Resources
Recommended Personal Finance Tools & Apps
The best personal finance tools are the ones you'll actually use. Start with our free calculators and planner, add trusted government resources, and choose third-party apps using the safety and cost checklist below.
Last reviewed
Advertiser disclosure: SmartPath Finance may earn a commission from some links on this page. This never affects our explanations or criteria. We are not a lender. See our editorial policy.
Free SmartPath Finance tools
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Budget Planner Spreadsheet | Plan monthly income, expenses and savings in Excel, Google Sheets or Numbers |
| Debt Payoff Calculator | Compare snowball and avalanche payoff timelines and interest |
| Loan Comparison Tool | Compare up to three loan offers by monthly payment and total cost |
Trusted free government resources
- AnnualCreditReport.com — the official source for free credit reports from all three bureaus.
- ConsumerFinance.gov (CFPB) — guides, tools and a place to submit complaints about financial companies.
- Investor.gov (SEC) — investing basics and a compound interest calculator.
- SSA.gov — create an account to see your estimated Social Security benefits.
- IdentityTheft.gov (FTC) — step-by-step recovery plans if your identity is stolen.
- BrokerCheck (FINRA) — research investment professionals and firms.
Choosing a budgeting app
| Consider | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Cost | Is it free, subscription-based or ad-supported? |
| Method | Does it support your budgeting style (zero-based, 50/30/20, envelopes)? |
| Account linking | Does it connect to your banks reliably? Can you use it manually instead? |
| Security | Does it offer multi-factor authentication? How is data protected? |
| Privacy | Does it sell or share your data? Read the privacy policy. |
Choosing savings and investing platforms
- Confirm FDIC (banks) or NCUA (credit unions) insurance for deposit accounts.
- Confirm brokerages are SIPC members and check them on BrokerCheck.
- Compare fees, minimums, and the quality of customer support.
About third-party recommendations
We may add specific third-party apps and platforms to this page over time. Some may be affiliate partners, and we'll clearly label those links. Inclusion will always be based on our stated criteria: transparency, security, cost and usefulness to readers.