Budgeting comparison
Monarch Money vs PocketGuard
Updated
Data as of
Monarch Money checked PocketGuard checked
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Monarch Money
Budgeting app
Visit site for Monarch Money (opens in a new tab)
PocketGuard
Budgeting app
Visit site for PocketGuard (opens in a new tab)
Short answer
- Pick Monarch Money if you want a separate login for your partner, shared and individual views, or the higher App Store rating (4.9, compared with 4.6).
- Pick PocketGuard if you want the lower yearly price ($74.99, compared with $99.99) or an app for Apple Watch.
- The biggest difference is partner logins: Monarch Money's source says yes, and PocketGuard's says no.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Monarch Money vs PocketGuard at a glance
- Monarch Money
- Price
- $14.99a month
- Free trial
- 7 days
- Rating
- 4.9 of 5App Store, 116,791 ratings
- Platforms
- 3Web, iOS, Android
- PocketGuard
- Price
- $12.99a month
- Free trial
- 7 days
- Rating
- 4.6 of 5App Store, 7,683 ratings
- Platforms
- 4Web, iOS, Apple Watch, Android
What it costs
- Monarch Money
$14.99a month
Monarch Core costs $14.99 a month, or $99.99 a year billed annually. Monarch Plus costs $199.99 a year billed annually.
$99.99 a year at the yearly list price, or $299.97 over 3 years, before tax.
Source
monarch.com/pricing, checked . - PocketGuardLower price
$12.99a month
PocketGuard Premium costs $12.99 a month, $74.99 a year billed yearly, or $149.99 once for lifetime access.
$74.99 a year at the yearly list price, or $224.97 over 3 years, before tax.
Source
pocketguard.com/pricing, checked .
Bars compare each app's yearly list price. "Lower price" marks the lowest monthly price the sources list. It's a number, not our pick. Prices are list prices from each app's own page, before tax and any offer.
Features
| Feature | Monarch Money | PocketGuard |
|---|---|---|
| AI features | Yes | Yes |
| Savings goals | Yes | Yes |
| Shared budgets | Yes | Shared login: you both sign in to the same account |
| Investment tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Data export | Yes | Yes |
Monarch Money also lists API or MCP access.
Sources for these features
Yes means the official site lists it. No means the official site says the app doesn't have it. Shared login means you both sign in to the same account, with no separate partner login.
- Monarch Money: monarch.com/pricing, checked Nov 3, 2026.Data export: CSV download of transaction and balance history, on the web. help.monarch.com/hc/en-us/articles/15526600975764-Downloading-Transaction-or-Account-History, checked Nov 3, 2026.API or MCP: Official MCP connector (server https://api.monarch.com/mcp) for Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and Gemini CLI; read access, writes with permission. Finicity data not available through it. help.monarch.com/hc/en-us/articles/50207234679956-Monarch-MCP-Connector, checked Nov 3, 2026.
- PocketGuard: pocketguard.com/pricing, checked Nov 3, 2026.Shared budgets: Shared login only: you and your partner sign in with the same login. There is no separate partner login. pocketguard.com/help/how-to-share-the-access-to-pocketguard-profile-with-another-person, checked Nov 3, 2026.Investment tracking: Net worth tracker syncs investment balances and holdings. pocketguard.com/net-worth, checked Nov 3, 2026.
Monarch Money and PocketGuard, side by side
| Detail | Monarch Money | PocketGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Free trialDiffers | Monarch MoneyMonarch offers a free 7-day trial, and you need a payment method to start it. Sourcemonarch.com/pricing, checked . | PocketGuardPocketGuard offers a 7-day free trial. Sourcepocketguard.com/pricing, checked . |
| PlatformsDiffers | Monarch MoneyMonarch Money lists Web, iOS and Android. Sourcemonarch.com, checked . | PocketGuardPocketGuard lists Web, iOS, Apple Watch and Android. Sourcepocketguard.com, checked . |
| Bank syncingDiffers | Monarch MoneyYes. Monarch says it syncs with multiple financial data providers to connect with more than 13,000 financial institutions. Sourcemonarch.com, checked . | PocketGuardYes. PocketGuard says it connects to more than 20,000 institutions in the US, Canada and the UK through Plaid, Finicity and Salt Edge. Sourcepocketguard.com, checked . |
| App store ratingDiffers | Monarch MoneyMonarch Money has 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store from 116,791 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . | PocketGuardPocketGuard has 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store from 7,683 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . |
Store ratings are a dated snapshot from each listing, not our score. A row shows only when both apps have a current official source for it. How we source and date this data. Spotted a change? Tell us if something changed.
