Looking for a free expense tracker that's actually free? Not a "free trial" or "free with ads everywhere" — genuinely free apps that help you track spending without asking for your credit card.
We tested over 20 expense tracking apps claiming to be free. Many have hidden catches: trials that expire, essential features locked behind paywalls, or so many ads that the app is practically unusable. Here are the ones that actually deliver on the promise of free.
What "Free" Really Means (And Doesn't)
Before we dive into our recommendations, let's be clear about what free should mean:
- ✅ No payment required to use core features
- ✅ No time limit (not just a 14-day or 30-day trial)
- ✅ No feature walls blocking essential functionality like reports or categories
- ✅ No excessive ads making the app unusable
- ✅ No bank connection required to access features
Many apps fail at least one of these criteria. YNAB has a 34-day trial then costs $99/year. Mint was "free" but showed aggressive ads and required bank access. PocketGuard locks useful features behind a $7.99/month paywall.
The apps we recommend below pass all five tests.
The 6 Best Free Expense Trackers in 2026
1. Pocket Clear — Best Overall Free Option
Price: Free forever (Pro: $0.99/month)
Platforms: iOS, Android
Best for: Privacy-conscious users who want simple, fast expense tracking
💚 Why It's Actually Free
- ✅ Unlimited expense tracking — free forever
- ✅ All categories (custom + default) — free
- ✅ Full reports and pie charts — free
- ✅ Works completely offline — free
- ✅ No ads whatsoever — never
- ✅ No bank linking required — ever
- ✅ 50+ currencies supported — free
Optional Pro ($0.99/mo) adds cloud backup, cross-device sync, and budgets. But the free version is fully functional for daily expense tracking.
Pocket Clear takes a fundamentally different approach from apps like Mint or YNAB. Instead of connecting to your bank and automatically importing transactions, you manually enter each expense with just two taps. This takes about 5 seconds per transaction.
Why is manual entry better? Three reasons:
- Privacy: Your financial data never leaves your device — see our private expense tracker page for more details
- Awareness: Research shows manual tracking builds better spending awareness than automation
- Accuracy: You categorize transactions correctly — no fixing auto-categorization mistakes
Pocket Clear also works as an offline expense tracker, supports couples tracking with Partner Mode, and requires no bank linking.
Read our detailed comparison: Pocket Clear vs Mint →
2. Wallet by BudgetBakers
Price: Free (Premium: $5.99/month)
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
Best for: Users who want more features in a free app
- ✅ Good free tier with manual tracking
- ✅ Multiple accounts/wallets
- ✅ Debt tracking
- ⚠️ Bank sync requires Premium ($5.99/mo)
- ⚠️ Some reports locked behind paywall
- ⚠️ Contains ads in free version
Wallet is one of the more generous freemium apps. You get manual expense tracking, multiple wallet support, and basic budgeting without paying. However, the ads can be annoying, and power features like bank sync require Premium.
3. Money Manager (by Realbyte)
Price: Free (Pro: $4.99 one-time)
Platforms: iOS, Android
Best for: Android users who want comprehensive features
- ✅ Basic tracking is completely free
- ✅ Works offline
- ✅ Good reporting features
- ⚠️ Contains banner ads in free version
- ⚠️ Some features require one-time purchase
- ⚠️ Interface can feel cluttered
Money Manager has been around for years and offers robust functionality. The free version is usable but includes ads. The one-time $4.99 Pro purchase removes ads and unlocks all features—a fair deal compared to subscription apps.
4. Bluecoins
Price: Free (Premium: $4.99 one-time)
Platforms: Android only
Best for: Android power users who want detailed tracking
- ✅ Powerful features in free tier
- ✅ Excellent reporting
- ✅ Works offline
- ⚠️ Android only (no iOS)
- ⚠️ Cloud sync requires purchase
- ⚠️ Steeper learning curve
Bluecoins is a hidden gem for Android users. It's feature-rich and the free version is very capable. The one-time Premium purchase is reasonable if you need cloud backup.
5. 1Money
Price: Free
Platforms: Android only
Best for: Android users who want truly free, simple tracking
- ✅ Completely free to use
- ✅ Clean, modern interface
- ✅ Good basic features
- ⚠️ Android only
- ⚠️ Limited advanced features
- ⚠️ Some sync features require account
6. Monefy
Price: Free (Pro: $2.49 one-time)
Platforms: iOS, Android
Best for: Visual learners who want quick entry
- ✅ Simple, visual interface
- ✅ Quick expense entry
- ✅ Works offline
- ⚠️ Contains ads in free version
- ⚠️ Limited categories in free version
- ⚠️ Dated visual design
Apps That Aren't Really Free (Beware)
These popular apps claim to be free but have significant catches:
❌ YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Reality: 34-day free trial only, then $99/year or $14.99/month.
