Between the Cost of Living Crisis and shrinking student loan allowances, it can be hard to manage your finances as a student! Having a strong financial plan and budget in place is so important, and we've compiled some useful budgeting apps to you stay on top of your money. 

1. Plum

Plum is a savings and investment app that allows you to link bank and credit card accounts from other providers and present a true picture of your spending. It automatically categorises your spending and creates monthly spending breakdowns to help you get a clear picture of how and where you spend your money.

Pros:

• Links to your accounts
• Offers ISAs and saving accounts
• Automated deposits into your savings
• Upcoming bill alerts
• Plum debit card and cashback (included in the Pro + Ultra packages)

Cons: 

• Feature-heavy may be a put-off for some
• Best features reserved for paid-for version

Find out more and download the app here.

2. Emma

Emma allows you to sync compatible crypto accounts with providers (such as Coinbase and Binance) as well as bank accounts within the app. It also offers easy access savings pots paying up to 4.34% AER (variable). However, the highest rates are exclusive to Emma customers with paid-for accounts.

Pros:

• Links to your accounts
• Cashback on 500+ retail partners (Emma Plus)
• Can invest in stocks & shares
• Categorises outgoings

Cons: 

• Feature-heavy may be a put-off for some.
• Best features and rates reserved for paid-for apps

Find out more here.

3. Monese

Monese can help you improve your credit score as well as budget! You can syncing your accounts to the app, track and group transactions, set up and track direct debits, and even put aside money from day-to-day spending in ‘pots’ towards your saving goals.

Pros & Cons

• Links to your accounts
• Build credit with a Monese loan
• Free-delivery debit card with all packages

Cons:

• No investment option
• No interest paid on Monese Pots
• Best features reserved for paid-for version

Find out more and download the app here.

4. Snoop Finance

In addition to tracking your money across your accounts, this app can help you find ways to save money, ranging from sourcing discounts on food delivery services and tailored discounts to offering you unique insight into how to improve your money management. 

Pros & Cons

• Links to your accounts
• Identifies wasteful spend
• Upcoming bill alerts

Cons:

• Best features reserved for paid-for versions

Find out more and download the app here.

Overall, there are so many free apps available to help you to budget effectively! Using these tools can really help you get the most out of your spending, and it’s important to stay aware of where your moneys going – especially as a student.