7 Best Money Apps [2026]: Free + Low-Cost Apps We Love (original) (raw)

These days, there's no shortage of money apps out there to help you get your finances on track without breaking the bank. This includes apps that are totally free, apps that offer free versions, and apps that provide free trials of inexpensive subscriptions. Whether you're looking for apps to help you make money, save more, or manage the money you have, or even all of the above, you have options.

We've rounded up a list of the best money apps on the market. The right money app for you depends on your financial goals and the amount of time and effort you're willing to invest in an app.

How we rate products

When choosing the best money apps, we started by considering the various reasons someone might use a money app (e.g., budgeting, investing, earning cash back, etc.). We aimed to include apps that meet a variety of needs.

When comparing apps, we considered factors like cost, features available, ease of use, and the potential earnings and/or savings it offered. Ultimately, we wanted to include apps that are easiest to use and offer the greatest bang for your buck.

Keep in mind that there are hundreds of money apps on the market, and we couldn’t try every single one for this review. Just because you don’t see an app listed in this review doesn’t mean it won’t help you reach your goals.

Compare the best money-making and money-management apps

| | Best for | Pricing | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Rocket Money | Monitoring your spending | Free to $14/month | | Acorns | Micro-investing | 3to3 to 3to12/month | | Survey Junkie | Making money by taking surveys | Free | | **Chime**1

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. 

There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.

Rocket Money

Best for: Monitoring your spending

Pricing: Free to $12/month

Rocket Money has quickly become one of the most popular budgeting apps on the market, especially since Mint was discontinued. The platform offers both free and paid accounts, but you need the paid version to do most things. A Premium Membership allows you to pay whatever you think is fair, between around 7and7 and 7and14 a month — which you won't see with other apps.

I found Rocket Money's spending insights to be more impressive than many other budgeting apps. For example, it sent me a notification to let me know my water bill was $15 higher than last month. It also tracks your subscriptions and can cancel them for you or negotiate bills. Just be prepared to pay between 35% and 60% of your savings, which feels high to me.

Alternatives to consider

Trim could be a good tool for finding and canceling unwanted subscriptions. Quicken Simplifi and YNAB are budgeting apps that can help you monitor your spending.

Pros

• Robust spending insights
• Pay what you think is fair model
• Offers credit score tracking
• Tracks and cancels subscriptions for you

Cons

• Many features require a fee
• Takes a cut of negotiated savings
• Limited reporting features

Visit Rocket Money | Read our full Rocket Money review.

Acorns

Best for: Micro-investing

Pricing: 3to3 to 3to12/month

Acorns is a great option if you're looking for an app that can check a lot of boxes on your financial to-do list. It's known for its micro-investing features and diversified ETF portfolios. As a parent, I love that Acorns has retirement accounts, taxable brokerage accounts, and custodial accounts all in one place (though you need the most expensive $12 plan to access all these).

One of the platform's most popular features is its automatic round-ups to your savings or investments. If you have a hard time saving money, this could help you hit your goals without much impact on your lifestyle. On top of investing, Acorns offers a solid 2.18% (as of 12/11/25) APY3

The product and annual percentage yield (APY) data displayed on this website is gathered from various sources and may not reflect all of the offers available in your area. Although we strive to provide the most accurate data possible, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Always verify account details and availability with the financial institution before opening an account.

Alternative to consider

If you like Acorns's features but aren't sure it's right for you, you could also consider Stash, which lets you pick individual stocks (including fractional shares) rather than having a pre-built ETF portfolio. It also comes with automatic round-ups, retirement accounts, and kids' accounts.

Pros

• Offers automatic savings round-ups
• Diversified ETF portfolios
• High APY on savings
• Low investment minimum

Cons

• Requires a monthly fee
• Doesn't offer individual stocks
• No tax-loss harvesting

Visit Acorns | Read our full Acorns review.

Oportun (formerly Digit)

Best for: Saving automatically

Pricing: $5/month

Oportun (formerly Digit) is a budgeting and savings app that can help you save for specific goals while tracking your spending. It stands out from other budgeting platforms because it saves automatically with its Set & Save feature. You connect your bank account so Oportun can learn your habits, factoring for everything from bills to your income and spending patterns. Then you set savings goals, and Oportun makes small transfers with money it determines you don't have an immediate need for. This differs from round-up savings transfers you'll see with some checking accounts and investing accounts like Acorns because these typically just round each transaction up to the nearest dollar and transfer the extra to savings.

The obvious downside here is you're losing some control over your finances. Not everyone likes the idea of money being withdrawn from their accounts without knowing exactly how much and when, but you can always transfer money back if you end up needing it. Oportun also has some safety measures, like automatic transfers back to your checking account to avoid an overdraft.

