Save smarter: The best AI budgeting apps for students

Managing your money as a student can feel like a juggling act. One minute you’re trying to remember when your phone bill’s due, the next you’re hit with a Klarna payment for something you barely remember buying. Oops.

Throw in rent, emergency Ubers and the weekly food shop, and suddenly your overdraft starts looking more like a permanent fixture than a safety net. 

With our recent global research suggesting that 69% of UK students now own a credit card, it has truly never been more important to take control of your money.

We understand, it’s easy to overspend when sitting down to sort your finances feels like a chore. But, what if AI could help you save? 

Whether you're trying to stretch your student loan, cut back on impulse buys or finally get on top of your subscription spending, AI budgeting apps are helping students globally to take control of their finances. 

To help you get started, we’ve rounded up our top six AI-powered budgeting apps designed to help students spend smarter and save more - no spreadsheets required…

Plum

Think of Plum as your low-effort budgeting best friend. It links to your bank account, figures out what you can afford to put away and moves it into savings automatically - no stress, no additional admin needed.

It can round up your purchases too - turning that £3.60 mocha into £4, and tucking the spare change into your savings. Plum also offers investment options to help you plan ahead, and monitors your bills so you can switch to cheaper deals. It’s smart, fuss-free and perfect if you want to save without thinking about it.

You can opt for the free plan or you can pay extra for added features (starting from £3.99 a month) - these aren’t essential though!

Snoop

Snoop links to your bank account and works quietly in the background to help you save. It keeps tabs on what you’re spending - spotting dodgy subscriptions, flagging price hikes and even sending you discount codes for your favourite shops.

The free version gives you all the essentials, but for an additional £4.99, you can unlock extras like personalised insights and net-worth tracking.

Emma

Emma pulls all your accounts into one place, giving you a clear picture of where your money’s really going - from that gym membership you don’t use anymore, to the streaming subscriptions you forgot you had.

Its AI flags repeat payments, warns you when you're close to your overdraft and breaks down your spending into easy-to-read insights. If you want to stay one step ahead of sneaky charges, Emma’s got your back.

The free version covers all the basics like budgeting and tracking subscriptions, while premium plans (from £4.99 a month) unlock extras like rent reporting and cashback rewards.

Monzo

Monzo is one of the most popular digital banking apps out there - and it’s more than just a place to store your money. It helps you manage it too, with real-time spending notifications, round-up savings pots and budgeting tools (like categories and spending limits) to keep you on track.

If you’re heading abroad, Monzo also lets you spend without those annoying international fees - so your money stretches further. Want to split rent with your flatmates, freeze a savings pot to avoid temptation or get paid a day early? Monzo’s got you covered.

It’s a great all-rounder for students who want both banking and budgeting in one easy app. While some features start at £3 a month, the free version gives you more than enough to stay in control.

Revolut

Revolut goes beyond basic banking - it automatically sorts purchases into handy categories and helps you set budgets to keep spending under control. You’ll get instant alerts whenever you spend, plus weekly insights to help you see where your money’s going.

Saving’s simple too, thanks to features like Vaults, which let you stash away your money for goals without even thinking about it. And, if you’re travelling or shopping abroad, Revolut’s fee-free international spending is a major plus.

While some of the features need a paid subscription (from £3.99 a month), the free version covers the essentials and more.

ChatGPT

While ChatGPT isn’t a budgeting app in the traditional sense, it can still be a surprisingly useful money-saving and budgeting tool. You can ask it to help you build a budget from scratch, break down your spending or even generate a meal plan that cuts down your weekly food costs.

Got questions about credit cards, overdrafts, or how to start saving? ChatGPT can breakdown complex financial topics in plain English - no jargon, no confusion. Think of it as your 24/7 budgeting buddy, ready to help you plan smarter and spend better.

It’s free to use (with optional upgrades), and it doesn’t need access to your bank account to give you helpful advice. Win, win!

Take control of your finances - with a little help from AI

AI budgeting tools can make managing your money feel a lot less stressful - and a lot more doable. These apps are built to do the thinking for you, giving you smart, personalised support without the faff. So, why not give one a go? Your future self (and your bank balance) will thank you.

Find out more on how AI is reshaping student spending habits, and how to manage your loan smarter here.