide what to keep or cancel.
Pros:
- Negotiates lower rates on interest, phone, and utility bills
- Gives you alerts to avoid late fees and overdrafts
Cons:
- Savings and budgeting features are only in the paid version
- Some users report bank connection issues or delays
Cost: Free basic version; Premium $6 to $12 per month
Best Use: Eliminating unwanted subscriptions and negotiating lower bills.
4. Oportun
Oportun’s savings tool takes the hassle out of saving by quietly moving small amounts of money from your account based on your income, bills, and spending habits. It doesn’t require you to constantly think about it or make manual transfers — everything happens automatically in the background. This way, you’re steadily building your savings without even noticing, which makes hitting your goals feel a lot less overwhelming.
Pros:
- Analyzes spending to save without overdrawing your account
- Supports multiple savings goals at once
Cons:
- Email-only customer support
- Limited control over your savings accounts
Cost: After a free trial, $5 per month
Best Use: Effortless, AI-powered saving without manual input.
5. Qapital
If you have a specific goal in mind — like saving $5,000 within three months — Qapital takes the hassle out of saving by automatically transferring small amounts into your savings account. You don’t have to remember to set money aside or worry about missing a transfer. The app quietly works in the background, helping you stay on track and reach your goal without any extra effort on your part.
Pros:
- Custom rules for how and when to save
- Visual savings tracker that makes saving feel rewarding
Cons:
- Requires linking to your checking account
- Limited customer support
Cost: Tiered pricing at $3, $6, or $12 per month
Best Use: Setting custom rules to save toward specific short- or mid-term goals.
6. Upside
Upside is a pretty straightforward way to get some extra cash back on things you buy all the time — whether it’s gas, groceries, or food from your favorite local spots. You just make your purchase like normal, and the cashback automatically shows up in your account. Then, when you’ve saved up enough, you can cash out however you want — whether that’s straight to your bank, through PayPal, or by grabbing gift cards.
Pros:
- Cashback at thousands of gas stations and grocery stores
- Real cash rewards, no points or store credits
Cons:
- Some transactions require a receipt to verify purchases
- Some offers are location-dependent and vary by area
Cost: Free
Best Use: Earning cash back on gas, groceries, and dining out.
7. Goodbudget
Goodbudget helps you manage your money without the headache by using a digital version of the envelope system. You set aside amounts for different things like groceries, rent, or entertainment, and then track how much you spend in each category. It makes it easier to keep an eye on your spending and stick to your budget without getting bogged down in complicated calculations.
Pros:
- Supports shared budgeting for couples or families
- Helps you stick to your plan and avoid overspending
Cons:
- Does not sync automatically with bank accounts
- Manual entry required, which can be time-consuming for frequent spenders
Cost: Basic plan is free; Plus is $10 per month or $80 per year
Best Use: Planning and tracking shared household budgets using the envelope method.
8. Fetch
Fetch is one of those apps where you just snap pics of your receipts from grocery stores, drugstores, and other big shops. You rack up points every time you do it, and later you can trade those points for gift cards to places you actually shop at. Just heads up, depending on which gift card you pick, the points might stretch a bit further or not so much. It’s a simple way to get a little extra back without changing how you shop.
Pros:
- Simple to use with fast reward processing
- Works with most digital and physical receipts
Cons:
- Requires manual scanning of receipts
- Points vary based on brands and special offers
Cost: Free
Best Use: Earning rewards by scanning everyday receipts.
9. PocketGuard
PocketGuard is helpful because it shows you what money you actually have left to spend after you’ve put aside enough for bills, savings, and any goals you’re saving for. Instead of just looking at your total bank balance and guessing if you can afford something, it breaks everything down clearly so you don’t accidentally spend what you need later on.
Pros:
- Real-time tracking to avoid overspending
- Shows how much is safe to spend
Cons:
- Advanced features like goal tracking require a paid plan
- Some users experience delays or issues with bank syncing
Cost: Free basic plan; Plus is $12.99 per month or $74.99 per year
Best Use: Seeing what’s safe to spend after bills and savings are covered.
10. Flipp
Flipp makes saving on groceries and household items simple by gathering all the weekly ads and digital coupons from stores around you in one spot. No more flipping through paper flyers or searching online — everything you need is easy to find right in the app.
Pros:
- Compare store deals in one place for easier planning
- Finds coupons for things already on your shopping list
Cons:
- Only works in the United States and Canada
- Takes time to browse and organize deals before shopping
Cost: Free
Best Use: Finding weekly grocery deals and matching coupons to your shopping list.
11. Current
Current is a mobile-first neobank designed for people who want more control over their money without all the usual bank hassle. The app makes it easy to set up individual savings goals — whether you’re putting money aside for a vacation, an emergency fund, or just trying to stash a little extra each month.
Pros:
- Offers savings pods and automatic round-ups
- Early direct deposit
Cons:
- Limited tools for couples or shared finances
- Out-of-network ATM withdrawals carry a $2.50 fee
Cost: Free basic plan, Premium plan $4.99 per month
Best Use: Managing savings goals and accessing paychecks early through a modern neobank.
Integrating Money-Saving Apps into Your Daily Life
Downloading the app is the easy part. It takes all of two minutes and gives you that quick feeling of accomplishment. But the real challenge —and where the real change happens — is sticking with it. If you want to make the most of your app and see real results over time, here are some simple ways to stay engaged:
- Enable Notifications tThat Matter: Only set alerts for stuff that really matters — like when you’re close to your spending limit, when money moves into your savings, or when a bill’s about to hit. Those little nudges keep you from messing up without blowing up your phone.
- Connect Only the Accounts You Actively Use: Don’t link every single account you have. Just stick to the ones you check all the time so your dashboard doesn’t get messy or confusing, — especially if you’re using more than one app.
- Set Specific, Short-Term Goals: Start with clear and specific goals. For example, save $25 per week for groceries or set aside $10 every Friday. It’s easier to stick to specific goals rather than vague ones.
- Review Your Activity Once a Week: Spend five minutes on a set day every week to see where you did well and where you slipped.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Hit a savings goal? Give yourself some credit. Small rewards help you stay motivated.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Money-Saving Apps
Even the most powerful app won’t help if it’s not used correctly. Here are a few common missteps that can limit your progress.
Ignoring Your Budget Categories
If your app flags overspending in an area like dining or shopping, take a closer look. Use that insight to adjust next week’s spending rather than brushing it off. In the event of a surprise emergency expense, you can look into money-borrowing apps if you don’t have the savings to cover it.
Connecting Too Many Accounts
More isn’t always better. Only link the accounts you actually use. It’ll keep things simple and make your budget easier to follow.
Paying for Features You Don’t Need
Start with the free version and get familiar with what the app can do. Upgrade only if you need the extras to meet your goals.
Letting Your Goals Get Outdated
Your priorities change over time. If you’ve paid off a loan, changed your savings target, received a raise, or decided to save more money with a tighter budget, make sure your app to save money matches where you are now.