PocketSmith vs Rocket Money: Which budgeting app is best?
- Matthew
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
Budgeting isn’t just about saving pennies—it’s about making smarter choices with your money. Whether you’re juggling bills, saving for a holiday, or just trying to make your income stretch a little further, the right budgeting app can make all the difference.
In this article, we’re comparing two popular money management tools: PocketSmith, a flexible, forecasting-focused app with strong global support, and Rocket Money, a US-based app known for its subscription tracking and automation. They take different approaches to budgeting—so which one’s the better fit for you?
1. Budgeting Philosophy: Forecasting vs. Fixing Mistakes
Rocket Money focuses on tracking past spending. It gives you a clear view of where your money went, with helpful alerts when your spending spikes or bills go up. It’s a solid option for people looking to stay on top of expenses and avoid surprises.
PocketSmith takes a different approach. Instead of just showing you the past, it helps you plan for the future. Its calendar-based forecasting feature lets you model how your finances will look in the months ahead, based on your budgets, recurring expenses, and income.
Winner: PocketSmith – If you're looking to build a long-term financial plan, not just track spending after the fact, PocketSmith leads the way.
2. Subscription Tracking and Bill Alerts
Rocket Money shines when it comes to identifying and managing subscriptions. It scans your transactions for recurring charges, sends reminders, and even offers a cancellation service (although this is only available to premium users in the US). This feature is especially helpful if you’re trying to reduce financial clutter.
PocketSmith doesn’t have automatic cancellation tools, but it offers robust calendar budgeting, where you can manually set and track your recurring bills. If you prefer hands-on control and visibility over automation, this can be more than enough.
Toss-Up – Rocket Money is better for automation and ease, but PocketSmith offers more flexibility and ownership over your budgeting process.
3. Multi-Currency and International Support
Rocket Money is designed primarily for users in the United States. Its bank syncing, payment systems, and customer service are geared for a US-based audience. If you're banking elsewhere or earning in multiple currencies, Rocket Money may not be the right fit.
PocketSmith, by contrast, supports financial institutions in dozens of countries and offers robust multi-currency functionality. Whether you’re living abroad, earning income in different currencies, or just want a tool that works wherever you are, PocketSmith delivers.
Winner: PocketSmith – A better option for international users and remote workers with multi-currency needs.
4. Customisation and Depth
Rocket Money’s interface is clean and beginner-friendly, but it’s relatively limited when it comes to customisation. You can view transactions and trends, but you won’t find advanced tools for scenario planning or building complex budgets.
PocketSmith offers deep control over your budgeting. You can set up custom categories, tweak forecasts, build multiple budgets, and model different financial futures. While it may take a bit more time to get used to, the depth and flexibility are ideal for those who want to get truly hands-on.
Winner: PocketSmith – The learning curve is worth it for users who want to go beyond surface-level budgeting.
5. Pricing: What’s the Value?
Rocket Money offers a free plan with basic features, but key tools like subscription cancellation and advanced insights are locked behind a “name your price” premium plan. This model can be confusing, and not all premium users get the same value depending on what they pay.
PocketSmith also offers a free plan, but unlike many competitors, it includes useful features like budgeting, account tracking, and 6-month forecasting. Its paid plans are clearly priced and unlock automatic bank feeds, longer forecast windows, historical data, and more accounts.
Winner: PocketSmith – Offers real value in its free tier and transparency in its pricing.
PocketSmith vs Rocket Money: Pricing Comparison
Feature / Plan Tier | PocketSmith Free | PocketSmith Foundation | Rocket Money Free | Rocket Money Premium |
Monthly Price | $0 | $14.95 | $0 | $6–$12 (user-chosen) |
Annual Price (per month) | $0 | $9.99 | $0 | Not applicable |
Bank Feeds | Manual only | Automatic (1 country) | Automatic (US only) | Automatic (US only) |
Budgets | 12 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Accounts | 2 | Unlimited | Limited | Unlimited |
Forecasting Period | 6 months | 10 years | None | None |
Subscription Tracking | Manual via calendar | Manual via calendar | Automatic alerts | Automatic + cancellation help |
Multi-Currency Support | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Support Level | Basic | Help Center | Priority + Financial Experts | |
Special Features | Calendar forecasting | Historical data, dashboards | Spend tracking, alerts | Automated savings, data export, financial coaching |
Final Verdict: Choose the Tool That Matches Your Style
Feature | PocketSmith | Rocket Money |
Forecasting | Excellent | Limited |
Subscription Tracking | Basic | Strong |
International Support | Strong | US-focused |
Multi-Currency | Yes | No |
Customisation | High | Basic |
Free Plan | Useful | Limited |
PocketSmith vs Rocket Money, what's the answer? If you want a tool that helps you take charge of your finances, not just track them, PocketSmith is the stronger option. It gives you the flexibility and insight to make smarter decisions today and plan confidently for tomorrow.
Rocket Money is a good fit if you're looking for an easier way to monitor bills and cancel subscriptions. But if you're ready to move beyond reactive money management and start actively shaping your financial future, PocketSmith is the tool to trust.
Looking for practical reviews and tips for how to use PocketSmith? Check out the full library at PocketKiwi.com, including our detailed comparison of PocketSmith vs YNAB.
Happy budgeting!
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