Budgeting doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. These days, there are apps that make managing money fun, easy, and even a little satisfying. I looked into what’s trending on TikTok and other social media, and these are the apps that teens and young adults are actually using in 2025.

1. Cleo

Cleo feels less like a boring money app and more like a funny friend who just gets it. Instead of throwing numbers and charts at you, Cleo chats with you in a casual way, cracks jokes, and even sends memes. It makes tracking your spending and saving feel fun instead of stressful — almost like you’ve got a supportive buddy who actually helps you manage your money.

You can ask Cleo things like “Can I afford this?” or “How much have I spent on food this week?” and it gives you quick answers. It also has savings tools to help you set goals and automatically put money aside.

There’s a free version with plenty of good features, but if you pay for Cleo Plus, you unlock extras like small cash advances, cashback, and more personalized insights.

People love it because it makes money less stressful and even fun. But it’s not perfect—cash advances are small, the best features cost money, and it’s not a replacement for real financial advice.

 

Features:

• Personalized spending insights

• Challenges and savings goals

• Connects to your bank for real-time tracking

Best for: Anyone who wants a fun, conversational way to manage money.

 

Pros (Why it’s good)

• Fun to use, feels like chatting with a friend

• Makes money less stressful with jokes and light reminders

• Helps you save and shows where your money goes

• Free version has plenty of useful tools

• Secure, only reads your bank info

Cons (Things to watch out for)

• Best features require a paid plan

• Cash advances are small

• No investing or high-interest savings options

• Some users report glitches and bank connection issues

• Customer support can be slow

• Not a real financial advisor, advice isn’t always perfect

 

 

2. GoHenry

Why teens love it: GoHenry is perfect for younger users because it comes with a prepaid debit card and teaches money skills in a safe, controlled way.

GoHenry is a money app and prepaid debit card designed for kids and teens aged 6 to 18, helping them learn how to manage money safely. Kids can spend anywhere Visa is accepted, set savings goals, and complete fun “Money Missions” that teach budgeting and smart spending. Parents can load money instantly, set spending limits, approve purchases, and get notifications, giving them control and peace of mind. The app is secure and easy to use, though it has a small monthly fee, no interest on savings, and no investment options. Overall, GoHenry is a simple, safe, and fun way for kids to gain financial independence while learning good money habits.

Features:

• Set spending limits

• Learn financial skills through the app

• Real-time notifications of spending

Best for: Teens who want to learn money management with guidance.

Pros:

• Made for kids and teens, helping them learn money skills early.

• Parents can set limits, approve spending, and get notifications.

• Money can be sent instantly to the child’s account.

• Fun “Money Missions” teach saving, budgeting, and spending responsibly.

• Works anywhere Visa is accepted, online or in-store.

Cons:

• Costs £2.99 per month per child.

• Doesn’t pay interest on savings.

• No investment options.

• Extra top-ups after the first one cost £0.50 each.

• Not a full bank, so some protections and services are limited.

 

 

 

3. Revolut

Why teens love it: Revolut is sleek, modern, and all-in-one. You can track spending, save money, and even hold multiple currencies.

Revolut is a modern money app and digital bank that makes managing your money simple and fast. It lets you send and receive money instantly, spend abroad without high fees, exchange currencies at fair rates, and save using digital “Vaults.” You can also manage your card easily, like freezing it if it’s lost or using virtual cards for online purchases. People like Revolut because it’s smart, secure, and convenient, making everyday spending, saving, and traveling much easier.

Pros:

• Spend and send money abroad easily.

• Hold money in different currencies.

• Trade cryptocurrencies in the app.

• Easy and modern app to use.

Cons:

• Customer support can be slow.

• Depositing cash can cost extra.

• Money isn’t fully protected like a bank.

• Currency exchange costs a bit more on weekends.

"Checking how much I have left in my account"

 

"Transferring cash made easy with Revolut"

 

"Keeping an eye on my investments”

 

 

Features:

• Multi-currency accounts

• Real-time spending notifications

• Savings goals and budgeting tools

Best for: Teens and young adults who want a professional-looking app that does it all.

 

 

 

4. Bankaroo

Why teens love it: Bankaroo is like a virtual bank for younger users. You can manage allowance, set goals, and learn about money without a real bank account.

Bankaroo is a fun, easy-to-use virtual bank for kids aged 5 to 14 that helps them learn about money. Kids can set savings goals, track their spending, and earn rewards for reaching milestones, while parents can give allowances and monitor progress. It works like a digital piggy bank, teaching kids budgeting, saving, and responsible spending in a safe, controlled way. While it doesn’t use real money or offer advanced banking features, it’s a great tool to help children develop good money habits early.

Features:

• Virtual accounts for different goals

• No bank account required

• Safe with passwords and PINs

Best for: Younger teens who are just starting to manage money.

 

Pros:

• Easy to use and kid-friendly.

• Helps kids set savings goals and track their spending.

• Rewards and badges make learning about money fun.

• Parents can give allowances and monitor progress.

• Teaches kids budgeting and responsible spending safely.

Cons:

• Uses only virtual money, not real money.

• Kids have to manually enter their spending at first.

• Doesn’t offer advanced features like investing or bank account integration.

• Limited features for older kids or teens who want more control.

 

5. PocketGuard

Why teens love it: PocketGuard shows you exactly how much money you can safely spend after bills and savings. It’s super simple and prevents overspending.

PocketGuard is a budgeting app that helps you manage your money without stress. It connects to your bank accounts, tracks your spending, and shows how much money you really have left after bills, savings, and goals. This “leftover” amount helps you see what’s safe to spend.

The app has a free version that lets you link a couple of accounts, track recurring bills, and set basic spending categories. The paid version, PocketGuard Plus, gives you more freedom—more accounts, more categories, goal tracking, debt planning, and subscription management.

People like PocketGuard because it’s simple to use, helps them see exactly where their money goes, and makes it easier to save or pay off debt. It’s basically a smart, friendly assistant for your money that keeps budgeting easy and stress-free.

Features:

• Tracks expenses automatically

• Bill reminders and subscription tracking

• Shows “in my pocket” money

Best for: Young adults who want a simple, stress-free budgeting tool.

Budgeting doesn’t have to feel like homework. These apps make it easy, fun, and even motivating. Pick one that feels simple and start small — you’ll be surprised how much control you can get over your money.

Pros:

• Easy to use with a clean, simple design.

• Automatically tracks and categorizes your spending.

• Helps you set and reach savings goals.

• Shows recurring subscriptions so you can manage or cancel them.

• Gives a clear overview of your money—income, bills, and spending.

Cons:

• Free version is basic; you need the paid plan for more features.

• Doesn’t track investments.

• Only works in one currency, no multi-currency support.

• Limited customization in the free version.

• Sometimes syncing accounts can be slow or glitchy.