Financial services apps are transforming how people bank, invest, and manage money

If managing money still means toggling between multiple websites or juggling paper bills, you’re missing the mobile boom. The best financial services apps let you bank, save, invest and pay—all from one screen. With a few taps, you can move money, track spending and reach goals. That convenience matters now more than ever.

Why financial services apps are changing finance

Mobile adoption, shifting consumer expectations, and rising competition mean that financial services apps are far from optional. In the U.S., installs of finance-apps grew significantly in 2024, while session time also increased. At the same time, benchmark retention remains low: for many apps the day-30 retention is around 4–5%. That means companies must deliver real value, trust and ease, not just a login screen.
To pick the top ten financial services apps, I looked for large U.S. user bases, broad feature sets (banking + investing + payments + budgeting), meaningful growth or usage data, and a variety of categories (neobank, investing, payments, budgeting). I also considered trending keywords users are searching: “mobile banking app”, “budgeting app”, “investing app”, “payment app”, “digital bank”. These all tie into the broader term financial services apps. Below are the apps ranked by feature set and cost.

Ranking the apps by feature set and cost

1. SoFi – broadest full-scope app, competitive pricing

Among the top financial services apps, SoFi leads in scope: banking, savings, investing, loans and more. Its fee structure is competitive: $0 commission on stock and ETF trades, a 0.25% annual advisory fee for automated investing, and no account maintenance fees. (moneyatlas.com) For users seeking “all-in-one”, SoFi offers one of the strongest feature sets at modest cost.

2. Cash App – payments + investing simplicity, mostly free for basic use

Next is Cash App, which ranks high among financial services apps thanks to its simple interface, peer-to-peer transfers, investing in stocks and Bitcoin, plus a free debit card. For most users, basic services cost nothing. Standard bank transfers are free; instant transfers cost 0.5%-1.75%. ATM withdrawals cost $2.50 unless you meet direct-deposit conditions. (NerdWallet) That makes it a top choice for payment-first users who also want some investing options at low cost.

3. Robinhood – investing-first, free trading, growth oriented

Third among financial services apps is Robinhood. It emphasises investing, with $0 commissions for stocks, ETFs, options and crypto. (moneyunder30.com) The account opening and maintenance are free. There is a premium tier, “Gold”, at $5 per month (or ~$50 per year) offering extra features. (Joy Wallet) If you’re focused on investing rather than banking or budgeting, Robinhood offers strong value.

4. Venmo – payments with evolving features, moderate cost

Next comes Venmo. While historically payment-only, it has expanded into debit cards, user accounts and some investing capabilities. As one of the more widely known names, it counts among the financial services apps reaching large, mainstream audiences. Though cost details vary, many payment-type features are free and fees apply for instant transfers or credit-card funding.

5. Mint – budgeting and tracking focus, free tier

Among financial services apps with more narrow focus, Mint stands out for budgeting, aggregation and spending tracking. Its strong suit is money-management rather than banking or investing. Many of its core features are free, making it cost-effective for users focused on tracking and budgeting.

6. YNAB (You Need a Budget) – premium budgeting tool, subscription cost

Another budgeting-focused app is YNAB. It emphasises behavioral change and proactive money planning. As part of financial services apps, it offers depth for users who want structured budgeting. It is not free—there is a subscription cost (check current pricing)—so it’s a costlier pick but delivers strong feature depth in its category.

7. PocketGuard – simplified budgeting + debt focus, largely free tier

The app PocketGuard joins the list among financial services apps thanks to its simplified interface, spending control, goals and debt-tracking. For many users who just want to manage money without full banking/investing, PocketGuard offers a cost-efficient solution with a solid feature set.

8. Acorns – micro-investing + savings, modest cost

Within the financial services apps category, Acorns provides micro-investing, round-ups and automatic savings/investing. Its cost is modest (subscription or management fee depending on plan) and its feature set is deeper than pure payments but narrower than full banking/investing platforms. Ideal for younger or less experienced users seeking entry into investing.

9. Rocket Money – subscription tracking + negotiating help, niche focus

The app Rocket Money (formerly Truebill) is among the financial services apps that focus on tracking subscriptions, spending, negotiating bills and budgeting. Its feature set is more niche, so cost often comes in subscription form. It’s a good pick for users whose pain point is subscriptions and leaks rather than full banking.

10. Albert – mixed banking + savings + investing, moderate cost

Finally, Albert rounds out the top ten financial services apps. It offers budgeting, savings, cash rewards, investing and banking features in one app. Its cost is moderate (free tier plus optional premium plan). For users seeking a balanced app but not needing the deepest investing tools, Albert offers strong value.

Key take aways & how to choose

When comparing the top financial services apps, feature set and cost matter. If you want full banking + investing + savings in one place, SoFi stands out. If you prioritise payments + simplicity, Cash App delivers at very low cost. For investing-first users, Robinhood offers strong features for little cost. Budgeting-first users can choose Mint, YNAB or PocketGuard based on how much depth they need and how much cost they are willing to take. Apps like Acorns, Rocket Money and Albert fill niche or balanced roles.

Watch out for fees: instant transfers, ATM withdrawals, credit-card funding and premium tiers add cost. Also check conditions like direct deposit requirements to unlock free ATM withdrawals (Cash App) or account minimums (some investing apps).

Final thought

These top ten financial services apps show how mobile finance has evolved. The apps ranked here vary by focus, cost and feature depth. Choose based on your primary need: payments, banking, investing or budgeting. Combine that with cost awareness and you’ll find an app that fits your lifestyle and money goals. The right one could save you both time and money in 2025.