Want that “aha” moment when you open your app and your budget makes sense? Here’s a curated lineup of the best free Android expense tracker apps, complete with direct links, pricing breakdowns, open-source transparency, and a comparison table that helps you see the forest—and the trees.
1. Buckwheat — Privacy-First & Open-Source
Official site ·
Google Play ·
GitHub (GPL-3.0)
Price: Free forever, no ads :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}. Open-source with active development :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
2. Spending Tracker — Manual, Simple & Smooth
Google Play
Price: Free with ads and optional in-app purchases; also available via Play Pass :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
3. Money Manager (Realbyte) — Feature-Rich & Powerful
Google Play ·
Official site
Price: Free tier generous; premium removes ads, adds desktop integration—one-time purchase around $5.99 plus export capabilities :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
4. Cashew — Automated Sync & Visual Clarity
Official site / GitHub ·
Google Play
Price: Free; bank sync, intuitive visuals, flexible budgeting. Open-source base on GitHub :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
5. Splitwise — Best for Shared Expenses
Official site ·
Google Play
Price: Free core features; split bills, IOU tracking. Pro subscription adds receipt scanning, currency conversion, ad-free experience (approx $0.99–$39.99 per item) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
Bonus Mention: Spendee — Bank-Sync + Shared Wallets
Google Play
Price: Free with syncing bank, e-wallets, shared finance, reports—possible premium tiers (not detailed) :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
Comparison Table: Pick by Feature
| App | Open-Source? | Sync / Automation | Free Tier | Premium / Price | Best If You… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckwheat | Yes (GPL-3.0) | No (local only) | Fully free, no ads | None | Want privacy and zero-cloud simplicity |
| Spending Tracker | No | No (manual) | Free with ads or Play Pass | In-app purchases / Play Pass | Prefer fast, manual entry and export |
| Money Manager (Realbyte) | No | No (manual entries, but scheduled) | Very feature-rich free tier | One-time purchase (~$5.99) to unlock extras | Need double-entry, reports, multiple accounts |
| Cashew | Partially (GitHub base) | Yes (bank sync) | Free | Not explicitly stated; likely plans possible | Want visuals and automation, don’t mind sharing data |
| Splitwise | No | Yes (shared groups) | Free core | Pro features per-item $0.99–$39.99 | Split expenses with others—roommates, trips |
| Spendee | No | Yes (bank/e-wallet sync) | Free with core features | Premium tiers (unspecified) | Want visuals, multi-wallets, shared finance |
Remember: an app isn’t going to fix your budget—your habits will. Choose one that feels more like a tool and less like a chore. Try it for 30 days, then adapt. Let your spending data teach you, not intimidate.