Whether you’re an advisor or an individual, financial planning software is a valuable tool for budgeting, tracking investments, and planning retirement and other long-term financial goals. Here’s a look at the best financial planning software — both free and premium — and how to find a program that fits your budget and needs. 

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3 budgeting software options for individuals (and advisors) 

Free online budgeting tools and retirement calculators are a great starting point for developing a strong financial plan. But you can level up by using personal finance programs that combine budgeting tools with robust investing and retirement-related capabilities. 

Whether you’re managing your own money or offering guidance to others, here are three of our favorite tools for 2025.

1. Quicken

Quicken lets you manage all your finances in one place, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards and other debt, and investments (like cryptocurrency, IRAs, and 401(k)s). Quicken also offers basic tracking and budgeting features. 

Best for: Individuals managing personal finances

Pricing: $5.99 to $7.99/month

2. MaxiFi

MaxiFi is a financial and retirement planning software program fit for both families and financial advisors. The program offers comprehensive lifetime financial planning, helping users plan discretionary spending, optimize Social Security and Roth conversions, and assess life insurance needs. It’s robust enough for pros while remaining accessible for savvy individuals.

Best for: Households and advisors focused on lifetime planning

Pricing: 

• Standard (for households): $109/year
• Premium (for households): $149/year
• Pro (for advisors): $599
  

3. Boldin

Boldin blends self-serve tools with advisor access. At the free tier, you can build retirement plans and test scenarios for your own household. Planner Plus lets you add tax projections, Roth conversion tools, side-by-side reports, and more. The advisor tier pairs you with a certified financial planner for highly personalized guidance — a smart setup if you want pro support without hiring a full-service firm. 

Best for: Finance-savvy individuals and professionals

Pricing: 

• Basic: Free 
• Planner Plus: $120/year 
• Boldin Advisors: Avg. $1,650/year

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How to choose the right financial planning software

Each component of your financial life is connected, from your income, debt, and spending to insurance, investing, and retirement planning. The program you choose should streamline the process with built-in financial management tools that bring those moving parts together in one place. 

Budgeting tools and expense tracking

This consideration gets to the heart of why you need to have your personal finances in order before you invest. Without a clear picture of your cash flow — how much money is coming in and going out each month — you won’t know what amount you can safely invest. And if you don’t know that, it’s impossible to forecast how much you’ll need in retirement or how long you need to save to reach that goal. 

Unless you have a good grasp on your spending habits, financial planning software without strong budgeting and expense-tracking features won’t do you much good. Look for tools that start with budgeting — an essential first step. 

Auto-connectivity 

Some financial planning programs connect directly with banks, brokerages, and other financial institutions. The best financial software either syncs with a wide range of providers or makes it easy to enter your data by hand. This kind of connectivity is essential for getting a clear, comprehensive view of your finances so that all your accounts, assets, and liabilities are factored into your planning.

Debt management and loan calculators

If you have debt, easing into investing is the safest approach. Financial planning software showcases different types of debt alongside your income, spending, and long-term goals. Those insights will help you create achievable investment and retirement planning goals and strategies. 

Security and data privacy

When you start using a program to manage your finances, you’re sharing sensitive personal and financial information, which means privacy and security are non-negotiable. Look for software that uses encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure connections to protect your data. 

How financial planning software helps with retirement planning

Financial planning software is a powerful retirement planning tool because it helps you think long-term, even when that future feels far away. Financial planning software helps by simulating income scenarios, forecasting investment returns, and showing how today’s decisions can shape your tomorrow. Many platforms also support Social Security optimization and tax planning, helping you get the most from your income sources once you reach retirement.

By automating complex calculations and centralizing your data, the right software helps you plan with clarity and confidence to make sure your needs are always met.

Plan for retirement with Gainbridge

Gainbridge offers annuities designed for real-life needs. ParityFlex™ guarantees retirement income, even if your account balance reaches zero. And FastBreak™ gives you access to your money if you need cash before retirement. Together, tools like these provide a flexible, reliable foundation to help you plan with confidence.

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