Weighing a third option? Add up to two more apps and compare up to four side by side.
Screen by screen
Pick a task to see what each app shows for it. App Store and Google Play images are the apps' own marketing, so they can show sample data and staged layouts. Help center images come from the app's support articles. See every app's screens.
Home
Monarch Money
From Monarch Money's help centerA Customize dashboard dialog with toggles for widgets such as Getting started guide, Investments, Budget, Net worth and Spending trend.help.monarch.com, as of
PocketGuard
No official screen found yet
Accounts
Monarch Money
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Your entire financial life. One clear view." showing the Accounts screen with a net worth chart and account rows.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Accounts screen: net worth of $748,606 with a line chart, time range buttons and Cash account rows.App Store listing, as of
PocketGuard
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with a tilted phone showing account balances and press logos with a user quote.App Store listing, as of
Transactions
Monarch Money
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Review transactions with a swipe." showing a transaction review card for Peloton with a "Marked as Reviewed" card over it.App Store listing, as of
PocketGuard
No official screen found yet
Budget
Monarch Money
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "A budget that flexes with your life" showing the June Budget screen.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe June Budget screen: $4,640 left to budget, then Income, Expenses and Goals bars and an Income table.App Store listing, as of 
From Monarch Money's help centerThe mobile January 2026 budget with Left to budget at the top and Income and Expenses tables.help.monarch.com, as of 
App Store marketing imageThree budget bars for Income, Expenses and Goals, each with spent or contributed and remaining amounts.App Store listing, as of 
From Monarch Money's help centerA green card reading $5,220 Left to budget.help.monarch.com, as of 
From Monarch Money's help centerBudget rows under Bills & Utilities and Food & Dining with budget, actual and remaining columns and progress bars.help.monarch.com, as of
PocketGuard
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Budget App to control your finances" showing estimated income and Regular payments.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA plan screen with Estimated income and a Regular payments section listing bills with dates and amounts.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Tracking App to analyze expenses" showing a Spending & Budgets screen.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Spending & Budgets screen with category budgets and amounts left to spend.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Budget Planner to forecast a surplus" showing a Leftover of $2,965.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Leftover card showing $2,965.App Store listing, as of
Goals
Monarch Money
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Track progress on your biggest goals" showing a Vacation goal with amounts saved and a timeline chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Vacation goal screen: $3,000.00 of $6,000.00, four amount tiles and a stepped timeline chart.App Store listing, as of 
From Monarch Money's help centerAn Allocate funds dialog moving $2,000 from Joint Checking to an Emergency fund goal.help.monarch.com, as of 
From Monarch Money's help centerA card showing $91,336.27 available for goals, two accounts, and Allocate funds and Edit goal accounts buttons.help.monarch.com, as of
PocketGuard
Google Play marketing imageGoogle Play image with the headline "Reach Goals" showing a Goals screen with New car, House and Vacation goals.Google Play listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imageGoogle Play image with the headline "Debt Payoff" showing a debt payoff plan with Avalanche strategy and a debt free date.Google Play listing, as of
Reports and insights
Monarch Money
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "See where every dollar flows" showing a Reports screen with a Sankey cash flow chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Reports screen with Cash Flow, Spending and Income tabs and a Sankey chart from income into categories like Housing and Food & Dining.App Store listing, as of 
From Monarch Money's help centerThe web Reports Cash Flow view with income, expense and net totals and a bar chart by month.help.monarch.com, as of
PocketGuard
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "All accounts in One Pocket" over a tilted phone with a spending pie chart for July.App Store listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imageGoogle Play image with the headline "Budget, Goals and Expense Tracker in one pocket" showing a Leftover amount and a trends chart.Google Play listing, as of
Bills and recurring
Monarch Money
