7 Best Money Saving Apps in 2026 (Free & Paid) — Reviewed

The right app can transform your financial life. Research consistently shows that people who track their spending save 20% more than those who don't. In 2026, there's an app for every style — from totally automated to hands-on budgeting.

We tested dozens of apps over 6 months. Here are the 7 best money saving apps in 2026, ranked by usefulness for real people.

🥇 #1 — YNAB (You Need A Budget)

Best for: Serious budgeters who want to change their financial habits

YNAB uses "zero-based budgeting" — every dollar gets a job. Users report saving an average of $600 in their first 2 months.

⭐ Rating: 9.5/10 — Best overall budgeting app despite the cost.

🥈 #2 — Mint (Free)

Best for: Beginners who want a free, all-in-one overview

Mint automatically categorizes your spending, tracks bills, and shows your net worth — all for free. Perfect starting point for anyone new to budgeting.

⭐ Rating: 8.5/10 — Best free option, slightly limited for advanced users.

🥉 #3 — Acorns

Best for: Passive investing with spare change

Acorns rounds up every purchase to the nearest dollar and invests the difference. Spend $4.37 on coffee → $0.63 goes into your investment portfolio automatically.

⭐ Rating: 8/10 — Great for beginners who struggle to invest manually.

#4 — Personal Capital (Empower)

Best for: Tracking net worth and investment accounts

Personal Capital (now Empower) connects all your accounts — bank, investments, retirement — and gives you a complete financial picture. The free version is outstanding for tracking wealth.

• Free basic version available
• Investment fee analyzer (finds hidden fees)
• Retirement planner built-in
• Net worth tracking dashboard

⭐ Rating: 8/10 — Best for investors with existing portfolios.

#5 — Digit

Best for: People who struggle to save manually

Digit analyzes your spending patterns with AI and automatically moves small amounts (typically $5–$50) from your checking account into savings — at exactly the right times so you never overdraft.

Cost: $5/month | ⭐ Rating: 7.5/10

#6 — PocketGuard

Best for: People who overspend impulsively

PocketGuard shows you exactly how much money you have available to spend after bills, expenses, and savings goals. It's a simple "can I afford this?" tool that prevents overspending.

Cost: Free (Plus at $12.99/month) | ⭐ Rating: 7.5/10

#7 — Goodbudget

Best for: Couples managing a shared budget

Goodbudget uses the digital "envelope method" — you allocate money into virtual envelopes for each spending category. Syncs between partners in real time, making it perfect for couples.

Cost: Free (Plus at $8/month) | ⭐ Rating: 7/10

Quick Comparison: All 7 Apps