Subscription budgeting web app with envelope-style planning, bank sync and multi-asset accounts
- Envelope
- Zero-based
- Expense tracking
Payday Buckets
iPhone and iPad planner that shows what to move into each bucket every payday.
Research-based review, not hands-on testing. Last researched .
Overview
Payday Buckets is an iOS/iPadOS app that turns bills, savings goals, subscriptions and sinking funds into a payday transfer plan. Users define buckets, choose how each is funded and set a pay schedule; the app calculates what to set aside. It has no bank connection and keeps data on the device with iCloud sync.
Best for: People who keep separate accounts or savings spaces for bills and want a per-payday transfer plan without linking a bank.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Calculates what to set aside each payday from bills, savings goals and irregular costs.
- Supports weekly, fortnightly, monthly, twice-monthly and custom pay schedules.
- Buckets can be funded by due date, fixed amount, top-up to target, or manually.
- No bank login; data is stored locally with private iCloud sync between iPhone and iPad.
- Free version allows up to 5 active buckets; CSV export and JSON backup are listed.
- Local reminders for payday, bills, transfers and underfunded buckets.
Cons
- Only 2 App Store ratings, so little user feedback exists.
- iPhone and iPad only; no web, Android or Mac app was listed.
- No bank sync or transaction import; designed for planning, not detailed transaction tracking.
- Free version is capped at 5 active buckets; unlimited buckets and scheduled transactions need Premium.
- Premium price is shown only as an in-app purchase; details not stated on the product page.
- Single-developer product with first release only.
Features
- Envelope budgeting included
- Automatic bank sync not included
- Manual transaction entry included
- Goal tracking included
- Debt payoff tools not confirmed not confirmed
- Investment tracking not confirmed not confirmed
- Bill reminders included
- Reports & charts not confirmed not confirmed
- Multi-currency not confirmed not confirmed
- Shared / household budgets not confirmed not confirmed
- Separate logins for shared budgets not confirmed not confirmed
Payday plans, sinking funds, scheduled bills and transactions, upcoming bills view, forecasts and budget balancing, reminders, CSV export, JSON backup, iCloud sync, Simple Mode
Our review
Short version
Payday Buckets is an iOS/iPadOS app that turns bills, savings goals, subscriptions and sinking funds into a payday transfer plan. Users define buckets, choose how each is funded and set a pay schedule; the app calculates what to set aside. It has no bank connection and keeps data on the device with iCloud sync.
Quick profile, not a full review. Built on 2026-09-29 from the vendor site, store listings and public sources. No hands-on testing: I did not sign up, start a trial or connect a bank.
Cost
- Not confirmed; no subscription shown
- Premium (Payday Buckets Pro) shown as $19.99 in-app purchase on the Australian App Store; one-time vs subscription not stated
- Trial: Free version limited to 5 active buckets
What is distinct
- Plans transfers per pay cycle rather than tracking transactions
- Funding rules per bucket: by due date, fixed amount, top-up to target, manual
- Payday plan history
- Guided Simple Mode plus advanced editor
Not confirmed
Release date and founded year; Whether Pro is a one-time purchase or subscription, and its currency; Last update date; Import support; Independent reviews; Shared budgets.
Notes
Currency assumed AUD but not stated.
Ratings are set separately against a shared rubric.
Payday Buckets alternatives
Shared household budgeting with bank sync, rules and envelope-style rollover
- Envelope
- Expense tracking
- Couples & families
Local-first Apple-platform finance app with free envelopes and optional Premium.
Status unclear
- Envelope
- Expense tracking
- Forecasting