Managing money as a couple is not always easy, especially when each partner has different spending habits, debt obligations or income. A budgeting app like Honeydew can make those conversations easier by giving both partners a shared view of their finances, while allowing each person to control how much information they share.
Built specifically for couples, Honeydew brings bank accounts, credit cards, loans and bills into one dashboard. It also includes features designed to encourage communication, like a built-in chat tool that lets partners discuss transactions, split expenses, and stay on the same page financially.
The biggest advantage of honeydew is its price; Its use is completely free. However, it doesn’t offer the robust budgeting tools, goal tracking, and investing features available in some competing apps. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the features, pros and cons of Honeydew and how it compares with other budgeting apps to help you decide if it’s right for your relationship.
Honeydew at a glance
- Best for: Couples who want to manage money together.
- Pricing: Honeydew is completely free to use.
- Key Feature: Honeydew has an in-app messenger that allows couples to communicate about their finances.
Honeydew combines budgeting and communication for couples
Founded in 2016 and acquired by Mission Lane in 2021, Honeydew is a free budgeting app designed specifically for couples. It brings expenses, bills and linked financial accounts into one shared dashboard, while allowing each partner to choose how much financial information they share. Users can link bank accounts, credit cards and loans, receive bill reminders and track spending all at once without giving up financial freedom.
What sets Honeydew apart from many budgeting apps is its focus on communication. Couples can chat directly within the app, comment on individual transactions and split shared expenses, making it easy to stay on the same page about everyday spending and long-term financial goals. Instead of simply tracking where the money goes, Honeydew is designed to encourage ongoing financial conversations and shared accountability.
Key Features of Honeydew
Honeydew includes several tools designed to help couples budget, communicate, and stay on top of shared finances.
Connect accounts from thousands of financial institutions
Honeydew supports more than 20,000 financial institutions in five countries, allowing most users to securely link checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards and loans in one place.
Customize what you share
Each partner decides how much financial information to share. You can choose to share account balances and transactions, share only balances, or keep certain accounts private while viewing your own finances in the app.
get bill reminder
Honeydew sends reminders before bills are due, helping couples avoid missed payments and late fees. You can also assign bills to a partner or share responsibility for recurring expenses.
Send messages to each other in the app
Unlike most budgeting apps, Honeydew includes an in-app chat feature that lets couples comment on transactions, discuss purchases, and coordinate shared expenses without having to switch to another messaging app.
strong security
Honeydew uses encrypted connections and other industry-standard security practices to protect users’ financial data. The app can’t access your full bank account number, and login credentials are encrypted to help keep sensitive information safe.
Free to use with optional tips
Honeydew does not charge any subscription fees. Instead, the company relies on users’ optional tips, which can be set up as recurring payments through the App Store or Google Play and canceled at any time.
Honeydew is free, but users say it can be messy
Honeydew is known for being completely free, with no premium subscription required to access its core budgeting features. Instead of charging a monthly fee, the app relies on optional user tips for support.
That said, some users have reported reliability issues. App Store (iOS), Google Play, and Reddit reviews sometimes mention syncing delays, missing transactions, and bugs that can make it hard to accurately track spending. For example, one Reddit user said the app failed to import several large purchases, resulting in an incomplete picture of their budget.
While many couples continue to use Honeydew successfully, those who rely on real-time transaction syncing or want more advanced budgeting features may prefer more actively developed alternatives.
Benefits and disadvantages of honeydew
Based on Honeydew’s features and recent user reviews, here’s where the app shines and where it falls short.
Pros
- Completely free with no premium subscription required
- Easy to set up and manage shared finances for couples
- Flexible privacy settings let each participant choose what financial information to share
- Built-in messaging makes it easy to discuss transactions and split expenses
- Bill reminders help users stay informed about upcoming payments
- Strong security measures including encrypted connections and bank-level security
Shortcoming
- Some users report delays or missing transactions in syncing with certain financial institutions
- Recent user reviews mention occasional bugs and performance issues
- There is no desktop version for users who prefer to manage finances on a computer
- Lacks advanced features offered by competitors, such as investment tracking, net worth dashboard, and detailed budget reports
- Honeydew to shut down its debit card program in 2023
Honeydew vs. Other Budgeting Apps
Honeydew focuses on helping couples communicate about money while providing all of its features for free. However, it’s not as feature-rich as many competing budgeting apps. For example, YNAB emphasizes zero-based budgeting; Rocket Money specializes in membership management and bill negotiation; And Monarch Money offers more advanced tools like net worth tracking and financial planning.
The Bottom Line: Is Honeydew Worth It?
Honeydew is a solid option for couples looking for a free, straightforward way to manage shared finances. Its customizable privacy settings, built-in messaging, and bill reminders make it especially suitable for partners who want to improve communication about money without paying for a subscription.
That said, Honeydew isn’t the most feature-rich budgeting app on the market. If you’re looking for advanced budgeting tools, investment tracking, net worth monitoring, or detailed financial reports, apps like Monarch Money or Rocket Money may be a better fit.
Since Honeydew is completely free, there is little downside to trying it out. Couples who value simplicity and collaboration may find that it meets their needs, while those who eventually outgrow its capabilities can always upgrade to a more robust budgeting platform.
FAQs about Honeydew
Is honeydew free?
Honeydew is free to download and use, and all of its budgeting, bill tracking, and account-sharing features are available without a subscription. Instead of charging a monthly fee, the company gives users the option to leave voluntary suggestions through the App Store or Google Play.
Is it safe to use honeydew?
Honeydew uses industry-standard security measures to protect users’ financial information, including encrypted connections and multi-factor authentication. The app connects securely to financial institutions and does not display your full bank account number within the app. Although no financial app can guarantee complete security, Honeydew follows the security practices used by many banks.
Can you use Honeydew without sharing all your accounts?
Yes. Honeydew lets each partner decide how much financial information to share. You can choose to share account balances and transactions, share only balances, or keep certain accounts private while using the app to manage your own finances.
Does Honeydew work with all banks?
Honeydew supports connections to more than 20,000 financial institutions in five countries, including several major US banks and credit unions. However, some users report occasional sync issues with certain institutions, so your experience may vary depending on your bank.
Is there a desktop version of Honeydew?
Honeydew is a mobile-only budgeting app available for iPhone and Android devices. If you prefer to manage your budget on a computer, you may want to consider an option like Monarch Money or YNAB, both of which offer web access.