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Spot every subscription. Cut what you don't need." showing Complete and Upcoming bill cards.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTwo cards: Complete bills like Apple Card and Mortgage, and Upcoming charges like Netflix, Disney+ and Peloton with due dates.App Store listing, as of 
From Monarch Money's help centerA monthly calendar with colored dots under the days that have recurring items.help.monarch.com, as of
PocketGuard
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Bill Organizer for recurring bills & subscriptions" showing a Bills screen.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Bills screen with Upcoming and All tabs and bills grouped by month.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Subscription Manager to track and cancel subscriptions" showing a Cancel subscriptions screen.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Cancel subscriptions screen with a search box and a list of services with savings amounts.App Store listing, as of
Investments
Monarch Money
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Investments, accounts, net worth - all connected." showing the Investments screen with a portfolio chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Investments screen: a $270,239.50 portfolio value and a chart comparing the portfolio with the S&P 500.App Store listing, as of
PocketGuard
No official screen found yet
Sharing with a partner
Monarch Money
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Manage money together. No drama." showing a photo of a family with cards for Shared, Melanie and Jon and two account rows.App Store listing, as of 
From Monarch Money's help centerThe web Transactions page with a transaction open and an Owner menu offering Shared, Jon and Melanie.help.monarch.com, as of 
App Store marketing imageAn owner switcher with Shared, Melanie and Jon, above a Net Worth card with a joint checking and a savings account.App Store listing, as of 
From Monarch Money's help centerA credit card list where each card has owner avatars and a balance.help.monarch.com, as of
PocketGuard
No official screen found yet
Getting started
Monarch Money
No official screen found yet
PocketGuard
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Add bank accounts to simplify budgeting" showing a Connect banks & credit cards screen.App Store listing, as of
AI assistant
Monarch Money
From Monarch Money's help centerThe AI Assistant panel on the web with past chats on the left and suggested questions like "How much did I spend on coffee last month?"help.monarch.com, as of
PocketGuard
No official screen found yet
Who it's for
Pick the tab that sounds like you. Every answer comes from the app's own pages, and its source opens from the Source link.
Just me
Budgeting on your own? These are the basics people ask about first.
Is it free?
Monarch Money: Monarch Core costs $14.99 a month, or $99.99 a year billed annually. Monarch Plus costs $199.99 a year billed annually.
Source
monarch.com/pricing, checked .PocketGuard: PocketGuard Premium costs $12.99 a month, $74.99 a year billed yearly, or $149.99 once for lifetime access.
Source
pocketguard.com/pricing, checked .Does it connect to my bank and import transactions?
Monarch Money: Yes. Monarch says it syncs with multiple financial data providers to connect with more than 13,000 financial institutions.
Source
monarch.com, checked .PocketGuard: Yes. PocketGuard says it connects to more than 20,000 institutions in the US, Canada and the UK through Plaid, Finicity and Salt Edge.
Source
pocketguard.com, checked .Can I export my data?
Monarch Money: Yes. You can export your data.
Source
In their words: “You can download your transaction and balance history from Monarch as a CSV file for your own records, for taxes, or to use in a spreadsheet.” help.monarch.com/hc/en-us/articles/15526600975764-Downloading-Transaction-or-Account-History, checked .PocketGuard: Yes. You can export your data.
Source
In their words: “Import & Export transactions” pocketguard.com/pricing, checked .Is there support from the app's makers if I need help?
Monarch Money: Yes. In-app help (instant answer) and support ticket.
Source
In their words: “Click Contact Support to get an instant answer or submit a ticket.” help.monarch.com/hc/en-us/articles/19985735202068-Monarch-FAQs, checked .PocketGuard: Yes. Email, AI chat and priority human support (paid plan).
Source
In their words: “If you have any issues, questions, or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at support@pocketguard.com.” pocketguard.com/help/how-to-share-the-access-to-pocketguard-profile-with-another-person, checked .
Partners
Sharing money with a partner? Here's how each app handles a second person.
Can my partner use their own login details?
Monarch Money: Yes. Your partner gets their own login.
Source
In their words: “Partners will each have their own login, but can view each other's data and contribute their own accounts and transactions to a shared space.” monarch.com/features/collaboration, checked .PocketGuard: No. Your partner signs in to your same account.
