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Here Are The 6 Best Retirement Planning Apps For UK Expats In 2025
Hoxton Blog • Here Are The 6 Best Retirement Planning Apps For UK Expats In 2025
Managing retirement across multiple countries can be challenging for UK expats, as accounts, currencies, and rules often sit in different places.
This article explains how retirement planning apps can help bring everything together, outlines what to look for when choosing one, and compares several options to help identify which tools may suit different expat needs.
Why Retirement Planning Apps Matter for UK Expats
If you are a UK expat, you may have UK workplace pensions, a SIPP, ISAs, U.S. 401(k)s or IRAs, local schemes in your current country, and cash in several currencies.
This kind of fragmentation is common. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, there were around 23 million deferred UK defined contribution pension pots worth under £10,000 in 2024.
This highlights how easily retirement savings can become spread across multiple accounts.
Exchange rates, different tax rules, and varying access ages can make it difficult to see whether your retirement plans are realistic.
A good retirement planning app helps by aggregating accounts, tracking net worth and pensions, and running simple retirement projections that reflect your actual balances and goals.
In this article, you will see how six leading tools compare, with a particular focus on features that matter to UK expats such as cross-border visibility, multi-currency support, and integration with UK and U.S. pensions.
Why Listen to Us?
Hoxton Wealth is an international financial planning firm that supports UK and other expats with cross-border retirement planning, including UK pensions, U.S. 401(k)s and IRAs, and local arrangements in multiple regions.
We also offer our own Hoxton Wealth app, built specifically for international and cross-border investors who want real-time views of their net worth and retirement progress.
This hands-on experience informs the practical, user-focused comparison in this guide.
What is a Retirement Planning App?
A retirement planning app is a digital tool that helps you see your finances in one place and plan for life after work.
Typical features include account aggregation, net worth tracking, goal setting, and simple retirement projections that show how current savings and investing might translate into future income.
For expats, the most useful apps also support multiple currencies, connect to international banks and investment platforms, and allow you to model different retirement ages and locations.
The aim is to make it easier to understand your finances, test “what if” scenarios, and stay on track without needing complex spreadsheets.
Why Do UK Expats Need a Retirement Planning App?
Retirement planning is more complex for UK expats than for most people who stay in one country. Some common challenges are:
- Managing UK pensions alongside U.S. 401(k)s, IRAs, or local employer schemes, each with different rules and access ages.
- Dealing with currency risk between sterling, U.S. dollars, euros, or local currencies.
- Navigating tax rules and treaties that affect how pension and investment income is taxed in the UK and abroad.
- Tracking costs and retirement dates across more than one potential retirement location.
A well-chosen retirement planning app can simplify this by pulling together accounts from different providers and countries, tracking your net worth in real time, and modelling retirement scenarios in your main spending currency.
Used alongside structured advice, it gives you an always-on view of your progress that complements deeper retirement planning work with a firm such as Hoxton Wealth.
Top 6 Retirement Planning Apps for UK Expats
At A Glance: Comparison Table
|
App Name |
Primary Focus |
UK & U.S. Pension Integration |
Ease Of Use & Customisation |
Accessibility |
Best For / Target Audience |
|
Hoxton Wealth |
Holistic wealth and retirement view |
Strong focus on cross-border assets (UK, U.S., global) |
Very easy to use, highly configurable cash flow and goals |
iOS, Android, Web |
UK and international expats wanting a joined-up view |
|
Mint (Intuit) |
Budgeting and expense tracking |
Limited; strong for U.S. accounts, weak for UK pensions |
Very easy; basic retirement tools, limited customisation |
Mobile and web, U.S.-focused |
Budget-focused users who want simple tracking |
|
Empower |
Portfolio and retirement tracking |
Good with U.S. pensions; UK support depends on connections |
Modern interface; good investment analysis and projections |
Web and mobile |
US-linked expats with sizeable portfolios |
|
Wealthfront |
Automated investing with planning |
U.S. accounts; not designed for UK pensions |
Very intuitive; goal-based planning tools |
Web and mobile, U.S.-only accounts |
US resident expats seeking robo portfolios |
|
RetireEasy |
UK retirement life plan modelling |
Strong for UK pensions and assets; limited U.S. links |
Clear charts and scenarios; moderate learning curve |
Web-based, UK-focused |
UK-centric expats planning UK income and assets |
|
Boldin |
Retirement decision scenarios |
U.S. focus; UK support via manual inputs |
Very flexible “what if” modelling for retirement |
Web (with tiered pricing) |
Detail-oriented planners who enjoy scenario testing |
Hoxton Wealth App
The Hoxton Wealth app is a financial planning and retirement tool designed for international and cross-border investors, including UK expats.
It aggregates bank accounts, pensions, investments, property, and liabilities from over 14,000 global data sources to provide a real-time view of your net worth and retirement progress.
For UK expats, the app can connect UK bank and investment accounts, track UK pensions and offshore assets, and integrate U.S. accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs where supported by open banking APIs.
The built-in WealthFlow feature models retirement cash flow based on your assets, age, and desired retirement income, which helps you see whether you are on track and how different choices might affect your future.
