People often insist you just need to tighten your belt and sock away cash.
It’s simple, they insist. Just commit! Stay disciplined!
For many of us, though, that’s easier said than done given stagnant wages and rising living costs.
Only 15% of Americans could come up with $2,000, according to a Savinly analysis of Federal Reserve survey data.
If saving were truly that straightforward, that figure would be much higher.
Still, there are plenty of tools designed to make saving far more manageable — apps like Cleo and Rocket Money. Some even help your balance grow through investing.
Which Money-Saving App Is Best?
One standout app for saving is Cleo. Its tailored spending insights give you a blunt but helpful snapshot of your finances, and the chatbot delivers advice with a playful, snarky tone.
Cleo simplifies saving by automating it, and it can also evaluate how much breathing room you actually have in your budget.
Keep reading to learn about other top apps we recommend for building your savings.
5 Top Money-Saving Apps to Consider in 2025
There’s a huge selection of personal finance apps available, which is great — but it can also be confusing. To make the decision easier, we’ve gathered our favorite apps that help you save.
1. Cleo: A Personalized, Fun Approach
Cleo is a sassy chatbot that also keeps an eye on your spending so you can curb unhealthy money habits. Need help stashing cash? Cleo can round up purchases to the nearest dollar and tuck the spare change away, or even “fine” you for splurging at Target. She’ll build a free, customized budget based on your habits. Whichever saving tactic you pick, Cleo will move that money into your savings account automatically each week. Sit back and watch your cushion grow.
The app can also lend you up to $250 (subject to eligibility) to help avoid overdraft fees. There’s no interest, no credit check and no direct deposit requirement.
2. Rocket Money: Track Exactly Where Your Cash Goes
Just when you think you’ve got your bills and subscriptions under control, another mysterious charge appears on your statement. Small fees here and there add up fast, so it’s worth getting a handle on recurring expenses.
That’s where Rocket Money is useful. It identifies wasted spending on forgotten subscriptions and overpriced bills. Members save an average of $720 per year.
The user-friendly app helps you locate and cancel unwanted subscriptions and can even negotiate lower monthly rates with internet, phone and other service providers — typically trimming bills by about 20%.
Rocket Money’s platform has helped its more than 5 million users cancel subscriptions and recover roughly $500 million.
It only takes a few minutes to begin and see potential savings. Create an account, link your bank, and let Rocket Money do the rest.
3. Wealthfront HYS: Make Investing Work for You
When your budget is tight, savings can feel like they’re growing at a snail’s pace. But an investing app can help grow your funds and shape a portfolio aligned with your values and goals.
Wealthfront provides an automated investment account to manage risk and pursue returns without demanding much of your time. You can focus on themes like clean energy, tech or crypto, and Wealthfront handles trades and rebalancing for you.
It’s convenient and affordable — there are no per-trade charges. You’ll only pay a modest annual advisory fee of 0.25% with backup from certified CPAs, CFAs and CFPs.
Wealthfront also offers Tax-Loss Harvesting (TLH) software. This tool monitors portfolios and sells assets that have lost value while replacing them with similar securities, which may reduce your tax bill and help keep your investments aligned.
To qualify for a $50 bonus, open and fund your first investing account with Wealthfront, complete the questionnaire online and maintain at least $500 in the account for the first 30 days (terms apply).
Sign up with Wealthfrontand let your money work harder.
4. Public: Grow Savings With Treasuries
If you want an alternative to a plain savings account, Public offers a Treasury option that lets you invest in Treasury bills. Treasuries are effectively loans to the government that pay back principal plus interest, and because they’re backed by the U.S. government they’re among the safer ways to invest.
Unlike standard savings or many high-yield accounts, income from Treasury bills isn’t subject to state or local taxes. Depending on where you live, that could mean more of your earnings stays with you.
After signing up, link a bank account to transfer funds. You can open a Treasury account and begin investing with as little as $100. When your T-bills mature, Public will automatically reinvest to help compound returns. You can also sell your T-bills before maturity if needed.
