Backer: Smart 529 Savings

Backer: Smart 529 Savings

Simple, fast, fun way to 529

495 ratings
27 reviews
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • December 11, 2019
  • May 3, 2026

Features

Backer: Smart 529 Savings screenshot #1 for iPhone
Backer: Smart 529 Savings screenshot #2 for iPhone
Backer: Smart 529 Savings screenshot #3 for iPhone
Backer: Smart 529 Savings screenshot #4 for iPhone
Backer: Smart 529 Savings screenshot #5 for iPhone
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About

Easily open a 529 college savings plan for your child. Invite family and friends to contribute to your child's education fund and watch savings grow tax-free. Get a recommended plan in minutes.

Open 529 plan quickly
Invite family and friends to contribute
Automated recurring contributions
Tax-free growth and withdrawals
Paperless setup
Real-time projected savings
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What users say

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What's New in Backer

1.27.3

May 3, 2026

A few small improvements to help you save better together!

User reviews

Good but needs improvements

I love the idea and the app is generally easy to use, but I’ve identified a few bugs/areas for improvement that have made the app pretty frustrating to use.

1. I can’t figure out a way to make a one-time contribution. The only option seems to be to adjust my recurring contribution, but I was hoping to dump some extra money into the fund when I find myself with extra money in my checking account.

2. I made my husband a fund manager on my kids’ account, but the app somehow changed my name to his as well. So when our kids receive contributions from each of us, his name shows up as the contributor for both transactions. Not great for record-keeping.

3. My daughter’s birthday is coming up and I’m planning to send friends and family a link to her Backer account, so I was fussing with some settings on the backend. I was trying to preview what it would look like as a prospective backer, but the link to the preview page was broken. Argh.
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529s on easy mode

As a parent looking for an efficient way to save for my child's college education, Backer hits the mark like never before! The app simply blew me away with its user-friendly interface and seamless integration of tax-free savings options.

Planting the seed for my son’s educational future has never been so easy. The app not only helps me track our progress but also provides excellent tips and guidance on choosing the best 529 plan for our family. This makes it tailor-made for first-time savers as well as seasoned investors.

Accessing and monitoring my account is a breeze, with top-notch security measures to ensure our hard-earned money stays safe. And as an added bonus, the app's customer support always goes above and beyond, providing timely answers to any questions that sprout up. They're always eager to help and keep my peace of mind intact.

In conclusion, the Backer App is a fantastic tool for any ambitious parent who wants to nurture the growth of their little sapling's higher education fund. I highly recommend this app to harvest those valuable tax-free savings and give your child the brightest future possible. Don't leaf it to chance – start saving now, and watch your investments grow! 🌱🎓💰
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Great way to save for your daughters education

I was really confused about how to set everything up for my child until I heard about this app. I found it very intuitive to use.

Did Not Invest My Contributions

I have put thousands into my daughter’s 529 via backer yet it’s not actually invested. They charge 5 dollars a month to be a checking account. I’ve also had a hard time with their customer service.

Great service but marginal app

I started a 529 for my daughter via Backer but have been frustrated by bugs or missing components in the iPhone app. For instance, I cannot save any edits I make to my profile and there is no gear symbol to update my daughter’s profile like in the desktop web-based version. In fact, at this time, the “Save” button doesn’t work on any version of the Backer platform. This is an elementary stuff, please fix your user interfaces!
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Response from developer

Thank you for the feedback! We’re glad you appreciate the service and apologize for any rough edges you’ve encountered using the app. We’re working to make it better all the time. Regarding your specific issues, we’ve added the gear icon back to the fund page so you can edit update fund info via the app, and are not aware of any issues on web or mobile relating to saving information. Would you mind giving it another try and if you still have any issues, can you please let us know at support@backer.com?

User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

9 issues

Save button doesn't work on any platform version

Bug

Profile editing not functional on iPhone app

Bug

Financial page loads only partially (vertical cut-off)

Bug

Broken preview page link for account sharing

Bug

Contributor name incorrectly displays for joint managers

Bug

Gift emails cancelled without notice or reason

Bug

Gifts not applied to correct accounts

Bug

Missing next steps after bank account verification

Bug

App performance slow with occasional glitches

Bug

Requested Features

7 requests

One-time contribution option

Feature

Direct deposit/automatic weekly deposits

Feature

Faster ACH processing and instant withdrawals

Feature

Plaid integration for easier deposits

Feature

Gear/settings icon on mobile app

Feature

Automatic investment of contributions

Feature

Better gift transaction tracking and notifications

Feature

FAQ

What is Backer: Smart 529 Savings?

This app helps you easily open a 529 plan, a tax-advantaged savings account for education expenses. It allows you to invite family and friends to contribute to your child's fund and provides tools for managing your savings.

How does Backer help me save for college?

It simplifies the process of opening a 529 plan, recommends a suitable plan for your family, and allows for automated contributions. You can also leverage social contributions from friends and family to boost your savings.

Is there a cost to use Backer?

Based on the provided information, the app itself is free to use. While the 529 plan involves investments, the app facilitates the setup and management without upfront charges.

What kind of education expenses can I use the savings for?

The 529 savings can be used for a wide range of education expenses, including college tuition, books, supplies, housing, and even certain K12 expenses, bootcamps, and apprenticeships. Withdrawals for qualified expenses are tax-free.

How secure is my money with Backer?

The app utilizes strong browser encryption and secure servers monitored 24/7/365 for account protection. Your 529 investments are held in a government-sponsored account that you can access at any time.