Top 5 mobile apps for tracking your finances
Most financial transactions take place while you are out and about, away from your desktop computer or personal accounting software. Fortunately, today’s smart phones bridge this crucial gap with apps for expense tracking, budgeting and account management. These apps can serve as a portable conscience for spending decisions or simply help you keep tabs on your finances wherever you go.
Personal finance apps have been around since the days of Apple’s Newton MessagePad, which debuted in the late 1980s. Today, users can choose among scores of apps designed to meet any need. Options range from simple expense-income ledgers to robust account data aggregators and management portals. Whether you are a mobile worker filing expense reports, an entrepreneur tracking expenses for tax purposes, or a personal user looking to build savings by bringing your spending in line with your budget, there’s a mobile app designed to meet your needs.
Many personal finance apps leverage the intuitive interface of the iPhone and Android for on-the-go data recording and reporting. Key functions available via your mobile device include:
The following reviews rate the top expense tracking apps, evaluating such merits as intuitive design, ease of use and available features. A good mobile app puts usability first, with easy data entry and clear reporting available at a glance. High-rated mobile interfaces are not always the most complex or feature-rich; these winning designs are more likely to emphasize time-saving features and a straightforward layout over high-concept bells and whistles. Since the apps reviewed offer a wide range of functionality, ratings reflect the quality of the execution with respect to the app’s intended function.
Personal finance on the go
With today’s broad selection of personal finance apps, it’s easier than ever to keep tabs on your finances. This is good news for anyone who has ever wondered where their money goes each month, or how much money is left in their ‘entertainment’ budget.
Of course, no mobile app can be all things to all users. Each of these apps carves out its own niche and produces strong value for a particular user. Find the app that achieves the right balance of usability and utility for your needs, and you’ve got a versatile tool to support your financial well-being 24-7.
Pages in this slideshow:
Previous |
Next