In today’s dynamic business landscape, female entrepreneurs face unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to managing their finances. Juggling multiple income streams, tracking business expenses, and planning for the future requires a keen eye for detail and efficient tools. Fortunately, technology has stepped up to provide a solution: budgeting apps. These innovative tools empower women to take control of their financial well-being with features tailored to their specific needs.
Here are ten of the best budgeting apps for female entrepreneurs in 2025:
| App Name | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| YNAB (You Need A Budget) | Zero-based budgeting, goal tracking, real-time syncing, educational resources, spending targets by category (bills, needs, wants) | Hands-on budgeters who want to prioritize and allocate every dollar. Offers a yearlong free trial for college students. |
| Goodbudget | Envelope budgeting system, manual expense tracking, syncing across multiple devices, virtual envelope system to curb overspending | Visual learners who prefer a hands-on approach and enjoy the traditional envelope method. The paid version offers unlimited envelopes. |
| EveryDollar | Zero-based budgeting, simple interface, unlimited budget categories, integrates with Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps method, simplified budgeting with a user-friendly interface and intuitive tracking tools, goal tracking, bank syncing, budget sharing, educational resources, spending plan based on paydays | Beginners and those who prefer a straightforward approach to budgeting. Allows sharing your monthly budget with your partner, family, or financial planning partners. |
| PocketGuard | Calculates disposable income, tracks bills, provides savings alerts, bill negotiation and subscription cancellation, automatically tallies how much you have to spend, shows net worth | Those who want a clear picture of their spending power and need help identifying areas to save. The paid version includes a debt payoff plan. |
| Simplifi by Quicken | Spending plan customization, savings goal tracking, real-time account updates, investment tracking, backed by Quicken customer support | Beginners who want a simple interface and comprehensive financial overview. |
| Empower Personal Dashboard | Combines budgeting with investment tracking, retirement planning, and net worth monitoring, manages all financial accounts in one view, tracks investments, customizable budget categories | Those who want a holistic view of their finances, including investments and retirement funds. |
| Honeydue | Designed for couples to share budgets, track expenses, and manage joint financial goals, bill reminders, in-app chat, sets alerts for monthly budget limits | Couples who want to collaborate on financial planning and manage shared expenses. |
| Monarch Money | Comprehensive financial dashboard, seamless account syncing, goal creation and tracking, detailed reports, “In My Pocket” feature to analyze monthly income and expenses | Those who want a complete picture of their finances and prefer a visually appealing interface. Offers a free seven-day trial. |
| Cleo | Spending tracker, personalized recommendations, credit building tools, “roast mode” for overspending | Those who prefer a fun and engaging approach to budgeting and want help building credit. |
| Acorns | Round-up investments, automated savings, investment portfolio tailored to financial goals, different pricing options with varying features, expert-guided investment accounts, FDIC-protected checking account and debit card, no overdraft fees, and 55,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide and worldwide | Those who want to save and invest effortlessly with spare change. Purchases are rounded up in real-time to the nearest dollar and the difference is invested. Offers the option to automatically invest a set amount regularly. |
To provide further context for the selection of these apps, it’s important to note the methodology used by NerdWallet to identify the best budget apps. They looked for apps that allowed users to:
- Sync several types of financial accounts (and opt out of syncing)
- Plan ahead for financial decisions versus simply tracking past transactions
- See their expenses categorized in order to understand spending patterns
- Track bills and receive alerts for upcoming due dates
- Share financial information with partners
- Access the app via both the mobile app and desktopÂ
In addition to the apps listed above, NerdWallet also offers other free budgeting tools you can try:
- Use a budget worksheet to record your expenses.
- Explore online budget spreadsheets for a quick check of your finances.
- Estimate how to divide your monthly income with a budget calculator.
- Try an expense tracker app.
Reviews from Female Entrepreneurs
While many budgeting apps cater to a broad audience, some have garnered positive feedback specifically from female entrepreneurs. Here’s what they had to say:
- YNAB: “YNAB forces me to prioritize, address issues I have now, and plan all the way to zero. But it also allows the flexibility of a) using a debit/credit card (cash back rewards!) and b) moving money around if I end up needing cat food more than that new Gwen Stefani lipstick.” This highlights how YNAB helps female entrepreneurs stay organized and prioritize their spending, even when unexpected expenses arise.
