Being a college student means every rupee/dollar counts. You need a budget app that's free (or cheap), simple, and doesn't require a PhD in accounting.
We reviewed expense trackers specifically for college students — whether you're in Delhi, California, or anywhere else.
What College Students Need in an Expense Tracker
- Free or very cheap — Student budgets are tight
- Simple interface — No time to learn complex apps
- Quick entry — Log expenses in seconds
- Works offline — Campus WiFi isn't always reliable
- No bank linking required — Students often have minimal credit history
- Multi-currency — For international students
Top 5 Expense Trackers for Students
1. Pocket Clear — Best Overall for Students
Pocket Clear is ideal for students because it's genuinely simple. No overwhelming features, no confusing charts, no ads in your face.
- ✅ Free with no ads
- ✅ Log expenses in under 5 seconds
- ✅ Works offline (library, dorm, anywhere)
- ✅ Supports multiple currencies (INR, USD, EUR, etc.)
- ✅ No bank account linking needed
- ✅ Privacy-focused — your spending stays private
🎓 Perfect for Students
Simple, free, works anywhere. Exactly what students need.
2. Monefy
Visual, icon-based expense tracking with colorful categories.
Pros: Intuitive, pretty charts
Cons: Free version has ads, premium costs money
3. 1Money (Android Only)
Completely free Android app with no ads.
Pros: 100% free, clean design
Cons: Android only, no iOS version
4. Wallet by BudgetBakers
Feature-rich option with optional bank sync.
Pros: Many features, multi-account
Cons: Complex for students, expensive premium
5. Spendee
Beautiful design with shared wallet for roommates.
Pros: Great design, can share with roommates
Cons: Premium is expensive for students
Common Student Expense Categories
Set up these categories for typical student spending:
For Students in India
- 🍜 Food & Mess
- ☕ Chai/Coffee
- 📚 Books & Supplies
- 🚌 Transport (Bus/Auto/Metro)
- 📱 Mobile Recharge
- 🎬 Entertainment
- 👕 Clothing
- 🏠 Hostel/PG Rent
For Students in the US
- 🍕 Food & Dining
- ☕ Coffee (Starbucks adds up!)
- 📚 Textbooks
- 🚗 Transport/Gas
- 📱 Phone Bill
- 🎬 Entertainment & Streaming
- 👕 Clothing
- 🏠 Rent/Dorm
Student Budgeting Tips
The 50/30/20 Rule for Students
- 50% Needs: Rent, food, transport, phone
- 30% Wants: Entertainment, eating out, shopping
- 20% Savings: Emergency fund, future goals
Adjust based on your situation. If you're on a very tight budget, maybe 60/30/10.
Track Every Expense (Really)
That ₹50 chai or $5 coffee seems small, but:
- ₹50/day × 30 days = ₹1,500/month
- $5/day × 30 days = $150/month
Small expenses add up. Track everything for a month and you'll be surprised.
Review Weekly
Set a 10-minute weekly review:
- Open your expense tracker
- Check total spending for the week
- Identify where money went
- Adjust next week if needed
Why Students Should Avoid YNAB
YNAB (You Need A Budget) is excellent, but:
- Costs $14.99/month ($179/year)
- Complex methodology takes time to learn
- Overkill for simple student budgets
Unless you have complex finances, stick with something simpler like Pocket Clear.
International Students: Multi-Currency Tips
If you're an international student, you likely deal with multiple currencies:
- Home country currency (for family support)
- Host country currency (for daily expenses)
Pocket Clear supports multiple currencies — set your primary currency based on where you spend most of your money.
Start Tracking Today
Free, simple, no ads. Perfect for students.
FAQ
Is Pocket Clear really free?
Yes, the core features are free with no ads. Pro ($0.99/month) adds cloud backup and budgets.
Can I share expenses with my roommate?
Yes! Partner Mode lets you share expenses with roommates or partners. Link accounts with a 6-digit code.
What if I forget to log an expense?
You can add expenses from previous days — just change the date when logging.