Alternative to consider

If you want a similar app without smart transfers, consider Qapital, which gives you more control over and options for automating your saving.

Pros

• Moves safe-to-save money from checking for you
• Can set unlimited savings goals
• Has overdraft protection
• Free 30-day trial and free year for Oportun personal loan borrowers

Cons

• Requires a monthly fee
• No interest on savings
• Limited control over your transfers

Read our full Oportun review.

Chime®

Best for: Accessing your money early

Pricing: Free2

There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.

Chime is a popular fintech company that offers banking services1

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. 

Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account.

One thing that sets Chime apart from other money apps is that you have a few different ways to access your money early. First, its SpotMe® services can float you up to 200tocoveroverdraftswithoutfees.5<p>SpotMe®onCreditisanoptional,nointerest/nofeeoverdraftlineofcredittiedtotheSecuredDepositAccountavailabletoqualifyingmemberswithanactiveChimeCardAccount.ToqualifyfortheSpotMeonChimeCardservice,youmustreceive200 to cover overdrafts without fees.5 <p>SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest / no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Card Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Chime Card service, you must receive 200tocoveroverdraftswithoutfees.5<p>SpotMeR◯onCreditisanoptional,nointerest/nofeeoverdraftlineofcredittiedtotheSecuredDepositAccountavailabletoqualifyingmemberswithanactiveChimeCardAccount.ToqualifyfortheSpotMeonChimeCardservice,youmustreceive200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime® Checking Account each month and have activated your physical secured Chime Visa® Credit Card or Chime Visa® Debit Card.

Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Secured Deposit Account up to 20,butmaylaterbeeligibleforahigherlimitofupto20, but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to 20,butmaylaterbeeligibleforahigherlimitofupto200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Chime Card Limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s or its banking partners’ discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Chime Card, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions and fees associated with OTC cash withdrawals. SpotMe on Chime Card won’t cover non-card transactions. SpotMe on Chime Card Terms and Conditions.

MyPay® line of credit provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. MyPay services provided by Chime Capital, LLC (NMLS 2316451).

To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A qualifying direct deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a 20−20 - 20−500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply. Other restrictions may apply. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details.

Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

Pros

• No account fees2

  There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.

• Fee-free overdraft up to 200foreligiblemembers5<p>SpotMe®onCreditisanoptional,nointerest/nofeeoverdraftlineofcredittiedtotheSecuredDepositAccountavailabletoqualifyingmemberswithanactiveChimeCardAccount.ToqualifyfortheSpotMeonChimeCardservice,youmustreceive200 for eligible members5 <p>SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest / no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Card Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Chime Card service, you must receive 200foreligiblemembers5<p>SpotMeR◯onCreditisanoptional,nointerest/nofeeoverdraftlineofcredittiedtotheSecuredDepositAccountavailabletoqualifyingmemberswithanactiveChimeCardAccount.ToqualifyfortheSpotMeonChimeCardservice,youmustreceive200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime® Checking Account each month and have activated your physical secured Chime Visa® Credit Card or Chime Visa® Debit Card.
  
  

  Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Secured Deposit Account up to 20,butmaylaterbeeligibleforahigherlimitofupto20, but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to 20,butmaylaterbeeligibleforahigherlimitofupto200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Chime Card Limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s or its banking partners’ discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Chime Card, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions and fees associated with OTC cash withdrawals. SpotMe on Chime Card won’t cover non-card transactions. SpotMe on Chime Card Terms and Conditions.

• Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit7

  Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

• Offers credit-building services

Cons

• Not an actual bank
• Relatively low savings APY
• No physical locations or free cash deposits

Visit Chime® | Read our full Chime review.

Rakuten

Best for: Earning cash back for online shopping

Pricing: Free

Rakuten is another app that can get you cash back on your shopping, but this one is primarily geared toward online spending. You can use it as a browser extension, app, or through the Rakuten website. I personally prefer to use my desktop because that's often how I like to shop and the browser extension automatically pops in the corner when I'm on a retailer's website.

Rakuten typically offers you a percentage of cash back on your purchases. For example, at the time of writing this, Rakuten is offering 1% cash back at Target. If you're an American Express card holder, you can turn your cash back into Membership Rewards points, which would give you more redemption flexibility. A big downside, however, is that you can't get the money deposited into your bank account — the only other options are a paper check or PayPal deposit.

Alternatives to consider

If you're looking for alternatives to help you save on your online shopping, you could also consider PayPal Honey or Capital One Shopping. A feature I love about both of these that Rakuten doesn't offer is the ability to compare prices across retailers, see the price history of an item, and set up price tracking.

