The Best Financial Apps

I’ve been on the lookout for the financial app that will help me solve my problems. I can’t always get to a computer, so need it to be for my iPhone. I don’t need huge complexity, just an app were I can track my spending, put together some budgets and set some financial goals. Here’s what my search has uncovered.

The Nuts And Bolts App: Pennies

Pennies is beautifully designed. If you think that’s not important, spend some time trying to navigate a poorly designed app and you’ll realise how crucial a straightforward concept is. This is the nuts and bolts of financial apps, an expense tracker. Enter your monthly budget, and then start adding your expenses. It will save the expenses that occur most frequently, so after a while, the entering process is a breeze. The fuel gauge on the opening page will show you whether you’re doing well or about to run on empty for the month.

 

The Integrated App: MoneyStrands

MoneyStrands is a well-developed website, that has an equally thorough iPhone app that syndicates with the website. Meaning that you can update your phone if you’re on the road, and balance it all online once you’re home. This app is no holds barred, and it sends you alerts early in the morning should you require them. Useful, but not always the most appealing way to wake up in the morning. With reminders for upcoming bills, spending plans and multiple account information, it’s like a financial app for the anal retentive.

The Hole In One App: Pocket Money

Pocket Money is deceptively simple. Two pages, one for accounts, one for bills. One of the advantages of this app- the app I plan to invest some time in setting up properly- is that it has detailed help instructions that guide you through using it’s features. It’s easy to navigate, incredibly comprehensive and allows you to set up all your repeating transactions and keep track of expenses and additional income sources. In terms of a holistic app, this is the one I’m setting my money on for the time being. It might take a while to enter all the information but, in the end, you want an app that is as thorough as possible to save on time when entering information later.

The Steady Investor App: Bloomberg

I’m no investor, but word on the street is that this app is a winner if investment and portfolios are your thing. It’s the best possible price- free- and has a variety of investment –related tools and portfolio tracking. You can even get audio news on it. If you were vaguely interested before, obsession is potentially your destination now.

The Grand Dame App: Mint

Mint has been kicking around online for a long time now, and their iPhone app shows all the advantages of having been in the game a long time. It does everything that common sense would dictate it should- automatically enters transactions, sends alerts for over budgets and gives you a virtual iPhone kick should you be over-spending. Again, the design is clean and sensible, and it’s fairly easy to navigate. It’s like having a good conscience on your phone. Patiently adding your expenses throughout the month will allow you to control your money, and improve your savings and debt repayment strategies.