In 2025, financial technology continues to reshape how we manage money. From budgeting and saving to investing and financial planning, the tools that help us grow our wealth smarter—and more sustainably—are now more accessible than ever. But with hundreds of apps and platforms out there, where should you begin?
Enter the Smart Money Awards 2025 by Real Simple—a trusted guide highlighting the best fintech tools across categories like budgeting, banking, investing, and financial literacy. Let’s dive into the winners and explain how they can make your financial life easier and more effective.
Best Tools of 2025: Categories & Winners
| Category | Winner | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
|
Best Free Budgeting App |
Envelope-style budgeting made digital—simple, intentional, and free. |
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Best Paid Budgeting App |
Rule-based budgeting philosophy and real-time syncing—empower your money with purpose. |
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Best Way to Save When Shopping Online |
Cashback on 3,500+ retailers. A passive income booster. |
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Top Beginner Investment Platform |
Automated investing with low fees and smart portfolio design. |
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Preferred for Seasoned Investors |
Advanced tools and portfolio customization. |
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Banking Standouts |
Bread Financial (savings), SoFi (checking), Ally |
Excellent rates, low/no fees, and seamless digital experience. |
|
Best Health Savings Account (HSA) |
Fee-free, no minimums, and investable funds—maximize tax advantage and growth. |
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|
Top Financial Literacy Resource |
Trusted for its deep, accessible content on finance basics and beyond. |
What Makes These Tools Shine?
Let’s unwrap why each winner matters:
Goodbudget uses the envelope budgeting method to make spending intentional—and seeing categories visually is a powerful motivator.
YNAB encourages you to assign a job to every dollar, embrace true expenses, and age your money—a proven path to financial peace.
Rakuten is a no-effort win—earning cash back while you shop? Yes, please.
Betterment is a hands-off investment coach—automated, diversified, and personalized.
Wealthfront caters to investors who want more control—tax loss harvesting, customizable goals, and deeper planning.
Fidelity HSA offers both flexibility and tax advantages. It’s an underused tool that can turbocharge healthcare savings.
Investopedia empowers you to understand finance, so you can make smarter decisions—one article, video, or simulation at a time.
Getting Started: Micro Steps to Use These Tools Wisely
Begin with Goodbudget or YNAB—test the water for one category (like groceries).
Install Rakuten, and spend like you normally would—earning cash back with no added effort.
Set up a Betterment account—even $5/month builds habit and compound growth.
Open a Fidelity HSA if eligible—contribute via payroll to create automatic savings.
Bookmark Investopedia and spend 10 minutes a week reading up on core money topics.
Small steps, steady results. This is financial self-care—not stress.
Resource Suggestions
Looking to explore these fintech tools further—or bring finance into your everyday routine? Here are some curated picks:
The Psychology of Money
Money – investing, personal finance, and business decisions – is typically taught as a math-based field, where data and formulas tell us exactly what to do. But in the real world people don't make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. They make them at the dinner table, or in a meeting room, where personal history, your own unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together.
Buy now at Amazon
The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed
Can your earning style be cheerfully described as a cycle of feast or famine? Are the checks for every gig or project you invoice for arriving well after you need to pay your monthly bills? Every freelancer knows it's not easy living on an irregular income. But now you can take heart. Longtime freelancers and bestselling authors Joseph D'Agnese and Denise Kiernan share the easy-to-follow system that allowed them to build wealth and financial security while never sacrificing the creative careers they loved.
Buy now at AmazonFinal Thoughts
2025 is shaping up to be the year of smarter financial tools with human-centered design. You don’t need to sift through dozens of apps—all you need is one well-chosen tool, used consistently.
Whether you’re budgeting every dollar in YNAB, investing automatically with Betterment, or just reading a concise article on Investopedia—you’re reshaping your relationship with money.
Which tool are you most excited to try—or already love using? Drop it in the comments! Want Sophie to cover deeper on one of these—like opening an HSA, budgeting tips, or beginner investing? Let us know and we’ll write it next.
