Budget software refers to any program that is able to assist the user with organizing finances and providing instructions on how to reduce spending and increase profit. Although not all budget software are the same, many of these programs provide features for recording bank statements, converting currencies, performing calculations, and creating goals. Budget software ranges in functionality and price. The following programs are all prime examples of free, powerful budget software.

Microsoft Office Accounting Express

Microsoft Office Acounting Express is a free budgeting software from Microsoft that can be used by anyone but focuses mostly on business-related needs. The software is capable of handling Paypal and credit card transactions as well as managing bank accounts, payroll, and vendors. The software can also process invoices, refunds, sales, and quotes. Microsoft Office Accounting Express features easy to use tools in a user-friendly interface that integrates itself with the Windows Operating System.

BudgetPulse

BudgetPulse is a free, web-based software that allows users to see their spending habits in chart and graph-based illustrations. Users have the ability to choose from a number of categories and can even create their own to properly classify expenditures. For example, users can designate which expenditures are recurring and which are one-time payments. Users are also able to make savings goals and learn how to budget better through a number of tutorials and community resources. BudgetPulse is secure, easy to use, and can be used in any country.

PearBudget

PearBudget is a budgeting software that is extremely easy to use and is entirely web-based. PearBudget is completely customizable, straightforward, and is intuitive enough to keep track of the user’s regular and sporadic spending habits. While PearBudget is extremely powerful, it is easy for users to understand and work with to create accurate budgets and plan goals for future spending. PearBudget is not entirely free but can be used for free during a 30-day free trial and only costs $3.00 per month afterwards.

Thrive

Thrive is another free, web-based budget software that allows users to manage their money through a number of user-friendly controls and features. The main focus of Thrive is to provide users with the ability to create comprehensive spending habits that allow the user to save money. The interactive software allows users to plan for future purchases by estimating how much they should try to save each month to be able to purchase the item within a designated period of time. Thrive also allows users to create strategies for getting out of debt and even curving income to fit specific trends such as shopping or transportation costs.

Wesabe

Wesabe is not so much of a budget software as it is a community of like-minded individuals who all have savings and debt consolidation in mind. Wesabe should be a part of any home budgeter’s arsenal as it allows them to receive updates on spending tips, trade experiences, and advice. It also allows users to learn about a wide variety of programs that assist in budgeting, financing, and money management.

Mint

Mint is by far one of the most powerful and popular, free budgeting programs available. Mint is a web-based service and presents visualizations about the user’s spending habits in a way that no other budget software does. Mint allows users to set goals concerning savings and debt consolidation and observes their progress with these goals in real-time. When the correct amount of money is collected to accomplish a goal, the software shows that the goal is achieved. The software also has a comprehensive feature that is able to compare the user’s services and products against similar services to see if any savings are possible. Mint is also capable of importing information from the user’s bank accounts, insurance statements, loans, mortgages, investments, credit cards, and other financial venues, while organizing this information in one convenient location.