Monarch Money is a polished, bank-linked money dashboard with a paid subscription. Cashflow is a free, simpler spending tracker with no bank connection.
At a glance
| Cashflow | Monarch Money | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Paid subscription after a short trial |
| Getting transactions in | Receipt scan, PDF statement import, manual entry | Bank sync for most accounts |
| Focus | Budgets, spending reports, habits | Full net worth, investments, budgets and goals |
| Sharing | Shared shopping list | Household sharing of finances |
| Habit features | Streaks, badges, progress standing | Goals and reports |
| Privacy approach | No bank login needed | Needs bank credentials via an aggregator |
Prices change. We have not listed exact amounts; see Monarch's website for the current price.
Who should pick Monarch Money
You want everything in one dashboard, including investments and net worth, with accounts syncing on their own, and a subscription is fine.
Who should pick Cashflow
You want a free tool focused on everyday spending and budgets, or you would rather not connect your bank.
We make Cashflow, so we have a stake in this. Check Monarch Money's own site for current features and pricing before you decide.
Try Cashflow
Cashflow: Budget Manager is free on iPhone and Android.
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cashflow a free alternative to Monarch Money?
Cashflow is free to use. Monarch Money is a paid subscription after a trial. They work differently, so free is not the only difference.
Does Cashflow sync with my bank?
No. You scan receipts, import a PDF bank statement or add transactions by hand.