Date
2025
UX
App Design
Wanna go straight to some pretty sweet app screens?
What was…
Managing finances used to feel overwhelming—expenses scattered everywhere, budgets hard to track, and no clear picture of where your money was going. That’s when I knew there had to be a better way.
The challenge…
Competitor Research
Looking at…
To craft a solution that feels seamless and empowering, I dove deep into the world of finance management apps. By exploring the strengths and weaknesses of market leaders, I uncovered what works, what doesn’t, and where innovation could make all the difference.
From automation to privacy, simplicity to design, this research revealed what users truly need—and where they’re still underserved. Every insight shaped my approach to building something better: an experience that’s intuitive, impactful, and designed to put users fully in control of their finances.
Credit Karma provides free credit monitoring, account tracking, and personalized financial insights with real-time updates. However, its interface can feel cluttered, and users seeking simple credit tracking may find the extra features overwhelming.
YNAB takes a proactive approach to budgeting by assigning every dollar a job, helping users gain control of their finances. It offers educational tools for financial literacy, making it great for beginners. However, its high subscription cost and steep learning curve may deter some users, and while functional, the interface lacks modern visual appeal.
PocketGuard simplifies budgeting with an easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for users who want a quick snapshot of their spending and savings without a steep learning curve. However, it lacks advanced features like detailed reporting and long-term tracking, and customisation options are limited. While functional, the design feels outdated compared to newer financial apps.
Simplifi takes a minimalist approach to budgeting, making it easy for users to set goals and track their finances with a clean, straightforward interface. However, it lacks advanced features like investment tracking and bill negotiation, and customisation options are limited. While visually simple, the design could feel more polished to match modern trends.
Users want simple, simplistic solutions with customization options for deeper engagement. Most apps lack the sleek, modern design today’s users expect.
Most finance management apps fall short, with outdated designs, limited personalisation, and an overreliance on sensitive financial data. They miss key tools like proactive alerts and motivational features, leaving users without the clarity or control they deserve.
The Opportunity
Designed for Today: A modern, intuitive interface with privacy-first automation.
Smart & Seamless: Proactive alerts, offline access, and shared budgets for effortless control.
Budget Management
I’m designing a system that lets users plan smarter and track spending effortlessly, keeping their finances stress-free and under control.
Spending Insights
Clear, actionable analytics. This feature will provide users with clean, visual trends to help them make more informed decisions at a glance.
Savings Goals
Motivation made simple. I’m creating tools to help users set meaningful goals and celebrate progress every step of the way.
Subscription Management
Simplifying control. I’m designing a system that makes tracking and managing recurring payments easy and avoids those dreaded surprises.
Section 02
What challenges are current app users facing at the moment?
"Subscriptions are such a headache. I keep getting charged for stuff I don’t even use anymore, and trying to cancel them is way harder than it should be."
Emily
23
"I try to budget, but life’s unpredictable. One unexpected expense, and I’m completely off track. It’d be amazing to have something that adjusts with me."
Michael
31
"I honestly have no idea where my money goes. I’ll check my account, and somehow, it’s almost gone—but keeping track of everything just feels impossible."
Josh
22
"I’ve tried using budgeting apps, but they’re too confusing & just don’t help. I need something simple, easy to use, that actually makes sense to me."
Sarah
28
Personas based on user interviews:
Emily is tech-savvy and subscribes to various digital services, including streaming, fitness apps, and productivity tools, to enhance her personal and professional life.
Pain Points:
Difficulty in keeping track of payments, especially with services that renew automatically.
Time-consuming and complex processes
Needs:
A system that automatically detects subscriptions and provides an easy-to-use interface to manage them.
Notifications when a subscription is about to renew or when an unused subscription is identified.
Michael is a freelancer with an unpredictable income, making it difficult to stick to a budget. Unexpected expenses often throw off his financial plans, leaving him feeling out of control.
Pain Points:
Inconsistent income makes budgeting difficult.
Traditional budgeting apps feel rigid and don't adapt to changes in his financial situation.
Needs:
A system that automatically detects subscriptions and provides an easy-to-use interface to manage them.
Notifications when a subscription is about to renew or when an unused subscription is identified.
To create a solution that truly resonates with users, it's essential to address the core pain points that hinder their financial management. By understanding the challenges they face—whether it's managing subscriptions, adapting to unpredictable incomes, or navigating complex budgeting tools—we can design a seamless, user-friendly experience that simplifies their financial journey.
We must address user's biggest financial frustrations—managing subscriptions, handling unpredictable expenses, and simplifying budgeting. By tackling these challenges, we can create an intuitive, stress-free experience that gives users control over their finances.
Section 03
The app is…
A user friendly, easy to use budgeting & finance app.
An app that can seamlessly integrate your spending from multiple bank accounts & profiles.
A place where you can see all of your spending and plan for those exciting times ahead that can be tracked with ease.
A tool that allows for subsription management, not for the subscriptions to manage you.
A clear finance app that is an up-to-date experience, without all the confusion
The app isn't…
A confusing, cluttered and difficult to use spending tracker. Finances are hard enough as they are… we don't need to add to that.
A bank account, we seamlessly integrate pre-existing accounts for a fly-through sign-up process!
A stressful experience.
An out-dated design, built around non-functional features.
A modern approach. Using Inter for readability and a structured colour palette—red for expenses, orange for food, green for transport, and blue for subscriptions—each category is instantly recognisable, keeping users informed at a glance.
Every UI element is built for clarity and ease of use. High-contrast date selectors, rounded utility buttons, and a floating pill-shaped navigation bar create a seamless experience. Primary actions are bold and accessible, while red accents indicate warnings or deletions, ensuring users always know what’s important.
My focus was on simplicity and efficiency, blending clean aesthetics with intuitive functionality to create a finance app that feels effortless yet powerful.
These wireframes showcase a streamlined design for managing finances, featuring intuitive pages for tracking expenses, subscriptions, spending limits, and savings. Each page is crafted for simplicity and clarity, providing a user-friendly experience focused on functionality.
Section 04
The Balance onboarding flow is seamless and intuitive, offering a smooth setup experience. With a sleek dark UI, clear CTAs, and optional "Maybe Later" choices, it ensures an effortless, user-friendly process from start to finish.
The Home and Expenses pages give you a clear, effortless view of your spending. Track daily expenses, spot subscriptions, and stay in control—without the hassle.
Home
Expenses
Final App Screens
The Balance watch app extends the experience beyond the phone, delivering real-time spending updates right to your wrist. Designed for those who need quick insights on the go, the sleek, minimal interface ensures effortless navigation at a glance. This feature brings convenience and control to everyday finances—without breaking focus.
Watch UI - Homepage
Watch UI - Expenses Tracking
