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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 Zaim
MoneyWise vs Zaim
Zaim is the leading 家計簿 (household finance) app in Japan, with Japanese bank sync, receipt scanning, and budgeting built for domestic users. MoneyWise brings local-first privacy, multi-currency tracking, and BYOK AI to users who need more than a Japan-centric cloud platform.
Two ways to track your money. Zaim is Japan's most popular household-finance app (家計簿). MoneyWise is local-first, multi-currency, and brings your own AI key.
At a glance
| MoneyWise | Zaim | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $6.99/mo · $49.99/yr | $3.30/mo · $32.00/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, want your financial data stored locally on your device with no ads or trackers, need an AI advisor you fully control with your own API key, or you are outside Japan where Zaim's bank sync does not function.
Choose Zaim if
You are based in Japan, want seamless sync with Japanese bank accounts and credit cards, prefer a mature app with a large local community, and are comfortable with a cloud-based freemium model.
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
Is Zaim available outside Japan? +
Zaim can be downloaded internationally, but its bank sync relies on Japanese financial institution partnerships and works best within Japan. MoneyWise works globally and supports multi-currency accounts out of the box.
Is Zaim free to use? +
Zaim has a free tier with ads. Premium removes ads and unlocks advanced features for approximately ¥480/month or ¥4,800/year (about $3.30/mo or $32/yr). MoneyWise is free on a single device with no ads; Pro is $6.99/mo or $49.99/yr.
Does Zaim store my data locally or in the cloud? +
Zaim syncs data to its cloud servers. MoneyWise stores everything in an encrypted database on your device. Cloud sync in MoneyWise is optional and end-to-end encrypted.
Does Zaim support multiple currencies? +
Zaim is focused on JPY and does not offer robust multi-currency account tracking. MoneyWise supports accounts in any currency with daily exchange rates.
Does Zaim have AI features? +
Zaim does not currently offer an AI advisor. MoneyWise Pro includes a BYOK AI advisor — you plug in your own Anthropic or OpenAI key, so your transactions are never sent to a third-party AI vendor.
Does Zaim have receipt scanning? +
Yes — Zaim supports receipt photo capture for quick expense logging. MoneyWise also supports receipt photos for a privacy-first workflow.