title: Best Budgeting Apps Under $161 for Freelancers (2025)
date: 2025-02-15
excerpt: Discover the best budgeting apps for freelancers in 2025, all priced under $161. This guide covers essential features, pros and cons, and expert insights to help you choose the right financial tool for your freelancing business.
tags: ["finance"]
image: 

Best Budgeting Apps Under $161 for Freelancers (2025)

Managing finances can be a daunting task for freelancers, especially when income can fluctuate significantly. Thankfully, budgeting apps can bring order to financial chaos, helping freelancers keep track of their expenses, income, and savings goals. This guide explores the best budgeting apps available in 2025, all priced under $161, providing freelancers with the tools they need to manage their finances effectively.

Overview

Freelancing allows for flexibility and independence, but it also comes with unique financial challenges. Budgeting apps can simplify expense tracking, invoicing, and savings management. In this guide, we will explore various budgeting apps, considering features that cater specifically to freelancers, including invoicing capabilities, tax tracking, and expense categorization.

Importance of Budgeting Apps for Freelancers

• Income Variability: Freelancers often experience fluctuating income, making it crucial to manage finances carefully.
• Expense Tracking: Keeping track of business expenses can reduce tax liabilities and improve profitability.
• Financial Goal Setting: Budgeting apps help freelancers set and achieve financial goals, such as saving for retirement or investing in further education.

Top Picks

Below is a comparison of the top budgeting apps for freelancers in 2025:

In-Depth Reviews

QuickBooks Self-Employed

• Best For: Freelancers and Sole Proprietors
• Price: $15/month
• Key Features:
  • Invoicing capabilities
  • Tax estimation
  • Expense tracking with photo receipts

Pros:

• Comprehensive invoicing features
• Integrated tax tools to help estimate quarterly taxes
• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• Monthly fee can add up over time
• Limited features for advanced accounting needs

Expert Insight: QuickBooks Self-Employed is ideal for freelancers who want an all-in-one solution for managing invoices and expenses while staying on top of tax obligations.

Wave

• Best For: Free Accounting
• Price: Free
• Key Features:
  • Free invoicing and accounting
  • Receipt scanning
  • Expense tracking

Pros:

• No cost for essential features
• Easy-to-use interface
• Offers payroll services (for a fee)

Cons:

• Limited customer support
• Some features may require payment

Expert Insight: Wave is a fantastic choice for freelancers just starting or those on a tight budget, offering robust features without the financial commitment.

YNAB (You Need A Budget)

• Best For: Comprehensive Budgeting
• Price: $14.99/month
• Key Features:
  • Goal-based budgeting
  • Real-time updates
  • Educational resources and workshops

Pros:

• Encourages proactive budgeting
• Offers extensive educational support
• Syncs across multiple devices

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• Monthly fee may deter some users

Expert Insight: YNAB is perfect for freelancers looking to take a proactive approach to budgeting, with a strong emphasis on financial education.

Mint

• Best For: General Budgeting
• Price: Free
• Key Features:
  • Bill tracking
  • Credit score monitoring
  • Expense categorization

Pros:

• Completely free with robust features
• User-friendly mobile app
• Comprehensive financial overview

Cons:

• Ads can be intrusive
• Limited customization options

Expert Insight: Mint is an excellent option for freelancers seeking a free tool that offers a complete overview of their finances while providing useful reminders for bill payments.

EveryDollar

• Best For: Simple Budgeting
• Price: $12/month
• Key Features:
  • Zero-based budgeting
  • Easy-to-navigate interface

Pros:

• Straightforward budgeting process
• Clean and intuitive design
• Ability to track bills

Cons:

• Limited features in the free version
• No investment tracking

Expert Insight: EveryDollar is perfect for those who prefer a simplified approach to budgeting without the complexities of more advanced apps.

GoodBudget

• Best For: Envelope Budgeting
• Price: Free
• Key Features:
  • Virtual envelope budgeting system
  • Expense tracking
  • Sync across devices

Pros:

• Encourages disciplined spending
• Accessible on multiple platforms
• Educational resources available

Cons:

• Manual entry required for transactions
• Limited features compared to paid apps

Expert Insight: GoodBudget is ideal for freelancers who appreciate the envelope budgeting method and want to maintain control over their spending.

PocketGuard

• Best For: Cash Flow Management
• Price: $7.99/month
• Key Features:
  • Automatic income and expense tracking
  • Savings goals tracking

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Quick overview of available cash
• Helps identify recurring expenses

Cons:

• Limited customization options
• Some users may find features lacking

Expert Insight: PocketGuard is a great choice for freelancers who wish to have a straightforward approach to managing cash flow while staying aware of their spending habits.

Personal Capital

• Best For: Investment Tracking
• Price: Free
• Key Features:
  • Wealth management tools
  • Retirement planning tools
  • Expense tracking

Pros:

• Excellent for investment tracking
• Free financial dashboard
• Comprehensive retirement planning tools

Cons:

• Focused more on investments than budgeting
• Limited customer support

Expert Insight: Personal Capital is ideal for freelancers wanting to take a serious look at their investments and retirement planning while still tracking their spending.

How We Picked

Our selection process involved:

1. User Reviews: Analyzing user feedback from various platforms to gauge real-world effectiveness.
2. Key Features: Identifying essential features that cater specifically to freelancers, such as invoicing, tax tracking, and expense categorization.
3. Pricing: Ensuring each app is under the $161 threshold and offering value for money.
4. Expert Recommendations: Consulting financial experts and industry reports to validate our selections.

Alternatives

If the options listed above don't meet your needs, consider exploring these alternatives:

• Zoho Books: Comprehensive accounting features but may be overkill for simple budgeting needs.
• Tiller Money: Excellent for spreadsheet enthusiasts but requires a bit more setup.
• Kakebo: A traditional Japanese budgeting method, focusing on mindful spending.

FAQs

1. What is a budgeting app, and why do I need one as a freelancer?

A budgeting app helps you track your income, expenses, and savings goals. As a freelancer, it can help you manage fluctuating income and ensure you cover your expenses effectively.

2. Are there free budgeting apps available for freelancers?

Yes, apps like Wave, Mint, and GoodBudget offer free features that can cater to the needs of freelancers without any cost.

3. How can budgeting apps help with taxes?

Many budgeting apps allow you to categorize expenses and generate reports, which can simplify the process of preparing for tax season.

4. What features should I look for in a budgeting app as a freelancer?

Look for invoicing capabilities, expense tracking, tax estimation features, and ease of use. Real-time updates and mobile access are also beneficial.

5. Can I use multiple budgeting apps at the same time?

Yes, many freelancers choose to combine apps to cover different aspects of their financial management, such as using an invoicing app alongside a budgeting app.

6. How do I choose the right budgeting app for my needs?

Consider your specific financial management needs, the features you value most, your budget, and whether you prefer a simple or comprehensive tool.

Final Verdict

Selecting the right budgeting app is crucial for freelancers looking to manage their finances effectively in 2025. With various options available under $161, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each app. Whether you need comprehensive accounting tools or a simple budgeting interface, there’s an app tailored to your needs.

Investing time in finding the right budgeting app can lead to better financial health, greater insight into your spending habits, and ultimately, a more successful freelance career. Take your time to explore the options mentioned in this guide, and choose the one that aligns best with your financial goals.