Paying $99/year to track your spending feels like the ultimate irony. You're trying to save money, and step one is... spending money on an app? That doesn't add up.
The good news: you don't need an expensive subscription to track expenses effectively. Several excellent apps offer genuinely free tiers or affordable one-time purchases that put subscription-based competitors to shame.
We reviewed the best subscription-free expense trackers available in 2026 and ranked them based on features, usability, and — most importantly — how "free" they actually are. Because let's be honest: a lot of "free" apps are anything but.
The Subscription Problem in Finance Apps
Here's what's happened in the personal finance app space over the past few years:
- YNAB went from a one-time $60 purchase to $99/year
- Monarch Money charges $14.99/month ($180/year)
- Ramsey+ (EveryDollar Premium) costs $17.99/month
- PocketGuard Plus costs $7.99/month
- Mint was free... until it shut down entirely
That's a lot of money spent on software that basically records numbers. The core function — logging what you spend — isn't complex technology. Bank syncing adds cost, sure, but if you're willing to enter expenses manually (which actually builds better habits), there's no reason to pay $100+ per year.
Best Expense Trackers Without a Subscription
1. Pocket Clear Free — Best Overall No-Subscription Tracker
Price: Completely free (optional Pro: $0.99/month)
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pocket Clear is what an expense tracker should be: simple, fast, and free. The free tier isn't a teaser — it includes full expense tracking, custom categories, monthly spending reports, and offline support. No ads. No data selling. No "upgrade to unlock basic features" tricks.
The optional Pro upgrade adds Partner Mode for couples, secondary currency for travelers, cloud backup, and CSV/PDF export. At $0.99/month, it's the cheapest paid tier in the industry — but the free version is genuinely enough for most people.
Why it wins: The free tier is complete, not crippled. You can track expenses indefinitely without ever seeing an ad or hitting a paywall.
Best Free Option
Pocket Clear's free tier is more functional than many apps' paid tiers. No subscription, no ads, no catch.
2. Goodbudget Free — Best for Envelope Budgeting
Price: Free (Plus: $10/month)
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
Goodbudget's free tier gives you 10 envelopes, 1 account, and basic reports. It's enough for simple budgeting, though you'll feel the limitations if you have complex finances. No bank linking required — everything is manual entry.
Why it's good: The envelope system is intuitive. It syncs across devices even on the free tier. No ads.
Limitations: 10-envelope limit is restrictive. Can't track debt or savings goals on the free plan. UI feels dated.
3. Monefy — Best One-Time Purchase
Price: Free with ads (Pro: $2.49 one-time)
Platforms: iOS, Android
Monefy is refreshingly simple: tap a category, enter an amount, done. The Pro version is a one-time $2.49 purchase — no subscription, no recurring charges. It removes ads and unlocks additional categories, passcode protection, and cloud sync.
Why it's good: One-time purchase model. Very simple to use. Visual spending breakdowns with colorful charts.
Limitations: Free version has ads. Limited reporting compared to more full-featured apps. No partner/shared features. Some privacy concerns with data handling.
4. AndroMoney — Best for Android Users
Price: Free (Pro: $3.99 one-time)
Platforms: Android (iOS version available)
AndroMoney has been around for years and remains a solid choice for Android users who want a one-time purchase option. The free version is functional, and the Pro upgrade is a lifetime purchase that unlocks cloud backup, widgets, and extra customization.
Why it's good: Mature, stable app. Detailed reports. One-time purchase model. Supports multiple currencies.
Limitations: Interface is dated. iOS version isn't as polished. Limited compared to modern apps in UX.
5. Dollarbird — Best Calendar-Based Tracker
Price: Free with limited features
Platforms: iOS, Android
Dollarbird takes a unique approach: it displays your expenses on a calendar view. You can see at a glance which days had high spending and plan for upcoming expenses. The free version provides basic tracking without a subscription.
Why it's good: Unique calendar interface. Good for visual planners. Free tier covers basic needs.
Limitations: Limited category customization on the free tier. Some features require the paid version. Less intuitive than dedicated expense trackers.
Comparison Table
| App | Free Tier | Paid Option | Ads in Free | Bank Linking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket Clear | Full features | $0.99/mo (optional) | No | No |
| Goodbudget | 10 envelopes | $10/mo | No | No |
| Monefy | Basic + ads | $2.49 one-time | Yes | No |
| AndroMoney | Basic features | $3.99 one-time | Yes | No |
| Dollarbird | Limited | Varies | No | No |
Why Subscriptions Aren't Always Worth It
Let's do the math. If you pay for YNAB ($99/year) for five years, that's $495 spent on expense tracking software. Monarch Money at $14.99/month is $180/year — $900 over five years.
Meanwhile, Pocket Clear gives you the core tracking experience for free, forever. Even if you upgrade to Pro, it's $11.88/year — compared to $99 for YNAB or $180 for Monarch.
Ask yourself: does your expense tracker really need to cost more than your Netflix subscription?
When a Subscription IS Worth It
To be fair, there are cases where paid apps earn their price:
- You need automatic bank syncing and won't track manually. Plaid integration costs money — apps pass that to you.
- You need investment tracking and net worth monitoring. Monarch Money genuinely does more than basic expense tracking.
- You've committed to the YNAB method and it's saving you more than $99/year (which it likely is, if you stick with it).
But for the vast majority of people who just want to know where their money goes? A free app works perfectly fine.
Our Recommendation
Start with Pocket Clear Free. It's the most complete free expense tracker available — no ads, no data selling, no crippled features. If you build the habit and want extras like couples tracking or CSV export, Pro is just $0.99/month.
If you want a one-time purchase option, Monefy Pro at $2.49 is a solid deal. And if envelope budgeting appeals to you, Goodbudget is worth trying on the free tier first.
Don't let a subscription be the reason you don't track your spending. The best expense tracker is the one you actually use — and there's no reason it needs to cost $99/year.
Try Pocket Clear Free
Track expenses without a subscription. No ads, no bank linking, no catch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any good expense trackers that don't require a subscription?
Yes. Pocket Clear offers a fully functional free tier with no ads and no subscription. Goodbudget has a free tier with limited envelopes. Monefy and AndroMoney offer one-time purchase options instead of monthly subscriptions.
What is the best free expense tracker app with no hidden costs?
Pocket Clear is the best truly free expense tracker. It offers full expense tracking, categories, reports, and offline support without any subscription, ads, or data selling. The optional Pro upgrade is just $0.99/month for extras like Partner Mode.
Why do most expense tracker apps require subscriptions?
Most expense tracker apps charge subscriptions because they rely on bank-syncing services (like Plaid) that charge per-user fees, and they have ongoing server costs. Apps that don't connect to banks can afford to offer free or low-cost tiers.
Is YNAB worth $99 per year?
YNAB is worth it if you'll fully commit to its zero-based budgeting method and use it daily. However, if you just want to track expenses without a budgeting philosophy, a free app like Pocket Clear gives you 90% of the value at $0.
Can I track expenses effectively without paying for an app?
Absolutely. Pocket Clear's free tier includes everything most people need: manual expense entry, custom categories, monthly reports, and offline support. You don't need to pay for a subscription to track your spending effectively.