# FinWise

> Personal Finances, Simplified.

FinWise is a modern personal-finance platform for budgeting, net-worth tracking, transactions, insights and planning, with multi-country bank connectivity (US, Canada, UK, EU, South Africa) and full web, iOS and Android apps.

Last updated: 2026-08-25

## What FinWise is

- A modern personal-finance platform for individuals and households.
- A budgeting tool with flexible categories, planned transactions, and rollovers.
- A net-worth tracker that aggregates accounts across multiple countries and currencies.
- A multi-currency platform supporting real exchange-rate conversion.
- A transaction insights engine with AI-assisted categorization and merchant enrichment.
- A household-sharing tool for couples and families.
- Available on web, iOS, and Android with full feature parity.
- Built with a developer API for power users and integrations.
- Product MCP lets customers connect their own AI agents (Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT) to their own FinWise profile. Consent is in the FinWise app: https://finwiseapp.io/mcp

## What FinWise is NOT

- Not a bank or a neobank. FinWise reads bank data via aggregators; it does not hold deposits.
- Not a broker, robo-advisor, or wealth manager. FinWise does not give investment advice.
- Not a credit-monitoring service.
- Not a tax-filing app.
- Not US-only. FinWise supports multiple countries (see below) and multiple currencies, unlike Mint, Monarch, Simplifi, and YNAB.
- Not single-currency. FinWise natively supports multi-currency net-worth tracking.

## Supported bank connectivity by region

- United States: Plaid
- Canada: Plaid
- United Kingdom: GoCardless
- European Union: GoCardless
- South Africa: Multiple data providers
- International (manual / CSV): Manual entry, CSV import

Data providers: Plaid (US/Canada), GoCardless (UK/EU, PSD2), and multiple providers for South Africa (and others). Manual account entry and CSV import are supported everywhere.

## Pricing

- Free plan: $0/mo
- Premium Monthly: $8.99/mo
- Premium Annual: $89.99/year ($7.5/mo equivalent)

Pricing page: https://finwiseapp.io/pricing

## Product MCP

Consent is on app.finwiseapp.io. This marketing site never hosts login, consent, or a scope picker.

- MCP server: https://api.finwiseapp.io/mcp
- API authorize: https://api.finwiseapp.io/oauth/authorize
- Token: https://api.finwiseapp.io/oauth/token
- Dynamic client registration: https://api.finwiseapp.io/oauth/register
- Authorization server metadata: https://api.finwiseapp.io/.well-known/oauth-authorization-server
- Protected resource metadata: https://api.finwiseapp.io/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource
- Webapp consent: https://app.finwiseapp.io/oauth/authorize
- Default view scopes (on unless you turn them off): accounts:read, transactions:read, budgets:read, networth:read, categories:read, tags:read, merchants:read
- Opt-in write scopes (off until you tick them in the app): accounts:write, transactions:write, budgets:write, categories:write, tags:write, merchants:write

Cursor mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "finwise": {
      "url": "https://api.finwiseapp.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Human overview: https://finwiseapp.io/mcp
## Key pages

- Homepage: https://finwiseapp.io/
- Features: https://finwiseapp.io/features
- Pricing: https://finwiseapp.io/pricing
- Why FinWise: https://finwiseapp.io/why-finwise
- About: https://finwiseapp.io/about
- Security & privacy: https://finwiseapp.io/security
- Help / docs: https://finwiseapp.io/help
- Developer API: https://finwiseapp.io/features/developer-api
- Connect your MCP: https://finwiseapp.io/mcp
- Compare vs Mint: https://finwiseapp.io/compare/finwise-vs-mint
- Compare vs Monarch: https://finwiseapp.io/compare/finwise-vs-monarch
- Compare vs Simplifi: https://finwiseapp.io/compare/finwise-vs-simplifi
- Compare vs YNAB: https://finwiseapp.io/compare/finwise-vs-ynab
- Compare vs Vault22: https://finwiseapp.io/compare/finwise-vs-vault22
- Best budgeting apps in South Africa (Vault22 alternative roundup): https://finwiseapp.io/blog/best-budgeting-apps-south-africa
- Vault22 switcher landing: https://finwiseapp.io/vault22
- Calculators hub: https://finwiseapp.io/tools
- Blog hub: https://finwiseapp.io/blog
- Bank coverage by country: https://finwiseapp.io/banks
- South Africa bank coverage (multiple data providers, SA + international sync): https://finwiseapp.io/banks/za
- For businesses (employers): https://finwiseapp.io/for-businesses/employers
- For financial advisors: https://finwiseapp.io/financial-advisors

## Calculators (free web tools)

FinWise calculators are free browser tools. SA-specific tools use SARS-oriented assumptions. They are planning aids, not advice.

