Managing your finances can be a daunting task, but with the rise of fintech apps, it has never been easier. Fintech, short for financial technology, uses technology to improve and automate financial services. These apps offer tools to help you budget, invest, and make payments — all from your smartphone. Here are 11 fintech apps that can help you take control of your money.
Best Budgeting Apps for Tracking and Saving Money
Budgeting apps help you monitor spending, stick to your goals, and ensure you live within your means.
Mint — Comprehensive Budget Tracking and Credit Score Monitoring
Mint connects to your bank accounts, credit cards, and investments to give a full view of your finances. It categorizes expenses, tracks budgets, and sends bill reminders. Its built-in credit score monitoring also helps you stay on top of your credit health.
PocketGuard — Real-Time Expense Tracking and Bill Negotiation
PocketGuard automatically categorizes your expenses and shows your disposable income with the “In My Pocket” feature. It can also help negotiate bills and identify savings opportunities through its “Find Savings” tool.
You Need A Budget (YNAB) — Proactive Money Management
YNAB uses the “give every dollar a job” method, where you assign your income to specific categories before spending. It offers goal-setting features and actionable advice to build savings and avoid overspending.
Top Investing Apps for Building Wealth
Investing apps make it easier to grow your money over time, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor.
Robinhood — Commission-Free Stock and Crypto Trading
Robinhood allows you to trade stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies without commission fees. It offers fractional shares, market data, and educational resources for new investors.
Acorns — Automatic Micro-Investing with Spare Change
Acorns rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference into diversified portfolios. Its “Found Money” feature invests cash back earned from partner brands.
Stash — Themed Portfolios and Financial Education
Stash offers curated investment themes like “Clean and Green” along with educational tools. It also provides retirement and debt payoff calculators, plus automated investing with “Auto-Stash.”
Most Popular Payment Apps for Fast and Secure Transactions
Payment apps streamline sending, receiving, and spending money.
PayPal — Global Payment Platform with Buyer Protection
PayPal supports secure transactions, bill payments, and multiple currencies. With PayPal Credit, you can make purchases on credit and take advantage of partner offers for rewards and cashback.
Venmo — Social Payment App with Cash Back Options
Venmo allows peer-to-peer payments with a social twist, letting you share payment details in a feed. The Venmo Card enables spending from your balance and earns cashback on select purchases.
Cash App — Instant Transfers and Bitcoin Buying
Cash App enables quick money transfers, bill payments, and Bitcoin trading. The Cash Card includes merchant discounts through “Boosts.”
Additional Money Management Tools
Some apps offer unique features outside of budgeting, investing, or payments.
Credit Karma — Free Credit Monitoring and Score Tracking
Credit Karma provides free access to your credit scores, credit reports, and alerts. Its Credit Simulator shows how financial decisions could impact your score.
TurboTax — Easy and Accurate Tax Filing
TurboTax simplifies tax preparation with step-by-step guidance, data imports from financial accounts, and a Deduction Finder to help you maximize your refund.
Final Thoughts on Using Fintech Apps for Better Money Management
Fintech apps make it easier to budget, invest, pay, and plan all in one place. Whether you start with a budgeting app like Mint, invest with Acorns, or track your credit with Credit Karma, these tools can help you build a stronger financial future. Choosing the right one depends on your goals, but even a small step can lead to big improvements in money management.
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