◆
Offline-first by design
Every record is in an encrypted SQLite database on your phone. Works in airplane mode.
MoneyWise vs PocketGuard
MoneyWise vs PocketGuard
PocketGuard centers on one powerful idea: 'In My Pocket' — showing you exactly how much is safe to spend after bills, savings, and goals. MoneyWise offers similar spending guidance but pairs it with manual control, multi-currency support, local-first privacy, and BYOK AI for deeper financial conversations.
Two ways to track your money. PocketGuard is a spending-focused budgeting app that shows how much you can safely spend. MoneyWise is local-first, multi-currency, and brings your own AI key.
At a glance
| MoneyWise | PocketGuard | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $6.99/mo · $49.99/yr | $12.99/mo · $74.99/yr |
| Platforms | ||
| iOS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | — | ✓ |
| Web | — | — |
| macOS | — | — |
| Windows | — | — |
| Linux | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Multi-currency | ✓ | — |
| Offline-first | ✓ | — |
| Local encryption | ✓ | — |
| Optional cloud sync | ✓ | — |
| BYOK AI (your key) | ✓ | — |
| Built-in AI (no key) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investments | ✓ | — |
| Budgets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Receipt photos | ✓ | — |
| Voice input | ✓ | — |
| Automatic bank sync | — | ✓ |
| Family sharing | ✓ | — |
| No ads | ✓ | ✓ |
| No trackers | ✓ | — |
| Open source | — | — |
Where MoneyWise is different
▲
Bring your own AI key
Plug in your Anthropic or OpenAI key. Insights run with no extra subscription. Or use pooled credits in Pro.
●
Multi-currency from day one
Hold accounts in any currency. Convert with daily rates. No 'home currency only' lock-in.
★
No ads, no trackers
Nothing leaves your device unless you turn on optional encrypted sync. We literally cannot read your data.
AI you control
An advisor that runs on your terms
Most finance apps either don't have AI, or send your transactions to a vendor's server. MoneyWise lets you choose: bring your own Anthropic or OpenAI key, or use Pro's pooled credits. Either way, the AI sees only what you ask it to see.
- → Keys stored in iOS Keychain — never on our servers
- → Daily Brief, monthly summaries, and ad-hoc Q&A
- → Skip AI entirely — every other feature still works
Privacy, not a feature
Your data stays on your phone.
MoneyWise is built local-first. No ads, no trackers, no data sale — ever.
Offline-first
Every record is stored locally in an encrypted SQLite database. Works with airplane mode on.
Optional cloud sync
Sync across your own devices when you turn it on. Rows are encrypted at rest; we can't read them.
BYOK AI
Bring your own Anthropic or OpenAI key. Keys live in the iOS keychain and never transit our servers.
Which one is right for you?
Choose MoneyWise if MoneyWise
You want more granular control over your finances, use multiple currencies, need your data stored privately on-device, or want an AI financial advisor that uses your own API key and doesn't process your transactions on external servers.
Choose PocketGuard if
You want a simplified, automated budgeting experience that tells you your safe-to-spend amount each day, and you're happy with a US-centric app focused purely on overspending prevention.
Pricing
Free for everyday use. Pro when you need more.
No trial games. No dark patterns. Cancel any time in the App Store.
Free
Everything you need on a single device.
$0
- ✓ Unlimited records, accounts, and budgets
- ✓ Investments and portfolio tracking
- ✓ AI advisor (bring your own key)
- ✓ Local encrypted storage
Pro
Pro
Sync, backup, and more across every device.
7-day free trial
$49.99 /yr
or $6.99/mo
- ✓ Everything in Free
- ✓ Multi-device encrypted cloud sync
- ✓ Automatic cloud backup
- ✓ Receipt and attachment photos
- ✓ Pooled AI credits (no API key needed)
Take back control of your money.
Free to download. Pro subscription optional.
Android · Direct download
APK · Android 8+ · Pro upgrade via Play Store
Mac App Store
Coming soon · Mac App Store
iPad
In development
Apple Watch
In development
Frequently asked questions
How does PocketGuard pricing compare to MoneyWise? +
PocketGuard Plus is $12.99/mo or $74.99/yr. MoneyWise is free for a single device; Pro is $6.99/mo or $49.99/yr. MoneyWise Pro costs significantly less annually while offering more privacy features.
What is PocketGuard's 'In My Pocket' feature? +
PocketGuard calculates your safe-to-spend amount by subtracting bills, recurring expenses, and savings goals from your account balances. It gives you a single number to guide daily spending. MoneyWise achieves similar goals through budget envelopes and AI-powered spending analysis.
Does PocketGuard support multiple currencies? +
PocketGuard is designed for US users and does not support multiple currencies. MoneyWise supports accounts in any currency with daily exchange rates built in.
Where does PocketGuard store my financial data? +
PocketGuard syncs linked accounts to their cloud servers. MoneyWise stores all data in an encrypted database on your device, with optional end-to-end encrypted cloud sync in the Pro plan.
Does PocketGuard have AI features? +
PocketGuard Plus includes an AI chat assistant for spending guidance. MoneyWise Pro offers a BYOK AI advisor using your own Anthropic or OpenAI key, so your full transaction history is never sent to a third party.
Is there a web version of PocketGuard? +
PocketGuard is primarily a mobile app for iOS and Android; a full web version is not available. MoneyWise supports iOS, Android, and web.