Monarch Money Review 2026: Is It Worth It?
When Mint shut down, millions of users went looking for a replacement — and Monarch Money became the most recommended landing spot. But at $99.99/year with no free tier, it’s a real commitment. In this review, we cover what Monarch does well, where it falls short, and who should actually pay for it.
What is Monarch Money?
Monarch Money is a subscription personal-finance app that combines budgeting, net worth tracking, investment monitoring, and goal planning in one privacy-first dashboard. Unlike free apps that sell data or show ads, Monarch’s only revenue is your subscription — which shapes the entire experience.
Key Features
- Account aggregation: Syncs unlimited banks, cards, loans, and investment accounts.
- Flexible budgeting: Category budgets with rollover, so unused money carries forward.
- Net worth tracking: A clean timeline of assets and liabilities over time.
- Goals: Savings, debt payoff, and purchase goals tied to real accounts.
- Collaboration: A partner gets full access at no extra cost — a standout for couples.
- Customizable dashboard: Rearrange widgets to match how you think about money.
Monarch Money Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free Trial | 7 days |
| Core | $99.99/year or $14.99/month |
| Plus | $199/year |
There’s no free tier, but the 7-day trial gives full access. See our full Monarch Money pricing breakdown for the details and discount codes.
Pros
- Genuinely private — no ads, no data selling
- Best-in-class couples experience — shared access included
- Polished, fast interface on both web and mobile
- Strong net worth and investment views alongside budgeting
Cons
- No free plan — you must pay after the trial
- Bank syncing can occasionally drop connections (an industry-wide issue)
- More expensive than some rivals like Copilot Money
Who Should Use Monarch Money?
Monarch is ideal for couples and households who want one shared, private dashboard for budgeting and net worth. It’s also a natural Mint replacement for anyone who valued the all-in-one view. If you’re a strict zero-based budgeter, YNAB may suit you better — see our YNAB vs Monarch Money comparison for a head-to-head.
Verdict
Monarch Money earns its price for the right user. It’s the most complete, private, couples-friendly budgeting app available in 2026, and the 7-day trial removes most of the risk. If you only need free envelope budgeting, look at our best budgeting apps guide first — but if you want a true Mint successor, Monarch is the safest bet.
Compare it against every major rival in our best YNAB alternatives roundup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monarch Money safe?
Yes. Monarch uses bank-level encryption and read-only connections, and its subscription model means it doesn’t sell your data.
Is Monarch Money worth $99 a year?
For couples and anyone wanting a private, all-in-one budgeting and net worth app, yes. Strict budget-only users may prefer cheaper or free alternatives.
Does Monarch Money have a free version?
No. There’s a 7-day free trial, after which it costs $99.99/year or $14.99/month.