title: "Best Budgeting Apps Under $105 for Freelancers (2025)"
date: 2025-02-01
excerpt: "Explore the best budgeting apps under $105 tailored for freelancers in 2025. Discover features, pricing, and expert insights to enhance your financial management. Perfect for those looking to optimize their finances without breaking the bank."
tags: ["finance"]
image: ""

Best Budgeting Apps Under $105 for Freelancers (2025)

Managing finances as a freelancer can be challenging, especially when it comes to budgeting. With fluctuating incomes and varying expenses, it's crucial to have the right tools to help keep your finances in check. This guide will explore the best budgeting apps under $105 designed specifically for freelancers in 2025.

Overview

In 2025, the landscape of personal finance management has evolved significantly, with numerous budgeting apps catering to the unique needs of freelancers. These apps not only help track income and expenses but also offer features such as invoicing, tax estimates, and financial goal setting. This guide will detail some of the top options available, highlighting their features, pros and cons, and pricing to help you make an informed decision.

Top Picks

In-Depth Reviews

YNAB (You Need A Budget)

Price: $84/year
Best For: Comprehensive budgeting

YNAB is a standout choice for freelancers who want to take complete control of their finances. The app follows a unique budgeting philosophy that emphasizes giving every dollar a job, which is particularly useful for managing irregular income.

Key Features:

• Real-Time Tracking: Easily track your spending as it happens.
• Goal Setting: Set and track financial goals for better motivation.
• Educational Resources: Access to workshops and webinars that teach budgeting fundamentals.

Pros:

• Highly effective budgeting method.
• Strong community support and resources.
• Excellent customer service.

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for beginners.
• Subscription-based payment model.

Mint

Price: Free
Best For: All-in-one personal finance

Mint is a free budgeting app that offers a comprehensive suite of financial management tools. It helps freelancers track expenses, manage bills, and monitor credit scores all in one place.

Key Features:

• Free Budgeting: Create a budget and receive alerts when you exceed limits.
• Bill Tracking: Keep track of upcoming bills to avoid late fees.
• Credit Score Monitoring: Free access to your credit score with tips for improvement.

Pros:

• Completely free with no hidden fees.
• User-friendly interface.
• Strong integration with bank accounts and credit cards.

Cons:

• Ads can be intrusive.
• Limited customization options for budgets.

PocketGuard

Price: $34.99/year
Best For: Simplified budgeting

PocketGuard is designed for users who want a straightforward approach to budgeting. It shows you how much disposable income you have after accounting for bills, goals, and necessities.

Key Features:

• Income Tracking: Automatically tracks income from various sources.
• Savings Goals: Set savings goals and track your progress.
• Automatic Expense Categorization: Simplifies the process of managing expenses.

Pros:

• Intuitive and easy to use.
• Provides a clear overview of financial health.
• Useful for tracking subscriptions and recurring expenses.

Cons:

• Limited features compared to more comprehensive apps.
• Some users may find the financial insights lacking.

EveryDollar

Price: $99/year
Best For: Zero-based budgeting

EveryDollar is a budgeting app based on the zero-based budgeting method, where every dollar is assigned a specific purpose. This app is great for freelancers looking to gain control over their expenses.

Key Features:

• Customizable Budget Categories: Create a budget that fits your lifestyle.
• Debt Tracking: Monitor your debts and repayment progress.
• User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate and set up budgets.

Pros:

• Focuses on a proven budgeting strategy.
• Simple layout that is easy to understand.
• Syncs with bank accounts for easy tracking.

Cons:

• The free version is limited in features.
• Requires a subscription for advanced features.

GoodBudget

Price: Free / $60/year
Best For: Envelope budgeting

GoodBudget is a virtual envelope budgeting app that helps users allocate their income into different spending categories, similar to traditional envelope budgeting methods.

Key Features:

• Virtual Envelope System: Allocate funds for specific spending categories.
• Debt Tracking: Keep tabs on debts and repayment strategies.
• Sync Across Devices: Access your budget from any device.

Pros:

• Flexible and adaptable to different budgeting styles.
• Excellent for users familiar with envelope budgeting.
• Free version available with sufficient features.

