Budgeting apps make it easy to track your spending, build savings, and reach your financial goals. However, not all budgeting platforms offer the same experience. Some focus on automation and account syncing, while others focus on customization, financial planning tools, and collaboration features.
To help our readers compare budgeting apps with more confidence, USA TODAY developed a weighted scoring methodology that focuses on functionality, ease of use, security, value, and overall customer experience. Budgeting apps are tools that people interact with on a regular basis, so our methodology focuses most on connectivity, core budgeting features, and ease of use.
Our ratings are based on independent research, publicly available information, app store data, and field evaluations when available. Each budgeting app receives a composite score based on the following categories:
Overview of category weights
| category | weight |
| Connectivity and functionality | 30% |
| Main features | 30% |
| Security and support | 15% |
| price and value | 15% |
| Reviews and availability | 10% |
| total | 100% |
Connectivity and functionality (30%)
Budgeting apps are only as good as the financial information they have access to. Powerful account connections and reliable syncing allow users to see their finances in one place and keep their budgets up to date.
We evaluate:
- Whether or not bank accounts are synchronized
- Credit card sync availability
- Availability of investment account synchronization
- Sync frequency and reliability
Main features (30%)
The core budgeting and money management tools determine how effectively the app helps users understand their finances and reach their financial goals. Apps that offer a wider range of useful features will receive higher scores.
We evaluate:
- net worth tracking
- waste alert
- goal tracking
- Custom spending categories
- bill reminder
- Track your subscription
- Shared access or multi-user functionality
- credit score tracking
- Spending insights and analysis
- Income distribution tool
Security and support (15%)
Budgeting apps handle sensitive financial information, making security an important consideration. Platforms with strong security measures and easily accessible customer support will receive higher scores.
We evaluate:
- Bank-level encryption
- Read-only account access
- Customer support availability and responsiveness
Price and value (15%)
Many budgeting apps charge a subscription fee, but some offer free versions or limited free tools. This category evaluates whether users receive meaningful value compared to cost.
We evaluate:
- Free plan availability
- Monthly or annual subscription cost
Reviews and availability (10%)
Customer reviews provide insight into real user experiences. Also consider how widely available your app is across devices and platforms.
We evaluate:
- Average Google Play Store Rating
- Average Apple App Store rating
- Available for iOS, Android, and desktop platforms
Methodology notes
Budgeting apps are ranked based on functionality, ease of use, pricing, and customer experience. It does not evaluate the investment performance, financial results, or suitability of any individual user’s investment performance, financial results, or budgeting strategies.
All information is collected from company websites, app stores, public sources, and independent research and is regularly checked for accuracy.
