Swiping and saving

Our favourite free budgeting apps!

With the temptation to ‘treat ourselves’ as lockdown begins to lift, the need to budget has never been needed more. So, we have collated five of the best free apps to help make this a bit easier. 

All of these apps follow an open banking technique. This means that they unite all of your bank accounts into one central location. However, do not worry! This third party-access is read only, which means that your login details are never shared.

5. Yolt    

Available via  iOS, Android, Web.   

Highlights? 

– Your spending is divided into categories, so you can easily see where your money is going.

– You can set and track spending limits.

– You can monitor subscriptions and their renewal.     

4. Money dashboard    

Available via iOS, Android, Web.   

Highlights? 

– Your spending is divided into categories. 

– You can monitor subscriptions and their renewal.

– The app itself sets the budget: it calculates how much you spend on certain things, and suggests ways to cut back. 

– In 2018, it was awarded the British Bank Award for Best Personal Finance App.     

3. Mint   

Available via iOS, Android, Web.   

Highlights? 

– Offers a free credit score. 

– Recommends credit card deals, insurance deals and other financial deals. 

– Generates reports regarding your spending, income and debt.     

2. Cleo  

Available via iOS, Android, Facebook Messenger. 

 Highlights? 

– Communicates with users in an informal way, through Facebook messenger, making it ideal for first time users. 

– Works on a weekly basis, offering summaries and recommendations for budgets.  

– Offers games and quizzes to help encourage and build financial awareness.   

1. Pocket guard

Available via iOS, Android.

Highlights? 

– Identifies and subsequently cancels any unwanted subscriptions.  

– Tracks and finds ways that bills can be lowered.

– Actively looks for deals and offers. 

– Calculates your disposable income.