The Best Personal Finance Apps for Women in Their 30s: Organize, Budget, and Build Wealth
Managing money in your 30s can feel like juggling a dozen spinning plates. Between building a career, raising a family, buying a home, and planning for retirement, it’s no wonder so many women feel overwhelmed by their finances. The good news? We’re living in a digital age, and that means help is literally at your fingertips.
This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through one of these links. Please note that I only recommend products or services that I genuinely believe will add value to my readers. All opinions expressed are my own, and any affiliate income helps support the maintenance and growth of this blog. Please see my page of policies & disclaimers for further information. The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or investment advice. Always consult a qualified financial professional or advisor to address your specific circumstances before making any financial decisions.
Whether you're looking to get serious about budgeting, grow your savings, tackle debt, or start investing, personal finance apps can help you stay on top of your goals. But with hundreds of options out there, which ones are worth your time (and phone storage)?
In this post, we’re diving into the best personal finance apps for women in their 30s, tailored to help you save smart, spend wisely, and invest confidently.
Why Personal Finance Apps Matter in Your 30s
Your 30s are a defining decade for your financial life. You’re likely earning more than you did in your 20s, but you also might have more responsibilities: mortgage payments, daycare costs, insurance premiums, and retirement planning.
Here’s where finance apps come in:
Convenience – Check your finances anytime, anywhere.
Automation – Schedule savings, bill payments, or investment contributions.
Clarity – Get a bird’s-eye view of your money without spreadsheets.
Goal Tracking – Whether it’s paying off debt or saving for a vacation, you can track progress in real-time.
Let’s explore the top apps that can help you thrive financially—no matter your life stage.
1. Mint – For Budgeting and Tracking Every Dollar
Best for: Beginners who want a full picture of their finances
Cost: Free (with ads)
Mint (now part of Credit Karma) is one of the OG personal finance apps, and it’s still one of the best. It connects to your bank accounts, credit cards, and even loans to show you where your money is going. You’ll get alerts for unusual spending, bill due dates, and budget breakdowns by category.
Why women love it in their 30s:
Keeps track of spending across joint accounts and personal expenses
Sends reminders for bills and payment due dates
Offers credit score monitoring
Pros:
Easy to set up
Completely free
Great dashboard for visual learners
Cons:
Ads can be annoying
Limited customization
2. YNAB (You Need A Budget) – For Zero-Based Budgeting Pros
Best for: Serious budgeters and goal setters
Cost: $14.99/month or $99/year (free 34-day trial)
YNAB isn’t just a budgeting tool—it’s a philosophy. It uses zero-based budgeting, meaning every dollar you earn is given a job (whether it’s for spending, saving, or investing). It's perfect if you're tired of wondering where your paycheck went.
Why women love it in their 30s:
Encourages intentional spending
Helps build emergency funds and pay off debt
Can be used for family budgeting and shared financial goals
Pros:
Hands-on control of your money
Great for financial planning nerds
Fantastic educational resources
Cons:
Steeper learning curve
Not free
3. Empower (formerly Personal Capital) – For Net Worth & Investment Tracking
Best for: Tracking investments, net worth, and retirement planning
Cost: Free (Wealth management services are paid)
If you’re starting to invest or want to keep tabs on your retirement accounts, Empower is a must-have. It’s a hybrid between a budgeting app and an investment tracker, giving you a snapshot of your full financial life—including your net worth.
Why women love it in their 30s:
Tracks all financial accounts in one place
Helps visualize retirement goals
Easy to see how much you’ve saved vs. what you’ll need
Pros:
Powerful analytics for free
Net worth calculator is a game changer
Helps identify high fees in your 401(k)
Cons:
Focus is more on investing than daily budgeting
Sales pitch for wealth management services
4. Monarch Money – The Power Couple of Financial Planning
Best for: Couples and families managing money together
Cost: $14.99/month or $99.99/year
Monarch Money is a rising star in the finance app world and a great Mint alternative. It supports shared budgeting and long-term financial planning, making it ideal for partners and families. You can create joint goals, like saving for a new car or paying off a mortgage.
