Student budget: app or spreadsheet?
In short: a spreadsheet is free and flexible, but you have to keep it updated and it doesn't look ahead. KRONO Free also costs nothing, is always on your phone and shows what's left until the end of the month.
KRONO AS · Updated:
Example calculation: a €950 monthly budget
Example from KRONO, not a statistic or user data: €950 from a student loan, part-time job and family support. Rent €420, phone and subscriptions €30, groceries €220, transport €40, course costs €50, going out €100, savings buffer €90.
When a spreadsheet fits better
If you enjoy building your own reports, mostly work on a laptop or want to track many separate accounts.
When an app fits better
If you want to log spending straight away and see at a glance what you can still spend today. For a current account, a credit card and a savings account, KRONO Free is enough.
Your student budget on your iPhone
Start for free with KRONO Free.
KRONO for iPhone (iOS) · Free: €0 · Pro: €6.99 per month or €69.99 per year in euro countries. Prices can differ by App Store country.
Automatic bank connection is currently only available in Germany. Elsewhere you add accounts manually or import transactions from a CSV file.
| Excel / Google Sheets | KRONO Free | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (depending on software) | Free forever |
| Adding spending on the go | Fiddly on a phone | Right on your iPhone |
| Looking ahead | Only with your own formulas | Built-in cash flow forecast |
| Limits | None | 3 accounts, 2 loans, 1 monthly budget |
| Where data is stored | Locally or in the provider's cloud | Locally on your iPhone |
More guides
- Cash flow forecast app for iPhone
- Budget apps for iPhone 2026
- Budget app without a subscription
- Monthly budget for your first job
- Budget on €2,500 take-home pay
- Net worth app for iPhone: your whole financial picture
- Track assets, debts and net worth in one app
- Plan assets, debts and cash flow together
- Financial planning without a provider cloud
- Budget app without bank access: manual accounts and CSV
- Budgeting as a couple or family
- Plan your deposit and budget before buying a home
- Prepare your household budget for parental leave
- Mortgage payments, remaining debt and your budget
- KRONO pricing: Free features and Pro subscriptions
- KRONO vs Finanzguru: planning or connected-account analysis?
- KRONO vs Outbank: banking and financial planning
Frequently asked questions
Is KRONO free for students?
Yes, KRONO Free is free forever with up to 3 accounts, 2 loans and 1 monthly budget. There is no special student plan.
Can I bring my spreadsheet data?
KRONO supports CSV import. Export your sheet as CSV and check the column mapping when importing.