Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
Whether you're saving for a rainy day or a dream vacation, the best money-saving apps can help you reach your savings goals faster. These apps use various techniques to make saving money easier—and more enjoyable. Here are our favorite apps to help boost your bank account, whether you're an experienced saver or just getting started.
Best money-saving apps compared 2024
| Title | Best for | Monthly fee |
|---|---|---|
Simplifi | Managing your finances | $2.39/mo ($28.73 billed annually) |
Rakuten | Cash back | $0 |
Upside | Gas rebates | $1 fee for cashing out small dollar amounts ($10 or less for banks; $15 or less for Paypal) |
BillTrim | Lowering your bill | One-time $99 fee |
Acorns | Investing spare change | $3 per month for Acorns Personal; $5 per month for Acorns Personal Plus; $9 per month for Acorns Premium |
Revolut | Hands-off investing | Minimum fee: $0.25/month (0.25% management fee/year) |
Qapital | Goal setting | $3, $6, or $12/month |
Oportun | Simplicity | $5/month; 30-day free trial with download |
Rocket Money | Tracking expenses | Free; Premium: $3 to $12/month |
YNAB | Budgeting | $14.99/month; Free 34-day trial with no credit card or commitment requirements |
Guac | Saving while you spend | $0; Pro version: $4.99/month |
Our recommendations for the best money-saving apps
Best for managing your finances: Quicken Simplifi
Simplifi
Simplifi
LIMITED TIME 3-month free trial to existing Mint users
Quicken Simplifi offers various tools designed to make your finances more manageable. You can link your bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts for a broad view of your finances. The user-friendly app also lets you create monthly spending plans, manage monthly bill payments (and receive payment reminders), and set personalized savings goals. It is one of our top recommended Mint alternative. Monthly plans start at $2.39. Currently Quicken Simplifi is running a promotion for a limited time only: get 50% off if you switch from Mint App.
Best for cash back: Rakuten
Rakuten Rewards
Rakuten Rewards
Rakuten is a free app that helps you save money on everyday purchases. The app offers cash back, deals, and coupons at over 3,500 stores on everything from clothes and electronics to restaurants and ridesharing. Once you sign up, you can shop with the Rakuten app, browser extension, or website to score cash back when you make online and in-store purchases. You'll get a cash-back payment every three months by check or Paypal.
Best for gas rebates: Upside
Upside
Upside
Upside says its cash-back offers are “like finding money in your pocket, everyday!” The app finds cash-back deals from local gas stations, restaurants, and a limited number of grocery stores. Tap “claim” when you see an offer you like, then shop as usual using the credit or debit card that you linked to your Upside account. Wait for the offer to process, and then cash out your earnings directly to your bank account, PayPal, or a gift card. Cash outs aren’t instantaneous: Gift card and PayPal transfers can take up to 48 hours, and bank deposits can take up to seven business days. There is also a $1 fee for cashing out small dollar amounts ($10 or less for banks; $15 or less for Paypal).
Best for lowering your bills: BillTrim
BillTrim
BillTrim
BillTrim is a bill negotiation platform that works with your cable, phone, internet, utility, and other service providers to save up to $900 on your bills. You’ll link your bills and bank account to the platform, and when a bill is due, BillTrim automatically pays the bill for you. BillTrim also monitors your bills and tries to lower any price increases before your next autopay goes through. There’s a One-time $99 fee fee, and unlike many bill-lowering platforms, BillTrim doesn’t take a cut of the savings.
Best for investing spare change: Acorns
Acorns
Acorns
Acorns says it "puts investing on autopilot." Its Round-Ups feature automatically invests your spare change in a diversified portfolio of ETFs managed by pros at top investment firms like BlackRock and Vanguard—so you can save and invest with little to no effort. Acorns adjusts the portfolio as needed so you can stay on track with your goals. Acorns offers three subscription plans that cost $3, $5, or $9 per month.
Best for hands-off investing: Revolut
Revolut
Revolut
Revolut offers money management tools, travel perks, and a fully automated robo-advisor for hands-off investing. You can start with just $100 and then set up one-off or recurring deposits to boost your investment opportunities. You'll get a diversified portfolio that matches your risk appetite, and Revolut automatically rebalances it so you stay on track. The management fees are a competitive 0.25% per year, with a monthly minimum fee of $0.25.
Best for goal setting: Qapital
Qapital
Qapital
Qapital lets you create unlimited, personalized savings goals and make rules to trigger automatic saving. For example, you can make rules to save your spare change every time you swipe your card, save $2 every time you buy a coffee, or stash 20% of your paycheck. Qapital also lets you create shared savings goals to help you and your partner reach a common goal together. Monthly subscriptions cost $3, $6, or $12.
Best for simplicity: Oportun (formerly Digit)
Oportun
Oportun
Oportun is a simple app that links with your bank account and uses AI to calculate how much you can afford to save based on your income and spending habits. It then regularly moves small amounts of money from checking to savings when it's safe to save for your specific goals. You can set a maximum daily transfer amount or a safe savings level (a minimum checking account balance). Oportun costs $5 a month, but you can download the app for a free 30-day trial.
