The Best Budgeting Apps in the Netherlands

When you move to a new country, adjusting to the new environment can take some time. Efficient money management becomes crucial when there is a change in income, a different currency, and new tax rules. For expats, adjusting to the costs of essentials such as utilities, groceries, and transportation can be quite a challenge. That’s why it is essential to use a budgeting app in the Netherlands, particularly if you want to save money from your income and maintain a comfortable lifestyle after paying your bills and taxes.

Keeping track of expenses can be challenging for an expat with bills to pay, a family to feed, and money to transfer back home to their parents. Additionally, the Netherlands is a country with a high tax rate. From utilities to travel to mortgages, every expense can be huge if you don’t set a money management plan. It is essential to place a cap on your monthly expenses so that you spend wisely and save a substantial amount for your future and emergencies.

Almost every financial advisor in the Netherlands recommends using a budgeting or bookkeeping app to track expenses and avoid unnecessary spending. Budgeting apps not only help manage expenses but also save money and create efficient financial plans. Using the right budgeting apps can make your life much easier. To help you with this, we have shortlisted some of the best budgeting apps in the Netherlands.

Bunq

Trusted by over 20 million users, Bunq is one of the most popular budgeting apps in the Netherlands. It features a hassle-free user interface and 24/7 customer service in multiple languages, making it one of the most preferred apps among expatriates. Bunq offers a lot of interesting features on its budgeting platform, such as:

Spending Limits: Set a spending limit for each category and receive alerts when you’re nearing the limit.

Salary Sorter: The Salary Sorter option helps you distribute your income in the right bank accounts for different categories, saving you the hassle of manually transferring money.

AutoSave: By turning on AutoSave, the app automatically rounds up the amount credited.

Invoice Scanning: If you’re a freelancer or an entrepreneur who handles a lot of invoices, the invoice scanning option by Bunq scans your document and enters all the data for you.

AutoExport: This option enables you to export your bank statements to any email address, keeping your records up-to-date.

Dyme

Dyme is another favorite app widely used by expats in the Netherlands. With the Dyme app, you can link your bank accounts and eliminate unnecessary spending worries. It helps you categorize your expenses, such as utilities, dining, shopping, and transport, and sort them as you like. You can also cancel any unwanted subscriptions through the Dyme app.

Read Also: xThe Expat’s Guide to Saving and Budgeting in The Netherlands

Buddy

True to its name, the Buddy budgeting app is your true companion in financial planning. With a customer base of three million users, Buddy also offers plenty of options for budgeting and money tracking. From creating budgets to tracking your expenses to cancelling unwanted subscriptions, Buddy allows you to customize the app according to your preferences. You can also share your budget and sync transactions with your loved ones through Buddy.

Spendee

Spendee is a platform designed to help people make smart financial decisions most effortlessly. What started as an expense tracker for a small user base, Spendee now caters to thousands of customers from around the world, offering a wide range of options. You can connect your Spendee app to all your bank accounts and crypto/E-wallets, making money transactions easy and hassle-free.

MijnGeldzaken

Founded in 2012, MijnGeldzaken was established to help customers create a household budget and gain better control over their finances. It offers a clear insight into all your expenses and supports almost all Dutch banks. The app also features a network of financial advisors, enabling its customers to access professional advice at any time.

Splitwise

Splitwise is your go-to app for splitting expenses and bills among large groups. Dinner with colleagues, a group vacation with your friends, or buying groceries with your roommates, Splitwise calculates your exact contribution to the expense, so you don’t need to worry about paying extra. It allows you to keep track of your expenses and notifies you of who owes money to whom.

YNAB

With a rating of 4.6 on Trustpilot, the YNAB app simplifies your financial decisions and changes the way you think about money. It defines your priorities and sets clear targets, helping you achieve your financial goals in the most lucrative way. You can take their 34-day free trial or check their ‘Get Started’ guide to get acquainted with the YNAB app.

ING

Most Dutch banks offer an integrated budgeting option that provides clear insights into your finances. The ING banking allows you to track your budget and set a spending limit for each category based on your expenses. It sends you a notification when you’re about to reach your budget.

Rabobank

The Rabo app by Rabobank also allows you to create a budget for various expenses and set a spending limit for each category. You can easily edit or delete your budgets through the app and access online customer service if you need assistance.

Read Also: The Hidden Expenses of Living in the Netherlands: Things Expats Often Miss

The next time you need to set up a budget or split group expenses, these apps will make the process easier for you. Check out these options right away and never worry about managing your expenses again.