Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products.
One of our favorite budgeting apps is 50 percent off right nowThe deal brings the cost of a Monarch Money plan down to $50 for the first year.
Matt TateContributing reporterUpdatedFri, December 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM UTCAdd Engadget on GoogleIf you have a resolution in the new year to get more acquainted with your finances, a good budgeting app can help with that. One of our favorites is a bit cheaper to sign up for right now: Monarch Money is offering 50 percent off annual subscriptions for new users. Use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout to get half off, so you'll pay just $50 for one year of access.
Monarch Money
Monarch budgeting app
$50$100Save $50Usually Monarch costs $100 per year, but this deal brings the cost of the first 12 months down to $50 for new users.
$50 at Monarch MoneyMonarch Money was the runner-up in our guide to the best budgeting apps in 2025, and it was definitely a grower. Initially we found the experience of using the app to be needlessly complicated compared to some of its rivals, but get over that hurdle and it’s impressively fully-featured. There are plenty of customization options, a helpful “goals” feature and a thorough month-in-review recap that beats out similar features from some of its competitors. We also like how you can grant account access to others.
Besides the steep learning curve, we also noted that the mobile app is less intuitive to use than the web version, which might pose a problem if you were hoping to do most of your accounting on the go. We also had some issues with the app failing to distinguish between bills and other recurring expenses, as well as a few bugs along the way.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAll things considered, Monarch is definitely one of our favorite budgeting apps, only being beaten out by Quicken Simplifi. As you might expect, the biggest strength of Simplifi is its simplicity, and how it eases you into using its various features. If you value that kind of user experience, it might be a better choice for you, but there’s unfortunately no free trial to take advantage of.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Advertisement- About our ads