Have a 2026 goal of saving more money as a couple? Need to keep track of spending? Merging your finances for the first time as newlyweds? A budget app could help with all of that and more!
Compare the best budgeting apps allowing two or more people to help organize your shared finances and keep track of a family budget.
Finder’s banking experts compare over 70 budget apps to find the best apps for couples. The apps must be affordable and accessible across mobile devices and must allow for shared access. We also compare features, app store ratings and monthly fees, and we favor apps with the ability to craft custom budgets and account-linking features. We consider these criteria at a minimum:
When choosing a budgeting app for two people, make sure you agree on these factors:
Joint bank accounts are extremely popular for couples. If you and your partner aren’t fans of budgeting apps or prefer a simpler way to manage finances together, a joint bank account could be a good solution.
Joint bank accounts function much like regular bank accounts, but they’re shared between two or more people. With a joint checking account, each person gets their own debit card and equal access to the funds. However, both account holders are equally responsible for any fees, such as overdraft charges.
Some accounts and banks that allow for joint owners include SoFi Checking and Savings, Chase Bank and Ally Bank.
Yes, financial stress and difficulties can most certainly affect our relationships, and that probably comes as no surprise to anyone. There have been dozens of studies on marital conflict and the causes, as well as many studies on what stresses Americans out.
However, years of research and studies suggest that it’s not just “money troubles” that causes issues between couples — it’s the behaviors caused by financial stress that can cause the conflict in most cases.
In 2025, the American Psychological Association found that work and money were the top causes for stress, according to the participants. Financial stress can impact our ability to focus and communicate effectively, which can negatively affect how we talk and interact with our family members.
In two other studies, respondents who worried about finances perceived their partner as less supportive and reported more negative behaviors from them, such as teasing or expressing distrust, as reported by Psychology Today.
The main point is this: financial stress can negatively impact our behavior, which can cause trouble in marriages and relationships. In other words, your reactions to financial difficulties might be the cause of conflict. Try your best to keep this in mind while working with your loved ones; it might mean the difference between a fight and a solution.
At the end of the day, a budget app is meant to help you save money, track your spending or just keep track of your expenses. If the app is more of a burden on your budget, opting for a joint bank account and a classic spreadsheet might be the way to go.
For tips on creating a budget, check our comprehensive budget guide.
To the dismay of many, Mint is no longer available as of March 2024. Mint transitioned to Credit Karma, allowing Credit Karma users to import their Mint history and transactions there. But Credit Karma isn’t a good option for couples as it doesn’t allow joint accounts. If you’re looking for an alternative, check out more Mint alternatives.
A joint bank account can help streamline the budgeting process if you both already have access to all your funds. And with the right joint account, you may not even need a separate budgeting app. Some accounts have built-in budgeting features, like Ally Bank with its envelope budgeting “buckets” and SoFi® with its savings Vault feature. Also SoFi and Ally don’t charge monthly maintenance fees.
Our budget calculator helps you manage your expenses using the 50/30/20 rule: 50% for expenses, 30% for wants and 20% for savings or debt.
Origin is an all-in-one financial management app with budgeting tools, a high-APY cash account and more. See pros and cons here.
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