The Best Money-Saving Apps in Australia

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Saving money isn’t easy. Whether finances just aren’t your forte or you’re just learning how to manage your money on your own, you probably have questions about how to save money.

Would you like to take your money management on the go and get cheap financial advice? Luckily, we have different apps to help you manage your money wherever you are. Here’s a list of the best money saving apps in Australia.

Budgeting Apps in Australia

In today’s environment, paper and pen are not the only tools you have to handle your finances. You don’t even necessarily need an accountant’s expertise to help you learn how to save money. If you want to learn to budget and save more, there are financial apps available for you.

While there are plenty of apps that can help you spend money — we’re looking at you, online shopping apps and games with in-app purchases, we have listed the best budgeting apps in Australia to help you save money.

If you’re trying to draw up your monthly budget and stick to it, there’s an app on this list for you. A budgeting app can take the hard work out of tracking your finances and make them look presentable.

MoneyBrilliant

MoneyBrilliant Budget App - Cigno Loans

  • Standout features: Automatically categorise transactions; alerts for low balances and upcoming bills; tax-deductible suggestions; money priorities dashboard tailored to you; notifications about better deals
  • Price: Free (basic version); $9.90/month or $99/year (MoneyBrilliant Plus)
  • Available on: iPhones and Android phones
  • Learn more about MoneyBrilliant

Moneytree

Moneytree Australian Budget App - Cigno Loans

  • Standout features: Keeps all your accounts, cards, super and cash amounts in one place; helps you view and analyse your spending habits with intuitive categories and graphics; also tracks loyalty points and rewards cards
  • Price: Free, with optional monthly and yearly plans for paid services (Moneytree Grow and Moneytree Work)
  • Available on: iPhones and Android phones
  • Learn more about Moneytree

YNAB (You Need a Budget)

YNAB

  • Standout features: YNAB is a very flexible app, letting you make changes to your budget when you need to. YNAB proposes that with a change of mindset and technique, it can be easy to take control of your finances again.
  • Price: Free trial
  • Available on: iPhones and Android phones
  • Learn more about YNAB

Round-Up Savings Apps in Australia

Remember putting loose change in a piggy bank? Many of those piggies only collect dust now, since most transactions are digital, but there’s a new way to put aside your spare “coins”.

When it comes to apps that round up purchases, Australia is still catching up to other countries. But we do have a few good options to choose from:

Sipora

Sipora Round Up Savings App Australia - Cigno Loans

  • Standout features: Rounds up debit card purchases to the nearest $1, $2 or $5; large selection of stores to spend your savings on including Glassons, Vans, The Good Guys and many more
  • Price: Free
  • Available on: iPhones and Android phones
  • Learn more about Sipora

 

Raiz

Raiz App - Cigno Loans

  • Standout features: Invests your everyday spare change into a diversified portfolio; choose from 6 portfolio types ranging from conservative to aggressive; unlimited deposits and withdrawals
  • Price: $2.50/month (accounts below $10,000) or 0.275% per year (larger accounts)
  • Available on: iPhones and Android phones
  • Learn more about Raiz

Wisr

Standout features: Stay on top of your credit scores. Link any bank. Automatically “Round Up” your purchases to the nearest dollar. Access your loan info anywhere, anytime.

Free Money-Saving Apps

Don’t have time to record your finances the old fashioned way? These free budgeting and money-saving apps are worth considering as contenders for the title of best free money saving apps.

Splitwise

Splitwise App - Cigno Loans

  • Standout features: Great for organising and tracking shared expenses (e.g. with housemates, travel groups and family); adding expenses is easy; in-built system for sending online transfers and recording cash payments
  • Price: Free, with optional paid subscription for premium features (e.g. receipt scanning and currency conversion)
  • Available on: iPhones and Android phones
  • Learn more about Splitwise

 

Quit That!

Quit That App - Cigno Loans

  • Standout features: Tracks how much money you’ve saved since quitting alcohol, smoking, or any other expensive habit; records time since quitting as well
  • Price: Free
  • Available on: iPhones and Android phones
  • Learn more about Quit That!

Daily Budget

Daily Budget

  • Standout features: With the Daily Budget app, you can easily control your daily spendings based on your income and expenses.
  • Price: Offers in-app purchases
  • Available on: iPhones and Android phones
  • Learn more about Daily Budget

Don’t forget to explore your bank’s free app before exploring other options. It might have all the budgeting tools and support you need.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Cigno Loans’ articles do not replace advice from an accountant or financial advisor. All information provided is intended to be used as a guide only, as it does not take into account your personal financial situation or needs. If you require assistance, it is recommended that you consult a licensed financial or tax advisor.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

NOTIFICATION OF MISCONDUCT BY CIGNO AUSTRALIA

Ordered by the Federal Court of Australia

The Federal Court of Australia has found that Cigno Australia Pty Ltd (Cigno Australia) and BSF Solutions Pty Ltd (BSF Solutions) have breached the law by engaging in unlicensed credit activity and charging prohibited fees.

In the period from July 2022 to 3 October 2023, over 100,000 consumers have been lent a total of $34 million, and charged fees of over $70 million, under the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’ operated by BSF Solutions and Cigno Australia. At no time has either BSF Solutions or Cigno Australia held an Australian Credit Licence.

The Court also found that Mark Swanepoel (director of Cigno Australia) and Brenton James Harrison (director of BSF Solutions) were involved in these breaches of the law.

With effect from 24 May 2024, the Court has granted permanent injunctions preventing Cigno Australia and BSF Solutions from:

  • demanding, receiving or accepting fees or charges, including amounts of loan principal, from consumers in relation to credit provided under the ‘No Upfront Charge Model’; and
  • engaging in further credit activity pursuant to the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’, including by entering into new agreements with consumers, for so long as they do not hold an Australian Credit Licence.

Cigno Australia was ordered by the Court to, by 5th July 2024, send written communications to consumers who between July 2022 and December 2022 entered into agreements with Cigno Australia and BSF Solutions under the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’.

The Court will later determine whether (among other things) Cigno Australia and Mark Swanepoel ought to pay a pecuniary penalty in respect of this conduct, and whether Mark Swanepoel should be restrained from carrying on a business engaging in credit activity.

Cigno Australia, BSF Solutions, Mr Swanepoel and Mr Harrison intend to appeal the decision of the Court and have filed an application for leave to appeal. If the appeal is successful, some or all of the orders of the Federal Court of Australia may be set aside.

Where can you get more information?

Where to go for further support

You can access legal advice in your state at: Free legal advice – Moneysmart.gov.au.

If you are experiencing trouble with debt, or money worries in general, contact:

  • the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or online chat (9:30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).

If you need someone to talk to, contact:

  • Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours) or their crisis support online chat or
  • Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 (24 hours) or their webchat