Financial planning is more important than ever as we move into 2025, with economic uncertainties, shifting investment landscapes, and increasing personal financial complexity. Fortunately, a range of financial planning tools can help you manage your money, plan for the future, and stay on top of your financial goals. Whether you’re an individual looking to budget better or a professional seeking to manage client portfolios more effectively, there’s something for everyone.
In this article, we’ll highlight some of the top financial planning tools that will help you optimize your finances in 2025, starting with Financial Aha , which offers an innovative approach to personal finance.
10 Top Finance Apps at a Glance
| Tool | Category | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| FinancialAha | Spreadsheet | Customizable templates for personal finance, budgeting, investment tracking, retirement and more. | No automatic sync with bank accounts. |
| Personal Capital | Wealth Management | Detailed investment tracking, net worth analysis, retirement planning, and fee analysis. | Premium features may require a fee. |
| YNAB | Budgeting | Proactive budgeting approach, goal tracking, financial education resources. | Monthly subscription fee. |
| GoodBudget | Budgeting | Digital envelope budgeting system, syncs across devices for shared budgeting. | Limited features compared to other budgeting apps. |
| Tiller Money | Spreadsheet | Automated data entry into Google Sheets or Excel, customizable financial reports. | Requires a subscription fee for advanced features. |
| Robinhood | Investment | Commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. | Limited customer support and account security concerns. |
| Empower | Financial Planning | Comprehensive financial planning tool with investment tracking and budgeting features. | May require a fee for premium features. |
| PocketGuard | Budgeting | Expense tracking, bill management, savings goals, and alerts for unusual spending. | Limited investment tracking features. |
| Acorns | Micro-Investing | Automated investing by rounding up purchases, retirement account options. | Fees for premium features and account management. |
| Wealthfront | Automated Planning | Robo-advisor for personalized investment strategies, retirement planning, and education. | Fees for investment management and premium features. |
1. FinancialAha - Spreadsheet Templates for Personal Finance
If you’re someone who prefers using spreadsheets for tracking finances, Financial Aha offers customizable financial planning templates that can help you organize and optimize your personal or business finances. From budgeting and investment tracking to retirement planning and debt repayment schedules, Financial Aha’s templates allow users to take control of their financial data in an easy-to-use format. Their extensive library of spreadsheet templates covers a variety of financial needs, from saving for a vacation to managing household expenses.
As people continue to look for cost-effective solutions that still provide flexibility, Financial Aha’s templates offer a straightforward and hands-on approach to financial planning. They allow for full customization to fit your specific needs, ensuring you’re well-prepared for whatever the future holds.
2. Personal Capital - Wealth Management & Investment Tracking
Personal Capital blends personal finance and wealth management tools to give you a comprehensive overview of your finances. The platform offers detailed tracking of your investments, net worth, and retirement savings. You can view your portfolio performance, analyze fees, and plan for your future goals.
With more people investing in diverse assets like crypto, real estate, and index funds, Personal Capital remains a top tool in 2025. The app’s advanced retirement planning features, such as its retirement fee analyzer, help users make informed decisions about their long-term goals.
3. YNAB (You Need A Budget) - Budgeting & Cash Flow Management
YNAB is a tool for those who want to give every dollar a job. Unlike other apps that track spending, YNAB focuses on budgeting proactively, ensuring that you assign every dollar to a specific category and savings goal. It also includes features like goal tracking and financial education, helping you take control of your finances.
YNAB has a passionate community of users who love its method of budgeting. The app’s educational resources continue to grow, helping people improve their financial literacy. As people continue to struggle with rising costs in 2025, YNAB’s method can help users gain control of their cash flow.
4. GoodBudget - Envelope Budgeting System
GoodBudget is a digital version of the traditional envelope budgeting system. You set aside portions of your income for different categories (like groceries, savings, and entertainment) and track your spending against these envelopes. The app allows syncing across devices, so both partners or family members can stay on the same page.
In 2025, budgeting remains a critical tool for financial wellness. GoodBudget’s simplicity makes it an excellent option for people who prefer the traditional envelope method, but with the added benefit of digital tracking and syncing capabilities
5. Tiller Money - Spreadsheet Budgeting
Tiller Money is an automated spreadsheet tool that combines the power of spreadsheets with the automation of data entry. It connects to your bank accounts and downloads transactions directly into Google Sheets or Excel. You can build custom reports, budgets, and financial trackers that suit your exact needs.
As data privacy and customization become more important, Tiller Money offers a flexible, privacy-conscious way to manage finances. It’s particularly helpful for users who want to blend the traditional benefits of spreadsheets with the efficiency of automation.
6. Robinhood - Investment and Trading
Robinhood is known for making investing accessible by offering commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options, and even cryptocurrencies. The platform is user-friendly and designed for those who are new to investing. Robinhood also provides educational resources to help users understand how to invest and the basics of financial markets.
It serves as a gateway to the stock market. In 2025, Robinhood remains a key player with improved tools for managing and tracking investments, as well as enhanced security measures.
7. Empower (formerly Personal Capital) - Financial Planning
Empower, previously known as Personal Capital, is a financial planning tool that offers users a wide range of features, including investment tracking, retirement planning, and budgeting. The app gives you a holistic view of your financial situation, integrating all your accounts in one place.
With AI-powered tools to track spending and investment growth, Empower makes it easy to manage and optimize your finances. The app is especially useful for people looking for long-term financial planning strategies as they approach retirement.
8. PocketGuard - Budgeting and Expense Tracking
PocketGuard is a budgeting app that helps you track your spending, manage bills, and save money. It categorizes your transactions, shows you how much you have in your pocket, and helps you set financial goals. The app also alerts you to any unusual spending patterns or upcoming bills.
In 2025, PocketGuard remains a popular choice for people looking to get a handle on their finances. Its simplicity and ease of use make it an excellent option for those who want to track their spending without the complexity of other budgeting apps.
9. Acorns - Micro-Investing
Acorns automates the process of investing by rounding up your everyday purchases and investing the spare change in a diversified portfolio. It’s an excellent tool for beginners who want to invest without thinking about it. Acorns also offers retirement accounts, making it an ideal choice for people who want to start saving for the future with minimal effort.
In 2025, Acorns continues to be a popular choice for those looking to start investing with small amounts of money. The app’s simplicity and automation make it an attractive option for people who want to grow their wealth gradually.
10. Wealthfront - Automated Financial Planning
Wealthfront is one of the leading robo-advisors that helps you plan for retirement, education, and other financial goals. It uses algorithms to manage your investments and provides a personalized financial plan based on your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.
More people are looking to optimize their finances with minimal time investment, thus Wealthfront’s automated financial planning continues to grow in popularity. In 2025, Wealthfront offers even more personalized investment strategies, making it a great option for those looking for a hands-off approach to growing their wealth.
Conclusion
As we navigate the complexities of personal finance in 2025, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking to track your spending, plan for retirement, or grow your investments, there’s a financial planning tool out there to suit your needs. From spreadsheet templates to robo-advisors, the options are endless, so take the time to explore what works best for you and your financial goals.