Pros

• High cash-back rates at some retailers
• Low cash-out threshold
• Potential to earn Amex Membership Rewards points
• Doesn't require you to upload receipts

Cons

• Rewards are paid out every three months
• Difficult to use for in-store purchases
• Can't claim offers after-the-fact

Read our full Rakuten review.

Upside

Best for: Earning cash back on gas and dining out

Pricing: Free

Upside is another cash back app, but this one has a different twist. Instead of earning money primarily for your online shopping or on groceries (though you may still be able to earn cash back on groceries), the bulk of the offers are for gas stations and restaurants.

The biggest thing that surprised me when I started using Upside was that there are local businesses on there. Sure, there are some fast food restaurants and other chains. But I can also get cash back at the local sushi place my husband and I love or the brunch place just down the street from my house. That's not something I've found with other apps. And for a family that loves to eat out, an extra bit of cash back — most amounts range from 6% to 20% — makes it that much more appealing.

One big downside I've noticed with Upside is the limited availability. When I saw people start talking about Upside a couple of years ago, it didn't have a single business in my area. Now, there are quite a few, but still fewer than in other cities. And in some areas, you won't find offers at all.

Pros

• Cash back at gas stations and restaurants
• Includes local businesses
• Doesn't require you to upload receipts

Cons

• Fewer offers than many apps
• Not available in all locations

Visit Upside | Read our full Upside review.

Ibotta

Best for: Earning cash back on your groceries

Pricing: Free

Ibotta is a popular shopping app that connects users with cash back offers on purchases. It offers in-store and online offers, but we strongly recommend it for in-person shopping. To qualify for rewards, find the store you're shopping at through the Ibotta platform, claim individual offers by adding them to your account, and scan your receipt.

You won't get rich using Ibotta, but since you're probably grocery shopping anyway, it's a solid way to earn a bit of extra money. I like to let my cash back rack up until the holidays and redeem it for gift cards then.

Alternative to consider

Ibotta certainly isn't the only app of its kind — Fetch Rewards is another I use every week to get cash back on my groceries. But I've found that I make a bit more money from Ibotta. However, Fetch has a slightly less onerous process for getting your cash back, so that's worth considering.

Pros

• Redeem cash back for gift cards or bank account deposits
• Multiple cash-out methods
• Offers online price tracking
• Offers welcome and referral bonuses

Cons

• $20 cash-out threshold
• Requires scanning receipts
• Limited online shopping deals

Read our full Ibotta review.

How to choose the right money app

Since the fintech industry has exploded, there are more money apps than ever, some of which can do a lot to help you with your finances. However, picking and choosing the best ones can also be difficult. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a money app:

• Know your financial goals: First, money apps are a broad category that includes everything from budgeting and investing apps to survey and cash-back apps. Knowing your goals will help you identify the best types of platforms to consider.
• Compare your options: When you know what type of app you're looking for, research your options. For example, there are tons of budgeting apps on the market. Some banks even offer budgeting apps to their customers. Once you know you need help with budgeting, you can narrow your focus to just that type of app.
• Pay attention to fees: Some money apps charge monthly fees, while others have more nefarious hidden fees. Read the fine print before downloading any app to find out what fees you may have to pay. Fees aren't always bad or not worth paying — I've been forking over money every month for my budgeting app for over half a decade. But decide what fees are worth it for you and whether you can get a similar service for free.
• Combine benefits: You don't have to choose just one money app, even within a single category. If you glance at my phone, you'll find at least six cash back apps, and I currently earn money with most of them. If you find multiple apps useful, then by all means, get the benefits of more than one at a time.

FAQs

What is the best app that gives you money?

There are many different apps that give you money, including cash back apps, which give you cash back on your purchases, and survey apps, which pay you to take surveys. A few of our favorite money-making apps include Ibotta, Rakuten, Upside, and Survey Junkie, but there are many more to choose from.

What is the safest money app?

There's not necessarily one money app that's safer than the rest. Any time you're using an app connected to your personal finances, it's critical that you make sure it has strict security standards in place. Additionally, make sure to take steps on your own to keep your information safe, such as setting up challenging passwords and two-factor identification.

Is there a better option than Mint?

Mint was the most popular budgeting app on the market, but it shut down in early 2024, which left users scrambling for a different option. There are many budgeting apps on the market, many of which have as many as or more features than Mint did, though many also charge monthly fees (which Mint didn't). When choosing the best Mint alternative, make sure to consider what features you want from a budgeting app and whether you're willing to pay for those features.

Bottom line

With all these mobile app options, there's sure to be a tool you can use to get more out of your money. They may not make you rich or revolutionize your money management, but these mobile apps can help streamline your finances and create some breathing room in your budget. And when it comes to saving money, every cent counts.