Money Lover (Free)

It’s hard to talk about budgeting apps without mentioning Money Lover. The app has been around long enough to gain a reputation as a dependable daily tool. What keeps it appealing is not a huge list of features but the way it combines the basics — expense tracking, budgets, reminders — into something that feels natural to use. Even the free version covers most needs without pushing too hard toward the paid plan.

Everyday use

On an ordinary day, the app works like this: type in what was just spent, pick a category, and move on. That’s really it. The categories are flexible — some people keep it simple with just “food” and “rent,” while others split them into much finer detail. Budgets can be tied to those categories, and when limits get close the app makes sure to say so. A calendar view gives a timeline of bills and subscriptions, which makes upcoming costs easier to see. In some countries, bank sync is supported, but many still prefer quick manual entries because it feels faster.

Feature snapshot

Getting started

There isn’t much to set up. Download from Google Play or the App Store, create a free account, and expenses can be added right away. The pre-set categories are fine for most, but they can be renamed or expanded. Budgets and reminders take just a few taps to configure.

Who tends to use it

The app has a mixed crowd: students keeping tabs on daily spending, freelancers watching both business and personal budgets, and families who like reminders for bills. What they have in common is the need for a tool that feels straightforward but not bare.

Why it’s still here

Money Lover hasn’t disappeared because it manages to stay useful without being heavy. The free edition works well for everyday budgeting, and for people who want more reports or syncing, the upgrade is there. In practice, most users stick with the free plan for a long time, which says enough about how complete it already feels.