15 Best Money Saving Apps of 2025: Save Smarter, Faster

The best money saving apps of 2025 include Rocket Money, YNAB, PocketGuard, Chime, Acorns, Qapital, Goodbudget, etc.

In this roundup, we explore what these apps actually do, who they’re best for, and how you can use them to make smarter financial decisions.

These apps will help you cut expenses, automate savings, and hit your financial goals with ease.

Let’s find out!

1. What is a money saving app and how does it work?

Money saving apps are digital tools designed to help you better manage your personal finances. They do this by tracking your spending, suggesting ways to cut costs, automating your savings, or offering cashback and rewards.

These apps connect to your bank account or credit cards, and depending on their design, they may categorize your transactions, monitor subscriptions, or round up purchases to save spare change.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), “automated saving tools can significantly increase saving consistency among users, especially those who struggle with budgeting manually.”

1.1. Features that make a great savings app

The best money saving apps usually include:

• Automatic saving: Round-ups, daily transfers, or AI-powered smart saving
• Budget tracking: Visual breakdowns of your income and expenses
• Goal setting: Create and track goals like an emergency fund or vacation
• Subscription monitoring: Flag and cancel unwanted subscriptions
• Reward incentives: Cashback, rebates, or bonus saving matches

1.2. Common use cases and who should use them

Whether you're a college student trying to avoid overdraft fees, a freelancer juggling irregular income, or a parent building an emergency fund, there’s a money saving app designed to fit your lifestyle:

• Budgeters use apps like YNAB for hands-on control
• Shoppers benefit from cashback platforms like Rakuten
• Busy professionals enjoy passive savings through apps like Acorns or Chime
• Gig workers find cash advance and budgeting tools helpful in Empower or Oportun

2. Top 15 best money saving apps to download this year

With so many apps claiming to help you save money, finding the best ones can be overwhelming.

Below, I break down the best money saving apps based on their features, pricing, ideal users, and real-world performance. Whether you're looking for the best app for saving money or an all-in-one financial planner, there's something here for everyone.

Personally, I've tried a few of the apps on this list, and they’ve made a noticeable difference in how I manage my finances. From tracking spending to automating savings, each one offered something unique. I hope you'll find an app that fits your lifestyle as well as I did.

2.1. Rocket Money – Best for subscription management

⭐️ 4.6/5

• Key Features: Tracks recurring subscriptions, negotiates bills, and offers spending insights
• Platform: iOS, Android, Web
• Best For: People with too many hidden or forgotten subscriptions
• Price: Free basic plan; premium features start at $4/month
• Pros:
  • Identifies recurring charges and lets you cancel with one click
  • Bill negotiation services for internet, phone, and cable
• Cons:
  • You’ll need to upgrade to access certain features.

2.2. YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Best for full control over your budget

⭐️ 4.7/5

• Key Features: Zero-based budgeting, debt payoff tools, and goal planning
• Platform: iOS, Android, Web
• Best For: Users who want full control over every dollar
• Price: $14.99/month or $99/year (free trial available)
• Pros:
  • Great for freelancers or anyone with inconsistent income
  • Offers robust learning resources and live workshops
• Cons:
  • Not the easiest app to master, especially at first

2.3. PocketGuard – Best for avoiding overspending

⭐️ 4.4/5

• Key Features: “In My Pocket” tells you what you can actually spend
• Platform: iOS, Android
• Best For: Budgeters prone to impulse spending
• Price: Free basic plan; Plus plan $7.99/month
• Pros:
  • Alerts you when you're nearing your spending limit
  • Automatically tracks and labels your spending habits
• Cons:
  • You’ll need to go premium for full customization

2.4. Chime – Best for automatic saving + early payday

⭐️ 4.6/5

• Key Features: Auto-savings, early direct deposit, fee-free banking
• Platform: iOS, Android
• Best For: People who want a banking solution that helps them save
• Price: Free (banking services via partner bank)
• Pros:
  • Round-up savings and the 10% paycheck savings rule
• Cons:
  • Not a full-fledged budgeting tool

