Keeping track of daily expenses is one habit that pays off. When I started logging every dollar I spent, I finally saw where my money was going. I also caught small fees and impulse buys that I used to miss.
In this guide, I will show you the best free apps for tracking daily expenses in 2025. I focus on simple tools you can start using today, with natural links where you can check features or download the apps.
What I look for in a free expense tracker
I judge free expense apps on a few things that matter in real life. Can I add a transaction in under 10 seconds? Does the free plan limit me too much? Can I export my data if I ever switch apps? Does it work offline? And does it respect my privacy?
With that in mind, here are the top free options that hold up well in 2025.
Goodbudget (free forever, envelope style)
If you like the envelope method, Goodbudget is a friendly place to start. You create digital “envelopes” for categories and then record spending into each one. The free plan gives you 10 regular envelopes and 10 annual envelopes, with support for two devices plus the web version.
I like Goodbudget for couples who want to try envelope budgeting without paying. You can install it on Android or iOS, log transactions manually, and later export them as CSV if you want your data elsewhere.
Wallet by BudgetBakers (manual-first on free; bank sync is paid)
Wallet by BudgetBakers has been around for years and offers flexible budgets with clean charts. On the free tier, you track expenses manually and can set up up to three accounts. Bank syncing is only in the premium plan, but many people find manual entry enough.
If you want to try Wallet, download it from Google Play or the App Store. Start with cash, one bank account, and a card, and you’ll quickly see how much of your daily spend goes into each.
Monefy (fast manual entry with cloud sync)
If speed matters, Monefy is one of the fastest. It takes just two taps to log an expense. The app is free on Android and iOS, with cloud sync available through Google Drive or Dropbox.
I use Monefy when I want minimal friction. You open it, tap the category, type the amount, and you’re done. You can export data to CSV anytime, and if you ever want unlimited accounts or advanced filters, the Pro upgrade exists. But for daily tracking, the free app is enough.
Money Manager by Realbyte (feature-rich, double-entry under the hood)
Money Manager by Realbyte is a bit more advanced. It uses double-entry bookkeeping under the hood, which keeps transfers and balances accurate. The free app supports manual entry, recurring items, charts, multi-currency, and exports to Excel. You can also back up to Google Drive.
If you download it from Google Play or the App Store, you’ll see it offers a deeper feature set than most free apps. It does have ads, but you can remove them by upgrading. Still, the free version is strong enough for daily use.
Spending Tracker by MH Riley (super simple, free)
Spending Tracker wins on simplicity. It works offline, shows simple charts, and lets you log income and expenses with almost no setup. There is also an Android version with the same clean design.
I recommend this app for students, teenagers, or anyone who wants the most basic way to track spending. It is also great for people who mainly use cash, since you can log payments quickly and keep totals by week or month.
Spendee (one wallet on free; good for beginners)
Spendee is very beginner-friendly. On the free plan, you get one wallet and one budget. That’s enough if you want to track everyday spending in one account. If you later want more wallets or automatic bank syncing, those are premium features.
You can install Spendee on iOS or Android and start logging your “Daily Spend” wallet right away. It’s a good way to test budgeting without being overwhelmed by too many options.
Firefly III (free, open-source, self-hosted)
If you prefer privacy and control, Firefly III is a free, open-source finance manager. You can host it yourself with Docker or use a managed host. It supports multi-currency, budgets, tags, and imports/exports. Community-built mobile apps let you log expenses on the go.
Firefly III is best if you’re already comfortable with self-hosting or running your own server. If that sounds too technical, the mobile-first apps above may be easier. But if privacy is key, Firefly III gives you complete ownership of your data.
Google Sheets (free template + full control)
Sometimes the simplest tool is a spreadsheet. Google Sheets has built-in monthly budget templates you can copy and customize. You can also use offline mode and sync later, which makes it reliable even without internet.
Quick comparison of free apps
Here’s a simple summary of the free tiers:
- Goodbudget: envelope budgeting, 10 envelopes on free, two devices.
- Wallet: up to three accounts on free; manual entry only.
- Monefy: two-tap logging, Google Drive/Dropbox sync, CSV export.
- Money Manager (Realbyte): detailed reports, double-entry system, Excel export.
- Spending Tracker: very simple, no bank sync, works offline.
- Spendee: one wallet, one budget on free, clean visuals.
- Firefly III: open-source, self-hosted, full control.
- Google Sheets: no limits, customizable, template-ready.
How to choose the right app for you
If you want speed, Monefy is your best bet. If you want envelope control, Goodbudget is the way to go. For deeper reports, Money Manager works well. Wallet is nice if you want goals and charts. Spendee is easy for beginners. Spending Tracker is ultra-simple. Firefly III is for the tech-savvy who value privacy, and Google Sheets is for those who want flexibility with no ads or restrictions.
Final thoughts
You don’t need to spend money to get control of your finances. Pick one app, stick with it for a month, and log consistently. Even a basic tool like Spending Tracker or Google Sheets can help you see patterns that change how you spend. If you prefer visuals, start with Spendee or Wallet. If you like structure, go with Goodbudget or Money Manager.
The best app is the one you’ll actually use every day.