Key Features
- Multi-currency net worth view, with aggregation of accounts in different countries and currencies.
- Open banking integration with thousands of banks, platforms, and pension providers worldwide.
- Wealthflow retirement modelling that lets you set retirement age, income goals, and major life events and see projected outcomes.
- Asset and liability tracking across bank accounts, brokerage, pensions, property, and crypto, plus credit cards and mortgages.
- Goal tracking for retirement and other objectives, linked directly to your real-time data.
- Risk profiling and digital onboarding tools that connect your risk profile and planning data with advice from Hoxton Wealth, where you choose to work with an adviser.
- Cross-platform access via iOS, Android, and web, so you can track your plan on the move.
Pricing
The core Hoxton Wealth app is available to users for free, providing account aggregation, net worth dashboards, and WealthFlow projections.
Advanced planning and advice services are available through Hoxton Wealth’s regulated financial planning services, with fees agreed based on the scope of advice and assets involved.
Pros
- Built from the start for cross-border users, including UK expats with assets in multiple countries.
- Strong multi-currency and account aggregation, including pensions, investments, and property.
- Integrated retirement cash flow modelling with Wealthflow, linked directly to your live data.
- Easy connection to Hoxton Wealth retirement planning and retirement income planning services for deeper advice.
- Available on mobile and web, with a modern, user-friendly interface.
- Can be used by both clients and non-clients who wish to see their overall position.
Minor Watchpoint
- Advanced planning features and scenarios are rich, so some users may want a short onboarding call or tutorial to get the most from them.
Mint (By Intuit)
Mint has long been popular as a budgeting and bill tracking app, mainly for U.S.-based users. It helps you see your spending by category, track account balances, and set simple goals, including basic retirement targets.
For UK expats, Mint can be useful if you still hold U.S. bank and credit accounts and want a clear view of your day-to-day cash flow.
However, direct support for UK pensions is limited, and the app is not built around cross border retirement planning.
Key Features
- automatic budgeting and expense categorisation from connected accounts.
- bill tracking and alerts to help avoid missed payments.
- simple goal setting for savings and debt reduction.
- basic net worth and investment snapshots.
Pricing
Mint’s core features are free, supported by product suggestions and adverts. Some linked services may carry separate costs.
Pros
- Very simple to use, ideal for basic budgeting.
- Helpful for oversight of U.S. accounts if you still bank there.
- Free, so low barrier to trying it.
Cons
- Limited direct support for UK pensions and cross-border retirement planning.
- Focuses more on budgeting than long-term retirement modelling.
Empower (Formerly Personal Capital)
Empower combines portfolio tracking with retirement planning tools. It aggregates investment and retirement accounts, analyses asset allocation and fees, and includes retirement forecasters that show how current savings and investing might support future spending.
For UK expats with strong links to the U.S., Empower can give a clear view of U.S. portfolios and retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. It also offers an upgrade path to a paid advisory service for users with larger portfolios.
Key Features
- Detailed portfolio tracking and allocation analysis.
- Fee analyser and investment checkup tools that highlight potential cost savings.
- A retirement planner that models income and spending scenarios.
- Net worth dashboard covering cash, investments, and debts.
Pricing
The software is free to use for tracking and planning. Advisory services are available for users with at least a set minimum of investable assets, with fees based on assets under management.
Pros
- Strong investment and retirement analysis tools.
- Good for U.S. accounts, including 401(k)s and IRAs.
- Clear, modern dashboard for long-term planning.
Cons
- S. focus means UK pension integration is limited and may require manual inputs.
- Advisory services are mainly aimed at U.S. residents.
Wealthfront
Wealthfront is a U.S. based robo-adviser that combines automated portfolio management with planning tools that estimate when you can afford to retire based on your savings and spending.
It connects to U.S. accounts, invests in diversified portfolios of ETFs, and offers goal-based projections that are simple to understand.
For UK expats who are U.S. residents or still file and invest heavily in the U.S., Wealthfront can provide useful retirement estimates and hands-off portfolio management. It is not designed for UK pensions or complex cross-border planning.
Key Features
- Automated investment portfolios based on your risk profile.
- Retirement projections that factor in savings and spending inputs.
- Tax loss harvesting for eligible accounts.
- Simple mobile and web interface.
Pricing
Wealthfront charges a percentage-based advisory fee on assets it manages, with ETF expenses on top. Exact rates are published on its site and are competitive for robo advice.
Pros
- Good for U.S.-based automated investing and retirement projections.
- Very easy to use, with a strong goal-based interface.
- Suitable as a “set and monitor” tool for U.S. portfolios.
Cons
- Not designed for UK pensions or non-U.S. accounts.
- Does not address cross-border tax and currency issues.
RetireEasy
RetireEasy is a UK-based online retirement planning tool that focuses on life plan modelling.
It allows you to enter pensions, savings, property, and other assets, then runs scenarios to see how long your money may last and whether you can afford to retire at your preferred age.
It is particularly useful for UK-centric expats who expect to draw UK pensions and possibly return to the UK or maintain strong UK ties.
