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Offline-first by design
Every record is in an encrypted SQLite database on your phone. Works in airplane mode.
MoneyWise vs YNAB
MoneyWise vs YNAB
YNAB and MoneyWise both help you understand where your money goes — but they're built for different people. YNAB enforces a budget method. MoneyWise tracks your real life.
Two ways to track your money. YNAB is a strict zero-based-budgeting system. MoneyWise is local-first, multi-currency, and brings your own AI key.
At a glance
| MoneyWise | YNAB | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $6.99/mo · $49.99/yr | $14.99/mo · $109.00/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 handle multiple currencies, you want your data on your device (not in a vendor's cloud), or you want AI insights without paying for yet another subscription.
Choose YNAB if
You've already adopted zero-based budgeting and want every dollar assigned a job. Your finances are mostly in one currency, and you're happy paying for a strong methodology coach.
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
Can I import my YNAB data into MoneyWise? +
Today, no automatic importer. You can re-create accounts and start fresh. YNAB users tend to onboard quickly because they already think in categories.
Does MoneyWise do zero-based budgeting? +
MoneyWise has monthly category budgets with pacing, but not the strict YNAB rule-set. If the rule-set is what you love about YNAB, stay with YNAB.
Will MoneyWise work without internet? +
Yes. Every record is on your phone in an encrypted database. The app is fully usable in airplane mode.
How is MoneyWise's pricing different from YNAB's? +
MoneyWise is free for unlimited records on one device. Pro adds multi-device sync, backup, and pooled AI for $6.99/mo or $49.99/yr. YNAB is subscription-only at $14.99/mo or $109/yr.
Does MoneyWise have AI like the new YNAB features? +
Yes — MoneyWise has an AI advisor. The difference: you can plug in your own Anthropic or OpenAI key, so your data isn't sent to a vendor's pipeline.
Can I use MoneyWise alongside YNAB? +
Yes — many people start with MoneyWise for quick mobile entry and keep YNAB for the budget method. There's no lock-in either way.