Best Budgeting Apps in the UK (2025 Review & Comparison)

Introduction

Managing your money has never been easier—or more essential. In 2025, with the cost of living still a major concern and digital banking now the norm, the best budgeting apps in the UK offer an efficient way to stay on top of your finances.

Whether you’re a student, a growing family, or simply looking to save more each month, the right budgeting tool can make a world of difference. In this guide, we review and compare the best budgeting apps UK residents are using right now to achieve their financial goals.

What Makes a Great Budgeting App?

When comparing budgeting apps, look for:

Ease of Use: Clean, intuitive design and simple setup
Bank Integration: Sync with major UK banks for real-time tracking
Spending Categorisation: Automated tagging of expenses
Goal Setting: Save for holidays, pay off debt, or build an emergency fund
Security: Bank-level encryption and data protection
Value: Free tier or affordable pricing for premium features

Top 7 Best Budgeting Apps in the UK (2025)

1. Emma

Best for: All-round personal finance management
Overview: Emma connects to your UK bank accounts and credit cards via Open Banking, offering a centralised dashboard to track spending, detect wasteful subscriptions, and manage budgets.
Pricing: Free; Pro version starts at £4.99/month
Pros: User-friendly, subscription tracking, net worth calculator
Cons: Advanced features require paid version

2. Snoop

Best for: Finding money-saving tips
Overview: Snoop helps you save by analysing your spending habits and offering personalised tips, better deals on bills, and smart reminders. Entirely focused on the UK market.
Pricing: Free
Pros: Real-time tips, auto-categorisation, savings insights
Cons: Less detailed budgeting tools

3. Moneyhub

Best for: Comprehensive financial planning
Overview: Supports all UK bank accounts and pensions, offering Open Banking insights plus forecasting, cash flow projections, and investment tracking.
Pricing: £1.49/month
Pros: Holistic view of finances, great for long-term planning
Cons: Interface not as modern as competitors

4. Plum

Best for: Automated saving and investing
Overview: Plum uses AI to analyse your spending and automatically save small amounts. It also offers investment features and bill switching.
Pricing: Free, Plus (£1.99/month), Pro (£4.99/month)
Pros: Passive saving, easy-to-use investment tools
Cons: Budgeting features not as detailed

5. Monzo

Best for: Users who bank with Monzo
Overview: Monzo’s built-in budgeting tools include Pots, salary sorters, and category budgeting. If you’re a Monzo user, it’s one of the most seamless ways to budget.
Pricing: Free; Plus/Pro options available
Pros: Natively integrated with banking features
Cons: Not useful if you don’t bank with Monzo

6. Cleo

Best for: Gamified budgeting and Gen Z users
Overview: Cleo is an AI chatbot that makes managing money fun, with challenges, roast mode, and easy expense tracking. UK and US support.
Pricing: Free; Cleo+ (£5.99/month)
Pros: Engaging, especially for younger users
Cons: Limited analytics, more playful than detailed

7. HyperJar

Best for: Prepaid budgeting and spending jars
Overview: HyperJar offers a prepaid Mastercard you can split into ‘jars’ for specific spending goals. It encourages planned spending and saving.
Pricing: Free
Pros: Innovative jar system, no monthly fees
Cons: Less traditional budget tracking; no bank sync

Which Budgeting App is Right for You?

Students: Cleo or Emma for simple tracking and reminders
Families: Emma or Moneyhub for household budget oversight
Self-Employed: Moneyhub for combining business/personal finances
Investors: Plum for automated investment features
Debt Repayment: Snoop to cut costs and save more
Visual Planners: HyperJar for pre-spending discipline

Conclusion

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but UK users have a strong selection of budgeting apps in 2025 to choose from. Whether you want automation, detailed control, or a bit of both, these tools can support your financial goals.

Top Picks:

🏆 Top Overall Pick: Emma — Best balance of usability, insights, and features for everyday budgeting.
Plum for passive saving
HyperJar for disciplined spenders