Managing finances effectively requires a solid budgeting tool, and the EveryDollar budgeting app by Dave Ramsey is one of the most popular options available. Designed to help individuals achieve financial freedom through zero-based budgeting, EveryDollar offers both free and premium versions. Additionally, users can access Ramsey Plus, which provides extra financial resources.
In this comprehensive 2025 review, we’ll explore EveryDollar’s features, pricing, benefits, and drawbacks to help you decide whether this budgeting app is the right fit for you.
What is EveryDollar?
EveryDollar is a user-friendly budgeting app created by Dave Ramsey, a well-known financial expert. It follows the zero-based budgeting method, where every dollar is assigned a job. This ensures that every cent of your income is accounted for, whether it’s spent, saved, or invested.
The app comes in three versions:
- Free Version
- Premium Version ($17.99/month or $79.99/year)
- Ramsey Plus ($129/year for a full suite of financial tools, including EveryDollar Premium and Financial Peace University)
Each version provides different levels of functionality, so let’s break them down.
EveryDollar Free Version
The free version of EveryDollar provides a basic budgeting experience. It is a great starting point for individuals new to budgeting, but it does require manual data entry.
Key Features:
- Manual transaction entry: Every transaction must be entered manually, as the free version does not link to bank accounts.
- Customizable categories: Users can rename and rearrange categories to fit their financial goals.
- Zero-based budgeting: Ensures every dollar has a purpose, preventing overspending.
- Fund feature: Allows money to roll over for savings goals.
- Mobile and desktop access: Use the app on both your phone and computer.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Easy to use
- Great for beginners
- No ads or distractions
Cons:
- No bank syncing (manual transaction entry required)
- No advanced financial tracking or reports
Who should use it? If you’re looking for a simple, free budgeting tool without needing automation, this version is for you.
EveryDollar Premium Version
EveryDollar Premium builds upon the free version by introducing bank account integration and additional tracking features.
Key Features:
- Automatic bank sync: Transactions are imported directly from your bank.
- Paycheck planning: Helps visualize cash flow and upcoming expenses.
- Spending insights: Generates detailed reports and charts.
- Goal setting: Allows users to set financial savings goals.
- Transaction splitting: Allocate a single expense across multiple budget categories.
- Downloadable reports: Export your budget data as a CSV or spreadsheet.
Pricing:
- $17.99 per month
- $79.99 per year (saves nearly $135 compared to monthly payments)
Pros:
- Saves time with automatic transaction imports
- Helps track spending habits more effectively
- Offers better insights into financial health
- Great for those with complex finances
Cons:
- Higher cost compared to other budgeting apps like YNAB ($14.99/month)
- No automatic categorization (transactions must be manually assigned)
Who should use it? If you want a budgeting tool that automates transaction tracking and provides better financial insights, the Premium version is worth considering.
Ramsey Plus: The Ultimate Financial Toolkit
Ramsey Plus is a comprehensive financial planning subscription that includes EveryDollar Premium and additional resources.
What’s Included?
- EveryDollar Premium (one-year access)
- Financial Peace University (FPU): A nine-week course based on Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps
- Exclusive audiobooks, mini-courses, and resources
- Budget coaching and community support
Pricing:
- $129 per year
- Discounts available for 3-month and 6-month subscriptions
Pros:
- Best value for Dave Ramsey followers
- Includes budgeting, financial education, and coaching
- Great for families working toward financial freedom
Cons:
- More expensive than standalone budgeting apps
- Not necessary if you only want budgeting tools
Who should use it? If you’re following Dave Ramsey’s financial principles and want additional resources beyond budgeting, Ramsey Plus is a great investment.
Key Features Breakdown
1. Customizable Budgeting
EveryDollar allows users to personalize their budget by:
- Renaming, adding, or removing categories
- Dragging and dropping expenses for easy organization
- Setting up fund categories for sinking funds (e.g., vacation savings)
2. Zero-Based Budgeting
The app ensures that every dollar is assigned to either savings, debt repayment, or expenses. It also provides real-time tracking to show remaining or spent amounts.
3. Automatic Bank Syncing (Premium & Ramsey Plus)
- Green transactions = income
- Blue transactions = expenses
- Gray transactions = categorized
This feature helps automate budgeting but still requires manual categorization.
4. Spending Insights & Reports
Users can generate visual spending reports by category, helping them identify overspending trends.
5. Paycheck Planning (Premium & Ramsey Plus)
- Helps predict when cash flow shortages may occur
- Adjusts bill due dates for better financial management
6. Financial Roadmap (Ramsey Plus)
By answering a few questions, users receive a personalized financial plan with step-by-step guidance on debt repayment, savings, and investing.
EveryDollar vs. Competitors
Feature | EveryDollar Free | EveryDollar Premium | Ramsey Plus | YNAB ($14.99/mo) | Mint (Discontinued) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zero-Based Budgeting | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Bank Syncing | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Spending Insights | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Goal Setting | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Paycheck Planning | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Financial Education | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Final Verdict: Is EveryDollar Worth It in 2025?
Choose EveryDollar Free if:
- You want a simple, no-cost budgeting tool
- You don’t mind manual data entry
- You are new to budgeting
Choose EveryDollar Premium if:
- You want automatic bank syncing
- You need advanced financial tracking
- You prefer customized reports
Choose Ramsey Plus if:
- You follow Dave Ramsey’s financial plan
- You want access to Financial Peace University
- You need additional financial education
If you’re looking for an automated, feature-rich budgeting tool, alternatives like YNAB may be a better fit. However, for fans of Dave Ramsey, EveryDollar remains an excellent choice in 2025.
Have you used EveryDollar? Share your experience in the comments!