- PocketGuard: One female entrepreneur shared, “The one feature I liked most was the ‘In My Pocket’ feature… It gives an easy view of what have available to spend after everything is budgeted.” This emphasizes the value of PocketGuard’s simplified approach to budgeting, allowing entrepreneurs to quickly grasp their available spending power.
- Goodbudget: “Love this app! Since we started using it we haven’t hit our overdraft. Also reduces ‘fights’ about money. If it’s in the envelope we can spend it. If not we wait.” This review highlights how Goodbudget’s envelope system can help couples and families stay on track with their spending and avoid overdrafts.
- Honeydue: “What’s great about Honeydue is that it can help create transparency between you and your partner when it comes to finances.” This feedback emphasizes the importance of open communication in financial planning, a key benefit of Honeydue for entrepreneurial couples.
Key Features of Budgeting Apps for Entrepreneurs
Budgeting apps offer a range of features designed to simplify financial management for entrepreneurs. Here are some of the key features to look for:
- Personalized Budget Creation: Analyze your income and spending habits to generate a customized budget tailored to your financial goals.
- Expense Categorization: Automatically categorize transactions to provide a clear picture of where your money is going. This can help you identify areas where you might be overspending and make adjustments accordingly.
- Real-time Transaction Tracking: Stay updated on your account balances and spending in real-time. This allows you to make informed financial decisions on the go.
- Goal Setting and Tracking: Define your financial objectives, whether it’s saving for a down payment, investing in new equipment, or paying off debt, and monitor your progress. Budgeting apps can help you visualize your savings goals and stay motivated.
- Bill Payment Reminders: Receive timely notifications to avoid late fees and stay on top of your financial obligations.
- Financial Insights: Access charts and reports that illustrate your spending patterns and provide valuable insights into your financial behavior. This can help you identify and eliminate unnecessary expenses, such as unused subscriptions.
- Security Measures: Ensure your financial data is protected with robust security protocols, such as encryption and multi-factor authentication.
- Multi-platform Accessibility: Access your financial data from anywhere, anytime, across various devices and platforms.
- Investment Integration: Track your investments and retirement accounts within the same app for a holistic view of your financial health.
- User-friendly Interfaces: Navigate the app with ease and manage your finances efficiently with intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.
By utilizing these features, female entrepreneurs can feel more in control of their finances, reduce financial stress, improve their saving habits, be more accountable for their financial choices, and save time by automating the process of tracking expenses.
Budgeting Apps with Features Relevant to Female Entrepreneurs
In addition to the general features mentioned above, several budgeting apps offer functionalities specifically designed to meet the unique needs of female entrepreneurs:
- Tracking Business Expenses: Apps like QuickBooks Self-Employed and FreshBooks allow you to categorize and track business expenses, making tax preparation easier and providing valuable insights into your company’s financial performance. This feature is crucial for entrepreneurs who need to keep their personal and business finances separate.
- Managing Multiple Income Streams: If you have multiple sources of income, apps like Honeydue and Spendee allow you to track and manage them separately, providing a clear picture of your overall financial situation. This is particularly helpful for entrepreneurs who freelance or have side hustles in addition to their main business.
- Generating Invoices: Apps like Zoho Invoice and Invoice Simple simplify invoicing, making it easier to get paid on time and maintain a healthy cash flow. This feature can save entrepreneurs time and ensure they receive timely payments for their services.
Conclusion
Budgeting apps have become indispensable tools for female entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the complexities of business finance. By providing features tailored to their specific needs, these apps empower women to take control of their financial well-being, track expenses, set goals, and make informed decisions. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting out, incorporating a budgeting app into your financial management strategy can be a game-changer.
The apps discussed in this article offer a variety of features, from zero-based budgeting and envelope systems to investment tracking and bill negotiation. By carefully considering your individual needs and preferences, you can choose the app that best aligns with your financial goals and helps you achieve greater success in your entrepreneurial journey.
Take the time to explore the apps mentioned, try out their free trials or free versions, and see which one best fits your budgeting style and business needs. With the right budgeting app by your side, you can confidently manage your finances and focus on what you do best: building and growing your business.
