Stash vs. EveryDollar Budgeting App

(February 2025)

In This Article

Our Verdict

In this comparison, Stash emerges as the winner, topping the chart for offering an all-in-one budgeting solution alongside investment opportunities. The app helps you to combine budgeting, investing, and wealth-building—in a single platform. You’ll love Stash because it helps you:

  • Sync budgeting with investment tools.
  • Invest small amounts in different assets.
  • Build wealth over time through intentional budgeting and savings.
  • Enhance your financial literacy.

Well, that doesn’t mean you should neglect the EveryDollar budgeting app. If your primary focus is on budgeting, especially if you’re seeking meaningful ways to pay off debt, EveryDollar could be more beneficial.

The app allows you to implore a zero-based approach to budgeting. One of the great things about this app is that you can opt for either free or premium versions. 

When deciding between these two apps, you simply have to take into consideration what you need, as well as your financial goals. That’s very important.

In the end, it’s all about what works for you.

Why Choose Stash Budgeting App

Who Stash Budgeting App is Best For

Opt for the Stash budgeting app if you:

  • Want to start investing in fractional shares.
  • Desire to build long-term wealth.
  • Seek a budgeting app that integrates with investment tools.
  • Aspire to enhance your financial literacy.
  • Prefer a one-stop financial app without needing to use multiple apps.
  • Belong to demographics such as young adults and millennials due to its low cost, and ease of use.

>>>PRO TIPS: E*TRADE vs Betterment

Who Stash Budgeting App is Not Right For

Avoid the Stash budgeting app if you:

  • Seek a debt-focused app that specializes in zero-based budgeting and debt reduction strategies.
  • Don’t have an interest in investing.
  • Are a veteran investor.
  • Prefer advanced and sophisticated investment tools

Why Choose EveryDollar Budgeting App

Who EveryDollar Budgeting App is Best For

Consider the EveryDollar budgeting app if you:

  • Follow Dave Ramsey’s financial philosophy.
  • Prefer zero-based budgeting.
  • Want to get out of debt.
  • Are new to budgeting and seek a straightforward interface and approach.
  • Love manual entry of transactions.
  • Desire to manage household finances.

Who EveryDollar Budgeting App is Not Right For

Steer clear from the Stash budgeting app if you:

  • Need more complex budgeting features.
  • Seek tools for investment and wealth-building.
  • Live outside of the United States and its environs.
  • Desire a cost-effective budgeting app.

Stash vs. EveryDollar Budgeting App: The Main Difference

 

Stash

EveryDollar

Ideal For

●     Building wealth.

●     Budgeting your funds.

●     Investing in fractional shares

●     Zero-based budgeting.

●     Debt reduction.

Pricing

Stash Growth: Costs $3/month or $32/year.

Stash+: You can get it at $9/month or $97/year.

Ensure you check what’s included in each plan to know what subscription is best for you.

Free Trial: Explore the app for 14 days and pay $0.00.

Premium plan: Pay $17.99 every month, or simply pay $79.99/year at the end of your free trial.

 

Account Integration

Plaid

Stock-Back ® Card

Cash App

 

Plaid

Ramsey+

Manual CSV Import

Banks

Stash vs. EveryDollar Budgeting App: Product Offerings

Stash Budgeting App

Stash offers a wide range of financial products and services that help you manage and grow your finances. Here’s an overview:

  • Personal Investment Account.
  • Robo Advisor for building Smart Portfolios
  • Retirement Accounts (IRA).
  • Stock-Back® Card.
  • Stash Banking Account.
  • Smart-Stash automatic savings tool.
  • Stash Learn.
  • Life Insurance.
  • Round-Ups feature.

 

EveryDollar Budgeting App

Here’s an overview of what the EveryDollar budgeting app offers:

  • Zero-based budgeting.
  • Manual transaction syncing.
  • Bank account syncing.
  • Integration with Ramsey+

Stash vs. EveryDollar Budgeting App: Standout Features

Stash Budgeting App

Stash has unique features that make it stand out from the competition. Read on to find out. 

  • Stash Smart Portfolio Robo-Advisor: When you sign up for this feature, you’ll be required to fill out a questionnaire. The questionnaire contains details like your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment preferences. Stash uses the provided information to rebalance your investments after setting target allocations—say, 60% stocks and 40% bonds.
  • Stash Self-Managed Portfolios: Choose this feature if you prefer investing yourself using Stash’s brokerage account. You can access thousands of stocks, ETFs, and fractional shares with which you can invest in. This way, you can decide what to invest in, and how you want it to be.
  • Mobile Banking: Stash lets you access banking and investment services through its online account. You’ll love the fact that there are no monthly or overdraft charges. You’ll have free access to over 55,000 ATMs, and a credit card to do your transactions.

EveryDollar Budgeting App

EveryDollar offers a variety of features that make it unique from the competition. The features include:

  • Zero-Based Budgeting: For every dollar income you get, EveryDollar applies David Ramsey’s recommended zero-based approach, assigning specific jobs for your money. It could be, say, $5 for expenses, $50 for savings, $40 for debt repayment…and so on.
  • Budgeting: You can start budgeting your funds on EveryDollar using either the free or paid version offering you basic tools to work with. However, you can unlock the premium version by signing up for a free trial. The free trial allows you to have access to some of the paid features, and see how they work. You can also know whether the app is suitable for your business.
  • Bank Connect: Connect your bank to the EveryDollar app and streamline your budgeting processes. Keep tabs on balances, and stay ahead of the expenses. Provide and fill out your banking information to get started. You can also link your debit card and loan account.

