These Budgeting Apps in India Will Save You More Money Than You Think

Hey there!!

I've been noticing how many of us struggle with keeping track of our finances. Trust me, I've been there too - watching money disappear from my account and wondering, "Where did it all go?"

That's why I decided to dive deep into the world of budgeting apps available in India, and let me tell you - I was genuinely surprised by how much these little digital helpers can transform your financial life!

Why Use a Budgeting App?

Before we jump into the options, let's talk about why you might want to use a budgeting app in the first place:

• Awareness: Just being conscious of where your money goes can reduce unnecessary spending

• Automation: Many apps automatically categorize expenses, saving you hours of manual entry

• Analysis: See patterns in your spending habits that you might never notice otherwise

• Accountability: It's harder to ignore your budget when it's right there on your phone

Now, let's explore some of the most recommended budgeting apps that fellow Indians are using and loving:

Top Budgeting Apps in India

FinArt

FinArt has emerged as a popular choice, especially for those concerned about privacy. What makes it stand out is its "Private Mode" option that keeps your data locally on your device. The app uses AI to detect and categorize expenses automatically through messages and app notifications.

"I switched to FinArt after trying several other options," says Rohit, a software engineer from Bangalore. "The categorization is mostly accurate, though it occasionally misses some categories. What I love most is knowing my financial data isn't being sent to external servers."

Axio (Formerly Walnut)

Axio is another widely recommended option that many users find effective for expense tracking. It's free and works decently well for basic expense-tracking needs. The app automatically categorizes your expenses based on SMS notifications.

However, some users have expressed privacy concerns, and others have mentioned issues with the export functionality. Also worth noting is that Axio does push their Buy Now Pay Later services, which might be distracting if you're trying to avoid credit options.

"I've been using Axio for years, and it's incredibly convenient," shares Priya from Delhi. "Just be aware that they might use your spending data to offer you loans."

Money Manager

For those who prefer keeping their financial data completely private and don't mind manual entry, Money Manager is a strong contender. This app has earned loyal users who've stuck with it for years.

"I've been using Money Manager for the last 3-4 years, and it's amazing. I went ahead and bought the license as well,".

The paid version removes ads, making the experience even smoother. While it requires manual entry of transactions, many users find this process helps them become more mindful of their spending.

Google Sheets (with Google Forms)

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective! Many budget-conscious Indians have created their tracking systems using Google Sheets and Forms.

"I have created my framework with Google Forms/Sheets combo," explains my friend Prakshal "Now I just add expenses and money transfers at the end of the day through mobile with Google Forms. The Google Sheets has custom tables, charts, and a visualization dashboard prepared to display a rich representation of my expenses and balances."

The biggest advantages? You own your data completely, can customize it endlessly, and there's no risk of your financial information being sold to third parties.

Jupiter

If you're looking for an all-in-one solution that combines banking and budgeting, Jupiter might be for you. It functions as both a UPI app and budget tracker.

"I use Jupiter app for it. It is both my UPI app and Budget App," shares Nikhil from Mumbai. "It auto-categorizes all my spends (and I can always correct the spend if it categorized incorrectly). You can attach any number of bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards to it. It will give you daily, weekly, and monthly spends in chart format too."

The only downside is that you can't use it without UPI.

Privacy Concerns: A Major Consideration

One theme that came up repeatedly in user discussions was privacy. Many budget-conscious Indians are wary of apps that read SMS messages for transaction details.

"I would avoid giving apps access to my messages. They can read all messages, not only the transaction ones," cautions one privacy-focused user.

If privacy is a primary concern for you, consider:

1. Using apps with explicit private modes like FinArt
2. Opting for manual entry apps like Money Manager
3. Creating your own system with Google Sheets
4. Using NetGuard on Android to restrict internet access for these apps

How Much Can You Really Save?

You might be wondering if these apps are worth the effort. From personal experience and feedback from my friends, the answer is a resounding yes! Most people report saving between 15-30% of their income after starting to track expenses systematically.

How does this happen? It's simple:

1. You become aware of "money leaks" like subscription services you don't use
2. You notice spending patterns you didn't realize before
3. You're less likely to make impulse purchases when you know you'll have to record them
4. You can set realistic budgets based on actual spending data

The Dealzy Advantage: Save Up to 15% on Your Daily Brands

While budgeting apps help you track your spending, Dealzy helps you spend less in the first place! Here's how you can save big on your everyday purchases:

Discounted Gift Cards

Imagine getting your favorite products at a built-in discount every time you shop! With Dealzy, you can:

• Save 4% on Zomato gift cards - That's ₹40 off on your ₹1,000 food delivery order, and it is very difficult to find discounts on Zomato

• Get 2% off on Amazon and Flipkart gift cards - When buying that ₹10000 gift card you just have to pay ₹9800 and the best part is you can use this discount on top of the brand offers. Now that what a win-win situation looks like.

• Get up to 9% off on Myntra and Nykaa gift cards - For example, when you buy a ₹2000 Nykaa Gift Card, you only pay ₹1820. Plus, you can stack this with Nykaa's ongoing sale offers, reducing your cart value even further.

Getting Started

Ready to take control of your finances? Here's a simple three-step plan:

1. Choose an app that matches your privacy preferences and feature needs.
2. Commit to tracking all expenses for at least one month.
3. Review your spending patterns and identify 2-3 areas where you can cut back.

Remember, the goal isn't to restrict yourself completely but to make conscious decisions about where your money goes.

Until next time, happy saving!