Verdict
Winner: Monarch Money
For users who want investment tracking, household sharing, and a feature-rich experience
Monarch is the more powerful tool with investment tracking, shared household access, and custom rules. Simplifi is almost half the price and covers the budgeting basics well. Choose Monarch for comprehensive finances; choose Simplifi for budget-friendly budgeting.
7-day free trial · No credit card required
TL;DR
Winner: Monarch Money
Best for: Feature-rich financial management with investment tracking and shared access
$42.11/yr more (Monarch $89.99 vs Simplifi $47.88)
Monarch vs Simplifi (2026): Which Is Better?
Published Jan 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Pricing verified Feb 23, 2026We compared Monarch Money and Simplifi by Quicken on pricing, features, and value. Monarch wins for investment tracking — here's why, and when Simplifi's lower price makes it the better deal.
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Feature-by-feature
| Features |
Winner
Monarch Money
$7.49/mo
| $3.99/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $9.99/mo | $5.99/mo |
| Annual Price | $89.99/yr | $47.88/yr |
| Free Trial | 7 days | 30 days |
| Prices checked Feb 23, 2026 | ||
| 4.7/5 (12,400 reviews) | 4.4/5 (8,900 reviews) | |
| Bank Syncing | ||
| Investment Tracking | ||
| Net Worth Dashboard | ||
| Bill Tracking | ||
| Shared Household Access | ||
| Custom Categories | ||
| Recurring Transactions | ||
| Goal Tracking | ||
| Credit Score Monitoring | ||
| Subscription Tracking | ||
| Zero-Based Budgeting | ||
| Envelope Budgeting | ||
| CSV Import | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Web App | ||
| Reports & Charts | ||
| Custom Rules | ||
| Crypto Tracking | ||
| Learning Center | ||
| Negotiation Service | ||
| Get Started with Monarch Money 7-day free trial · No credit card required | ||
Monarch Money
$7.49/mo billed annually
- Bank Syncing
- Investment Tracking
- Net Worth Dashboard
- Bill Tracking
- Shared Household Access
- Custom Categories
- Recurring Transactions
- Goal Tracking
- Credit Score Monitoring
- Subscription Tracking
- Zero-Based Budgeting
- Envelope Budgeting
- CSV Import
- Mobile App
- Web App
- Reports & Charts
- Custom Rules
- Crypto Tracking
- Learning Center
- Negotiation Service
Simplifi by Quicken
$3.99/mo billed annually
- Bank Syncing
- Investment Tracking
- Net Worth Dashboard
- Bill Tracking
- Shared Household Access
- Custom Categories
- Recurring Transactions
- Goal Tracking
- Credit Score Monitoring
- Subscription Tracking
- Zero-Based Budgeting
- Envelope Budgeting
- CSV Import
- Mobile App
- Web App
- Reports & Charts
- Custom Rules
- Crypto Tracking
- Learning Center
- Negotiation Service
Pricing breakdown
How much does each app really cost?
Monarch Money
7-day free trial · No credit card required
Simplifi by Quicken
Best fit
Who should choose Monarch Money
- Investors who want portfolio tracking, asset allocation charts, and net worth alongside daily spending
- Couples who need shared household access — Simplifi doesn't support multiple users at any price
- Power users who want custom rules, crypto tracking, and CSV import for migrating from other apps
Who should choose Simplifi by Quicken
- Budget-conscious users who want solid budgeting at $3.99/mo — less than half of Monarch's annual rate
- Simple budgeters who need spending tracking, bill reminders, and basic reports without the complexity
- Quicken loyalists who want a modern cloud app backed by a company with 40+ years of financial software experience
Switching from Mint?
Monarch Money
Monarch supports CSV import — your full Mint transaction history transfers cleanly. Custom categories and rules help you rebuild your setup quickly.
CSV importSimplifi by Quicken
Simplifi does not support CSV import. It syncs via Plaid from your connection date. You'll start fresh without Mint transaction history.
The bottom line
Our final recommendation
Monarch is the more powerful tool with investment tracking, shared household access, and custom rules. Simplifi is almost half the price and covers the budgeting basics well. Choose Monarch for comprehensive finances; choose Simplifi for budget-friendly budgeting.
7-day free trial · No credit card required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monarch Money better than Simplifi?
Monarch Money offers more features including investment tracking, shared household access, custom rules, and crypto tracking. Simplifi covers the budgeting basics at nearly half the price. Monarch is better for comprehensive financial management; Simplifi is better for simple budgeting on a budget.
How much does Simplifi cost?
Simplifi by Quicken costs $5.99/mo or $47.88/yr ($3.99/mo billed annually). It's the most affordable option compared to Monarch ($89.99/yr), YNAB ($99/yr), and Copilot ($119.88/yr).
Does Simplifi track investments?
Simplifi includes basic investment account tracking and net worth calculations. However, it doesn't offer the detailed portfolio analysis, performance charts, and asset allocation views that Monarch Money provides.
Can I share a Simplifi account?
No. Simplifi does not support shared household access. Each user needs their own subscription. Monarch Money includes shared access for free, making it better for couples and families.
Is Simplifi good for Mint users switching?
Simplifi is a solid Mint replacement for users who want simple spending tracking at a low price. However, it doesn't support CSV import. Monarch Money supports CSV import and offers a more comprehensive feature set for Mint migrants.
Which app has better reports?
Monarch Money has more detailed reports including spending trends, income vs. expenses, net worth history, and investment performance. Simplifi has clean, basic reports covering spending by category and monthly trends.
Does Simplifi have a free trial?
Yes. Simplifi offers a 30-day free trial, the longest in this comparison. Monarch Money offers a 7-day free trial. Both let you connect bank accounts and test the full feature set before paying.
Is Simplifi owned by Quicken?
Yes. Simplifi is made by Quicken, the company behind Quicken Desktop (which has been around since 1983). Simplifi is their modern, cloud-based budgeting app designed as a simpler alternative to the desktop software.
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