Best Expense Tracker App in India (2026)

Looking for an expense tracker that works perfectly in India? India's personal finance landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years. With UPI processing over 14 billion transactions per month in 2026 and the cost of living rising steadily across metros and tier-2 cities alike, keeping track of where your money goes has never been more important. You need an app that supports ₹ (INR), works offline (because Indian internet can be unreliable), and ideally doesn't require linking your bank account.

Whether you're a salaried professional in Bangalore, a freelancer in Mumbai, or a student in Delhi, having a clear picture of your spending is the first step toward financial freedom. India's unique mix of cash payments, UPI transfers, and card transactions makes expense tracking more complex than in many other countries — and most global apps simply aren't designed for it.

We tested the top expense trackers available in India and evaluated them on INR support, offline capability, privacy, and value for money. If you've been using Mint or similar apps, see our guide to the best Mint alternatives. Here's our comprehensive guide for 2026.

Why Indian Residents Need an Expense Tracker

India's economy has been growing rapidly, but so has the cost of living. Consumer inflation has fluctuated between 4-6% through 2025-2026, and household expenses in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore continue to climb. Rent in major metros has surged 15-25% in many neighbourhoods since 2023, and grocery prices have risen alongside global food costs.

At the same time, India's digital payments revolution has made it easier than ever to spend money — a quick UPI scan and the money is gone. The convenience of cashless payments means many Indians are spending more than they realise. Studies from the RBI suggest that digital payment users often underestimate their monthly outflow by 20-30% compared to their actual spend.

Expense tracking in India has unique requirements:

• INR (₹) support — Many global apps don't handle Indian Rupees well
• Offline functionality — Network connectivity varies across India
• Cash tracking — India is still partly a cash economy despite UPI growth
• UPI transaction tracking — PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm transactions
• No bank linking required — Indian users are rightfully cautious about sharing bank credentials
• Affordable or free — Price-sensitive market

Feature Comparison Table

Top Expense Trackers for India (2026)

1. Pocket Clear — Best Overall for India

Price: Free (Pro: ₹85/month)
INR Support: ✅ Full support with ₹ symbol

Pocket Clear is perfect for Indian users because:

• Full ₹ (INR) support with proper formatting
• Works completely offline — track expenses anywhere in India
• No bank linking — privacy-first approach
• Track cash and UPI payments easily
• No ads in free version
• Simple interface — no learning curve
• Partner Mode for couples sharing expenses

2. Walnut

Price: Free / Premium ₹149/month
INR Support: ✅ Yes

Walnut was one of the most popular Indian expense trackers, known for its SMS-reading feature that automatically categorises bank transactions. However, it requires SMS permissions, which raises privacy concerns for many users.

Pros: Auto-reads bank SMS, bill splitting, Indian-focused
Cons: Requires SMS access, privacy concerns, can be inaccurate

3. Money Manager (by Realbyte)

Price: Free with ads / Premium ₹299
INR Support: ✅ Yes

Popular in India with good local support. Has many features but can be overwhelming for casual users.

Pros: Feature-rich, INR support, works offline
Cons: Ads in free version, cluttered interface

4. ET Money

Price: Free / Premium ₹499/year
INR Support: ✅ Yes

More of a financial super-app than a pure expense tracker. ET Money includes mutual fund investments, insurance, and loans alongside expense tracking.

Pros: Investment tracking, SIP management, tax saving tools
Cons: Bloated for simple tracking, requires internet, collects extensive data

5. mTrakr

Price: Free
INR Support: ✅ Yes

Another SMS-based tracker popular in India. Reads your bank messages to auto-log transactions.