View more: Easiest prop firms to pass H2T Funding

2.5. Acorns – Best for saving and investing spare change

⭐️ 4.5/5

• Key Features: Round-ups, investment portfolios, retirement accounts
• Platform: iOS, Android, Web
• Best For: Beginner investors who want to build wealth slowly
• Price: $3/month (Personal), $5/month (Family)
• Pros:
  • The app turns spare change into small investments
  • Offers retirement and family saving tools
• Cons:
  • The monthly fee may outweigh the benefits for very small balances

2.6. Qapital – Best for goal-oriented saving

⭐️ 4.4/5

• Key Features: Rule-based savings, shared goals, and financial planning
• Platform: iOS, Android
• Best For: Visual savers who enjoy seeing progress toward goals
• Price: Starts at $3/month
• Pros:
  • Flexible goal-based savings system
  • Automates actions based on rules (e.g., “Save $10 every time I go to Starbucks”)
• Cons:
  • Requires effort to set up savings rules

2.7. Goodbudget – Best for envelope budgeting

⭐️ 4.3/5

• Key Features: Digital envelope system, manual transaction input
• Platform: iOS, Android, Web
• Best For: People who want intentional, hands-on control over categories
• Price: Free plan (20 envelopes); Plus plan $7/month
• Pros:
  • Perfect for partners managing money together
  • No bank connection needed (great for privacy)
• Cons:
  • You’ll need to input your spending by hand

2.8. Empower – Best for cash advances & auto-saving

⭐️ 4.5/5

• Key Features: Up to $250 cash advance, auto-save, spend tracking
• Platform: iOS, Android
• Best For: People living paycheck to paycheck
• Price: $8/month after trial
• Pros:
  • Get cash advances with no hidden fees or charges
  • Smart deposit and savings tools
• Cons:
  • Requires direct deposit setup

2.9. Oportun – Best AI-driven saving app

⭐️ 4.4/5

• Key Features: AI-powered automatic savings and bill prediction
• Platform: iOS, Android
• Best For: Users who want AI to take the wheel
• Price: Free trial; $5/month after
• Pros:
  • Learns your spending habits and adjusts accordingly
  • No need to set rules manually
• Cons:
  • Lack of manual customization

See more related articles:

• How to create a personal budget in 7 simple steps
• Emergency fund calculator: Find out exactly how much you need
• How to Avoid Lifestyle Inflation? 10 Ways to Secure Your Financial Future

2.10. Ibotta – Best for grocery cashback

⭐️ 4.6/5

• Key Features: Cash back on groceries, online purchases, and more
• Platform: iOS, Android, Browser extension
• Best For: Savers who regularly shop in-store or online
• Price: Free
• Pros:
  • Partnered with major retailers (Walmart, Target, Kroger)
  • Redeem your rewards through PayPal or gift cards
• Cons:
  • Must activate offers before purchase

2.11. Rakuten – Best for shopping rewards

⭐️ 4.5/5

• Key Features: Cash back on online purchases, browser extension
• Platform: iOS, Android, Web
• Best For: Online shoppers looking to earn back
• Price: Free
• Pros:
  • Works at 2,500+ retailers
  • Get paid every quarter through check or PayPal.
• Cons:
  • Not all in-store purchases qualify for cashback.

2.12. Honey – Best for Online Coupons and Deals

⭐️ 4.4/5

• Key Features: Automatic coupon finder, price tracking, rewards
• Platform: Browser extension, iOS
• Best For: Deal hunters and savvy online shoppers
• Price: Free
• Pros:
  • Applies the best coupon codes at checkout
  • Earn “Honey Gold” for gift cards
• Cons:
  • Only works online

2.13. Upside – Best app for gas cashback

⭐️ 4.5/5

• Key Features: Cash back at gas stations, groceries, and restaurants
• Platform: iOS, Android
• Best For: Drivers who want to save at the pump
• Price: Free
• Pros:
  • High cashback rates on fuel
  • Expands to restaurants and groceries
• Cons:
  • Must upload receipts or check-in

2.14. Chip – Best for micro-saving automation

⭐️ 4.3/5

• Key Features: AI savings, interest-bearing accounts, recurring deposits
• Platform: iOS, Android
• Best For: Passive savers who prefer not to think about it
• Price: Free basic plan; paid plans offer higher interest
• Pros:
  • Automates small daily savings without user input
  • Earns interest on saved funds
• Cons:
  • Limited in-app budgeting tools

