App Showcase: EveryDollar

What it does

EveryDollar is a budgeting app based on Dave Ramsey's zero-based budgeting philosophy. The core idea is to give every dollar a job, ensuring income minus expenses equals zero. The app guides users to plan their spending in advance for categories like housing, food, and savings, and then track their transactions against that plan.

Where it shines

EveryDollar excels in its structured approach to budgeting. The initial budget creation is straightforward, with clear categories and simple inputs (01:55). The standout feature is the "Paycheck Planner" (04:26), which helps users manage cash flow between paychecks, a crucial tool for those avoiding debt. The app also offers clean, easy-to-understand visual insights (07:07), turning raw transaction data into simple charts that show spending habits over time.

UX highlights

• The main screen's three-tab view—Planned, Spent, and Remaining (05:21)—is a brilliant way to reduce cognitive load. It separates the distinct tasks of planning, logging, and checking your status.
• Adding a transaction is quick and directly tied to a budget line item, as seen when the user adds a mortgage payment (02:27).
• The ability to favorite budget items (02:57) allows for simple personalization, pinning important categories to the top of the screen.
• The "left to budget" amount at the top of the screen (02:04) provides constant feedback, reinforcing the zero-based goal.
• Error and confirmation states are clear. For example, a dialog (02:43) prevents the user from scheduling an item without a planned amount.
• The visual design is clean and spacious, using color effectively to distinguish between income and expenses without feeling cluttered.

Monetization & growth

The app funnels new users directly to a paywall after a brief setup (01:15). It presents two subscription options (monthly and annual), highlighting a significant "SAVE 62%" discount on the annual plan to encourage a longer commitment. The app offers a 14-day free trial, a common strategy to let users experience premium features before paying. After subscribing, a simple "You're All Set!" screen (01:40) provides a positive confirmation before dropping the user into the main app.

Who it’s for

EveryDollar is clearly for individuals and families who want to take a proactive, hands-on approach to their finances. It's particularly well-suited for those new to budgeting or those following Dave Ramsey's financial principles, as it enforces the zero-based method. The focus on paycheck planning and debt payoff makes it ideal for users aiming to get out of debt and build financial stability.

Notes & opportunities

The app forces users to create an account and subscribe before they can even see the budgeting interface. While this may capture committed users, it could be a point of friction for those who want to explore first. A brief, interactive demo of the budgeting tool before the paywall might improve conversion. Additionally, the process of adding a transaction requires several taps; streamlining this common action could improve the user experience further.