What are the best saving apps? (Apps like Chime, Mint, YNAB, and more)

Saving money feels easier when an app automates the boring parts — rounding up purchases, moving a small amount to a stash, nudging you toward goals, or forcing you to actually budget. There’s no single “best” app for everyone; the right one depends on whether you want automatic micro-savings, hands-on budgeting, goal-based buckets, or a bank that makes saving painless. Below I explain the most useful categories, profile the top apps you asked about (and a few more), and give quick guidance so you can pick the one that’ll actually help you save.

How to choose a saving app (the important criteria)

Before we dive into apps, think about these factors — they’ll determine which app serves you best:

• Automation vs. control: Do you want the app to save for you (round-ups, rules, transfers) or do you prefer a manual, zero-based budget where every dollar is assigned?

• Fees and pricing: Some apps are free, some charge a monthly fee, and some are subscription + optional banking fees. Make sure the fee doesn’t cancel out your tiny wins.

• Safety & data: Look for bank-level encryption, FDIC insurance (if it’s a bank account), and clear data-use policies.

• Integrations: Will it connect to your bank(s), credit cards, investment accounts, and payroll?

• Goal features: Do you need multiple “buckets” or one long-term saver? Can you set and visualize goals?

• Behavioral nudges: Rules, gamification, or human coaching can actually change habits — and that often matters more than feature lists.

The likeliest winners (short takes)

Chime — easiest “set-and-forget” bank-style saving

Chime is a challenger bank that makes saving automatic: its “Save When You Spend” rounds your debit transactions up to the next dollar and moves the spare change into a savings account. It also offers automatic transfers and no monthly fees for many customers, plus basic banking features like direct deposit. If you primarily want effortless, bank-backed saving that lives alongside your checking, Chime is a top pick. (chime.com)

Who it’s for: people who want saving baked into everyday banking with minimal friction.

Mint (note: historical context) — used to be the free all-in-one tracker

Mint historically was the go-to free personal finance manager for budget tracking, bill reminders, and net-worth views. However, Intuit announced they would wind Mint down and migrate/replace certain features within Credit Karma; the transition and shutdown timeline disrupted many longtime users and pushed people to alternatives. If you loved Mint’s automated tracking, look for alternative apps that replicate its combination of account aggregation + budgeting. (bloomberg.com)

Who it’s for: former Mint users who need a similar aggregator — try apps like Monarch, Simplifi, or a YNAB hybrid depending on your priority.

YNAB (You Need A Budget) — best for active budgeting and long-term habit change

YNAB is not free — it’s a subscription product designed around zero-based budgeting and active assignment of every dollar. The philosophy is hands-on: give every dollar a job, roll with irregular expenses, and prioritize savings as planned categories. YNAB’s pricing reflects that (annual and monthly plans), but users who stick with it often report better control over spending and faster savings growth because it forces planning, not just tracking. (ynab.com)

Who it’s for: people who want to overhaul their money habits, plan for irregular costs, and are willing to pay for structure and education.

Acorns — micro-investing + spare-change saving

Acorns rounds up purchases and INVESTS the spare change into diversified ETF portfolios; it’s marketed more as micro-investing than pure saving, but it functions as a low-friction way to grow small balances. Acorns also offers tiered subscriptions that add retirement accounts, checking features, and higher-yield options in some bundles. If you’re fine investing rather than holding cash and you want to build wealth slowly with tiny contributions, Acorns works well. (Acorns)

Who it’s for: people who want to turn spare change into investments without thinking about it.

Qapital — goal-based rules and flexible “savings rules”

Qapital is built around flexible “rules” (e.g., save $3 every time you buy coffee, round-ups, or scheduled transfers) and lets you create multiple goals/buckets. Its UX encourages behavioral nudges (if X happens, save Y) and makes it easy to visualize and automate progress toward concrete goals. Great if you prefer gamified, highly-customizable automation. (Qapital)

Who it’s for: people who want fine-grained rules to match real-life triggers and multiple simultaneous goals.

Ally Bank — solid online bank with smart savings tools

If you want full bank accounts with good APYs and built-in tools, Ally’s digital banking includes “buckets” (sub-savings goals), recurring transfers, and automated boosting features. It’s less gamified than Qapital or Acorns but strong on safety, interest, and integrated banking. Good if you want one place to park cash with an above-average yield and organized goal buckets. (Ally)

Who it’s for: savers who want reliable interest, FDIC protection, and basic automation from a trusted online bank.

Other notable mentions

• Digit / Oportun — historically a strong auto-saver that used algorithms to pull small amounts into savings; its business has changed over time (check current availability/pricing). (See reviews and status before committing.)

• Simplifi by Quicken, PocketGuard, Monarch, Tiller — budgeting-focused apps often recommended as Mint alternatives or for specific workflows (spreadsheet fans love Tiller).

• Betterment / Wealthfront — for savers who want automated investment + tax-sensitive features, these robo-advisors combine saving and investing with automated rebalancing.

For curated lists and comparisons, financial publishers like Bankrate and Kiplinger regularly update their “best of” lists to reflect fee and feature shifts — those are useful cross-checks when you’re deciding. (Bankrate)

Quick comparison (pick one based on your style)

• Want zero effort? Chime or Qapital (automatic round-ups / rules).

• Want to invest spare change? Acorns.

• Want structured budgeting that forces savings? YNAB.

• Want reliable bank savings with buckets and APY? Ally.

• Need Mint-like aggregation? Try Monarch, Simplifi, or Tiller (depending on whether you want a spreadsheet).

Practical tips for making an app work for you

1. Start small and automate: The psychology of saving is easier when the hit to your cashflow is tiny. Use round-ups or $5–$20 recurring transfers to build momentum.

2. Name your goals: Concrete goals (“Emergency fund — $3,000”) beat vague intentions.

3. Match vehicle to goal: Cash in a high-yield savings account for emergency funds; short-term goals (vacation) can sit in a bank; long-term goals can be invested.

4. Watch fees: If an app charges $5/month and you only save $20/month because of it, re-evaluate.

5. Use two tools if needed: Some people use a bank app for cash savings and a separate app (like YNAB) for planning. That hybrid can be powerful.

6. Revisit quarterly: A quick quarterly review helps you adjust rules and raises transfers as income grows.

A short checklist before you sign up

• Is the money FDIC-insured (if it’s a cash account)?

• What are the exact fees (monthly, transfer, withdrawal)?

• Can you export your data and close the account easily?

• What permissions does the app request, and how is user data used?

• Are transfers instant or delayed, and are any external ATM or bank fees possible?

Final thoughts

Saving apps are tools — they’re only as good as the habits you build around them. If you want frictionless saving, pick a round-up or bank that automates deposits. If you want to change long-term behavior, consider investing in a structured program like YNAB. For many people, the best approach is a small automated “set it and forget it” system plus a budgeting habit: let the app hold and grow your savings while you use a budget to direct where bigger chunks go.