Pros and Cons of the Stash Budgeting App

  • Offers mobile banking solutions.
  • Gives you a life insurance option.
  • Demands a low opening deposit of just $5.
  • Makes provision for managed portfolios.
  • Has over 55,000 ATMs for free.
  • Offers stock rewards when you use its debit card.
  • Provides a wide range of investment options you can choose from.
  • Lacks automated tax strategy that generates income tax benefits.
  • Has no human advisors.
  • Offers no interest when you save money in its bank.
  • Comes with high fees, particularly when you’re using a small portfolio.

Pros and Cons of EveryDollar Budgeting App

  • Has a free plan you can start with.
  • Offers a free trial version should you want to get more features.
  • Provides human advisor.
  • Lets you share your monthly budget.
  • Delivers reports and insights on spending.
  • Requires that you manually track spending on the free plan.
  • Offers zero investment tracking feature on the free plan.

Stash vs. EveryDollar Budgeting App: Customer Reviews

If you’re considering Stash, you’ll love that the app has a user rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, coming from 723 customers. On NerdWallet, you’ll find out that Stash scores 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Similarly, the app scores 4.3 out of 5-star ratings on Investopedia. Most users applaud the service for providing not just budgeting solutions but also, investment and wealth-building solutions. Other users, however, desire that the platform include a human advisor in its customer support.

However, if you’re leaning towards EveryDollar, you’ll notice it has a 4.3 out of 5-star rating on GoBankingRates and a 3.5 out of 5-star rating on Tom’s Guide. Customers appreciate the app’s simple, and straightforward budgeting solution—making it a strong choice if that’s your primary focus.

Stash and EveryDollar Budgeting App Competitors

While Stash and EveryDollar budgeting apps both offer distinct but great services, there are other similar options you must know, to broaden your search options. Read on to find out more.

Acorns: You might find Acorns helpful if you’re thinking about getting started with investing—beyond budgeting. Whether you’re new to investing or just sourcing for a way to make money work a little harder for you—the app is designed for people like you.

Imagine purchasing a burger for $2.35. Acorns rounds the figure up to $3, and invest the surplus 65 cents. The app also bares all the burden for you by creating a diversified portfolio that is tailored to your financial goals, and risk management.

When it comes to pricing, Acorns offers simple and transparent pricing you can choose from. From the Acorns Bronze charged $3/month to Acorns Silver ($6/month), to Acorns Gold ($12/month)…the choice is yours to make.

The app makes it possible for you to start investing without needing to be a financial expert.

However, you might want to ignore Acorns if you’re solely seeking a budgeting app without any investment plans.

 

Goodbudget: Suppose you’re seeking a hands-on approach to budgeting and prioritizing a style that makes you cautious about how you spend, Goodbudget might be your go-to app.

With Goodbudget, you get to design digital envelopes with which you can plan out your spending. With every envelope you’ve created, you allocate different money for each expense in each parcel. That way, you can easily track your spending.

The app gives you control over your money, helps you stick to a budget, and avoids overspending. You can also share your budget with your family, especially if you love collective financial management.

For pricing, Goodbudget offers a forever-free plan with which you can start your way into proper budgeting. You can scale things up by opting for its Premium plan which costs $10/month or $800 yearly.

The bottom line: Choose the Goodbudget app if you prioritize structure and want a clear, organized way to manage your finances.

 

You Need A Budget (YNAB): If you’re serious about taking control of your money and budget properly, you might want to consider YNAB. This app is simply a philosophy that helps you reconsider how you handle your finances.

The idea that when you get paid, you allocate every cent to a specific purpose allows you to have the “I’m a boss over my money” kinda feeling. With the app, you can break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle—so you’re not just spending on autopilot.

If you’re the type who loves simple, straightforward pricing, you’ll love YNAB’s single pricing model. You’re paying $14.99 for the monthly subscription, or simply pay $9.08 annually and save $70 annually.

If you love getting insights on your spending, the app provides detailed reports to know where your money is going, and know where to adjust your spending habits. That’s kinda cool, you bet.

The platform doesn’t offer a free plan. However, you can enjoy a 34-day free trial once you’re signed up with YNAB.

Pro Tips

  • Utilize Stash’s automatic investing features to set recurring amounts you want to invest in…from daily to weekly to monthly. This way, you can build wealth consistently.
  • Explore the learning materials each app offers to improve your financial literacy and make data-driven decisions.
  • Use Stash’s Stock-Back (R) Card to earn fractional shares of stocks when you make purchases every day.
  • Ensure you consciously and consistently plan where your money goes each month by leveraging the zero-based budgeting style.
  • Make it a habit to evaluate your budget…bet it every month, or quarterly…you choose.
  • Take advantage of the goal-setting feature to help you keep aside funds for specific objectives.
  • Set up notifications for things like upcoming bills, and overspending, especially when getting close to your budget limit.
  • Gather insights on your spending patterns by reviewing your reports.
  • Involve your partner or family members in your budgeting to allow opinions and contributions to managing the budget.
  • Use the split transaction feature to allocate the correct amounts to each category.

Recap

Choosing between Stash and EveryDollar depends on your financial goals, preferences, and capacity. Both apps serve different financial needs—though similar in some aspects as earlier discussed in this article. So, your choice should align with whether you’re more focused on investing or only want to budget your funds.

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