PocketGuard review

PocketGuard is built around one number: what is left to spend once necessities, debt payments, savings and goals are covered. That makes it a good fit for people who check their budget in a few seconds before buying something. It is also unusually flexible on method. You can budget by category, use zero-based or 50/30/20 plans, or set envelope style limits, and rollovers carry unspent money into next month's category while overspending reduces it. Pace uses your history to forecast how much you will have left at the end of the month, so you can adjust early. A debt payoff planner compares strategies, rules automatically categorize and rename transactions, and subscription spotting flags recurring charges before they renew. The yearly plan is $74.99, and a one-time lifetime purchase at $149.99 suits long-term users. Monthly billing at $12.99 is poor value, and investment tracking is lighter than in the all-in-one apps.

Who it is for

People who want a quick daily answer to how much they can safely spend.

Price

$74.99 per year (about $6.25 per month), $12.99 monthly or $149.99 lifetime; 7-day free trial.

$6.25 /month Save $81/year Billed $74.99 yearly All prices in US Dollars
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Leftover amount after necessities, debt payments and goals
• Category, zero-based, 50/30/20 and envelope budgeting styles
• Pace forecast of what you will have left at month end
• Rollovers that carry unspent or overspent amounts into next month
• Debt payoff planner, subscription spotting and transaction rules

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Supports four budgeting methods in one app
• Strength: A one-time $149.99 lifetime option
• Strength: Runs on web, iOS, Apple Watch and Android
• Weakness: Monthly billing is $12.99
• Weakness: No permanent free plan
• Weakness: Fewer investment tools than Monarch or Simplifi

Key facts

• Platforms: Web, iOS, Apple Watch, Android
• Budget styles: Category, zero-based, 50/30/20, envelope
• Free trial: 7 days
• Lifetime option: $149.99 one-time
• Markets: US, Canada, UK

Where it ranks

PocketGuard is No. 5 in our Best Budgeting Apps verdict.