Best for tracking expenses: Rocket Money
Rocket Money
Rocket Money
Rocket Money (the same company behind Rocket Mortgage) helps you save on expenses by analyzing your billing history to see what you're spending on monthly subscriptions, with the option to cancel the ones you no longer use. The app also has tools to track your spending, create budgets, and automate your savings to help you get (and stay) on financial track. Rocket Money is free, but Premium subscriptions cost between $3 and $12 monthly.
Like Simplifi, we recommend Rocket Money as a great alternative to the Mint App which is shutting down. Find more information on our comprehensive comparison review.
Best for budgeting: You Need a Budget (YNAB)
YNAB Money Management Tool
YNAB Money Management Tool
YNAB (pronounced "why-nab") is a money management app that lets you connect all your accounts and track them in one place. The app is based on four rules aimed at changing your relationship with money:
- Give every dollar a job.
- Embrace your true expenses.
- Roll with the punches.
- Age your money.
YNAB says the average new user saves $600 by their second month and $6,000 in the first year. Subscriptions cost $14.99 per month or $99 annually, but you can sign up for a free 34-day trial with no credit card or commitment requirements.
Best for saving while you spend: Guac
Guac
Guac
Guac is a straightforward app that lets you define what you’re saving for, how much you want to save, and when you want to reach your goal. The app automatically transfers a small percentage of your daily spending into your Guac funds so you can save while you spend. Once you reach your goal, you can use the Guac Marketplace to make your purchase and earn cash back. Guac offers $0; Pro version: $4.99/month.
Our methodology
To determine the best money-saving apps, we evaluated mobile apps with features designed to make saving money easy or automatic. Examples of attributes include round-ups for saving spare change, customizable savings goals to keep users motivated, and cash-back offers to save on everyday purchases. We considered dozens of apps, and our favorites have a user-friendly interface, at least one money-saving tool, and positive user reviews in the Apple App Store and Google Play store.
How to use apps to save money
Money-saving apps use different techniques to help you save. For example, some round up your purchases, adding the spare change to your savings or investment account. Others offer budgeting tools to help keep your spending and saving on track—or personalized goals to keep you motivated. Once you choose an app, you can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play store, set up an account, connect your other financial accounts, and start saving.
To transfer money to friends and family, consider using a money-transfer app like Cash App.
Are money-saving apps safe?
Reputable apps take multiple security measures to protect account data. Still, app safety varies by company, and money-saving apps are no exception. Review the terms and conditions to learn how the app uses and protects your personal information.
Why should you use a money-saving app?
Money-saving apps can make it easier to reach your savings goals, whether you need cash for a down payment, dream vacation, or anything else. Most of these apps help you save a little at a time, with the idea that those small amounts add up over time. A high-yield savings account, high-yield checking account, or investing app can be a good next step once your savings goals are on track.
High-yield savings accounts
Once you've built up some savings, consider stashing your cash in a high-yield savings account to put your money to work. These accounts pay a higher interest rate than traditional savings accounts. Rates vary by bank, but online banks generally offer the best savings account interest rates.
High-yield checking accounts
A high-yield checking account is a good option for everyday expenses and paying bills. These accounts generally offer several convenient ways to access cash, including checks, online bill pay, debit cards, and a network of fee-free ATMs. You can usually find the best high-yield checking account rates at online banks rather than brick-and-mortar ones.
Investing apps
If you've saved some money and want a higher potential return than a deposit account offers, you might want to consider one of the best investing apps. Many investing apps are aimed at new investors just starting to learn about the financial markets—and interested in making small investments. Keep in mind that investing apps charge a monthly subscription fee or trading commissions. Be sure to read the fine print so there aren't any surprises when you get your account statement.
TIME Stamp: Saving money is hard, but these apps make it easier
Saving for a financial goal is never easy, whether you're stashing cash for an emergency fund or something fun, like a bucket list trip. Months of inflation, soaring mortgage rates, and economic uncertainty haven't helped. The good news is that money-saving apps can make saving a little less painful—and even fun—so you can reach your financial goals sooner.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the best app to help save money?
There are numerous money-saving apps available, offering a variety of tools and techniques to help you save. Still, the best app is one that works with your lifestyle and makes saving easier for you. For example, Acorns and Chime are excellent choices if you like the idea of saving spare change a little at a time. On the other hand, if you could benefit from setting personalized savings goals—and the motivation they can provide—Qapital is a worthy option.
What is the best round-up app for saving money?
With round-ups, your purchases are rounded up to the next dollar, with the difference going into a savings or investing account. Acorns and Chime are popular and highly rated round-up tools designed to make saving a breeze.
Is it safe to use money-saving apps?
Many money-saving apps are safe to use. Legitimate ones are transparent about how they use and protect your personal information. If unsure about an app, research the company, read online user reviews, and check its Google Play or Apple App Store ratings and download statistics.
The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.