Surplus Budget vs Monarch Money: Which Budget App Is Right for You?
Comparing Surplus Budget and Monarch Money side by side — pricing, crypto tracking, net worth features, and who each app is best for in 2026.
Surplus Budget vs Monarch Money: A Detailed Comparison
If you're looking for a Monarch Money alternative — or trying to decide between Surplus Budget and Monarch Money — this guide breaks down the key differences. (Looking for a broader overview? Check out our complete guide to Mint alternatives in 2026.) This comparison covers the details so you can pick the right app for how you actually manage money. You might also want to explore the 50/30/20 budget rule to see which budgeting philosophy resonates with you. Both apps aim to give you a complete financial picture, but they take meaningfully different approaches to budgeting, asset tracking, and pricing.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Surplus Budget | Monarch Money |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $12.99/mo or $89.99/yr | $14.99/mo or $99.99/yr |
| Free Trial | 7 days | 7 days |
| Platforms | iOS | iOS, Android, Web |
| Bank Connections | Via Plaid | Via Plaid, MX, Finicity |
| Cryptocurrency | 10,000+ coins tracked | Coinbase integration only |
| Real Estate | Zillow home values | Zillow home values |
| Investment Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Net Worth Dashboard | Yes — centered on "surplus" | Yes |
| Budgeting Style | Surplus-based (what you keep) | Category + flex budgeting |
| Couples/Sharing | No | Yes — free partner access |
| Ad-Free | Yes | Yes |
Pricing: Surplus Budget Is More Affordable
As of early 2026, Monarch Money costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Surplus Budget comes in at $12.99 per month or $89.99 per year. Both offer a 7-day free trial with full feature access.
That's a $10/year difference on the annual plan — not dramatic, but Surplus is the more affordable option. Neither app offers a permanent free tier, so both require a paid subscription after the trial ends.
One thing worth noting: Monarch occasionally runs promotions (they offered 50% off the first year for New Year 2026), so the effective first-year cost can vary. Surplus Budget's pricing is straightforward with no promotional tiers.
The Core Difference: "Surplus" vs Category Budgeting
The biggest philosophical difference is how each app answers the question: "Am I doing okay financially?"
Monarch Money uses a traditional category-based budgeting system. You set spending limits for groceries, dining, entertainment, and so on. Monarch also supports "flex budgeting," which gives you a lump sum for discretionary spending rather than rigid per-category limits. It's a flexible system that works well for people who like granular control over where every dollar goes.
Surplus Budget takes a different approach. Instead of asking you to categorize and cap every expense, it focuses on your surplus — the money you're actually keeping after everything is paid. Your surplus is calculated from your total income minus all outflows, giving you a single, clear number that answers whether you're moving forward financially or falling behind.
If you're curious about how the surplus concept works in practice, our guide on what net worth is and how to calculate it covers the fundamentals. This isn't just a labeling difference. It changes what you focus on day to day. With Monarch, you might worry about whether you went $30 over your dining budget. With Surplus, you see whether your overall financial position improved this month. Both perspectives have value — it depends on whether you prefer micro-managing categories or tracking the bigger picture.
Cryptocurrency Tracking: Where Surplus Pulls Ahead
This is where the apps diverge significantly.
Surplus Budget tracks over 10,000 cryptocurrencies. If you hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, or even smaller altcoins, they're all reflected in your net worth automatically. For anyone with a diversified crypto portfolio, this is a major advantage — your budget app actually reflects your complete financial picture.
Monarch Money supports cryptocurrency tracking through Coinbase integration. If your crypto lives on Coinbase, Monarch will pull in those balances. But if you use other exchanges, cold wallets, or hold coins not listed on Coinbase, Monarch won't capture those holdings.
For casual crypto holders with everything on Coinbase, Monarch's approach works fine. For anyone with a broader crypto portfolio, Surplus Budget provides significantly more comprehensive tracking.
Real Estate and Home Value Tracking
Both apps connect to Zillow to display estimated home values, so you'll see your real estate equity reflected in your net worth on either platform. This is a feature that many budgeting apps still don't offer (YNAB, for example, doesn't connect to Zillow), so both Surplus and Monarch are ahead of most competitors here.
Investment Tracking
Both Surplus Budget and Monarch Money track investment accounts. You can link brokerage and retirement accounts to see your portfolio balances alongside your checking, savings, and credit card accounts.
Monarch offers a bit more detail in its investment views — you can see holdings breakdowns and performance over time. However, neither app is designed to replace a dedicated investment platform like Fidelity or Schwab for portfolio analysis. They're budgeting apps that include investment balances for a complete net worth picture.