Cons:

• Limited features in the free version.
• Lacks some advanced financial tools.

Personal Capital

Price: Free
Best For: Investment tracking

Personal Capital offers a robust set of tools for budgeting and investment tracking, making it a great choice for freelancers who want to manage both their spending and investments in one place.

Key Features:

• Portfolio Tracking: Keep an eye on your investments and their performance.
• Retirement Planning: Tools to help you plan for retirement.
• Fee Analyzer: Analyze fees associated with your investments.

Pros:

• Comprehensive financial overview that includes investments.
• Excellent for retirement planning.
• Free to use with powerful features.

Cons:

• Focused more on investments than on basic budgeting.
• Some features require personal information that some users may find intrusive.

Wally

Price: Free
Best For: Expense tracking

Wally is a straightforward expense tracking app that allows freelancers to monitor their spending habits easily. With features like receipt scanning and multi-currency support, it's a versatile tool.

Key Features:

• Receipt Scanning: Capture and categorize your receipts easily.
• Multi-Currency Support: Ideal for freelancers who work with international clients.
• Budget Creation: Set budgets and track your spending against them.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface.
• Good for tracking daily expenses.
• Supports multiple currencies.

Cons:

• Limited budgeting features compared to others.
• Some users report issues with app stability.

Simple

Price: Free
Best For: Banking and budgeting combo

Simple is not just a budgeting app; it also offers banking services. It integrates budgeting directly with your banking experience, making it easy to manage money in one place.

Key Features:

• Built-in Budgeting Features: Create budgets directly linked to your bank account.
• Expense Tracking: Track your spending in real time.
• User-Friendly Interface: Streamlined design for easy navigation.

Pros:

• Convenient banking and budgeting in one platform.
• Easy to set savings goals.
• Free to use with no hidden fees.

Cons:

• Limited to users in the U.S.
• May not have advanced budgeting features.

How We Picked

To curate this list of the best budgeting apps for freelancers, we evaluated the following criteria:

1. Pricing: All apps are under $105, ensuring affordability for freelancers.
2. Features: We focused on apps that offer essential budgeting tools, such as expense tracking, income management, and goal setting.
3. User Experience: We considered user reviews and ease of use to ensure that freelancers can quickly adapt to each app.
4. Support and Resources: Apps that offer educational resources and customer support received higher ratings.
5. Compatibility: We ensured that the apps work across different devices and platforms for ease of access.

Alternatives

If the apps listed above don't meet your needs, here are additional alternatives worth considering:

• Zeta: A budgeting app designed for couples that allows shared financial management.
• Clarity Money: Offers features for tracking subscriptions and managing bills.
• Tiller Money: A spreadsheet-based budgeting tool that offers customization through Google Sheets.
• Spendee: A visually appealing app that allows users to manage shared expenses.

FAQs

1. What is the best budgeting app for freelancers?
While it depends on individual needs, YNAB is highly recommended for its comprehensive features and educational resources.

2. Are there any free budgeting apps available?
Yes, apps like Mint and Wally offer robust free versions suitable for freelancers.

3. How do I choose the right budgeting app for my needs?
Consider your specific financial management needs, user experience, and which features are most important to you, such as expense tracking or investment management.

4. Can budgeting apps help with tax preparation?
Many budgeting apps, like GoodBudget and YNAB, offer features that can help you track expenses, which is essential for tax preparation.

5. Are all budgeting apps safe to use?
Most reputable budgeting apps use encryption and security measures to protect your financial information. Always check reviews and security features before choosing an app.

6. Can I access these budgeting apps on multiple devices?
Many of the apps listed, such as Mint and GoodBudget, support multi-device access, allowing you to manage your finances on the go.

Final Verdict

Choosing the right budgeting app is essential for freelancers looking to manage their finances effectively in 2025. With a variety of options under $105, there is something for everyone, from comprehensive tools like YNAB to simpler solutions like Mint and Wally. Assess your specific needs, consider the features that matter most to you, and select an app that will help streamline your financial management process. With the right budgeting app, you can enhance your financial health, stay organized, and focus more on what you do best—your freelance work.