2.15. EveryDollar – Best for Zero-Based Budgeting

 ⭐️ 4.2/5

• • Key Features: Zero-based budgeting, expense tracking, goal setting 
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Best For: Users following Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps or who want strict control over every dollar
  • Price: Free basic plan; Premium plan with bank syncing available

• Pros:

• • User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop budgeting
  • Based on the proven zero-based budgeting method
• Cons:
  • Bank syncing is only available in the premium version
  • Limited financial planning features beyond budgeting

3. Best apps for money saving – comparison table

To help you compare at a glance, here’s a summarized table of the top 154 best money saving apps in 2025 based on their key focus, pricing, and best use cases:

4. How to choose the right app for your financial goals

Choosing the right money saving app starts with understanding your financial habits and goals. Do you want to budget manually, save automatically, or earn rewards while spending?

4.1. Set your priorities: budget, save, or earn rewards?

Start by defining what you need most right now:

• If budgeting is your main goal, consider YNAB or Goodbudget.
• If you want to save without thinking, try Chime, Chip, or Oportun.
• If you prefer to earn while you spend, use Ibotta, Rakuten, or Upside.

Match your top priority with the app’s core strength to stay motivated and consistent.

4.2. Look for compatibility, fees, and ease of use

One app doesn’t fit all budgeting needs. Ask yourself:

• Is it available on your device (iOS/Android/Web)?
• Does it link to your bank securely?
• Are the fees reasonable for what you get?

For example, Acorns and Qapital charge a small fee but automate complex saving processes that might be worth the cost.

4.3. Make sure it’s secure and privacy-focused

Look for apps that offer:

• Bank-level encryption (256-bit or higher)
• No hidden fees or predatory terms
• Transparent privacy policies

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers should only use financial apps that “clearly disclose how they handle and protect user data.”

5. Expert tips to save more with these apps

Maximize the benefit of your favorite apps with the following strategies.

5.1. Combine apps for maximum efficiency

You don’t have to stick to just one app. Combine them smartly:

• Use YNAB or PocketGuard for budgeting
• Automate savings via Chime or Chip
• Earn cashback from Ibotta or Rakuten

This layered approach boosts your results without doubling the work.

5.2. Automate small daily savings

Even saving $1–$3 a day adds up:

• Set “round-up” rules in Acorns
• Schedule recurring transfers in Qapital
• Let Chip automatically calculate what you can afford to save

Automation makes saving a habit you don’t even notice.

5.3. Regularly review and adjust spending habits

Apps like Rocket Money show trends over time. Set a monthly reminder to:

• Review your top spending categories
• Cancel unused services
• Adjust goals based on recent income or expenses

Tracking progress keeps you engaged and accountable.

6. FAQs

6.1. Are these apps really free?

Many apps offer free versions, but premium features (like advanced tracking or automation) often come with a small monthly fee. Apps like Honey and Rakuten remain free, while others like YNAB and Acorns require subscriptions.

6.2. Is it safe to connect my bank account?

Most top apps use bank-level encryption and are built with high-security standards. Still, always check the app’s privacy policy and reviews before linking sensitive information.

6.3. Can I use more than one app at a time?

Yes. In fact, using multiple apps is encouraged. You might use PocketGuard to avoid overspending and Ibotta for cashback—each complements the other.

6.4. What app is best for beginners?

Chime is a great starting point. It requires minimal setup and provides instant financial insights.

6.5. What app is best for students?

Goodbudget and Rocket Money work well for students. They’re intuitive, low-cost, and help track daily expenses or unnecessary subscriptions.

6.6. What app is best for freelancers or for irregular income?

YNAB is specifically designed for users with variable income. Empower is also helpful for bridging gaps with cash advances.

6.7. Is money-saving app worth it?

Yes, money-saving apps are worth it if you want to track spending, automate savings, or find discounts easily. They help build better financial habits with minimal effort.

7. Conclusion

Finding the best money saving apps in 2025 comes down to understanding your unique financial situation. 

From budgeting tools like YNAB to passive saving apps like Chip, there’s a solution tailored to your goals, whether it's trimming wasteful spending or building long-term savings automatically.

Start small. Automate where possible. 

And remember: the best app for saving money is the one that fits into your lifestyle and motivates you to take consistent action.

Don’t forget to leave your comment and let me know which is your favorite app.

Learn more about money management on our Cash Flow & Saving Strategies at H2T Funding.