Best 10 Budgeting Apps for Expats and International Travelers?

Explore the best 10 budgeting apps tailored for expats and international travelers to manage money, track spending, and stay financially secure abroad.
Leonard Leonard
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Published: Jul 12, 2025 - 10:47
Best 10 Budgeting Apps for Expats and International Travelers?

Living or traveling abroad is an exciting adventure—but managing finances in unfamiliar currencies, tax systems, and banking structures can be a challenge. Whether you're an expat relocating for work or a digital nomad hopping between continents, staying on top of your budget is essential. Fortunately, a new generation of budgeting apps offers smart tools tailored for the global lifestyle. These apps help you track expenses, convert currencies, set savings goals, and manage multiple accounts across borders. In this article, we’ll highlight the best 10 budgeting apps for expats and international travelers, helping you take control of your money, wherever life takes you.

1. Revolut

Revolut is more than a budgeting app—it's a global financial powerhouse. Designed with international users in mind, Revolut offers multi-currency accounts, real-time exchange rates, and spending insights. It allows users to set monthly budgets, receive instant spending alerts, and categorize expenses in real-time. Whether you're sending money abroad or tracking your coffee budget in Tokyo, Revolut simplifies global money management.

Key Features:

  • Budgeting and spending categories
  • Real-time currency conversion at interbank rates
  • Supports over 30 currencies
  • Virtual cards for added security
  • Built-in travel insurance options

Best for: Expats and travelers who need multi-currency budgeting and seamless cross-border payments.

2. Trail Wallet

Trail Wallet was made for travelers by travelers. Created by full-time digital nomads, this iOS-only app is lightweight, intuitive, and perfect for on-the-go expense tracking. You can set daily or trip-wide budgets, add expenses in any currency, and view detailed summaries of where your money is going.

Key Features:

  • Quick input for daily expenses
  • Currency conversion with real-time rates
  • Visual graphs for expense breakdowns
  • Offline access

Best for: International travelers looking for a fast and simple expense tracker with currency support.

3. YNAB (You Need A Budget)

YNAB is a premium budgeting tool that focuses on proactive money management rather than tracking what you've already spent. It’s ideal for expats looking to align spending with long-term financial goals, even across different currencies and bank accounts. YNAB teaches users to assign every dollar (or euro) a job, helping you plan ahead instead of reacting.

Key Features:

  • Goal tracking and progress monitoring
  • Syncs with multiple banks and accounts
  • Mobile and desktop access
  • Strong focus on financial literacy

Best for: Expats and families abroad aiming for long-term budgeting and savings discipline.

4. PocketGuard

PocketGuard lives up to its name by helping you “guard” your money. It automatically links to your bank accounts, detects bills, categorizes spending, and shows you how much you have “left to spend.” The clean interface and straightforward features make it a favorite among those who want clarity and control without complication.

Key Features:

  • Auto-detects subscriptions and bills
  • “In My Pocket” feature shows spendable cash
  • Easy budget setup for recurring expenses
  • Debt payoff tools included

Best for: Expats and travelers who want effortless budget tracking and bill management.

5. Spendee

Spendee’s sleek design and powerful budget tools make it ideal for international lifestyles. It allows you to create shared wallets—perfect for couples or roommates living abroad. With support for multiple currencies, bank syncing, and visual charts, Spendee helps you stay in control of your money no matter where you are.

Key Features:

  • Shared wallets for household or trip budgets
  • Multi-currency support and exchange rate updates
  • Import data from various banks
  • Detailed spending analysis

Best for: Travelers and expats who manage finances jointly or in shared households.

6. XE Currency & Money Transfers

While primarily known for currency conversion, XE has evolved to include spending and transfer features useful for international budgeting. It’s an essential tool for expats dealing with multiple currencies and fluctuating exchange rates. While it doesn't offer deep budgeting tools, its integration with money transfers and real-time rate tracking makes it a vital financial companion.

Key Features:

  • Real-time exchange rate tracking
  • Currency conversion calculators
  • International money transfers
  • Rate alerts and historical data

Best for: Budget-conscious expats needing precise exchange rate tracking and international money transfers.

7. Goodbudget

Based on the envelope budgeting method, Goodbudget allows users to assign digital “envelopes” for various spending categories. While it doesn’t sync with banks, it’s perfect for those who prefer manual tracking and want to be deliberate about every transaction—an ideal approach for expats navigating unfamiliar financial systems.

Key Features:

  • Envelopes help set clear spending limit
  • Cloud sync across devices
  • Suitable for couples and shared budgeting
  • Great for conscious, proactive spending

Best for: International users who prefer intentional, manual budgeting and envelope-style discipline.

 

8. N26 (With Spaces Feature)

N26 is a fully mobile bank built for international users. Its Spaces feature allows users to create sub-accounts for specific goals—like travel, rent, or emergency funds. With N26, you can manage multiple budgets in real-time, all while enjoying seamless international banking services across the EU and the U.S.

Key Features:

  • Multi-currency payments with real-time alerts
  • Budget “Spaces” for goal tracking
  • In-app categorization and statistics
  • No foreign transaction fees

Best for: Expats and travelers living within the EU or U.S. looking for an all-in-one mobile bank and budget tool.

9. Wally

Wally is a powerful global budgeting app that supports over 200 currencies, making it one of the most versatile for international travelers and expats. It allows you to track spending, plan monthly budgets, and link bank accounts from across the globe. The app offers a customizable interface with tools for every kind of user.

Key Features:

  • Expense logging in multiple currencies
  • Smart budget planning and savings goals
  • Global bank syncing support
  • Flexible interface for different financial goals

Best for: Digital nomads and world travelers needing maximum currency and bank support

10. Splitwise

While not a traditional budgeting app, Splitwise is an essential tool for anyone sharing expenses abroad—whether you’re traveling with friends, living with roommates, or managing group costs. It lets you track shared expenses, split bills, and settle debts with ease. It supports multiple currencies, making it perfect for cross-border living or traveling.

Key Features:

  • Fair expense splitting in any currency
  • Group or one-on-one bill tracking
  • Payment reminders and debt summaries
  • Integration with PayPal and Venmo

Best for: Expats or travelers regularly sharing expenses with others across currencies.

Conclusion

Managing your finances abroad doesn't have to be stressful. With the right budgeting app, you can gain full control over your money—no matter where in the world you are. Whether you're a solo traveler, part of a digital nomad couple, or a family living overseas, there's an app designed to meet your needs. From robust multi-currency tools like Revolut and Wally, to minimalist expense trackers like Trail Wallet, each of these top 10 apps offers features that empower you to make smart financial decisions while enjoying your global lifestyle.

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