# PocketGuard・Budget Planner App vs Cashews

The clearest difference is monetization model: PocketGuard・Budget Planner App at free with in-app purchases against Cashews's subscription. PocketGuard・Budget Planner App also leads on ratings volume (7.7K vs 69) and chart position (#80 vs unranked). Cashews's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PocketGuard・Budget Planner App sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Cashews sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PocketGuard・Budget Planner App holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PocketGuard・Budget Planner App has 7.7K ratings behind it against 69, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 39% of PocketGuard・Budget Planner App's written reviews are positive against 50% of Cashews's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

PocketGuard・Budget Planner App ships an update every 3 weeks, Cashews every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PocketGuard・Budget Planner App | Cashews |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (7.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketguardbudget-planner-app/id949414211/reviews)** | [4.4 (69 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cashews/id1582436070/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.7K** | 69 |
| Positive reviews | 38.7% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#80** | — |
| Size | 163 MB | 76 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PocketGuard, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1435880178) | [Cashews Finance LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1582436072) |

## What reviewers say

### PocketGuard・Budget Planner App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketguardbudget-planner-app/id949414211)

**Currently charting:** #80 Top Grossing · Finance (US App Store)

This app simplifies personal finance by automatically tracking expenses and bills. It helps you understand your disposable income, analyze spending habits, and manage subscriptions to save money. Set financial goals and create debt-payoff plans with smart algorithms.

**Highlights:** Automatic expense tracking, Bill and subscription monitoring, Disposable income calculation, Spending habit analysis, Financial goal setting, Debt-payoff plan creation

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly offer with 7 day trial | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| PocketGuard Plus | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| PocketGuard Plus | $7.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription | $7.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscriptions | $12.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $12.99 | per month |
| PocketGuard Plus | $24.99 | per year |
| PocketGuard Plus | $34.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $74.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Membership | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient app that helps track spending
- 👍 Customizable budgeting categories
- 🚀 Real-time transaction updates
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🚀 Helpful for getting finances under control

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Recurring issues with bank account syncing
- 🔒 Security concerns with 2FA/MFA requirements
- 🚫 Lack of support for certain banks/credit cards
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Buggy app performance and frequent crashes

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent transaction syncing and labeling
- Inability to delete or manage connected accounts
- Budgeting data disappearing or not updating properly

**Requested features**

- Ability to carry over unspent budget to next month
- More advanced reporting and analytics
- Light/dark mode theme options
- Improved transaction categorization and learning
- Support for multiple users/family budgeting


### Cashews

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cashews/id1582436070)

This app analyzes your income and expenses to tell you how much you can safely spend. It offers a unique approach to budgeting by focusing on your current financial health rather than rigid categories. Make informed decisions with a 'Can I afford it?' widget and achieve your financial goals.

**Highlights:** Connect to bank accounts, Analyze income and expenses, Predictive cash flow algorithm, Spendable money calculation, Financial goal setting, 'Can I afford it?' widget, Automated account syncing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cashews Finance Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $8.99 | per month |
| Quarterly | $13.49 | per 3 months |
| Quarterly | $19.99 | per 3 months |
| Cashews Finance Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $69.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PocketGuard・Budget Planner App free?

PocketGuard・Budget Planner App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Cashews free?

Cashews is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PocketGuard・Budget Planner App or Cashews?

PocketGuard・Budget Planner App is rated higher. PocketGuard・Budget Planner App averages 4.6 out of 5 from 7.7K ratings, while Cashews averages 4.4 from 69 ratings.

### Do PocketGuard・Budget Planner App or Cashews have ads?

PocketGuard・Budget Planner App shows ads; Cashews does not.

### Which is updated more often, PocketGuard・Budget Planner App or Cashews?

PocketGuard・Budget Planner App ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cashews every 3 days. Most recently, PocketGuard・Budget Planner App was updated on September 23, 2026 and Cashews on September 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*