Earlier this week, when I shared a post about setting goals and staying motivated, I was surprised by how many of you reached out with one recurring question: what are the best money apps for beginners?
It makes sense—financial literacy and money management can feel overwhelming at first, but thanks to technology, it’s easier (and more accessible) than ever. Before I became a full-time blogger, I actually worked in finance, which gave me the foundation for how I think about saving, investing, and building wealth today. Over the years, I’ve realized that smart money habits don’t need to be complicated—they just need the right tools.
If growing your savings, paying down debt, or even dabbling in investing is on your to-do list this year, I’ve rounded up some of the best money apps to help you get started.
Best Investing Apps for Beginners
Acorns
Perfect for those who want to dip a toe into investing without much effort, Acorns automatically rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change into a portfolio of ETFs. It’s essentially “set it and forget it” investing. There’s a small monthly fee, but if you’re a college student with a .edu email, you can invest for free for four years—an amazing way to start early.
Robinhood
If you’ve ever wanted to try buying individual stocks but felt intimidated by traditional brokers (not to mention their fees), Robinhood is a great option. It offers commission-free trading with no account minimums, which makes it an easy, low-barrier entry point for beginners who want to explore the markets hands-on.
Stash
For those who like the idea of investing and want to learn more along the way, Stash is a great fit. You can start with as little as $5, and the app helps guide you through creating a portfolio that aligns with your goals, risk tolerance, and even personal interests. Plus, the educational resources are straightforward, so you won’t feel lost in finance jargon.
Best Apps for Savings
Chime
Chime makes saving simple with its automatic features. You can round up purchases to the nearest dollar and move the difference into savings, or automatically transfer a portion of your paycheck. Since it’s a separate account, it’s harder to dip into—great if you’re someone who tends to spend what you see. Plus, no hidden fees (including overdrafts) make it a solid choice.
Qapital
If you’re saving for something specific—a house, wedding, or dream trip—Qapital is worth a try. You can set up shared savings goals with friends or family and create rules (like rounding up purchases or setting scheduled transfers) to help you stay on track. It gamifies saving in a way that makes it both fun and motivating.
Best Apps for Budgeting
Wally
Budgeting is the foundation of financial health, and Wally makes it painless. It helps you track income and expenses while giving you a clear snapshot of where your money is going. It also supports multiple currencies and even allows you to snap photos of receipts to stay organized. The best part? It’s completely free.
Personal Capital
If you want budgeting tools plus an emphasis on investing, Personal Capital is a fantastic all-in-one platform. It lets you import accounts, track spending, and create visual breakdowns of your finances—all while keeping your long-term wealth-building goals in sight.
Mint
One of the most well-known budgeting apps for a reason, Mint connects to your accounts to track spending, send bill reminders, and even monitor investments. The user-friendly interface makes it approachable, and the detailed budgeting tools make it a long-time favorite.
Best Apps for Tackling Debt
Debt Free
Paying off debt can feel overwhelming, but having a plan makes all the difference. The Debt Free app allows you to choose a payoff strategy—like the snowball method (smallest balance first) or avalanche method (highest interest first)—and then creates a personalized repayment schedule. Seeing progress in real time can be incredibly motivating.
Final Thoughts
Managing money doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right apps, you can take control of your finances step by step—whether that means building a savings cushion, investing spare change, creating a smarter budget, or finally tackling debt.
The best part? You don’t need a finance degree or tons of extra cash to get started. All it takes is a smartphone, a little consistency, and a clear vision of your goals.
So tell me—what money apps have you tried and loved? I’d love to hear what’s been working for you.
