Saving money is a goal for many, and fortunately, technology offers a range of tools to make it more achievable. If you’re looking to bolster your savings, money-saving apps can be incredibly beneficial. These apps are designed to automate savings, monitor your spending habits, and foster positive financial behaviors, all while simplifying budget management.
Each app provides distinct features and methods to aid in your savings journey. To get started, you’ll typically need a checking account and a smartphone, along with a commitment to your financial objectives.
Below is an updated guide to some of the top money-saving apps expected in 2025, catering to diverse financial needs and lifestyles.
Note: Most of these apps require access to your financial data. Always review their terms and conditions and security measures before signing up.
1. Oportun (Formerly Digit)
Oportun, previously known as Digit, stands out as an automated savings app that intelligently observes your checking account activity. It uses algorithms to analyze your spending patterns and identify small, safe amounts to transfer into savings periodically. This ensures you save consistently without risking overdrafts or financial strain.
This app is particularly beneficial for individuals who find saving challenging or tend to spend impulsively. Oportun removes the need for manual decision-making in saving, making it effortless to accumulate funds without actively thinking about it.
After a 30-day free trial, Oportun has a monthly fee of $5. This cost grants access to its automated savings functionality and tools to set and track savings goals within the app. A significant advantage is its ability to recognize when you’re not financially able to save, preventing withdrawals that could lead to overdraft fees.
While Oportun itself isn’t a bank, it partners with FDIC-insured institutions, ensuring that your savings are insured up to $250,000 per depositor.
Best for: Hands-free, automated savings for those who find it hard to save manually.
Cost: Free for the first 30 days, then $5 monthly subscription.
2. Qapital
Qapital gamifies the savings process by using “savings rules” to make it both fun and automatic. Users can establish rules to trigger savings transfers based on their spending habits. For example, you can set a rule to transfer a set amount to savings every time you order takeout or make a non-essential purchase. It also features a round-up rule, where every debit card purchase is rounded up, and the spare change is automatically saved.
A key strength of Qapital is its focus on visualizing savings goals. Users can upload photos and create digital vision boards within the app, linking visual motivation to their financial targets. This feature makes it ideal for those who are visually oriented and motivated by seeing their goals represented.
Beyond savings, Qapital offers a suite of financial products. You can link your existing bank account or open a Qapital Spending account with an associated debit card. Savings accounts, shared goal accounts with partners, and even investment options through Qapital Invest are also available.
Best for: Visually driven savers who benefit from goal-based savings and gamified saving rules.
Cost: Offers various plans ranging from $3 to $12 per month based on features.
3. Goodbudget
Goodbudget is tailored for users who prefer a more traditional, hands-on approach to budgeting. It’s based on the envelope budgeting method, digitally allocating your income into virtual envelopes for different spending categories such as housing, groceries, and savings.
Unlike automated apps, Goodbudget requires manual expense input, giving you detailed control over your money allocation. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals who want to actively manage their finances and are comfortable with manual tracking.
Goodbudget is also designed for families. It allows syncing across multiple devices, enabling all family members to participate in tracking and managing the household budget collaboratively. The free version includes up to 10 envelopes, while the premium version, at $10 per month, offers unlimited envelopes and syncs across five devices.
Best for: Users who favor manual budgeting and need a shared budgeting solution for families.
Cost: Free version with limited features; Premium version at $10/month unlocks full functionality.
4. Chime
Chime has become a leading name in digital banking, attracting millions of users with its user-friendly auto-savings tools and competitive features. Opening a Chime account unlocks access to automatic savings features that can transfer a percentage of your paycheck directly into savings each pay period, especially useful if you set up direct deposit and want to get paid early.
Chime’s round-up feature is another popular tool. It rounds up every debit card transaction to the nearest dollar and transfers the difference to your savings account. This small change accumulation can lead to significant savings over time without requiring conscious effort.
While Chime operates as a fintech company and not a traditional bank, it partners with FDIC-insured banks like The Bancorp Bank and Stride Bank, ensuring your deposits are federally protected.
Best for: Those seeking a banking app with integrated spare change saving and early payday options.
Cost: Generally free to use with no monthly fees for basic account features.
5. Current
Current is a fintech platform providing comprehensive checking and savings account functionalities. Their mobile app offers debit cards, savings goals (termed “pods”), and interest-earning opportunities on savings balances. You can establish multiple savings pods to automatically allocate funds for specific targets like vacations or an emergency fund.
Interest is earned on balances within these savings pods, though it’s typically capped at $2,000 per pod. Current also distinguishes itself by offering commission-free cryptocurrency trading, a feature not commonly found in traditional banking apps.
Similar to Chime, Current partners with FDIC-insured financial institutions, Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank, to ensure the safety of your funds.
