Buddy: Budget Planner App

What it does

Buddy is a finance app designed to help users track expenses, set up detailed budgets, and manage their money. It offers tools for logging individual transactions and provides a guided process for creating a comprehensive monthly budget based on income and spending categories. The app also supports collaborative budgeting, allowing users to manage finances with a partner or roommate.

Where it shines

Buddy excels in making complex financial tasks feel approachable. The guided budget setup (starting at 02:31) is a prime example. It transforms the daunting task of creating a budget into a simple, step-by-step wizard. The app also provides clear, visual feedback on its main dashboard. The "Remaining" tab (05:12) uses circular progress bars for each category, giving users an at-a-glance understanding of where their money is going.

UX highlights

In-context creation: When a user needs a category that doesn't exist, like "Side Hustle" (03:00), the app lets them create it instantly without leaving the current flow.
Helpful empty states: The initial dashboard (00:46) is not just empty. It actively prompts the user to "Add transaction," guiding them to the app's core function immediately.
Clear dashboard tabs: The main budget screen is segmented into "Plan," "Remaining," and "Insights," which provides a logical and easy-to-navigate structure for financial information.
Comprehensive settings: The settings area (06:22) is well-organized, offering granular control over wallets, categories, security, and appearance in one place.
Visual expense tracking: The home screen (01:08) provides a simple bar chart of income vs. expenses and a donut chart breaking down spending by category, making data easy to digest.

Monetization & growth

Buddy presents a soft paywall early in the onboarding flow (00:20), offering a 7-day free trial. The paywall screen uses multiple tactics to encourage conversion, including social proof (4.8-star rating), a discount offer ("Save up to 62%"), and a list of premium features. It presents three distinct plans: monthly, annual, and a lifetime option. Later in the experience, the app uses a native rating prompt (01:11) to solicit feedback after the user has completed a core action.

Who it’s for

This app is well-suited for individuals, couples, or roommates who want to gain control over their finances but may feel overwhelmed by traditional spreadsheets. Its guided setup and clear visualizations make it ideal for first-time budgeters. The collaborative features also make it a strong choice for anyone needing to manage shared expenses.

Notes & opportunities

There's a minor inconsistency in the currency symbols shown throughout the user journey. The paywall displays Euros (€), while the dashboard later shows both Philippine Pesos (P) and US Dollars ($). This could create confusion for a new user about which currency is active. Additionally, the in-app rating prompt at 01:11 appears after only one transaction has been logged, which may be too early to ask for a meaningful review.