PocketSmith Budgeting App Review for 2025
there are many budget app There are options available, but they are generally aimed at smartphone users. If you like a bigger screen to see where all your cash is going, PocketSmith is worth a look.
PocketSmith is budgeting software that works desktop first. If you also want to view your budget on your smartphone, it has a mobile app companion called PocketSmith Sidekick.
Is this budgeting tool right for you? Read on to find out.
How does PocketSmith work?
PocketSmith does what every good budgeting program should do: It tracks your income, expenses, and savings, and uses that data to create charts that illustrate your cash flow.
As long as you use one of PocketSmith’s paid versions, you can sync bank accounts around the world. The free version requires you to enter transactions manually.
The key differentiator of PocketSmith is its ability to predict your personal financial health long time from now. With the most expensive plan, you can predict conditions up to 60 years into the future. If you’ve been using another popular budgeting tool, the company makes it easy to switch with a quick migration tool designed to automatically import all your data.
When it comes to budgeting, you can choose to get hands-on and design your own budget, or use the company’s automated budgeting feature to create a guide based on your transaction history. No matter what you do, you get a convenient calendar view that helps you predict how much money you’ll have each day based on your bills and income.
All of this is primarily done through the desktop version, but the company’s mobile app, PocketSmith Sidekick, also lets you monitor your budget and net worth on the go.
PocketSmith offers three paid plans:
- Base: $14.95/month; $34.95/quarter; or $119.95/year
- Prosperity: $24.95/month; $59.95/quarter; or $199.95/year
- wealth: $39.95/month; $99.95/quarter; or $319.95/year
The main differences between these plans are the number of connected banks and dashboards you get, how far you can predict your finances, and your level of email support.
what we like
- Track almost anything: What was your savings rate last week? How much did you spend last Tuesday? Have your overspending issues been under control in the past three months? PocketSmith can help you answer all of these questions, and any other questions you may have about cash flow and net worth.
- Calendar gives you a crystal ball of value for money: My favorite feature of PocketSmith is its calendar, which predicts how much money you’ll have every day of the month. This is a valuable tool that can help you make adjustments — like canceling a Friday dinner reservation, or working some extra hours — to ensure you have enough cash to cover all necessary expenses.
- Do not sell data to third parties: PocketSmith collects a wealth of information about how much you spend, how much debt you have, how much you save, and more, but you don’t have to worry about anyone else knowing those details. The company never sells or rents data to third parties, so you won’t receive tons of ads targeted to your profile.
what we don’t like
- The free version doesn’t do much: Like most budgeting tools, PocketSmith’s free version seems designed to entice you to buy the paid version. Within about three minutes of using the tool on the platform, I received a pop-up notification to upgrade to the next tier. If you want to take full advantage of the power of PocketSmith, you’re going to need to shell out some cash from your pocket. The free version doesn’t automatically sync with your bank account and can only predict six months into the future.
- almost also Lots of information: If you’re looking for a fairly simple tool to track your spending patterns, PocketSmith might make your head spin. Compared to some of the more entry-level tools, e.g. monarch moneyVisiting PocketSmith feels a bit like looking at a cluttered closet that needs organizing. There is a lot to see but I don’t know where to start.
- Pricing Tier Maze: PocketSmith offers three paid tiers, each with three different billing options: monthly, quarterly, and yearly. It’s a little confusing, and for most users the differences won’t seem worth it. Plus, you can’t explore higher levels for free to see if it’s really worth paying more; PocketSmith forces you to agree to the upgrade.
Is PocketSmith safe?
Yes. PocketSmith encrypts all your data. Additionally, it uses services like Plaid to sync your bank account with the software instead of sharing your login information. You can also enable two-factor authentication to verify your identity every time you log into the platform. The company has never had any recorded data breaches.
Who is PocketSmith suitable for?
PocketSmith is great for people who want to know a lot of detailed information about their money, especially if they are planning for retirement. The platform’s most expensive plan, Fortune, includes an unlimited number of dashboards and forecasting capabilities up to 60 years into the future. It’s also a great tool for globally connected users – some paid versions allow syncing with bank accounts around the world.
PocketSmith isn’t the best solution for people looking for basic help cutting back on spending and increasing savings. The software feels suitable for more advanced budgeters, while the global bank account feature is suitable for those with larger funds and more worried about currency fluctuations.
Alternatives to PocketSmith
If PocketSmith’s long-term forecasts appeal to you, you should also look at Empower and Quicken Premier. Both tools are designed with retirement-focused investors in mind, and they also have budgeting features to help guide your spending decisions.
If you’re just starting out on your budgeting journey, check out Best budgeting apps See what best suits your needs. Most of them offer free trials so that you can test their functionality.
How much does PocketSmith cost?
PocketSmith has four different pricing tiers, ranging from a free version to a Fortune version that costs $40 per month and an annual plan that costs $320.
What are the disadvantages of PocketSmith?
The biggest drawback to PocketSmith is that access to all the features of the platform is expensive, at a whopping $40 per month. Another drawback is the limited mobile app package and mediocre customer reviews (3.4 out of 5 on Google Play and 3.1 out of 5 on the App Store).
Is PocketSmith worth paying for?
This depends on your financial needs. If you have bank accounts in multiple countries, the platform’s ability to connect banks around the world can help you manage your money in multiple currencies. It’s also valuable for predicting your future financial situation.
If you just need basic budgeting help, you’re probably better off Different budgeting apps The price tag is lower.
