Best Budget App for Couples: Top Picks to Manage Money Together in 2025
Written by
Rudri Patel
Edited by
Elizabeth Constantineau
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Handling finances as a couple can be tricky, but a good budgeting app can make it a whole lot easier. From managing shared expenses to tracking savings goals together, the right tools can help you stay on the same page. Check out the best budget apps for couples and find out which one works best for you and your partner.
4 Best Budget Apps for Couples
Goodbudget
- Best for: Individuals and couples who want to budget using a virtual envelope system.
- Key features:
- Divide your combined funds into different envelopes so you can avoid any surprises.
- Has multi-device syncing.
- You can set up spending reports to monitor financial habits.
- Ability to plan and automate recurring expenses.
- Cost:
- The free version includes 10 regular envelopes, 10 additional envelopes, one account, two devices and one year of history.
- Premium version costs $10 monthly or $80 annually. It comes with unlimited envelopes, five devices and seven years of history.
- App ratings:
- Apple Store: 4.6 out of 5 stars
- Google Play: 3.6 out of 5 stars
Monarch
- Best for: Couples looking for an easy-to-use app that helps them track spending, monitor investments and plan their finances together.
- Key features:
- Monarch makes it easy to store all of your accounts and investments in one place so that you and your partner can be on the same page.
- App is compatible with over 11,000 financial institutions.
- The app allows you to track all of your accounts, get personalized advice, create a long-term plan for financial goals and get notifications when you exceed your customized spending limits.
- Cost:
- The first week is free. After that, you’ll pay $14.99 a month or $99.99 per year.
- App ratings:
- Apple Store: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Google Play: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Empower Personal Dashboard
- Best for: Couples who want a broad overview of their finances.
- Key features:
- You and your partner can manage your budget while also monitoring the balances of your various portfolios.
- Get a 360-degree view of your entire financial situation through the following features: budget planner, education planner, investment checkup, financial roadmap, personal strategy and smart withdrawal.
- Cost: Empower is free.
- App ratings:
- Apple Store: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Google Play: 4.3 out of 5 stars
YNAB
- Best for: Couples seeking a zero-based budgeting approach.
- Key features:
- You allocate every dollar to a specific category, based on the following four rules:
- Give every dollar a job.
- Embrace your true expenses.
- Roll with the punches.
- Age your money.
- The app syncs with multiple devices and has access to several financial resources.
- You allocate every dollar to a specific category, based on the following four rules:
- Cost:
- Free trial for the first 34 days. After that period, it costs $14.99 per month or $109 per year.
- App ratings:
- Apple Store: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Google Play: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Best Budget App for Couples: At a Glance
Choosing the right app may be easier by taking a look at how they compare with each other. Here’s a side-by-side look at the best budget apps for couples:
| App | Best For | Free Trial? | Starting Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodbudget | Using an envelope system | Yes | Premium membership costs $10 per month or $80 annually |
| Monarch | User-friendly interface | Yes | $14.99 per month or $99.99 annually |
| Empower | Couples who want a full financial overview | Yes | Free |
| YNAB | Couples who want a zero-based budgeting approach | Yes | $14.99 per month |
Which Couples Budgeting App Is Right for You?
Ask yourself these quick questions to find your match:
- Looking for a simple way to plan together? Try Goodbudget.
- Want to see your goals in one place? Monarch offers visual tracking.
- Need tools for the long term? Empower has you covered.
- Just getting started with budgeting? YNAB is built for beginners.
Final Take
Next time you swipe your debit card or wonder if your partner paid a credit card bill, consider combining your efforts and your finances into one convenient budget app. Not only will this help save you money, but probably eliminate few arguments, as well.
Start budgeting as a team today — the right app can help you save more, cut down on stress and keep your finances in sync.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about the best budgeting apps for couples.- What is the best app for couples to budget together?
- Monarch allows for couples to collaboratively budget with multi-device syncing and joint goal setting.
- Can couples link bank accounts in budget apps?
- Yes, couples can link individual and joint accounts.
- How do budgeting apps help couples save money?
- It allows couples to share goals and have transparency, spending limits and shared accountability.
- Are budgeting apps safe for shared accounts?
- Yes, look for apps with encryption, 2FA and strong privacy policies.
- Should couples have separate or joint budgets?
- This depends on the couple's style. If you share most of your finances, then a shared budget makes sense.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
Data is accurate as of May 6, 2025, and is subject to change.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
