Want To Manage Your Money As A Couple? Here Are The Best Apps To Use

At some point in your relationship, as it starts to get serious, you’ve got to talk about money.

Who is the main earner? Is someone hogging all the money? Do you have financial goals, with regard to saving for vacations or retirement planning, or wedding plans?

Do either of you have student loans or cards to pay off? If you decide to have kids, are you going to save for their future. Do you want to buy a house or apartment? 

Whether you choose to pool your money together, or keep your finances separate, it often pays to get organized about your finances - sometimes literally.

If both parties know how much money is being spent in different areas, it keeps arguments over money at bay.

And when you can see what’s coming in and where it’s being spent, the two of you can work towards your financial goals as a team, and problem-solve together as things crop up.

You needn’t be put off using a budgeting app if you want to keep your money in separate accounts. There are apps for that too.

In this article, I’ll walk you through what to consider when choosing your budgeting app, before bringing you quick reviews of the ones I believe are the best for couples.

And without further ado, let’s get straight to it.

Also read: How To Apply For a PPP Loan 

What To Consider When Choosing A Couple's Budgeting App

Here are a few things to consider when choosing which app to use.

Syncing With Your Bank Accounts

Having a budget app that automatically syncs with your bank account saves a lot of manual work. But the two of you would have to consent to having your bank information stored in a budgeting app, which may not be as secure as a banking app.

Also read: How you can Calculate Retained Earnings

Free Vs Paid

It may seem counterintuitive to pay for a budgeting app when your goal is to better manage your money. However, some paid apps can be really good and are worth the subscription fee.

Device Operating System

Personally, I like to view my budget and financial information on my laptop. But there’s a lot to be said for being able to access this information at any time, such as on your smartphone.

Planning Ahead Vs Spending Monitoring

Some budgeting apps expect users to plan exactly how much they are going to spend each month in every category, whereas others merely monitor your spending, so you’re only being reactive and not proactive.

Also read: Calculate Net Income

Customer Rating

Some of the newer budgeting apps can be buggy, so be sure to check out user reviews

The Best Budgeting Apps For Couples

Here follows a quick rundown of 5 of what I believe are the best budgeting apps for couples. They aren’t listed in any particular order.

You Need a Budget (YNAB)

Compatibility: Web browser, iPhone, Android, iPad, Apple Watch, Amazon Alexa

Paid or Free: Paid - but there’s a 34-day free trial

This is a great app for couples who like to plan ahead, rather than merely reacting to the monitoring of their finances and spending. You just sit down together and decide how much money you want to spend in each category for the month ahead.

But you don’t have to stick with the same budget. If you find one month that you have to spend more on something than you originally intended, you can make adjustments and allocate more money to this from elsewhere.

It’s great for both couples with a joint account and those without one and who have separate bank accounts instead.

Also read: What is Annual Income?  

Honeydue

Compatibility: Web browser, iPhone, Android

Paid or Free: Free

This budgeting app has some really great features for couples. You can add separate accounts, including a joint account if you decide to open one.

But crucially, you can track how much of each category your partner can see, so if you want to hide how much you spend on cosmetics, porn, or gifts for your partner, you can do so with ease.

Another great thing about this app is how you can set up reminders for your partner to pay a particular bill. And of course you can track who paid for what and if one of you owes money to the other.

You can also message each other on the app about your money, so you don’t have to bring it up in the bedroom (super handy!).

Goodbudget

Compatibility: Web browser, iPhone, Android

Paid or Free: Free but upgrades are available

This app, formerly known as EEBA, the Easy Envelope Budget Aid, is also worthy of a spot on my shortlist…

You can track everything, plan ahead, edit your budgeting as required, roll unused funds over, split shared expenses, choose your preferred budgeting period, search transactions, save for the future, and monitor your cash flow, so you live within your means. And there are no annoying ads!

The free version gives you 20 virtual envelopes to assign your money to, but you can upgrade and get unlimited envelopes. And you can sync up to 5 devices.

Zeta Joint Account

Compatibility: Web browser, iPhone, Android

Paid or Free: Free

If you have a joint account that you rely on for certain things, you have to be able to know that you have enough money in there for everything you might want to use it for. And with this app you get perfect transparency.

When you sign up, you get one joint bank account, along with two debit cards, and tons of smart automation. It pays your bills for you so you don’t have to worry about them.

The app couldn’t be more secure, and they definitely do not sell on your data!

Wrap Up

I would encourage you not to waste too much time deciding which app to get. Once you have an app in mind, the sooner you start using it, the quicker it will be to establish where you’re both going to take your money from here. Good luck!

Your check stubs can be used as part of tracking your finances. Use them along with your credit card statements so you can have a better understanding of incomings and outgoings.

Also read: How Is Net Worth Calculated?