The 6 Best Apps for Saving Money in 2025

by | Feb 25, 2025 | Investing, Save Money | 0 comments

Saving money can be challenging, but with the right app, it becomes much easier. Whether you’re looking to automate savings, round up purchases, or set financial goals, there’s an app for you. Below, we summarize six of the best money-saving apps available: Acorns, Chime, Varo, Empower, Oportun, and Qapital.

Acorns

Acorns is an investment and savings app that helps users groAcow their wealth effortlessly. It rounds up your spare change from everyday purchases and invests it in diversified portfolios. The app also offers retirement and checking accounts, making it a comprehensive financial tool. Acorns is perfect for those who want to invest without actively managing their portfolios. Over time, small investments can add up to significant savings.

Acorns offers three subscription plans: Personal ($3/month), Personal Plus ($5/month), and Premium ($9/month). Each plan provides different levels of access to banking, investing, and retirement services.

Pros:

  • Automated round-up investing.
  • Easy for beginners to start investing.
  • Retirement and checking account options.
  • Educational financial content.

Cons:

  • Monthly fees can eat into small balances.
  • Limited investment customization.
  • No high-yield savings option.

Summary: Acorns is a great choice for those who want to invest their spare change without thinking about it. However, its fees may not be ideal for those with low balances.

Chime

Chime is an online banking app that offers fee-free checking and savings accounts. It provides automatic savings features, such as rounding up purchases and saving a percentage of direct deposits. Chime also allows users to receive their paychecks up to two days early and offers overdraft protection of up to $200 with SpotMe.

Chime has no monthly fees or subscription costs, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking to save money and manage their finances.

Pros:

  • No monthly fees or overdraft fees.
  • Early direct deposit feature.
  • Automatic savings tools.
  • Large fee-free ATM network.

Cons:

  • No physical bank branches.
  • No cash deposit at ATMs.
  • Limited customer service options.

Summary: Chime is a fantastic option for fee-free banking and automatic savings. However, those who prefer in-person banking may find it limiting.

Varo

Varo is a mobile banking app designed to help users save and manage their money. It offers high-yield savings accounts, early direct deposit, and no hidden fees. Users can also access Varo Advance, which provides small cash advances to help with short-term expenses. Varo is ideal for those looking for an all-in-one digital banking experience.

Varo has no monthly fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance requirements, making it one of the most affordable banking apps available.

Pros:

  • High-yield savings account with up to 5.00% APY.
  • No hidden fees or overdraft charges.
  • Early direct deposit.
  • Cash advances available.

Cons:

  • No joint accounts.
  • Limited cash deposit options.
  • No investment features.

Summary: Varo is an excellent choice for those who want a digital bank with high-yield savings and no fees. However, it lacks investment and joint account options.

Empower

Empower is a personal finance app that helps users save money through automated savings, budgeting tools, and cash advances. It analyzes your income and spending habits to determine how much you can safely save each week. The app also provides cash advances of up to $250 with no interest.

Empower offers a 14-day free trial, after which it costs $8 per month to use its full suite of features.

Pros:

  • Smart savings automation based on spending habits.
  • Cash advance feature with no interest.
  • Budgeting tools and spend tracking.
  • No overdraft fees.

Cons:

  • Monthly fee after the free trial.
  • No investment options.
  • Requires linking bank accounts.

Summary: Empower is a great app for those who need a combination of automated savings and budgeting tools. However, the $8 monthly fee may be a downside for some users.

Oportun (formerly Digit)

Oportun is an automated savings app that uses AI to determine the best times to move money into savings. It adjusts savings amounts based on spending habits, helping users save without thinking about it. Additionally, Oportun offers short-term cash advances to help cover expenses when needed.

Oportun costs $5 per month after a 30-day free trial.

Pros:

  • Fully automated savings.
  • Smart AI-based financial insights.
  • Cash advance feature.
  • No overdraft fees.

Cons:

  • Monthly fee may not be worth it for small savers.
  • No investment or high-yield savings options.
  • AI savings adjustments may not work for everyone.

Summary: Oportun is ideal for hands-free savers who want AI-driven financial assistance. However, its subscription cost may not suit those who save smaller amounts.

Qapital

Qapital is a savings app that helps users build better financial habits through goal-based savings. It allows users to set specific goals and apply customizable rules, such as rounding up purchases or saving when they complete personal milestones. Qapital also offers investing options for users who want to grow their savings.

Qapital has three subscription plans: Basic ($3/month), Complete ($6/month), and Premier ($12/month). Each plan offers different levels of automation and investing features.

Pros:

  • Flexible and customizable savings rules.
  • Goal-based savings system.
  • Investment options available.
  • Fun, engaging user experience.

Cons:

  • Monthly fee required.
  • No free version available.
  • No instant withdrawals.

Summary: Qapital is perfect for users who enjoy goal-based saving and want a fun way to automate their finances. However, the lack of a free version may be a drawback for some.

Final Thoughts

Each of these six apps offers a unique approach to saving money, whether through automated deposits, round-up investing, or goal-based savings. Acorns is best for investing spare change, Chime and Varo offer fee-free banking with automated savings, Empower and Oportun focus on AI-driven savings and cash advances, while Qapital makes saving fun with goal-based automation. Choosing the right app depends on your personal savings style and financial goals.