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Stay on track: 5 budgeting apps for work and home

If you feel like you’re the only one who doesn’t follow a budget… you’re not alone. According to a survey by OppLoans, 73% of Americans don’t regularly follow a budget. In addition to that, 1 in 10 survey respondents don’t keep any budget at all. To help you (and your small business) stay on track with your finances, we’ve rounded up the top five budgeting apps available.

YNAB

Who can use it? Individuals and small businesses
Cost: $99/year or $14.99/month
Available: App Store and Google Play
Website: youneedabudget.com

You Need a Budget (YNAB) is a zero-based budgeting system that is based on having users plan for every dollar earned. It securely connects to your bank accounts and imports transactions automatically; updates in real-time via website, phone and tablet; and it helps you prioritize spending and savings goals while tracking your progress. YNAB also offers educational resources to help you learn how to budget and use its app.

Mint

Who can use it? Individuals and small businesses
Cost: Free; in-app ads
Available: App Store and Google Play
Website: mint.intuit.com

Mint easily connects to all of your accounts—cash, credit, loans and investments—to give you a single picture in one place. It sends notifications when bills are due and if subscription costs increase; automatically categorizes transactions for simpler budgeting; sends personalized insights; and tracks your net worth, spending and budgets to help you find opportunities to save more money.

PocketGuard

Who can use it? Individuals
Cost: Free; additional features with monthly ($7.99/month) or annual ($34.99/year) subscription
Available: App Store and Google Play
Website: pocketguard.com

PocketGuard is an automated budgeting app that helps users track their money and manage their spending habits to reduce debts. Securely link your accounts to stay on top of spending, subscriptions and bills. PocketGuard also helps find and cancel subscriptions you’re no longer using (or just plain forgot about). Create custom budgets while the app analyzes your habits to find opportunities to save money.

PlanGuru

Who can use it? Small businesses
Cost: Starts at $99/month or $899/year
Available: Cloud-based app or Windows desktop application
Website: planguru.com

PlanGuru helps businesses build and implement budgeting, forecasting and financial review processes. It provides an integrated income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement to always keep you aware of your finances. Easily import from QuickBooks® Online, Xero and Excel, and benefit from in-app reporting.

Simplifi

Who can use it? Individuals
Cost: Starts at $3.99/month for the annual plan
Available: App Store and Google Play
Website: quicken.com/simplifi

Simplifi lets you see all your finances on one dashboard by connecting to your bank accounts, credit cards, loans, 401(k) and other investments. It automatically generates a customizable budget based on past spending, tracks upcoming bills and projected cash flow, and allows you to save for multiple goals.

Whichever app you go with, remember that budgeting takes a commitment to consistency. Set aside 10 minutes each week to make sure you’re using your budgeting investment well…and, well, staying on budget.

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