A budget spreadsheet is free, flexible and depends on nobody. An app is less customisable, but it reminds you, stays up to date and lives on your phone. Which one suits you?
Spreadsheet
- Pros: free, shaped your way, your data in a file you own.
- Cons: it reminds you of nothing, you have to remember to update it, and it is awkward on a phone. Recurring bills have to be copied every month.
Budgeting app
- Pros: bills repeat by themselves, reminders on the due day, the forecast calculates itself, and it is in your pocket.
- Cons: less customisable and, for some features, paid.
The best of both
If you like spreadsheets, start with our free monthly budget template. When you get tired of copying bills every month, Xpenses does it for you, and you can export all your data to Excel whenever you like, for free.