YNAB is a powerful budgeting system, but it's one of the most expensive apps on the market. It's definitely not free. Compare: Pocket Clear vs YNAB →
❌ Copilot Money
Reality: Free trial, then $9.99/month or $79.99/year.
Copilot is beautiful and powerful, but it's premium-priced and iOS-only. Compare: Pocket Clear vs Copilot →
❌ Monarch Money
Reality: 7-day trial, then $14.99/month or $99/year.
Monarch targets couples with shared finances. Great features, but very expensive. Compare: Pocket Clear vs Monarch →
❌ Simplifi by Quicken
Reality: 30-day trial, then $5.99/month or $47.88/year.
Simplifi is a solid Mint replacement, but it requires a subscription after the trial. Compare: Pocket Clear vs Simplifi →
❌ PocketGuard
Reality: Very limited free tier, Plus costs $7.99/month.
PocketGuard's free version is so limited that you'll likely upgrade quickly. Compare: Pocket Clear vs PocketGuard →
Free vs Freemium vs Free Trial: Understanding the Difference
| Model | What It Means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Actually Free | Core features free forever, optional paid upgrades for extras | Pocket Clear, 1Money |
| Freemium | Free version exists but key features locked behind paywall | PocketGuard, Wallet |
| Free Trial | Free temporarily, must pay to continue using at all | YNAB, Monarch, Copilot |
| Ad-Supported Free | Free with ads; pay to remove ads | Money Manager, Monefy |
What You Get Free in Pocket Clear
Here's exactly what's included in Pocket Clear's free tier:
- 📝 Unlimited transactions — track as many expenses as you want, forever
- 📊 Full reporting — pie charts, spending trends, category breakdown
- 🏷️ All categories — use defaults or create unlimited custom categories
- 💱 50+ currencies — ₹, $, €, £, ¥, and many more
- 📴 Offline mode — works without internet, always
- 🔒 Complete privacy — data stays on your device, encrypted
- 🚫 Zero ads — no banners, no pop-ups, no sponsored content
- 🌙 Dark mode — system-matching themes
The only features reserved for Pro ($0.99/month) are:
- ☁️ Cloud backup and sync
- 📱 Cross-device access
- 💰 Per-category budgets
- 📈 Budget tracking and alerts
Why Free Matters for Building Financial Habits
If you're trying to manage money better, the last thing you need is another subscription eating into your budget. A $99/year app like YNAB costs more than many people spend on their streaming services combined.
A free expense tracker removes the barrier to entry. You can start today, build the habit, and see results without spending a rupee or dollar. Once tracking becomes second nature, you can decide if premium features are worth it.
We've seen users who started with Pocket Clear's free tier save hundreds of dollars in their first month just by becoming aware of their spending. The app paid for itself before they even considered upgrading.
Learn: How to Track Expenses in 30 Seconds a Day →
How to Choose the Right Free Expense Tracker
Consider these factors when choosing:
1. Platform Availability
- iOS + Android: Pocket Clear, Wallet, Monefy, Money Manager
- Android only: Bluecoins, 1Money
- iOS only: (Most premium apps like Copilot are iOS-only)
2. Privacy Requirements
- Maximum privacy: Pocket Clear (data stays on device)
- No bank linking needed: Pocket Clear, Monefy, Bluecoins
- Okay with bank sync: Wallet (Premium), most others
3. Offline Needs
- Works fully offline: Pocket Clear, Money Manager, Bluecoins
- Needs internet occasionally: Wallet, most cloud-based apps
4. Simplicity vs Features
- Simplest: Pocket Clear, 1Money
- Most features: Bluecoins, Money Manager
- Middle ground: Wallet, Monefy
Read: Simple Expense Tracker for Beginners →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free expense tracker app?
Pocket Clear is our top pick for the best free expense tracker app in 2026. It offers unlimited expense tracking, custom categories, visual reports, and offline support—all completely free with no ads. Optional Pro features cost just $0.99/month.
Are free expense tracker apps really free?
Many apps claim to be free but have significant limitations. True free apps like Pocket Clear offer core functionality without time limits, feature walls, or excessive ads. Watch out for "freemium" apps that lock essential features behind paywalls.
Do free expense trackers have ads?
Many do—apps like Money Manager and Monefy show ads in their free versions. However, Pocket Clear is completely ad-free even in its free version. We use optional premium features for revenue instead of advertising.
Is YNAB free?
No, YNAB is not free. It offers a 34-day free trial, but then costs $99/year ($14.99/month if paid monthly). It's one of the most expensive budget apps available.
Can I track expenses without connecting my bank?
Yes! Apps like Pocket Clear, Monefy, and Daily Budget let you track expenses manually without requiring bank access. This is actually better for privacy and works even offline. See our full guide →
What's the difference between free and freemium apps?
Free apps provide full core functionality without payment. Freemium apps offer limited free features with key functionality locked behind a paywall. Free trial apps require payment after a trial period. Always check what's included before committing.
Start Tracking Free Today
No trial. No credit card. No ads. Just download and go.