Why women love it in their 30s:
Collaborative features for managing money with a partner
Gorgeous, customizable dashboards
Tracks spending, goals, and investments
Pros:
Modern interface
Great for shared finances
Detailed goal-setting features
Cons:
Paid only (no free version)
Lacks bill pay functionality
5. Goodbudget – Envelope Budgeting, Digitized
Best for: Cash-flow based budgeting with a partner
Cost: Free basic version; $8/month or $70/year for premium
Based on the envelope method, Goodbudget lets you allocate your monthly income into digital envelopes like “Groceries,” “Gas,” or “Daycare.” It’s ideal for hands-on budgeters who want a simple yet visual way to manage money.
Why women love it in their 30s:
Helps manage shared expenses (especially for families)
Great for controlling discretionary spending
Simple, no-frills interface
Pros:
Great for couples who share expenses
Easy to understand
Encourages intentional budgeting
Cons:
Doesn’t sync with bank accounts (manual entry)
Not ideal for investment tracking
6. Rocket Money (formerly Truebill) – For Subscriptions & Savings
Best for: Canceling subscriptions and negotiating bills
Cost: Free basic version; $3–$12/month for premium
Subscriptions add up fast, especially when juggling multiple streaming platforms, apps, and memberships. Rocket Money identifies recurring charges, helps cancel unused ones, and can even negotiate your bills on your behalf.
Why women love it in their 30s:
Helps reduce unnecessary spending
Tracks monthly subscriptions (hello, forgotten gym membership!)
Boosts savings through automation
Pros:
Subscription killer
Automated savings feature
Helpful budget alerts
Cons:
Premium version can get pricey
Limited investment features
7. Ellevest – Investing Designed for Women
Best for: First-time investors looking for a women-focused platform
Cost: $5/month for essential investing features
Ellevest is more than just a finance app—it’s a platform built by women, for women. It offers automated investing portfolios tailored to your career path, salary, and life goals. Ellevest also has a strong educational component to help you feel confident about investing.
Why women love it in their 30s:
Gender-specific algorithms for retirement and career planning
Educational content geared toward women
Options to invest in social impact portfolios
Pros:
Tailored to women’s financial journeys
Great community and resources
Encourages goal-driven investing
Cons:
Not a full budgeting app
Limited customization of investment portfolios
8. PocketGuard – For Knowing What’s Safe to Spend
Best for: People who need help managing daily spending
Cost: Free basic version; $7.99/month or $34.99/year for premium
PocketGuard calculates your "safe-to-spend" number, which is how much you can spend after covering bills, goals, and necessities. If budgeting feels too detailed and tedious, this app is perfect for giving you a quick spending snapshot.
Why women love it in their 30s:
Helps you avoid overdraft or impulse purchases
Simple and intuitive
Great for busy moms or career-focused women who don’t want to micromanage money
Pros:
Easy to use
Connects to all bank accounts
Provides spending alerts
Cons:
Limited in-depth analysis
Premium version unlocks more features
What’s the Right App for You?
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
GoalRecommended AppBudgeting & trackingMint, YNABInvesting & net worthEmpower, EllevestFamily financesMonarch Money, GoodbudgetCutting costsRocket MoneySimplicityPocketGuard
Tips for Making the Most of Finance Apps
Start simple. You don’t need five apps. Start with one or two that cover your biggest needs.
Set clear goals. Know whether you're budgeting to get out of debt, save for a home, or build your investment portfolio.
Automate. Use apps that allow you to automate savings or investing. Set it and forget it.
Check in regularly. Set a weekly “money date” with yourself or your partner to review your finances using the app.
Don’t pay for features you won’t use. Many apps have generous free versions—stick with those until you’re ready to upgrade.
Final Thoughts: Tech-Savvy Tools for Financial Confidence
Personal finance apps won’t fix everything overnight, but they can put you in the driver’s seat. They give you the clarity, confidence, and control to make smarter money decisions, even during busy or chaotic seasons of life.
Your 30s are about building—not just your career or family, but also your financial future. With the right tools in your pocket, you can budget better, save faster, invest smarter, and live more intentionally.
Have a favorite finance app that’s helped you level up your money game? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working for you!