Bottom line: Debt Payoff Planner is a good choice if you want a free app that allows you to easily track and manage different types of debt.
Best debt payoff app overallDebt Payoff Planner
Full Debt Payoff Planner review
Pros
- Free to use
- Provides two different payoff plan options
- Shows debt timeline progress as you make extra payments
- Provides free educational content
- Offers an ad-free paid plan
Cons
- Limited features in the free plan
- App design feels dated
- Payments must be made manually outside the app
- Must enter debt details to use app features
At a glance
| iOS app rating | 4.7/5 stars |
| Android app rating | 4.7/5 stars |
| Cost | Free with ads. Ad-Free Pro version is paid: $10 for two months; $18 for three months; or $24 for two years. |
What is Debt Payoff Planner and how does it work?
Debt Payoff Planner is an app that helps manage your debt and pay off your loans. For individuals struggling with significant debt, whether it's credit card debt or loan debt, this app can help you prioritize and quickly pay off the amount you owe.
You can begin using this app without logging in, or you can create an account and then get started. You'll need to add each of your debts along with details, such as the starting balance, minimum payment amount, and the APR. You'll also need to note how much extra money you can put towards your debt and choose between two methods of debt reduction -- debt snowball or debt avalanche.
After doing all of this, the app will present you with a debt-payoff plan. Debt Payoff Planner will show you how quickly you can pay off your debt and give you insight into how extra payments can help you settle your loans quicker. It will also calculate when your debt will be paid off, assuming you follow the plan.
You'll need to manually update the app when you make payments. This will keep your payoff plan accurate and help you track your progress.
Top perks
There are lots of things to like about Debt Payoff Planner. We offer more details below.
It's free to download
If you're struggling to pay off debt, you may not want to commit to a paid app right now. You can use Debt Payoff Planner without spending any money and can get many benefits out of its features. Other debt payoff apps require a subscription, so this perk stands out.
You don't need an account
If you want to use the free version of Debt Payoff Planner, you don't need an account. Not having to create one can save you time and allow you to use the app's features right away.
Offers two different payoff plan options
This app features two different options to help you with your debt reduction:
- Debt Snowball: This method prioritizes tackling your smallest debt total first
- Debt Avalanche: This method priorities tackling high-interest debt first
Having two options gives you control over your debt-payoff plan. Some people prefer to see a personal loan with the lowest balance paid off first, as it can be more motivating. Others prefer to tackle a credit card balance or other high-interest debt first to avoid paying extra long-term interest charges. The choice is yours.
Visually shows your debt
Debt Payoff Planner includes a graph of your total debt. The graph will break down everything you owe so you can visualize your progress. The app also shows your entire debt-payoff progress as a percentage. These visual representations can help keep you motivated throughout your debt-payoff plan.
See how extra payments help pay off debt faster
Debt Payoff Planner allows you to map out extra payments. If you have extra money to throw down toward a personal loan, this is a great way to pay off debt and improve your credit score more quickly. This debt-management app will show you how much faster you can pay off your debt if you make regular extra payments.
Provides educational resources
There are links to educational resources within the app to help improve your financial literacy. This will allow you to learn more about the different types of debt-payoff strategies as well as other helpful financial tips and personal finance resources.
TIP
See how quickly you can pay off your debt
Use our debt snowball calculator to estimate your expected payoff dates using the debt snowball method.
What could be improved
There's no such thing as a perfect personal finance app. These are a few of the areas we feel Debt Payoff Planner has some room for improvement.
Some limitations in the free app
While there are many excellent features included in Debt Payoff Planner's free version, there are some limitations. You'll need to upgrade to the Pro version of the app if you want payment reminders and other features like the ability to print your plan or view it on a desktop computer.
Ad-free experience requires a paid plan
If you're someone who gets annoyed by seeing ads within apps, you should know that the free version of Debt Payoff Planner has ads. If you want to get rid of this feature, you'll need to upgrade to the app's Pro version.
Overall design
Debt Payoff Planner has a simple design, but it's not as attractive or modern as other apps. And while the app itself has many features and includes graphics, the interface feels outdated. If you like using apps with clean, modern designs, this app might not be for you.
You must manually make payments
Debt Payoff Planner doesn't integrate with your outside accounts. Instead, you'll have to make manual payments outside of the app. If you're looking to automate your debt-payoff plan, this app won't make that possible.
Requires you to enter specific data about debt
To get the most out of this app, you'll need to enter everything you owe. This includes details like the type of loan, the starting balance, the minimum payment amount, and the APR.
Alternatives to consider
If you want an app that offers automation: Qoins is an app that helps you automate your debt payoff. With this app, you'll link your checking account and choose to round up every purchase or set aside a certain amount of money every few days. These additional funds are then automatically applied as extra payments to your debts at the end of the month. While this is a convenient feature, Qoins is a paid app. You may want to stick with Debt Payoff Planner if you need a free app and don't mind making manual payments.
If you want an app that shows real-time account data: Mint is a free app that allows you to connect all of your accounts. This way, you can see where your total debt and your current bank account balances stand. This app doesn't provide a debt-payoff strategy, but it does outline your debts and shows you when each upcoming bill is due. It also has reminders and alert capabilities. But you may want to stick with Debt Payoff Planner if you want to focus strictly on creating a debt-payoff plan.
What are the costs?
Debt Payoff Planner has a free app version with some limitations. The free plan uses ads to cover the cost. There's also a Pro version without ads that has three different payment options: $10 for two months; $18 for three months; $24 for two years.
This app is right for:
Debt Payoff Planner is an excellent choice for anyone who is ready to take action and tackle their debt. The app provides users with a payoff strategy, shows debt-payoff progress in a visual way, and educates you on how extra payments can pay down debt faster.
About the Author
Natasha has been a freelance writer since 2015. She specializes in credit card and credit card rewards content. When not busy writing, she's either dreaming up her next credit card rewards redemption or traveling the globe. Her goal is to encourage more people to experience the world around them while making smart financial choices.
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