Managing personal finances can be very overwhelming, especially with all the tasks it entails: tracking budgets, keeping an eye on credit scores, managing bills, and even planning for retirement.
Happily, there is a lot of personal finance software that could help you make sense of it all. The problem is, of course, knowing which to use. Here is a simplified breakdown of some of the best personal finance software tools to consider in 2025
Empower: Great for Wealth Management and Budgeting
If you are looking for a one-stop tool for tracking budgeting and investments, then you can go for Empower. The best thing about this app is that it is free. It enables easy tracking of income, spending, and saving, along with categorizing your expenses.
It also tracks your bills and credit card statements and lets you project your spending so that you may have better control over your finances. While it has great budgeting and investment tracking features, the asset allocation options might be a bit too narrow for some users.
Pros
- Free to use
- Tracks budgeting and investments in one tool
- Helpful in spending analysis
Cons
- Asset allocation is limited
- The budgeting tool needs work
YNAB (You Need A Budget): Best for Budgeting and Money Management
YNAB is the perfect tool for those serious about mastering their budget. It is particularly helpful for people who are new to budgeting. YNAB uses color coding to show you how well you are sticking to your budget, making it easy to track your spending and progress. It also helps you plan ahead for bills so you’re not scrambling to find the money when they are due.
What sets YNAB apart is its educational approach. The app teaches you how to build a healthy relationship with money and guides you in setting up long-term goals.
Pros:
- Focuses heavily on budgeting
- Offers useful financial advice and tips
- Affordable and easy to use
Cons:
- Does not cover all areas of personal finance (e.g., investing)
- No direct customer support (phone or email)
Experian Boost: Best for Boosting Your Credit Score
Experian Boost is free and allows you to include utility and phone payments in the credit score calculation. It is easy to use and can quickly boost the credit score of many users. This can help you get a better interest rate on loans or credit cards.
The boost is purely based on a good payment history, and so if you pay bills such as your phone or electricity on time, it can easily give a boost to your score. Not all lenders use this enhanced credit score, though.
Pros:
- Boosts the credit score within a very short period
- Instant score updates
Cons:
- Only accessible on Experian’s credit file
- The results cannot be guaranteed for everyone
Facet Wealth: Best for Finding an Affordable Financial Advisor
Facet Wealth is the best personal finance budgeting software for people who wish to have professional advice with regards to finance without the high charges they get from traditional advisors.
In Facet Wealth, one has a dedicated financial advisor, directly working with you to set up retirement planning, deal with taxes, insurance, and other life-planning goals. It follows a flat-fee pricing system; therefore, you can be assured of no hidden costs.
This is an excellent tool if you are seeking expert advice with your financial planning; this platform gives you access to fiduciary certified professionals.
Pros:
- Flat-fee pricing
- Personal, one-on-one financial advisor support
- Comprehensive financial planning services
Cons:
- The price is too high for some users
- Ideal for users with more complex needs
Quicken: Best for a Full Finance Experience
Quicken is one of the most well-known names in personal finance software. It is a complete tool that provides budgeting, bill tracking, and even investment management. You can sync all your accounts to Quicken and automatically pull in your expenses, income, and bills.
Quicken allows you to handle your bills and reminds you about the due date so you will never miss one. However, users sometimes face syncing issues and terrible customer support, which is a huge drawback for users who seek an experience that does not make any mistakes.
Pros
- A variety of features, from budgeting to paying bills
- Powerful portfolio management
- It can connect to almost all bank accounts and bills
Cons
- It may get a syncing problem
- Customer support can be improved
- Premium programs can be expensive
PocketSmith: Best for Forecasting Your Finances
PocketSmith is best suited for customers who want to forecast and plan their future finances. The budget calendar in the app is easy to use, a bit like Google Calendar, where one can track and manage their money for the future, not just the present.
PocketSmith lets you set flexible budgets for whatever period, whether it is a month or a few months down the line. You can even analyze “what-if” scenarios and so get ready for what life will bring your way. It would be great if you are one of those individuals who look ahead and foresee how their finances will be.
Pros:
- Flexible budgeting on any time frame
- Will provide financial forecasting
- Tracks any one-off events and plans on
Cons:
- Learning curve on the part of new users
- Limited features in the free version
Conclusion
The right personal finance software is one that suits your individual needs. Whether you have the focus on budgeting, boosting your credit score, or getting expert advice, there is a tool out there for you.
If you are new to budgeting and need guidance, YNAB is the one to try.
If you want the best software for personal finance tool for managing all aspects of your financial life, Quicken might be your best option.
For those who are looking for professional advice at a budget price, Facet Wealth is a good solution. If your credit score needs improvement, Experian Boost is the solution that can get it done quickly and free of charge.