Source
In their words: “You and your spouse can share the same PocketGuard profile together on different devices, you just need to sign in with the same login and password or use the same Google/Apple account (you'd better create a new one instead of using the personal one).” pocketguard.com/help/how-to-share-the-access-to-pocketguard-profile-with-another-person, checked .Can we keep shared and individual views?
Monarch Money: Yes. You can keep shared and individual views.
Source
In their words: “Shared Views allows you to assign ownership to accounts and transactions, making it simple to personalize what you see without losing sight of the bigger picture.” help.monarch.com/hc/en-us/articles/42228648365076-Shared-Views-in-Monarch, checked .PocketGuard: No. You both see the same shared view.
Source
In their words: “At the moment, we don't have the option to switch between family and personal views.” pocketguard.com/help/how-to-share-the-access-to-pocketguard-profile-with-another-person, checked .
Family
Bringing in more of the household? Here's what each app says about families and kids. See apps with custodial accounts for kids.
Does it have accounts or features for kids or teens?
Monarch Money: No.
Source
In their words: “if you are under the age of 18, please do not attempt to register for the Services” monarch.com/terms, checked .PocketGuard: No.
Source
In their words: “You may not use the Services if you are under 18 years old” pocketguard.com/terms, checked .
Business
Running a small business? Here's what each app says about business money.
Can I share my finances with my accountant?
Monarch Money: Yes. You can export your data and send the file.
Source
In their words: “You can download your transaction and balance history from Monarch as a CSV file for your own records, for taxes, or to use in a spreadsheet.” help.monarch.com/hc/en-us/articles/15526600975764-Downloading-Transaction-or-Account-History, checked .PocketGuard: Yes. You can export your data and send the file.
Source
In their words: “Import & Export transactions” pocketguard.com/pricing, checked .
A question shows only when every app here has a current official source that answers it. We only say no when the app's own page does.
Which fits your Money Type?
There are four Money Types: Strategist, Spender, Saver and Scrambler. Each card matches one type to what the sources say about these two apps.
StrategistBoth Monarch Money and PocketGuard list investment tracking. That fits a Strategist, who wants to watch the whole plan grow.
First fix: Save the Raise.
SpenderBoth Monarch Money and PocketGuard list goals. A goal gives a Spender a reason to pause before buying, which is the Sleep on It fix.
First fix: Sleep on It.
SaverNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Put It to Work.
ScramblerBoth Monarch Money and PocketGuard list bank syncing. Seeing every account in one place helps a Scrambler pay bills first.
First fix: Bills First.
Not sure which one you are? Take the free Money Types quiz. It takes about two minutes.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Another option: Fifecta
If neither Monarch Money nor PocketGuard feels right, here is one more option to look at. Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, and it starts from your Money Type, so the plan matches how you already handle money.
FAQ
How much does Monarch Money cost?
Monarch Core costs $14.99 a month, or $99.99 a year billed annually. Monarch Plus costs $199.99 a year billed annually. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
How much does PocketGuard cost?
PocketGuard Premium costs $12.99 a month, $74.99 a year billed yearly, or $149.99 once for lifetime access. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
Which is cheaper, Monarch Money or PocketGuard?
The lowest monthly price Monarch Money lists is $14.99 a month, and the lowest PocketGuard lists is $12.99 a month, so PocketGuard lists the lower monthly price. We checked both on Nov 3, 2026, and plans change, so check both pricing pages before you decide.
Does Monarch Money have a free trial?
Monarch offers a free 7-day trial, and you need a payment method to start it. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
More comparisons
Similar comparisons
Keep comparing
- See Monarch Money alternatives, closest category first.
- See PocketGuard alternatives, closest category first.
- Browse our guide to the best budgeting apps.
- Want the bigger picture? Compare more money apps.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Want a plan built on your Money Type?
Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, so you know where each dollar goes.
Sources and confidence
- Last checked
- Sourced facts
- 12 facts, each linked and dated
Monarch Money6 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Price and feesmonarch.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Free trialmonarch.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsmonarch.com, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Bank syncingmonarch.com, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Featuresmonarch.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
PocketGuard6 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Price and feespocketguard.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Free trialpocketguard.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformspocketguard.com, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Bank syncingpocketguard.com, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Featurespocketguard.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
Each fact links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Once a fact is older than 30 days, it comes off the page until we check it again. How we source, date and index this data.
This is education, not financial advice.