It only takes a few minutesto enroll in a Treasury account with Public and start earning more on your savings.
5. Chime: Hands-Off Savings in One Place
If you want several of the conveniences above rolled into one free, easy app, consider Chime®.
With Chime you get an online checking and savings account. Because they’re linked, moving money between them is straightforward.
Even better: Every time you use your Chime Visa® Debit Card, purchases are rounded up automatically and the spare change is moved into your savings.
Signing up for Chime takes roughly five minutes.
Need Extra Help? Try a Budgeting App
If saving still feels out of reach, return to basics with a budgeting app. Creating a budget and monitoring spending will reveal where you’re overspending and how to reach your financial objectives.
Check out our roundup of top budgeting apps to get your money in order.
FAQ: Money-Saving Apps
Are money-saving apps secure?
Yes — reputable apps like Cleo and Rocket Money are safe to use. Always research an app to ensure it prioritizes user security.
Are automated saving apps worth the cost?
Many people feel the fees are justified by the convenience and potential for increased savings. Whether it’s worth it depends on your financial aims and whether the automation helps you save more than you would manually.
What should I consider when choosing a money-saving app?
Key factors to evaluate include:
- Security: Make sure the app uses strong protections for your financial data.
- Fees: Know any charges and assess whether they’re reasonable for the services offered.
- Usability: The app should be easy to navigate and configure.
- Savings methods: Opt for apps that offer creative, personalized ways to save based on your habits.
- Reviews: Read user feedback to judge reliability and effectiveness.
Can money-saving apps really grow my savings?
Absolutely. By automating savings, these apps encourage small, consistent contributions that accumulate over time. Investment-focused apps like Wealthfront can also potentially boost returns. The trick is to pick apps that match your goals and financial reality.
How do I get started with a money-saving app?
To begin, follow these steps:
- Pick an app: Choose one that fits your needs based on features, security and reviews.
- Download: Install the app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create an account: Provide required details and link a bank account if requested.
- Set preferences: Define goals and set rules for how much and how often to save.
- Watch progress: Regularly review the app to track your savings and tweak settings as needed.
Jordan Mays ( [email protected] ) is a former staff writer at Savinly. He advocates for automated saving strategies.
1. All client accounts’ trading and rebalancing are managed by Wealthfront’s software.
2. Nothing here should be taken as tax advice, an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investing carries risk, including the potential loss of invested capital, and past results don’t guarantee future performance. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC (“Wealthfront Advisers”), an SEC-registered investment adviser, and brokerage products and services are provided by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Tax-Loss Harvesting benefits vary based on the client’s full tax and investment situation. Wealthfront Advisers does not provide tax advice. The performance of replacement securities purchased through tax-loss harvesting may be better or worse than the securities sold.
3. ($50 cash bonus when you deposit $500); client must maintain $500 through the 30-day mark. See website for details.
4. Savinly receives compensation when a reader clicks a referral link directing them to Wealthfront, which creates a conflict of interest. Savinly’s opinions in this article are independent and not directly tied to such compensation. Savinly and Wealthfront Brokerage, LLC are not affiliated beyond this arrangement.
5. T-bills are subject to price and availability changes — yields can fluctuate. Past performance is not indicative of future results. T-bill investments carry risks, including credit, interest rate and liquidity risk. Generally, T-bill prices move inversely to interest rate changes. While considered safer than many investments, you could lose part or all of your investment. Investment income on T-bills is taxed federally by the IRS but is not subject to state or local income taxes.Jiko U.S. Treasuries Risk Disclosures for additional information.
6. Yield reflects an annualized 26-week T-bill rate (as of11/21/2023) when held to maturity. Rate assumes holding the T-bill for 26 weeks. Selling prior to maturity may result in loss of interest or principal. Rate is shown before fees and annualized. Fee schedule at public.com/disclosures/fee-schedule. T-bills are purchased in $100 par value increments at a discount; leftover balance is held in cash. All investments involve risk. Past performance does not predict future outcomes.Risks. U.S. members only.
7. Chime is a financial technology firm, not a bank. Banking services provided by Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.
