Jan 2, 2025

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Monarch Money vs. Plenty: Which Budgeting App Is Best for Couples?

Emily Luk

CPA, CFA - CEO and Cofounder of Plenty

Emily Luk

CPA, CFA - CEO and Cofounder of Plenty

Monarch Money: A Snapshot


Monarch Money is a personal finance app built with couples and families in mind. It offers tools for budgeting, goal-setting, and investment tracking, making it a popular choice for managing shared finances.


What It Offers:

  • Customizable budgeting categories for personalized financial management.

  • Shared accounts and collaborative features for couples.

  • Investment tracking alongside financial goal planning.

  • Subscription pricing: $14.99/month or $99.99/year, with a 7-day free trial.


What to Consider:
While Monarch Money offers robust features, the subscription pricing might feel restrictive for couples seeking cost-effective solutions.

Plenty: A Free, Couples-Focused Alternative


Plenty offers the perfect alternative for couples looking for a user-friendly and affordable option.


Why Couples Love Plenty:

  1. 100% Free Budgeting and Net Worth Tracking: No subscription fees for these essential tools.

  2. Built for Collaboration: Easily track "what's ours" and “what’s mine” with a dashboard designed for couples.

  3. Earn More on Savings: Grow your money faster with a 4.14% 7-day yield* on savings.

  4. Personalized Goal Planning: Set and achieve goals like a wedding or a dream home with tools that simplify joint planning.

  5. Easy to Use: Intuitive features make managing finances together simple and stress-free.

The Verdict


Both Monarch Money and Plenty offer valuable tools for couples. However, Plenty provides a tailored, free experience that puts collaboration and growth at the forefront.

Start managing your finances with Plenty today for free.

About Plenty


Plenty is a wealth management platform designed specifically for couples. We go beyond budgeting, making it simple to invest, save, and grow toward your future goals by unlocking access to the financial strategies of the wealthy. Ready to get started? Sign up for free today.


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*Plenty's cash management product invests 99.5%+ of the portfolio in US-government backed securities as of January 3, 2025. Although the strategy seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. You could lose money by investing in the strategy. Plenty's cash management product is SIPC insured. An investment in the strategy is not a bank account and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The rate quoted is subject to change and will decrease or increase based on changes in market conditions, interest rates, among other factors. The rate quoted is net of transaction and advisory fees.

The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized recommendations or personalized investment advice. The type of strategies mentioned may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor should evaluate an investment strategy based on their unique circumstances before making any investment decisions.Investing involves risk, including risk of loss. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.Tax-loss harvesting involves certain risks, including, among others, the risk that the new investment could have higher costs than the original investment and could introduce portfolio tracking error into your accounts. There may also be unintended tax implications. We recommend that you consult a tax professional before taking action.Plenty does not provide legal or tax advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their own professional tax and investment advisors or other professionals (CPA, Financial Planner, Investment Manager) to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information.All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic, and geo-political conditions


AUTHOR

Emily Luk

CPA, CFA - CEO and Cofounder of Plenty

Emily is the ceo and cofounder of Plenty. Started by a husband and wife team, Plenty is a wealth platform built for modern couples to invest and plan towards their future, together. Previously, she was VP of Strategy and Operations at Even (acquired by Walmart/One) and a founding team member of Stripe's Growth and Finance & Strategy teams. She began her career as a VC, and was one of the youngest nationally to complete her CPA, CA and CFA designations.

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THIS SITE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS INVESTMENT ADVICE. This site/application has been prepared by Plenty and is not intended to be (and may not be relied on in any manner as) legal, tax, investment, accounting or other advice or as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of any investment product or any investment advisory service. The information contained in this site/application is superseded by, and is qualified in its entirety by, such offering materials. This site/application may contain proprietary, trade-secret, confidential and commercially sensitive information.