Pros: Automatic tracking via SMS, free
Cons: Requires SMS permissions, misses cash payments, privacy concerns

India-Specific Financial Tips

1. Track UPI and cash separately — Create distinct categories for UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) and cash transactions. This gives you a clear picture of your digital vs. physical spending and helps during tax season.
2. Budget around salary cycles — Most Indian companies pay on the 1st or last day of the month. Set your budget period to match your salary date rather than the calendar month for more accurate tracking.
3. Account for GST in major purchases — When buying electronics, furniture, or services, the 18% GST adds up. Track the full amount paid including GST to see your real spending.
4. Plan for annual expenses — Insurance premiums, vehicle registration renewals, festival shopping (Diwali, Eid, Christmas), and school fees often catch people off-guard. Set aside monthly amounts using your tracker.
5. Use Section 80C to your advantage — Track your ELSS, PPF, and insurance premium payments through the year so you're not scrambling to invest in March. A good expense tracker helps you see how much of your ₹1.5 lakh limit you've used.

Tracking UPI Transactions

With UPI becoming India's primary payment method, you need to track:

• Google Pay transactions
• PhonePe payments
• Paytm transfers
• Bank UPI apps

Unfortunately, no expense tracker can automatically import UPI transactions (UPI doesn't have an API for this). The best approach is manual tracking — log each transaction as you make it. This actually builds better awareness of spending compared to automatic tracking.

Why Bank Linking Doesn't Work Well in India

Many global apps offer bank sync, but in India:

• Most Indian banks don't support Plaid or similar aggregators
• Security concerns are higher with Indian banking
• OTP requirements make auto-sync unreliable
• RBI's Account Aggregator framework is still evolving

Our recommendation: Use a manual expense tracker like Pocket Clear. It's more reliable and private.

Why Pocket Clear Works for India

India's financial ecosystem is unlike any other country's. You need an app built with Indian realities in mind:

• Full INR (₹) support — Proper Rupee formatting with Indian numbering (lakhs and crores display correctly)
• 100% offline — Works on the Delhi Metro, in rural areas, or anywhere with patchy connectivity
• No bank linking — No need to share your bank credentials with third parties. Your financial data stays on your device
• Privacy-first — Unlike SMS-reading apps like Walnut, Pocket Clear doesn't need access to your messages
• Affordable — Free tier with no ads. Pro at just ₹85/month is a fraction of what YNAB or Monarch charge
• Couples-friendly — Track shared expenses with your partner using Partner Mode

FAQ for Indian Users

What is the best free expense tracker in India in 2026?

Pocket Clear offers the best free tier with no ads and full INR support. It works offline and doesn't require bank linking — ideal for Indian users who value privacy.

Can I track UPI transactions automatically?

No app can auto-import UPI transactions directly. Apps like Walnut and mTrakr read bank SMS messages for partial tracking, but this raises privacy concerns. Manual tracking with Pocket Clear is the most reliable and private method.

Do these apps work offline?

Yes, Pocket Clear and Money Manager work fully offline — important for areas with poor connectivity or when you're on the metro.

Can I track UPI and cash expenses together?

Absolutely. Pocket Clear lets you log both UPI payments (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) and cash transactions in one place. Create separate categories to see the split between digital and physical spending.

How does Pocket Clear compare to Walnut and ET Money?

Unlike Walnut and ET Money, Pocket Clear requires no bank linking or SMS permissions. It is completely free with no ads, works offline, and keeps your financial data 100% private on your device.

Is Pocket Clear good for couples in India?

Yes. Pocket Clear's Partner Mode lets couples track shared household expenses together — perfect for splitting rent, groceries, and utilities.

What features should I look for in an Indian expense tracker?

Look for INR currency support, offline functionality, no mandatory bank linking, UPI-friendly categorisation, and strong privacy protections. Pocket Clear offers all of these features.

Is Pocket Clear available in India?

Yes. Pocket Clear is available for download in India on both iOS and Android. It fully supports Indian Rupees (INR) and is designed to work great for Indian users.

Popular Cities

Explore expense tracking guides for major Indian cities:

• Expense Tracker for Mumbai
• Expense Tracker for Bangalore
• Expense Tracker for Delhi NCR
• Expense Tracker for Chennai
• Expense Tracker for Hyderabad
• Expense Tracker for Pune
• Expense Tracker for Kolkata