The 8 Best Budgeting Apps for Couples

Managing financial matters as a couple requires communication and trust. Budget apps can help make it easier to save money, pay down student loans debt, and build a household budget together.

Certain apps allow users to:

• Manage credit card and debit card balances
• Track net worth. Keep an eye on credit scores
• Manage both separate and joint bank accounts
• Track spending habits and set spending limits
• Make big-picture financial decisions, like buying a home
• Ensure cash flow for upcoming expenses
• Track net worth

Below are the best money apps for couples, all of which are available for iOS products as well asand Android devices.

Best Budget Apps for Couples

1. Honeydue

Honeydue focuses on money issues handled by couples. Through the app, you can link and track accounts, coordinate who will pay upcoming bills and use an in-app chat feature to have financial planning discussions. If you're interested in combining finances, Honeydue can also assist in establishing a joint bank account.

Cost: Free

Best For: Couples hoping to make sure money matters are discussed and bills get paid on time. No more assuming the other person has it!

2. You Need a Budget (YNAB)

This popular budgeting app works on the principle that good planning can eliminate living on a paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. Using this app regularly can help couples stick with a budgeting plan, increase savingssavings, and help partners plan their financial future.

Cost: 34-day free trial, then $11.99 a month or $84 a year.

Best For: Those looking for an intensive budgeting strategy that can provide a base of preparedness for future expenses.

3. Personal Capital

Personal Capital, like many other money apps, allows you to use budgeting tools, calculate your net worth and see your monthly cash flow. But it's particularly good at helping manage joint retirement and investment accounts. Through the app itself, you can invest with your partner and track your earnings.

Cost: Free, however there are with management fees if you choose to invest through the Personal Capital brokerage.

Best For: Couples serious about retirement, brokerage or other investment accounts and want a place to track their progress.

4. HoneyFi

HoneyFi divides money management for couples into five budget categories: budgets, bills, goals, transactions, and net worth. Partners can talk honestly about recent spending habits and make a plan to reach future benchmarks together.

Cost: Free 30-day trial, then $9.99/month or $59.99 per year.

Best For: Newer budgeters wanting an auto-generated budget they can customize.

5. Mint by Intuit

Mint is a well-known app that makes it easy to link your financial accounts. You can also get a big-picture view of your individual debts and assets and categorize transactions to create budgets, which can then be modified and customized.

Cost: Free, with optional upgrades for credit monitoring

Best For: People who want to get started with budgeting and don't mind some ads. The tracking feature for spending can be particularly helpful.

6. Nav.It

Nav.It is a relative newcomer to the scene, but it is particularly valuable for those who have strong emotions associated with money management. If you and your partner are trying to better understand your own spending and saving impulses, the app will ask you about your daily money mindset and help you learn from that information.

Cost: Currently free, with premium paid services in the works

Best For: Individuals and couples who want to be more mindful about their spending and saving habits.

7. Lunch Money

Lunch Money aims to incorporate simplicity into your financial life by helping you create easy monthly budgets. It also includes strong search and filter functionality to help you find each transaction you want to discuss with your partner.

Cost: Free 14-day trial, $10 per month after that or $70 for a year

Best For: Crypto-loving couples who want to link ledgers and wallets rather than just bank accounts.

8. GoodBudget

GoodBudget works on the principle that you can put money in online 'envelopes' and only spend what you've specifically designated. It allows couples to sync and share their budgets and make plans to pay off debt.

Cost: Users can create 20 or fewer envelopes for free or get more features from GoodBudget Plus for $7 a month or $60 a year.

Best For: People learning to budget or curb overspending and impulse spending.

Best Practices For Using a Budget App

So, you've found a budgeting app that has the features you need. Your significant other has agreed to embrace the learning curve and achieve your joint money goals.

Now what?

Budgeting apps are most helpful if you use them regularly. Here are some great strategies for getting into the habit of making budgeting money managment a daily practice.

Learn the ins and outs

App shortcuts can help you learn the most effective ways to plan, so look at video walk-throughs, FAQs sections and other tips. Try to search for user forums before you get frustrated and feel inclined to abandon an app.

Also, it's easier to use an app if both partners are equally familiar with its functionality. If you are more tech-savvy, take some time to get your significant other on the same page.

Have fun with it

Consider scheduling a "budgeting review" before watching a Friday night movie or having a meal out. Turning budgeting into a fun activity can keep you dedicated and ensure that finances become a regular topic of discussion.

Have your app open when talking about your budget so you can consult data quickly, see real-time trends in spending categories and saving, and celebrate your success.

Switch it up

You may think you want a ton of advanced features before realizing you just need a basic personal finance tracker. Alternatively, you may be looking for more data charts or graphs to watch your progress.

The best part of month-to-month budgeting app subscriptions is that you can switch to a different one easily, usually without penalty.

The Bottom Line

Couples may be inclined to approach their finances from different angles. Some partners have separate accounts and assign joint bills accordingly. Others have joint accounts and review all purchases together.

Regardless of your style, money management apps can help you have proactive communication, which can strengthen your relationship and put you on a path to achieving your financial goals - together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should couples make budgets?

Making a budget can be as simple as using a pen and paper or a spreadsheet, but many couples find that a shared budget app saves time. Money apps for couples automatically update budgets when a purchase is made or financial goals change.

What is the best budget app for couples?

The best budgeting apps for couples include Honeydue, Personal Capital, and HoneyFi. Other finance apps offer particularly useful features for couples, including You Need A Budget, Lunch Money, Mint, GoodBudget and Nav.It.

How should you choose an app?

It's important to identify what you plan to track together, say, joint account balances or simply spending categories. Honeydue and HoneyFi are two apps marketed specifically as money management apps for couples. Other apps, however, can be used by couples and may be a better fit if you're looking for specific features.