PocketGuard review
At a glance
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Free; Plus from $12.99/mo or $74.99/yr |
| Our rating | 6/10 |
| Category | Personal Finance |
| Best for | US users who want a low-effort 'safe to spend' number. |
| Not for | International users, privacy-focused users, or those wanting subscription intelligence. |
| Verdict | Simple 'how much can I spend' app with a decent subscriptions view — thin beyond the core loop. |
Data last updated 2026-08-13. Checked by the LemSubs research team.
PocketGuard's core loop is elegant: connect accounts, subtract bills and goals from your income, and show a single 'In My Pocket' number for the rest of the month. That framing works well for people who want a low-cognitive-load spending guard rather than a full budget.
The subscription view lists recurring charges and can spot forgotten ones. There is a light 'Save My Bill' referral to a negotiation partner, and the Plus tier unlocks more categories, custom rules, and richer reports. Depth is limited.
PocketGuard is not trying to be a budgeting platform like YNAB or a rich subscription tracker with arbitrage and refund-window logic. Bank connection is required, US coverage is much stronger than international, and the Plus pricing has crept up over time.
If a single 'safe to spend' number is what you want with subscriptions as a bonus, PocketGuard is a fine pick. For actual subscription optimisation, look elsewhere.
What works
- Elegant single-number framing
- Reasonable subscription list view
- Free tier is usable
- Bank sync via Plaid
What does not
- Bank connection required
- Plus pricing has crept upward
- US-focused
- No arbitrage or refund-window features
Scores by area
| Area | What we found | Score |
|---|---|---|
| In My Pocket framing | Single-number simplicity | 8/10 |
| Subscriptions view | Detects and lists recurring charges | 6/10 |
| Free tier usefulness | Reasonable without paying | 7/10 |
| Privacy | Bank connection required | 4/10 |
| International support | US-focused | 4/10 |
| Subscription intelligence | Detection only | 4/10 |
Best for
US users who want a low-effort 'safe to spend' number.
Not for
International users, privacy-focused users, or those wanting subscription intelligence.
Frequently asked questions
Is PocketGuard actually free?
The free tier works but Plus is where the more useful features sit.
Does it cancel subscriptions for me?
No — it flags them and can refer you to a partner service.
How does it compare to LemSubs?
PocketGuard is a 'safe to spend' app; LemSubs is a dedicated subscription tracker with intelligence PocketGuard does not attempt.