Free subscription tracker vs paywalled budgeting app
PocketGuard hides subscription tracking behind its Plus paywall at $12.99/mo. SubHorizon gives you dedicated subscription intelligence for free — with AI parsing and analytics on paid plans at a fraction of the cost.
- Free tier (5 subscriptions)
- Pro: unlimited subs, analytics, multi-currency
- Max: AI parsing, smart recommendations
Budgeting app with subscription tracking behind paywall
Feature comparison
| Feature | SubHorizon | PocketGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | 100% subscription management | Full personal finance & budgeting |
| Pricing | Free / $1.99/mo / $5.99/mo | Free (limited) / $12.99/mo |
| Free tier value | 5 subs + analytics + calendar | 2 budget categories, no sub tracking |
| Subscription tracking | Core feature (all tiers) | Plus only ($12.99/mo) |
| AI receipt parsing | Yes (Max plan) | No |
| Pre-seeded AI tool catalog | Yes (18+ tools) | No |
| Bank login required | No (privacy-first) | Yes (required) |
| Multi-currency | 20+ currencies | USD primarily |
| Renewal alerts | 30/60/90-day proactive | Bill reminders (Plus only) |
| Spending analytics | Subscription-focused insights | "In My Pocket" overview |
| Platforms | Web (any device) | iOS / Android / Apple Watch |
| Budget goals | Yes | Yes (Plus only) |
| Calendar view | Yes | No |
| Export (PDF/CSV) | Yes | No |
The verdict
PocketGuard locks subscription tracking behind a $12.99/mo paywall. SubHorizon makes it the core product — free to start, with AI features at $5.99/mo. If you just need to track and manage subscriptions, SubHorizon delivers more value at every price point.
Choose SubHorizon if you want subscription tracking without a paywall, prefer privacy (no bank login), need multi-currency support, or want AI receipt parsing and analytics for less than PocketGuard Plus costs.
Choose PocketGuard if you want a full budgeting app with bank integration, need an Apple Watch app, or want the "In My Pocket" spending overview alongside subscription tracking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I track subscriptions on PocketGuard for free?
No. PocketGuard's free tier is limited to 2 budget categories and does not include subscription tracking. You need PocketGuard Plus at $12.99/mo for that feature. SubHorizon's free tier tracks 5 subscriptions with analytics and calendar view included.
Is SubHorizon available on mobile like PocketGuard?
SubHorizon is a responsive web app that works on any device with a browser — iPhone, Android, desktop, tablet. PocketGuard has native iOS, Android, and Apple Watch apps. Both work well on mobile, but PocketGuard has the edge for Apple Watch users.
Does PocketGuard have AI features?
PocketGuard does not offer AI receipt parsing or a pre-seeded tool catalog. It uses bank transaction data to categorize spending. SubHorizon's Max plan ($5.99/mo) includes AI parsing that extracts subscription details from receipts and screenshots — still cheaper than PocketGuard Plus.
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