Why FinancialAha is the Best Alternative for Monarch Money
Privacy-first spreadsheets vs connected app
Monarch connects to your banks. FinancialAha stays in your Google Drive.
Monarch Money is a modern budgeting app that connects to your financial accounts. FinancialAha offers similar features - budgeting, net worth tracking, retirement planning - as spreadsheet templates you own.
- One-time purchase ($10-29)
- No bank connection needed
- Data stays in your Google Drive
- Includes retirement and FIRE planning
Monarch Money
- Automatic account syncing
- Real-time investment updates
- Polished web and mobile apps
- Collaborative household features
Feature Comparison
Side-by-Side Breakdown
| FinancialAha | Monarch Money | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| Price | $10-29 one-time | $99/year |
| Cost over 5 years | $10-29 total | $495 total |
| Free option | Free templates available | 7-day trial |
| Data & Privacy | ||
| Where data is stored | Your Google Drive | Monarch servers |
| Bank connection | Not needed | Core feature |
| What happens if service shuts down | Nothing - you own the file | Data migration needed |
| Features | ||
| Automatic transaction import | ||
| Investment tracking | Manual updates | Automatic |
| Customization | Complete | Limited |
Which is Right for You?
Making the Choice
Choose FinancialAha if...
- You don't want to connect bank accounts to any service
- You want retirement and FIRE planning alongside budgeting
- You prefer a one-time purchase over subscriptions
- You're comfortable with manual transaction entry
Choose Monarch Money if...
- Automatic bank syncing is a priority
- You want real-time investment updates
- You prefer a polished app interface
- Collaborative household features matter
Common Questions
Monarch Money vs FinancialAha FAQ
Does FinancialAha track investments like Monarch?
FinancialAha's Net Worth Tracker ($25) tracks investment values manually, and the Financial Planning template ($29) includes investment projections. There's no automatic syncing, but you own the data.
Does FinancialAha have retirement planning?
Yes. FinancialAha includes a Retirement Financial Planning template ($29), plus free Simple Retirement and Financial Freedom calculators. Monarch focuses more on current net worth than future projections.
Can couples share FinancialAha templates?
Yes - share the Google Sheet with your partner. Both can view and edit simultaneously, just like any Google document.
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team
Ready to get started?
Download instantly and start managing your finances, or contact us to design a custom template package for your needs.