Platform Availability
Monarch Money is available on iOS, Android, and the web. The web version is particularly well-regarded for deeper analysis and report building.
Surplus Budget is iOS-only. If you're an iPhone user, this isn't a limitation. But if you need Android or desktop access, Monarch is the more flexible option.
Collaboration and Couples Budgeting
Monarch Money allows you to invite a partner, family member, or even a financial advisor to your account at no extra cost. Both users see the full financial picture, and transactions can be assigned for review. This is one of Monarch's standout features and a major selling point for households managing money together.
Surplus Budget is currently a single-user app. If shared budgeting is a priority, Monarch has the edge here.
User Experience and Setup
Monarch Money has been around since 2019 and has had years to refine its interface. Reviews consistently praise its clean design and intuitive layout, though some users note that the sheer number of features can feel overwhelming during initial setup. The desktop experience tends to be stronger than mobile for detailed analysis.
Surplus Budget is designed as a mobile-first iOS app. The interface is streamlined around the core concept of your surplus number, which makes it quicker to set up and easier to check daily. If you want something you can glance at in 10 seconds to know where you stand, Surplus excels at that simplicity.
Account Connectivity
Monarch Money connects to over 13,000 financial institutions using three data providers (Plaid, MX, and Finicity). The multiple provider approach means that if one connection fails, there may be an alternative path. That said, some users on review sites report occasional syncing issues, particularly with certain institutions like Fidelity.
Surplus Budget uses Plaid for bank connections, which covers most major banks and credit unions. The single-provider approach is simpler but offers fewer fallback options if a specific institution has connectivity issues.
Who Should Choose Surplus Budget?
Surplus Budget is the better choice if you:
- Want a simpler budgeting philosophy — focus on what you're keeping, not micro-managing categories
- Hold a diversified crypto portfolio — with 10,000+ coins tracked, it's far more comprehensive than Monarch's Coinbase-only approach
- Prefer a mobile-first experience — designed specifically for iPhone users who want quick daily check-ins
- Want lower pricing — $10/year less than Monarch on the annual plan
- Want banking, investments, crypto, and real estate in one view — a true all-in-one financial snapshot
Who Should Choose Monarch Money?
Monarch Money is the better choice if you:
- Budget as a couple or household — the free partner access is a major advantage
- Want granular category budgeting — Monarch's category and flex budgeting systems offer more control over individual spending areas
- Need cross-platform access — available on iOS, Android, and web
- Prefer a mature, established platform — Monarch has been refining its product since 2019 with consistent feature additions
- Want a powerful desktop experience — Monarch's web app is excellent for deep analysis and report building
The Bottom Line
Both Surplus Budget and Monarch Money are strong budget apps — they're both ad-free, subscription-based, and focused on giving you a complete financial picture. The right choice comes down to what matters most to you.
If you're an iPhone user who wants a streamlined view of your entire financial life — especially if you hold crypto beyond Coinbase — Surplus Budget offers a more comprehensive snapshot at a lower price. Its surplus-based approach cuts through the noise and tells you the one number that matters: whether you're getting ahead.
If you manage money as a couple, want detailed category budgets, or need access across multiple devices, Monarch Money's broader platform support and collaboration features make it the stronger pick.
Ready to see your surplus? Try Surplus Budget free for 7 days and see your complete financial picture — banking, investments, crypto, and real estate — in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surplus Budget cheaper than Monarch Money?
Yes. As of early 2026, Surplus Budget costs $12.99/month or $89.99/year, while Monarch Money costs $14.99/month or $99.99/year. Both offer a 7-day free trial.
Can Monarch Money track all cryptocurrencies?
Monarch Money tracks crypto through Coinbase integration, which means it only captures balances held on Coinbase. Surplus Budget tracks over 10,000 cryptocurrencies regardless of where you hold them.
Does Surplus Budget work on Android?
No, Surplus Budget is currently iOS-only. If you need an Android app, Monarch Money is available on both iOS and Android, plus the web.
Can I share my Surplus Budget account with my partner?
Surplus Budget is currently a single-user app. Monarch Money allows free partner access, making it the better option for couples budgeting together.
Which app is better for tracking net worth?
Both apps track net worth well. Surplus Budget includes broader crypto coverage (10,000+ coins) and focuses your attention on your surplus — the money you're actually keeping. Monarch Money offers strong net worth tracking with more detailed investment views and couples support. The best choice depends on your asset mix and whether you budget with a partner.
Do both apps track home values?
Yes. Both Surplus Budget and Monarch Money connect to Zillow to estimate your home's current market value and include it in your net worth calculation.
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