A Guide to Smarter Money Management with Monarch Money

August 5, 2025 By Nick Anderson No Comments 6 minutes

Managing your money should not be a puzzle. Monarch Money helps people budget, monitor investments, and plan with others in a non-intimidating manner. Well, it is time to take a look at how Monarch Money can ensure that you achieve mastery over your money.

Guide to Smarter Money Management with Monarch Money

Note: FastestVPN is a way to keep your bank details safe when using Monarch Money. It is also an added security to your connectivity with the internet that allows you to manage your personal affairs without fear of being hacked by hackers.

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What is Monarch Money?

Monarch Money is a 2019 app subscription-type solution to grouping money. It links with more than 13,000 banks and institutions, which unite your accounts in one application. It is free with no advertisements on the web, iOS, and Android. As Mint stopped operating in 2024, Monarch Money emerged as one of the places to go when needed.

Why Go with Monarch Money?

Monarch Money combines ease of use with powerful features. Here’s why it stands out:

Manage All Your Money Together: It connects all of your bank accounts, credit cards, investments, loans, and property or crypto in one place that you can search. There is no need to open different apps or websites. FastestVPN makes these connections secure even in public Wi-Fi networks.
Customisable: You can design the main screen of the app to prioritise what is important to you, whether that is your budget, spending patterns, or investment growth. It is constructed to suit your priorities.
Made to Share: Monarch Money is designed to be used with a partner or advisor, and with no additional costs. You will be able to monitor mutual goals or discuss expenditures. FastestVPN makes such shared sessions anonymous.
No Popups, Just Control: Monarch Money clears your screen of all ad placements and sales pitches, so that you have a clean place to spend your hard-earned coin.
Excellent Security: The application is highly encrypted and can only be used to check your accounts, and the transfer of money is not possible. To cover this up, you can add FastestVPN and hide your online activity even further.

What Monarch Money Offers

Monarch Money provides tools to simplify financial tasks. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

Connecting Accounts and Monitoring Spending

Monarch Money connects with thousands of financial institutions and imports it into the software as live account data. It also categorizes transactions, such as food or travel, but you can also create your own categories. In case anything goes wrong, you can rectify the same or establish a rule on how to correct it next time. The flagging of transactions viewed is also possible to help identify errors or fraud in a timely manner.

If you manage multiple accounts, Monarch Money’s search tool makes finding transactions quick and easy. When checking accounts on public networks, FastestVPN keeps your data secure.

Budgeting That Fits You

Monarch Money offers two budgeting styles: Category Budgeting for detailed tracking and Flex Budgeting for a simpler view, splitting expenses into fixed, flexible, or occasional costs. This works for planners who love specifics or those who want a quick snapshot. Progress bars and alerts show how you’re doing, helping you stay on course.

For those who like every dollar to have a purpose, Monarch Money supports zero-based budgeting. If your income fluctuates, its cash flow tools help you plan around the changes.

Saving for What Matters

Monarch Money will allow you to create specific goals in order to save for whatever you need. You may set and track goals against the accounts, and know how much you have to save every month. A set of objectives can be shared by couples, with everyone on the same track.

Tracking Investments and Wealth

Monarch Money doesn’t have enough budgeting features. It also monitors your investments and tells you how they’re doing. Charts show your net worth, your expenses over time, or your cash flow. It is best for long-term financial growth.

Keeping Tabs on Subscriptions and Bills

The app flags recurring charges, like streaming or gym memberships, and shows them in a list or calendar. This makes it easy to spot subscriptions you don’t need. It also tracks credit card balances and payment dates to help you avoid late fees.

Tailored Financial Tips

Monarch Money gets smarter as you use it, organizing transactions better over time. You can ask questions like, “How much did I spend on groceries last year?” and get clear answers, helping you understand your habits.

Staying Secure with FastestVPN

Managing money online requires strong security. FastestVPN pairs well with Monarch Money by:

Protecting Your Data: It encrypts your internet activity, keeping bank details safe from threats.
Hiding Your Identity: FastestVPN masks your location, stopping trackers from watching your moves.
Access from Anywhere: Use Monarch Money worldwide, even in places with tight internet rules.
Private Browsing: It’s no-logs policy ensures your online actions stay confidential.

With FastestVPN, you can use Monarch Money securely, whether at home or traveling.

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Monarch Money vs. Other Apps

Monarch Money is better than Rocket Money or YNAB because of its collaborative planning capabilities, no ads, and following investments. Rocket Money does not have as much depth as Monarch Money and therefore offers a free plan. NAB uses a zero-based budgeting, but the cash flow-tracking in Monarch Money is more fitting when it comes to non-regular incomes. It also allows the Mint users to upload their data, making the switch easier.

The downside? Monarch Money charges 14.99 USD per month or 99.99 USD per year with a trial period of 7 days. Although it is not free, it provides enough features and a tidy design that make it worth it.

FAQs

What’s Monarch Money, and who should use it?

Monarch Money is a paid app for budgeting, tracking investments, and setting goals. It’s perfect for individuals or couples wanting a clear, ad-free tool to manage finances alone or together.

How much does Monarch Money cost?

It’s $14.99/month or $99.99/year, with a 7-day trial. No free plan, but the tools make it worth it for dedicated users.

Is Monarch Money secure?

Yes, it uses strong encryption and is view-only, so your money is safe. FastestVPN adds protection by securing your connection and hiding your location.

Can I use Monarch Money with my partner?

Yes, it’s built for couples, letting you add a partner or advisor for free to track goals and spending together.

How does Monarch Money compare to Mint?

It’s a solid Mint alternative with similar account linking and budgeting, but better sharing tools and no ads. You can import Mint data for an easy switch.

Final Thoughts

Monarch Money provides an easy, flexible platform for finances. The budgeting, shared planning, and investment tracking tools present it in a way perfect for those serious about finances. It’s worth the cost of a subscription, ad-free design, along with the full features. Combine it with FastestVPN and have your data secure, in the comfort of your home, or while you’re on the go. Start making a better financial future with Monarch Money.