Software · head to head
PocketGuard vs Simplifi
The short version
- Only PocketGuard has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: PocketGuard every budgeting feature requires a paid subscription, with only a 7 day trial rather than a free tier; Simplifi there is no free tier at all
- They diverge on capability: PocketGuard covers Real-time spending alerts, Simplifi covers Spending analysis.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which PocketGuard and Simplifi actually diverge.
| Attribute | PocketGuard | Simplifi |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Founded | 2012 | 2020 |
Identical on both: platforms (Web, IOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in PocketGuard
- Real-time spending alerts
- Goal setting
- Spending insights
Only in Simplifi
- Spending analysis
- Goal tracking
- Cash flow insights
Both cover
- Budget tracking
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
PocketGuard
- Tracking spending and bills against a personal budgetnot Simplifi
- Finding and cancelling recurring subscriptionsnot Simplifi
Simplifi
- Personal budgeting with automatic bank transaction importnot PocketGuard
- Tracking spending, savings goals and net worth in one placenot PocketGuard
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
PocketGuard
- Every budgeting feature requires a paid subscription, with only a 7 day trial rather than a free tier
- Paying monthly is $12.99 against an effective $6.25 on the annual plan, so the flexible option costs roughly double
- The lifetime option is not offered to everyone and is described as available only inside the app
Simplifi
- There is no free tier at all
- The advertised $3.99 a month requires annual billing, against $6.99 paying monthly
- The subscription auto renews yearly at the then current price, which the terms state is subject to change rather than fixed
Pricing, plan by plan
PocketGuard
Free- FreeFree
- Expense tracking
- Budget creation
- Premium$9.99/month
- Advanced insights
- Goal tracking
- Bill negotiation
Simplifi
On request- Monthly$5.99/month
- Budget tracking
- Spending insights
- Goal setting
- Annual$59.99/month
- All monthly features
- Discounted rate
Which should you pick?
Choose PocketGuard if
- You need real-time spending alerts.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want goal setting.
Choose Simplifi if
- You need spending analysis.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want goal tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is PocketGuard or Simplifi better?
- Neither clearly leads. PocketGuard starts at Free and Simplifi at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, PocketGuard or Simplifi?
- PocketGuard has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for PocketGuard and On request for Simplifi.
- Does PocketGuard or Simplifi run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, IOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use PocketGuard for free?
- Yes. PocketGuard has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Simplifi starts at On request.
- What is PocketGuard best used for?
- PocketGuard is most often used for tracking spending and bills against a personal budget, finding and cancelling recurring subscriptions. Of those, tracking spending and bills against a personal budget and finding and cancelling recurring subscriptions are not what Simplifi is typically brought in for.
- What can PocketGuard do that Simplifi cannot?
- PocketGuard covers Real-time spending alerts, Goal setting, Spending insights. Simplifi covers Spending analysis, Goal tracking, Cash flow insights. Both handle Budget tracking, Bank accounts, Credit cards, Web support.