Comparison

Budget Bestie vs SpendPause

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Budget Bestie

This app helps you manage your money using the cash stuffing method, digitally. It guides you through creating expense envelopes, allocating funds, and tracking spending to meet savings goals. Get reminders for bills and budget according to your pay schedule.

Highlights
  • Digital cash stuffing method
  • Customizable expense envelopes
  • Automated spending tracking
  • Bill payment reminders
  • Savings goal management
  • Budgeting by pay schedule
Currently charting
Read full description

hey bestie, ready to make budgeting effortless? with budget bestie, you can take full control of your money on your own terms—whether you get paid weekly, biweekly, twice a month, or monthly, we’ve got you covered. using the cash stuffing method, you’ll say goodbye to stress and hello to a budgeting approach that fits your life perfectly. okay but what’s cash stuffing? 1. create envelopes – create an envelope for each expense category like food, eating out, rent 2. stuff your envelopes – put all of your cash into envelopes based on how much you’ll spend before you get paid again 3. spend your money – this is the fun part - don’t feel guilty for spending your hard earned money. when you buy something, use the cash from the corresponding envelope 4. get paid, repeat - record your income (cha-ching) and go back to step 2, stuff your envelopes how budget bestie works - no need to carry cash - we’ve taken this 100+ year old proven technique and put it in your iPhone - say bye to math and spreadsheets - we’ll recommend how much to stuff into each envelope based on previous spending habits and upcoming bills - avoid late fees by getting reminded - we’ll send you a notification when you haven’t recorded paying a recurring expense - hit your savings goals - create savings envelopes and we’ll make sure you’re on track to hit your goals - budget on your schedule - whether it’s weekly, biweekly, twice a month, or monthly, you can budget based on what works for you what our besties are saying: “First full month of the app and it's so simple. I've not had to dip into my emergency fund or sinking fund or use overdraft. I've even managed to put some money towards debt and not reuse it” - @Nicola Disney Pomeranian Mummy "Been using budget bestie for a month!The monthly recap made me realize I spend so much on little things (like buying to go lunch everyday) since it's in budget, but never seen how much it adds up" – @Julia "This app is great I have been searching for a budgeting app that lets me budget per check and this is it” - @Chy6699 “Definitely helped me the last two weeks. Can't wait to see how much money I can save.” - @Erin Backes subscription details: before your free trial begins, you’ll choose between a monthly or annual subscription. subscriptions are billed and managed directly by Apple. you can manage or cancel your subscription anytime within your iPhone settings app. terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

SpendPause

Features
Read full description

SpendPause puts a 60-second pause between you and impulse purchases. Before you buy, tap the button. A countdown runs four reflection questions that help you decide if you really need it. Most impulse buys happen because there's no friction. SpendPause adds just enough friction — without judgment. FEATURES • 60-second pause timer with 4 guided reflection questions • Track what you skipped and how much you saved • Monthly reflection to see your progress month by month • Custom reflection prompts (Premium) • 24-hour wait reminders for items you're still considering • Clean, distraction-free dark interface HOW IT WORKS 1. You're about to buy something — tap "I'm about to buy something" 2. Enter the price and item name 3. A 60-second timer runs with reflection questions 4. Decide: skip it or buy it 5. Your savings build up over time PREMIUM Unlock unlimited pauses, custom reflection questions and monthly spending reflection. Subscription options: • Monthly: £4.99/month • Yearly: £29.99/year (save 50%) Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple ID account settings. Privacy Policy: https://itsniels.com/spendpause/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ If the urge passes in 60 seconds, it probably wasn't worth it.

Screenshots

Budget Bestie4 screens
SpendPause4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SpendPause at none against Budget Bestie's shown. SpendPause also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Budget Bestie's advantage is chart position (#68 vs unranked). On price and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Budget Bestie sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and SpendPause sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Budget Bestie versus SpendPause: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBudget BestieSpendPause
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews30.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings3.2K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#68 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBudget Bestie Corp.Niels-Benjamin Schnadt

Bugs and requests

Budget Bestie

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Freezing/crashing on certain screens
  • Inability to type zeros
  • Transactions not updating in real-time
  • Difficulty navigating/accessing certain features

Requested features

5 requests
  • Debt tracking section
  • Ability to edit/delete past transactions
  • Flexible pay schedule options
  • Sharing/collaboration features
  • Free basic version

SpendPause

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Budget Bestie

Subscriptions6
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$8.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Annual Subscription3 Days trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription3 Days trial$69.991 Year
2 purchases

SpendPause

Subscriptions2
  • SpendPause Premium$4.991 Month
  • SpendPause Premium$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Budget Bestie free?
Budget Bestie is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SpendPause free?
SpendPause is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Budget Bestie or SpendPause have ads?
Budget Bestie shows ads; SpendPause does not.

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