The tool supports multiple scenarios and produces clear charts and reports.
Key Features
- Lifeplan modelling that shows how finances evolve over retirement.
- Entry of pensions, savings, investments, business assets, properties, and debts.
- Scenario comparison, including different retirement ages or spending levels.
- Narrative reports that explain outcomes in plain language.
Pricing
RetireEasy offers different tiers (Basic, Classic, Premium) at subscription prices. Higher tiers allow more scenarios and additional planning features.
Pros
- Strong focus on UK retirement scenarios.
- Helpful for seeing how long money may last under different assumptions.
- Scenario tools support clear “what if” discussions.
Cons
- Web only; no dedicated mobile app experience.
- S. and non-UK pension integration relies largely on manual data entry.
Boldin
Boldin is a planning tool that focuses on retirement decision strategy and “what if” scenarios. It allows users to enter accounts, balances, expected returns, and expenses, then test how changes affect their retirement outlook.
Reviews highlight Boldin’s strength in modelling multiple scenarios and making it easy to tweak assumptions, rather than just tracking investments. This appeals to detail-oriented expats who enjoy stress testing their retirement plans and exploring different choices.
Key Features
- Scenario based retirement planning with adjustable assumptions.
- Net worth monitoring and long-term projections.
- Options to compare multiple retirement decisions, such as changing work or spending patterns.
- Access to digital coaching and group education at higher tiers.
Pricing
Boldin uses tiered pricing. Lower tiers provide software tools, while higher tiers include access to financial planning support and classes.
Pros
- Very flexible “what if” modelling for retirement decisions.
- Action oriented insights that turn data into next steps.
- Useful for users who like to fine tune their plan regularly.
Cons
- S. focus, so UK pension integration and tax rules need manual handling.
- Rich features may feel advanced for users seeking only simple tracking.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Retirement Planning App
When selecting a retirement planning app as a UK expat, it helps to consider:
- Cross Border Planning
Does the app support accounts in the countries that matter to you and handle multi-currency views? - Tax and Withdrawal Context
Can you link app outputs to advice on tax efficient withdrawals and pension rules, for example through a planning firm such as Hoxton Wealth? - Ease-Of-Use and Customisation
Is the interface clear and quick to learn, and can you adjust assumptions to reflect your real goals? - User Feedback and Security
Does the app have strong reviews and clear information on data security and privacy? - Cost And Value
Are you comfortable with the pricing model, and does the app provide enough benefit to justify any fees?
Conclusion and Next Steps
Retirement planning apps can make a real difference to UK expats by bringing scattered pensions, savings, and currencies into one clear picture.
Tools like Empower, RetireEasy, and Boldin each offer useful features, but the Hoxton Wealth app stands out for cross-border users who want a multi-currency view, live aggregation, and retirement modelling that links directly to regulated planning support.
If you want to combine the convenience of an app with structured advice on UK, US, and international pensions, you can download the Hoxton Wealth app and explore how it connects with services such as Retirement Planning, Retirement Income Planning, and 401(k) and IRA support.
For a deeper review of your situation, you can contact Hoxton Wealth to discuss your goals and possible next steps.
FAQs
The “best” app depends on your situation, but UK expats who hold assets in several countries often value multi-currency support and cross-border planning features. The Hoxton Wealth app is built for international investors, while tools such as Empower, RetireEasy, and Boldin can complement it for specific use cases.
Can I use a retirement planning app to manage both my UK and U.S. pensions?
Some apps can connect to both UK and U.S. accounts via open banking and aggregator links, while others are mainly U.S. or UK-focused. The Hoxton Wealth app is designed to aggregate global accounts and can sit alongside specialist advice on UK pensions, U.S. 401(k)s, and IRAs.
Do I need to pay for a retirement planning app?
Many apps offer free versions that cover basic tracking and planning, such as Hoxton Wealth’s core app features and Empower’s dashboard. Paid tiers or advisory services can add deeper planning, coaching, or managed portfolios if you need more support.
Are retirement planning apps secure?
Reputable apps use bank-level encryption, secure connections, and read-only data feeds, and they do not store login details in plain text. It is still sensible to enable two-factor authentication and review each app’s security and privacy information before connecting accounts.
Can I track my pension performance and adjust my plan with these apps?
Most retirement planning apps allow you to track pension balances and other investments and see how changes in contributions or markets affect your projected outcomes. Tools like Hoxton Wealth’s WealthFlow and Boldin’s scenario engine are particularly focused on showing how adjustments today might change your future outlook.
What is the difference between a retirement planning app and a wealth management app?
A retirement planning app usually focuses on goals, projections, and basic tracking. A wealth management app often combines similar tools with access to regulated advice, portfolio management, and broader financial planning. The Hoxton Wealth app sits in the second camp, connecting self-service tracking with full-service planning for those who want it.
How Can We Help You?
If you would like to speak to one of our advisers, please get in touch today.
Contact Hoxton Wealth
We are available to discuss how Hoxton Wealth can help you achieve your financial goals. Together, we can help you build a brighter financial future.
