Backer: Smart 529 Savings

Name: Backer: Smart 529 Savings
Rating: 4.7 (497 reviews)
Author: Principly, Inc.

By: Principly, Inc.

Simple, fast, fun way to 529

Features & Capabilities

Backer helps families open a 529 plan for their child in minutes, invite family and friends to contribute, and watch savings grow. With 250K+ parents and kids already using it, Backer aims to reduce student debt and unlock opportunities for college and beyond.

Key elements include simple/SMART/SOCIAL: quick plan selection, free enrollment, automated funding, real-time projections, and shareable gift links for birthdays and holidays. All savings are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses, with strong security and responsive support.

User Growth & Download Statistics

App Education Investing Privacy & Security

By:

Principly, Inc.

Rating:

4.70

(497)

Version:

1.27.3 Last updated: 2026-05-03

Version code:

885149172

Creation date:

2019-12-11

Compatible devices:

Size:

63.31MB

URLs:

Website ,Privacy policy

Full description:

Source:

Apple Apps Store

Data ingested on:

2026-06-12

Compare stats and ranking:

Ranking

# 78,268 ▲ 14

Other platforms

Backer: Smart 529 Savings (v1.27.2)

10,652 4.51

(124)

For Developers

Monetize with App Pass Boost with Extension Booster

Contact the developer

Chrome-Stats does not own this Apple app. Please use these information below to contact the Apple app developer.

Developed by:

Principly, Inc.

Apple Apps Store

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/backer-smart-529-savings/id1486259059

Website:

https://backer.com

User Reviews

Users praise ease of use, simple setup for 529 accounts, and easy donation sharing, with strong security. However, multiple reviews note iPhone app bugs and stability problems, price concerns due to monthly fees and tips, and gift misallocation. Customer service quality is mixed. The app delivers on saving a child’s education fund but reliability and cost transparency need improvement.

Pros

Easy to use and intuitive interface
Simple setup for 529 accounts and easy progress tracking
Shareable donation links that let family and friends contribute
Strong security and peace of mind for funds
Generally helpful customer support experiences

Cons

Frequent bugs and stability issues in the iPhone app (e.g., save button not working, edits not saving, broken previews, partial screen load)
Fees and pricing concerns (monthly charges and tipping on donations)
Gifts and donations misallocation or delivery issues (gifts not applying to the correct accounts, canceled gifts, recipient not notified)
Mixed or inconsistent customer service experiences (some issues unresolved or difficult to get help)

Recent reviews

I love the idea and the app is generally easy to use, but I’ve identified a few bugs/areas for improvement that have made the app pretty frustrating to use. 1. I can’t figure out a way to make a one-time contribution. The only option seems to be to adjust my recurring contribution, but I was hoping to dump some extra money into the fund when I find myself with extra money in my checking account. 2. I made my husband a fund manager on my kids’ account, but the app somehow changed my name to his as well. So when our kids receive contributions from each of us, his name shows up as the contributor for both transactions. Not great for record-keeping. 3. My daughter’s birthday is coming up and I’m planning to send friends and family a link to her Backer account, so I was fussing with some settings on the backend. I was trying to preview what it would look like as a prospective backer, but the link to the preview page was broken. Argh.

by Am*****, 2023-05-05

As a parent looking for an efficient way to save for my child's college education, Backer hits the mark like never before! The app simply blew me away with its user-friendly interface and seamless integration of tax-free savings options. Planting the seed for my son’s educational future has never been so easy. The app not only helps me track our progress but also provides excellent tips and guidance on choosing the best 529 plan for our family. This makes it tailor-made for first-time savers as well as seasoned investors. Accessing and monitoring my account is a breeze, with top-notch security measures to ensure our hard-earned money stays safe. And as an added bonus, the app's customer support always goes above and beyond, providing timely answers to any questions that sprout up. They're always eager to help and keep my peace of mind intact. In conclusion, the Backer App is a fantastic tool for any ambitious parent who wants to nurture the growth of their little sapling's higher education fund. I highly recommend this app to harvest those valuable tax-free savings and give your child the brightest future possible. Don't leaf it to chance – start saving now, and watch your investments grow! 🌱🎓💰