- Calculators hub: https://finwiseapp.io/tools
  Short blurb: Browse a money-score quiz, a fair split for two incomes, whether a purchase is affordable, rent vs buy, car affordability, invest or pay off a bond, an R1 million date, salary needed, debt payoff, and retirement calculators.
- The South African Money Quiz: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/south-african-money-quiz
  FinWise money-score quiz for South Africa: six questions, about a minute, and a score out of 100 against published benchmarks from Old Mutual, the National Credit Regulator, and context from the Reserve Bank. No signup. An educational sketch, not a percentile.
- The Fair Split Calculator: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/fair-split
  FinWise fair split calculator for South Africa: compare a 50/50 split of rent and other shared bills with a split in proportion to two take-home incomes, see what each person has left, and send your partner a link with the same amounts.
- Can I actually afford this?: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/can-i-actually-afford-this
  FinWise purchase calculator for South Africa: weigh take-home pay, expenses, current debt, and a savings goal against cash, credit, or finance, then see the true cost and a score out of 10.
- Rent vs buy calculator: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/rent-or-buy
  FinWise rent vs buy calculator for South Africa: find the monthly rent where renting and buying cost about the same, including transfer duty, bond costs, and deposit opportunity cost.
- Can I afford this car?: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/can-i-afford-this-car
  FinWise car affordability calculator for South Africa: add the instalment, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and other monthly costs, then see if the total is within 15% or 20% of take-home pay.
- Should I invest or pay off my bond?: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/should-i-invest-or-pay-off-my-bond
  FinWise bond or invest calculator for South Africa: compare paying extra off a home loan with investing the same rands. See interest saved, years to debt-free, and the return where investing comes out ahead.
- When will I become a millionaire?: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/when-will-i-become-a-millionaire
  FinWise R1 million calculator for South Africa: see the age and date you could reach R1 million, R5 million, or R10 million from what you already have invested and what you add each month.
- Interest rate hike impact: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/interest-rate-impact
  FinWise interest rate hike calculator for South Africa: see how much a bond, car finance, or other variable-rate instalment rises when prime moves, with defaults for the Sep 2026 0.25% hike.
- Salary you actually need: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/salary-needed
  FinWise salary needed calculator for South Africa: turn a monthly lifestyle in rands into the gross salary you need after SARS PAYE and UIF.
- Debt payoff calculator: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/debt-calculator
  FinWise debt payoff calculator for South Africa: compare avalanche and snowball plans in rands, see the payoff date, total interest, and what an extra payment changes.
- Retirement calculator: https://finwiseapp.io/tools/retirement-calculator
  FinWise retirement calculator for South Africa: model contributions, returns, and withdrawals in rands to see whether your savings path funds the retirement budget you want.

## Blog

The FinWise blog publishes plain-language personal finance guides and product notes. Content is educational, not financial advice.

