We may earn a commission when you click links on this page. Our research is always independent.

Best Budgeting Tools in 2025

Based on real user experiences from Reddit and finance communities

Community-Powered
Updated December 2025
Transparent Methodology

Analyzing 500+ Reddit discussions about budgeting apps

Top Picks at a Glance

Tiller Money logo

Tiller Money

9.2/10
TOP PICK

Best for spreadsheet lovers who want automation

Learn More
YNAB (You Need A Budget) logo

YNAB (You Need A Budget)

8.8/10

Best for zero-based budgeting methodology

Learn More
Credit Karma logo

Credit Karma

7.8/10

Best free option with credit monitoring

Learn More

Detailed Comparison

#1

Tiller Money

TOP PICK
Tiller Money logo
Community Rating:
9.2/10

Best for spreadsheet lovers who want automation

$79/year after 30-day free trial

Key Features:

  • Auto-syncs with 21,000+ banks to Google Sheets & Excel
  • Powerful transaction auto-categorization
  • Daily email summary of account activity
  • Complete customization - it's YOUR spreadsheet
  • 30-day free trial, cancel anytime
#2

YNAB (You Need A Budget)

YNAB (You Need A Budget) logo
Community Rating:
8.8/10

Best for zero-based budgeting methodology

$99/year or $14.99/month

#3

Credit Karma

Credit Karma logo
Community Rating:
7.8/10

Best free option with credit monitoring

Free

#4

Monarch Money

Monarch Money logo
Community Rating:
8.5/10

Best Mint alternative with modern design

$99/year or $14.99/month

#5

Personal Capital (Empower)

Personal Capital (Empower) logo
Community Rating:
8/10

Best for budgeting + investment tracking

Free (wealth management services extra)

Why Trust Our Picks?

We analyze hundreds of Reddit discussions, forum posts, and real user reviews to understand what people actually experience with these tools—not just what the marketing says.

Our rankings are based on community sentiment, feature depth, value for money, and long-term user satisfaction. We prioritize tools that real people recommend to their friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

OUR TOP RECOMMENDATION

Ready to Take Control of Your Budget?

Try Tiller Money free for 30 days and see why it's our top pick for 2025

30-Day Free Trial

Cancel Anytime

21,000+ Banks

Start Your Free Trial →

No credit card required for trial