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With so many financial apps, websites, and tools, there’s little excuse for not staying on top of your finances. Whether you want help budgeting, investing, exploring cryptocurrency, managing credit, or just about anything else in your financial life, well, there’s an app for that, a website, or a tool to assist you. Here’s a look at a few of them. 

Budgeting apps & tools

A budget can lead you to the path of prosperity.

1. YNAB

Consider YNAB (You Need A Budget). This app pops up on financial experts’ list of favorites. “YNAB takes a proactive approach, encouraging you to assign every dollar a job and track your financial progress with insightful reports. It’s all about making your money work for you, not the other way around,” says Shinobu Hindert, a certified financial planner and author of Investing Is Your Superpower.

Furthermore, YNAB’s real-time syncing with bank accounts and its educational resources can improve financial discipline and planning, says Taylor Kovar, a certified financial planner and CEO of PhysicianFinancialPlanning.com. He points out that YNAB may have a learning curve for investing newbies and requires a subscription fee. “But for many people, it is more than worth the value,” says Erika Kullberg, an attorney and personal finance expert.

2. Honeydue

Hindert also likes Honeydue, a financial app for couples.

“It’s your go-to free app for seamless budgeting with your partner. Imagine linking all your financial accounts and effortlessly coordinating your bill payments. Honeydue makes this a reality with features like reminders to ensure you never miss a bill and a notes function that allows you and your partner to communicate about transactions within the app,” she says.

Credit apps & tools

Your credit score is one of your most important digits. A good credit score can get you lower interest rates on loans, a greenlight for an apartment, and more. 

3. Intuit Credit Karma

Intuit Credit Karma, an AI-powered platform, offers free credit scores and reports, along with credit monitoring.

“Its standout feature is personalized recommendations, tailored to help you improve your credit profile,” says Hindert. A side benefit: Intuit is also home to Mint, which helps you to track spending and find opportunities to save money.

4. Experian

“It allows me to know my credit score at any time and alerts me when there are changes. I have used it to freeze my credit file to prevent others from using my credit unknowingly. Embedded in their platform are tools to help you increase your credit and get more favorable credit cards and auto insurance. The best part is most of the features are free,” says Sprung, who also touts Experian’s educational tools. 

Investing apps & tools

Anything simplifying investing is a good thing. Hindert says investing apps like Acorns, Robinhood, and Stash are revolutionizing how beginners approach investing. 

5. Acorns

“Acorns stands out by simplifying the process through its roundup feature, which invests spare change from daily purchases into diversified ETF portfolios. Users love this,” says Hindert. Acorns has no deposit minimums and offers educational content to guide new investors.

6. Robinhood

Robinhood offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. Its user-friendly interface and educational resources make it popular among novice and experienced investors, says Hindert.

“It’s a platform that can grow with you over time. With no account minimums and the ability to buy fractional shares, it’s a cost-effective and simple option, though it lacks mutual funds and bonds,” says Hindert.

7. Stash

Stash combines a robo-adviser and self-directed brokerage, providing personalized investment advice and access to retirement accounts.

“It offers low account minimums and valuable educational resources,” says Hindert. Stash does have monthly subscription fees.

Crypto apps & tools

There’s a lot of curiosity about cryptocurrency. If you want to dabble in it, there are resources to help you make sense of it.

8. Binance

Binance comes recommended by Scott Lieberman, founder of TouchdownMoney.com. “It features low trading costs and more than 50 cryptocurrency options. If you want to invest in crypto, this is a great choice,” he says. However, he adds that Binance isn’t available in every state. 

9. Coinbase

Another option is Coinbase, a platform for buying, selling, and storing a variety of cryptocurrencies. “It has a user-friendly interface and educational resources for beginners. It offers secure storage and a variety of cryptocurrencies,” says Kovar. However, he adds, “There are higher fees compared to some other crypto exchanges, and it may not be ideal for advanced traders.”

The takeaway 

Let technology relieve you of some of the heavy lifting in your financial life. Find the apps, websites, and tools that best help you achieve your financial goals. Says Saundra Curry, co-founder of BC Holdings of Tennessee, which offers financial wellness programs to organizations, “Choose an app that best fits your goals. It will keep you on track if you are diligent and use it the right way. It can help you build wealth.”