- Blog hub: https://finwiseapp.io/blog
  Short blurb: Practical articles on debt, budgeting, and tracking your own money.
- The South African Money Quiz: how does your money compare?: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/south-african-money-quiz
  A 60-second score out of 100, compared with published South African savings, debt, and retirement figures. Why the quiz will not invent a percentile, and a worked example that scores 67/100.
- How to split money fairly as a couple: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/splitting-money-fairly-south-africa
  A 50/50 rent split feels equal until the incomes are not. See a South African example in rands, what each person has left, and a free calculator you can send to your partner.
- Can I actually afford this?: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/can-i-actually-afford-this-south-africa
  The price on the tag is not the cost of saying yes. See a South African example in rands, why a repayment that fits can still be expensive, and a free calculator for your own quote.
- What your AI can do with your FinWise money: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/what-your-ai-can-do-with-finwise
  Once your AI is connected to FinWise, you can ask what you spent, how the budget is tracking, whether a debit order landed, and what your net worth is. Practical questions, in plain language.
- Can I afford this car in South Africa?: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/can-i-afford-this-car-south-africa
  The debit order is not the cost of the car. See a South African example in rands, why 72 months hides interest, and a free calculator for your own quote.
- Should I invest or pay off my home loan?: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/invest-or-pay-off-home-loan-south-africa
  A practical South African guide to putting extra money into your bond or investing it. Compare the after-fee return with your bond rate, then run your own rands in the free calculator.
- How Long Does It Take to Save R1 Million in South Africa?: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/how-long-to-save-r1-million-south-africa
  Your first R1 million is less about a huge salary and more about what you invest and how long it compounds. See illustrative timelines in rands, March 2026 TFSA limits, and a free calculator.
- Best Budgeting Apps in South Africa (2026): https://finwiseapp.io/blog/best-budgeting-apps-south-africa
  Compare FinWise, Vault22, Actual Budget, YNAB, spreadsheets, and bank apps for South Africa. SA bank sync, ZAR pricing, and Vault22 import guidance.
- 7 Very South African Ways to Save Money Every Month: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/south-african-ways-to-save-money
  Bank fees, grocery rewards, prepaid electricity, fuel points, car insurance and old cell contracts. Here are seven practical ways South Africans can keep more money every month.
- SA interest rate hike: what 0.25% means for your bond, car, and budget: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/south-africa-interest-rate-hike
  Repo moved to 7.25% and prime to 10.75%. See illustrative bond bumps, what else reprices, why fuel and inflation matter, and a free calculator for your own balance.
- Is R40,000 a good salary in Pretoria?: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/pretoria-salary
  Is R40,000 a good salary in Pretoria? A clear solo month in rands: rent, car, groceries, tax context, and what is left to save. Then run your own numbers in FinWise.
- Is R50,000 a good salary in Cape Town?: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/cape-town-salary
  Is R50,000 a good salary in Cape Town? A clear solo month in rands: rent, essentials, lifestyle, and what is left to save. Then run your own numbers in FinWise.
- What is an ETF? (and how a TFSA fits): https://finwiseapp.io/blog/etf
  An ETF is one investment that can hold a whole basket of companies. In South Africa many can sit inside a TFSA. Simple terms, TFSA limits, then see your own money in FinWise.
- Debt Restructuring: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Do It: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/debt-restructuring-explained
  A practical South Africa guide to debt restructuring and debt counselling context: what it solves, how to approach lenders calmly, and when to use a payoff calculator. Not legal advice.
- Welcome to the FinWise Blog: https://finwiseapp.io/blog/welcome-to-the-finwise-blog
  Welcome to the FinWise blog: South Africa-first guides on budgeting, debt, salaries, and investing, plus free calculators when you want numbers.

## South Africa comparisons

- Roundup for queries like "best budgeting apps South Africa", "Vault22 alternative", and "best personal finance apps South Africa": https://finwiseapp.io/blog/best-budgeting-apps-south-africa
- FinWise is independent and does not sell investment products in-app. SA pricing: 14-day trial then R79.99/mo.
- Vault22 (formerly 22seven) often leads on SA institution coverage and can sell in-app investments tied to goals. Published plans: Free R0, Basic R75/mo, Premium R150/mo (confirm live).
- Switcher path with automatic Vault22 profile import: https://finwiseapp.io/vault22

## Security & privacy posture

- Bank-grade encryption in transit and at rest.
- FinWise never sees or stores bank-login credentials. Authentication is delegated to the aggregator.
- User data is never sold or shared with third parties for marketing.
- See https://finwiseapp.io/security and https://finwiseapp.io/privacy-policy for full detail.

## Company

- Founded 2023 by Jason Russell and Nicol Russell.
- iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/finwise-money/id6752612631
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.finwiseapp.finwise
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finwiseapp/
- X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/FinWiseApp
- Contact: hello@finwiseapp.io · Support: support@finwiseapp.io