Best for: Tech-savvy users looking for a modern banking alternative with crypto trading and flexible savings pods.
Cost: Basic services are free; premium features may involve subscription fees.
6. Acorns
For individuals who have already built an emergency fund and are ready to explore investing, Acorns is a compelling option. This app helps you seamlessly save and invest spare change by rounding up transactions to the nearest dollar. These rounded-up amounts are then invested into a diversified investment portfolio aligned with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Acorns provides a user-friendly entry point into investing, particularly appealing for those new to the investment world. In 2023, Acorns launched the Mighty Oak Debit Card, which allows you to invest spare change from everyday purchases made with the card.
The Mighty Oak card also includes a high-yield deposit account, offering competitive APYs on both checking and savings balances. FDIC insurance protects your funds through Acorns’ partner banks, Lincoln Savings Bank and NBKC Bank.
Best for: Beginner investors who want to start investing with spare change and grow their savings over time.
Cost: Subscription plans start at $3 per month, varying with features and account types.
7. Rocket Money (Formerly Truebill)
Rocket Money, formerly known as Truebill, provides a comprehensive suite of budgeting and savings tools. It connects to your bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts to give you a holistic view of your financial situation. Rocket Money also excels at identifying recurring subscriptions and assisting in canceling unwanted services, helping to cut unnecessary expenses.
The app delivers personalized financial insights, tracks your spending patterns, and sends alerts if your account balance is low. The premium version extends its services to include subscription cancellation support and bill negotiation for users seeking extra assistance in managing their finances.
Rocket Money is particularly useful for budget-conscious individuals aiming to gain better control over their finances and eliminate wasteful spending.
Best for: Budget-focused savers who want subscription management and expense reduction tools.
Cost: Free version available; Premium subscription ranges from $6 to $12 per month for enhanced features.
8. You Need a Budget (YNAB)
You Need a Budget (YNAB) is designed for users who desire complete oversight and control over their financial resources. YNAB’s core principle is to give every dollar a specific job, whether it’s for spending, saving, or investing. It promotes budgeting with only the money you currently possess, effectively preventing overspending and debt accumulation.
YNAB allows linking to bank accounts and credit cards for automatic transaction tracking or manual data entry. It also offers educational resources on debt management and wealth building, positioning it as more than just a budgeting application.
YNAB reports that new users typically save an average of $600 within their first two months and $6,000 in their first year of use. It’s well-suited for individuals who prefer a structured, hands-on approach to budgeting and financial planning.
Best for: Hands-on budgeters who are committed to gaining tight control over their finances and spending.
Cost: Free for 34 days, then $14.99 per month or $109 per year subscription.
9. Upside
Upside, previously known as GetUpside, is a cash-back app that rewards users for purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. It partners with local businesses to offer limited-time, cash-back deals.
Users can browse available deals within the app, claim offers at nearby participating locations, and then shop as usual. After purchase, they can redeem the cash-back rewards to their bank account, PayPal, or via gift cards.
To maximize benefits, consider using a cash-back credit card for purchases made through Upside deals, potentially stacking rewards.
Best for: Shoppers who want to earn cash back on everyday purchases like gas and groceries effortlessly.
Cost: Free to download and use; earnings are based on cash-back offers claimed.
Safety of Money-Saving Apps
Security is a paramount concern when entrusting your financial data to any app. Reputable money-saving apps prioritize security by implementing robust measures such as encryption and secure connections to protect your personal and financial information.
To ensure the safety of your savings, always verify if the app partners with FDIC-insured and chartered banks. FDIC insurance guarantees protection of your deposits up to $250,000 per depositor in the event of institutional failure.
Benefits of Using a Money-Saving App
If you tend to prioritize spending over saving, money-saving apps can be transformative by automating the savings process. Instead of facing the challenge of saving large sums periodically, these apps enable you to consistently save smaller amounts regularly, making your financial goals more attainable and less daunting.
Once you accumulate savings, consider transferring these funds into high-yield savings accounts or certificates of deposit (CDs) to leverage better interest rates and further grow your wealth.
Final Thoughts
Managing your finances and saving money has become increasingly accessible and user-friendly thanks to these innovative money-saving apps. Whether your goal is to enhance budgeting, save automatically, or invest spare change, there’s likely an app tailored to your needs. The key is to select the app that aligns best with your financial objectives and personal lifestyle.
To begin taking control of your financial future, consider downloading one or two of these apps and experimenting to see which suits you best.
Regularly reviewing your financial goals is also crucial. Combining these apps with sound financial habits—like tracking expenses, minimizing unnecessary spending, and setting realistic savings targets—will maximize their effectiveness. Consistency and commitment to your financial aspirations are fundamental to achieving long-term financial success.
