How we compared them
We searched the US App Store for “debt payoff” and picked the most-reviewed apps built for paying off debt, plus Undebt.it, a widely used web planner. We left out general budgeting apps, which we cover briefly below. For each app we recorded the free plan, paid price, payoff methods, whether a bank connection is required, and the App Store privacy label.
DebtFree (Debt Payoff Tracker) (our app)
Best for: Low-cost Premium and on-device privacy. Platforms: iPhone. Privacy label: Developer reports no data collected.
Our app. You enter balances yourself and choose snowball, avalanche or (with Premium) a custom order. It shows a projected debt-free date, records payments and extra payments, and sends payment reminders. Core data stays on the device; Premium adds unlimited debts, analytics, PDF export, manual iCloud backup and Debt Coach.
Keep in mind: The free tier stops at three debts, and it is a newer app without App Store ratings yet. There is no Android version or bank syncing.
Debt Payoff Planner & Tracker
Best for: A long-established planner with many reviews. Platforms: iPhone. Privacy label: Collects data linked to you, including financial info; some used for third-party advertising.
One of the best-known debt planners on the App Store. It supports snowball, avalanche, one-time “snowflake” payments and a custom order, and builds a month-by-month schedule from your balance, APR and minimum payment.
Keep in mind: Its subscription costs more than most alternatives here, and its App Store privacy label lists data used for advertising.
Debt Free – Pay Off Debt Faster
Best for: Unlimited debts on a free plan. Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch. Privacy label: Developer reports no data collected.
A different app from ours despite the similar name. Its free plan covers unlimited debts and all the main strategies, with iCloud sync. Pro adds tools such as balance transfer and consolidation analyzers, a what-if simulator, bill tracking and export.
Keep in mind: The feature list is long, which some people will prefer and others may find busy.
Undebt.it
Best for: Free planning in a browser on any device. Platforms: Web (installable on iPhone and Android). Privacy label: Account needed to save a plan; no App Store label.
A web-based planner with a generous free plan: unlimited debts, snowball, avalanche and six other methods, and a monthly payment plan. Undebt.it+ adds extras such as bill tracking, what-if scenarios, YNAB integration and optional bank syncing.
Keep in mind: It is a web app you add to your home screen rather than a native iPhone app, and it needs an account.
Debt Payoff Box
Best for: A simple set-and-follow plan. Platforms: iPhone. Privacy label: Analytics and diagnostics, not linked to you.
A simple planner built around a set-and-follow plan. Its “fast forward” feature updates your debts as if you followed the plan, so you do not have to log every payment.
Keep in mind: App Store reviewers say most planning features need Pro.
Changed
Best for: Automatic round-up payments. Platforms: iPhone. Privacy label: Collects data linked to you; may track across apps.
Rounds up everyday purchases and sends the spare change to your debts, with snowball and avalanche tracking. It suits people who want payments to happen automatically.
Keep in mind: Its core features need a linked bank account, and its privacy label allows tracking.
Ditch
Best for: Round-ups with an AI assistant. Platforms: iPhone. Privacy label: Collects data linked to you; may track across apps.
Sends round-ups from purchases to your loans, tracks balances and adds an AI assistant and budgeting insights.
Keep in mind: It requires linked accounts and a subscription, and its privacy label allows tracking.
What about budgeting apps?
Budgeting apps such as YNAB and EveryDollar help find money for debt by planning your spending. They are a good fit if cash flow is the main problem. A dedicated payoff app is more useful when you already know your monthly budget and want a clear order, a payoff date and payment tracking. Many people use one of each.
How to choose a debt payoff app
- Check the free plan against your number of debts. Some apps cap free debts at two or three.
- Make sure it supports snowball and avalanche. You want to compare both on your own numbers.
- Decide whether you want to link your bank. Manual entry is more private; linking enables automatic payments and syncing.
- Read the privacy label. Look for “Data Not Collected” or data that is not linked to you.
- Compare the yearly cost. Paid plans here range from about $10 a year to over $80.
Try a plan before you download anything
Our free snowball vs. avalanche calculator and debt payoff calculator run in your browser with no account. If you want to keep tracking your plan, DebtFree for iPhone picks up where the calculator leaves off.
Common questions
What is the best free debt payoff app?
If you need unlimited debts at no cost, Debt Free – Pay Off Debt Faster (iPhone) and Undebt.it (web) have the most generous free plans. DebtFree is free for up to three debts and has the lowest-cost Premium options of the native apps we compared.
Do debt payoff apps need access to my bank account?
Not all of them. Planners such as DebtFree, Debt Payoff Planner & Tracker, Debt Free and Debt Payoff Box work from numbers you type in. Round-up apps such as Changed and Ditch need a linked bank account to move money.
Is a debt payoff app better than a spreadsheet?
A spreadsheet can do the same math. An app is easier to keep up to date: it records payments, recalculates your payoff date when balances change and reminds you before due dates. Our free browser calculators are a good way to test a plan before choosing either.
Which debt payoff method should an app use?
Look for both snowball (smallest balance first) and avalanche (highest APR first), so you can compare them on your own numbers. Avalanche usually costs less interest; snowball gives earlier wins.
Educational comparison, not financial advice. Found an error? Send a correction.