Smart Budgets
Know exactly where your money goes.
Set spending limits by category, track progress with visual fill bars, and see how you stack up against your budget.
Budgeting that actually works
Simple tools to help you spend intentionally and save more.
Most budgeting apps fail for the same reason most diets fail: they are too complicated, too rigid, or too much work to maintain. FreeBudget takes a different approach. You set spending limits for the categories that matter to you, and the app handles the rest.
Every category gets a visual fill bar that shows exactly how much you have spent relative to your limit. There is no guesswork and no mental math. You open the app and you know exactly where you stand.
Unlike apps that force you into a specific budgeting methodology like zero-based budgeting or the envelope system, FreeBudget lets you budget however you want. Set limits on some categories and leave others open. Manually carry unused budget into next month or start fresh. The system adapts to you, not the other way around.
Transactions are categorized automatically when you link your bank accounts, or you can enter them manually. Either way, your budget updates in real time so you always have an accurate picture of your spending.
Everything you need to stay on track
Category Budgets
Set spending limits for groceries, dining, entertainment, and any custom category you create.
Visual Fill Bars
See at a glance how much of each budget you have used with color-coded progress bars that change as you spend.
Budget vs Actual Report
Compare your planned budget against actual spending in real time. Instantly see where you’re over or under across every category or as a whole.
Spreadsheet View
Edit your budgets in a familiar spreadsheet-style grid. Make fast bulk updates without clicking through endless forms.
Custom Categories
Create your own spending categories that match your life, not some generic template.
Spending Insights
See month-over-month comparisons and trends to understand your spending habits over time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I create a budget in FreeBudget?
After creating your account, go to the Budgets section and add amounts for each area of your spending. Set a monthly limit for each category, and FreeBudget will track your spending against those limits automatically as transactions come in.
Can I create my own budget categories?
Yes. FreeBudget lets you create unlimited custom categories. You can name them whatever you want and organize them however makes sense for your life. There are no restrictions on how many categories you can use.
What happens when I go over budget?
When your spending approaches or exceeds a category limit, the fill bar changes color to let you know. You can then decide how to adjust. Move money from another category, cut back on spending, or simply acknowledge it and plan differently next month.
Does unspent budget carry over to the next month?
Not automatically, but it's still possible. If you underspend in a category, you can update your budget each month to carry the unused amount into the next month. This gives you flexibility and control so that one good month can help offset a tighter one.
Do I need to link a bank account to use budgeting?
No. You can use budgeting with manual transaction entry, CSV imports, or linked bank accounts. FreeBudget works with whatever method you prefer.
Ready to take control of your finances?
Join the growing community who've simplified their money with FreeBudget. It takes less than a minute to start.