SIMPL for Students: a semester budget that lasts the semester
Full disclosure: SIMPL is our product; we make it and sell it. This page describes what money looks like for a student, what it costs where you live using government price data, what SIMPL does and what it doesn't, and what the other apps cost, so you can decide for yourself.
A month of money, for a student
What makes it hard
- Aid refunds that have to last a whole semester
- Irregular costs: textbooks, fees, repairs
- A part-time income on top of lump-sum aid
- Borrowing more than you need
What this month costs where you live
An illustrative month for a student at US-average prices is about $1,670. Prices differ a lot by metro, and not evenly: rents vary far more than groceries. Each line below is scaled by the matching part of the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's Regional Price Parities for 2024 (US average = 100). Debt payments and savings aren't scaled.
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (overall 115.6, rents 194.7): about $2,548 a month
- Monroe, MI (overall 93.5, rents 74.6): about $1,432 a month
- Monroe, LA (overall 83.6, rents 42.8): about $1,147 a month
| Line | US average | Scaled by | Your metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (shared) | $800 | rents | $800 |
| Utilities and internet share | $90 | utilities | $90 |
| Groceries and meal plan | $350 | goods | $350 |
| Books and supplies | $100 | goods | $100 |
| Phone and transit | $120 | services | $120 |
| Fun money | $150 | services | $150 |
| Savings | $60 | not scaled | $60 |
| Month | $1,670 | $1,670 |
Illustrative amounts, not a statistic about students; your own month will differ. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by MSA (table MARPP), 2024, 387 metropolitan areas.
What SIMPL does for students
- Zero-based budget. Split the semester refund into a plan that lasts until the next one.
- Cash-flow forecast. See week by week whether the money will last.
- Automatic spending categories. Track books, food and fun separately.
- Savings goals. A small buffer for the laptop repair you know is coming.
$199 once · 30-day money-back guarantee
Get SIMPL — $199What SIMPL doesn't do
- SIMPL does not give financial, tax or investment advice, file your taxes, or move money for you. It records, categorises and plans.
- It tracks investment and retirement balances for your net worth; it does not trade or manage them.
- Bank connection runs through Plaid and depends on Plaid supporting your bank; you can always enter or import transactions yourself.
- SIMPL is $199 once and runs on the device you install it on. Using it on more than one device, or sharing it live with a partner, needs Cloud Sync at $4.99 a month (optional).
Independent help, free, and not us
An app records and plans; it doesn't replace real guidance. These official and nonprofit sources are worth knowing for a student:
- StudentAid.gov: Federal student aid, loan balances and repayment plans.
- FDIC Money Smart: Free money-management lessons from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
- AnnualCreditReport.com: The official site for your free credit reports from all three bureaus.
What the other apps cost
| App | Price | Three years |
|---|---|---|
| Ramsey Solutions EveryDollar | $80 a year | $240 over 3 years |
| PocketGuard | $75 a year | $225 over 3 years |
| You Need A Budget | $109 a year | $327 over 3 years |
| SIMPL | $199 once | $199 |
Published prices, checked April 2026; they change. Several of these apps do things SIMPL doesn't; if one of those is what you need, the subscription may be worth it.
Questions
Is SIMPL a subscription?
No. SIMPL is $199 once, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The only optional extra is Cloud Sync at $4.99 a month, if you want it on more than one device or shared with a partner.
Does it connect to my bank?
Yes, through Plaid, when Plaid supports your bank. You can also enter or import transactions yourself.
Is SIMPL right for every student?
Not always. If you want investment advice, bill pay or a credit score, SIMPL doesn't do those. If you only want a free spending feed, a free app may be enough. SIMPL is for people who want a real budget, goals and reports without a yearly bill.