Monarch Money Free Trial 2026: 7 Days, Card Required
Monarch Money offers a 7-day free trial, and Monarch's pricing page says a payment method is required to start it. If you do not cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends, you are billed automatically for the plan you picked at signup: $14.99 a month or $99.99 a year for Core, or $199.99 a year for Plus.
That makes the Monarch Money free trial short but straightforward. Seven days is enough to see whether Monarch fits, but only if you use them well and keep an eye on the clock. This guide covers what the trial includes, what happens when it ends, the current discount, how to cancel without being charged, and a day-by-day plan for the week. For the full plan breakdown, see our Monarch Money pricing guide.
How Long Is the Monarch Free Trial, and Do You Need a Card?
The Monarch Money trial length is 7 days. Monarch's site headlines it as "Your first week is on us," and the pricing page spells out the terms under each plan: a free 7-day trial, then the plan price, with a note to cancel in settings before the trial ends. Each of those notes also says "Payment method required."
So unlike YNAB, which lets you start without a card when you sign up directly, the Monarch free trial asks for card details up front. Nothing is charged during the week, but the card is on file for when the trial converts.
A few other details from Monarch's help center:
- Both tiers have a trial. Core and Plus each start with 7 days free. Plus is annual only, so its trial converts straight into a yearly charge.
- You get full access. The trial is the real product, not a limited version. You connect accounts, build a budget, and use the AI assistant the same way a paying member would.
- One trial per signup path. Monarch notes that switching from App Store billing to web billing later does not start a new free trial.
- US and Canada only. Monarch's FAQ says the app is currently available only in those two countries.
If you sign up through the App Store or Google Play, the store handles the trial and the billing. That matters later, because it changes how you cancel and who can refund you.
What Happens When the Monarch Trial Ends
Monarch's FAQ is clear about timing: you are billed at the end of your free trial, and the subscription auto-renews until you cancel. To avoid the charge, cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends. If you cancel early, you still keep access for the rest of the trial week.
The amount you are charged depends on the plan you chose when you started. Monarch's pricing page lists it directly under each plan:
| Plan | After the 7-day trial | Effective monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Core, monthly | $14.99 a month | $14.99 |
| Core, annual | $99.99 a year | About $8.33 |
| Plus, annual only | $199.99 a year | About $16.67 |
So how much is Monarch really? For most people it is $99.99 a year on annual Core. Paying monthly costs $179.88 over a year, which is close to the price of Plus. Our Monarch Core vs Plus guide covers whether the Plus features are worth the higher tier.
If you do get charged and change your mind, Monarch's money-back guarantee helps. Its help center says that if at any point after purchase you decide Monarch is not for you, it will refund the remaining time on your subscription. When the refund is issued, the subscription is canceled and Premium access ends immediately. App Store subscriptions are not eligible, because Apple handles those refunds directly.
The Monarch Money Discount: Code WELCOME
As of late October 2026, Monarch's site advertises 30% off Core for one year with the code WELCOME. On a $99.99 annual Core plan, that brings the first year to about $70.
The fine print narrows who can use it. From Monarch's pricing page and its Discounts and Promotions help article:
- New members only, and it cannot be combined with other offers.
- Annual Core only. Promo codes cannot be applied to Plus or to monthly plans.
- Direct billing only. Codes do not work on subscriptions bought through Apple's App Store or Google Play, so sign up on the web if you want the Monarch Money discount.
- Apply it during the trial. Codes can be redeemed in the signup flow or later under Settings, Billing, Manage subscription on the web, as long as you are still in your free trial. Monarch says it cannot apply promotions retroactively to a subscription that has already been billed.
- One use per household. If you cancel and come back later, you cannot use the same code again.
- Codes expire. Monarch says most are only available for a limited time.
The practical takeaway: if you plan to keep Monarch, pick annual Core on the web and add the code before day 7. The discount covers the first year, so plan on $99.99 at renewal.
How to Cancel Monarch Before You Are Charged
Cancel at least 24 hours before your trial ends. The steps depend on where you signed up.
Signed up on Monarch's website:
- Open Billing Settings on the web. Monarch notes this page is web only.
- Select Manage subscription.
- Select Cancel Subscription and confirm.
If you do not see a cancel option, you are probably a household member rather than the household admin. Only the admin can cancel.
Signed up on iPhone: open the Settings app, tap your name, tap Subscriptions, choose Monarch, then Cancel Subscription. Monarch staff cannot see App Store subscriptions, so refunds go through Apple.
Signed up on Android: open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile picture, then Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions, and choose Monarch.
What happens to your data after you cancel is worth knowing before you connect everything. Monarch says canceling does not delete your data, and you can still log in to download your history. After 30 days, your financial connections disconnect and nothing new syncs. Deleting your account is a separate, permanent step, and Monarch recommends downloading your transactions first. If how Monarch connects to your bank matters to your decision, our guide to whether Monarch Money is safe covers its security and data handling.
A 7-Day Checklist for Evaluating Monarch
A week passes quickly, and bank connections can take a day to settle. Treat the trial as a short project with a deadline, not a casual look.
Finny app's custom month start feature
One thing to test in any budgeting app is whether your month can match how you get paid. The screen above is Finny's custom month start, where the month can begin on any day from the 1st to the 28th. If your paycheck lands on the 25th, check how the app you are trying handles that before you judge its budgets.
- Day 1: set a reminder for day 5. That leaves a full day of buffer before the 24-hour cutoff.
- Day 1: connect every account you use. Checking, cards, savings, loans, and investments. A connection that fails or needs repeated fixing is a real finding.
- Day 2: review categorization. Count how many transactions you had to recategorize, then set up rules for the repeat offenders.
- Day 3: build a budget for your main categories, and see whether the Cash Flow view matches your sense of the month.
- Day 4: invite your partner if you share money. Monarch includes household members at no extra cost, so this is part of what you are paying for.
- Day 5: try the AI assistant and reports. Ask a real question, like how much you spent on dining last month.
- Day 6: decide. Did Monarch show you something you did not already know? If not, cancel. If yes, add the WELCOME code on the web before the trial ends.
For a fuller look at what Monarch does well and where it falls short, read our Monarch Money review.
Alternatives With Longer Trials or a Free Tier
If 7 days with a card on file feels tight, other apps give you more room. We checked each on the company's own site.
| App | Free trial | Card to start | Price after trial | Bank link required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monarch Money | 7 days | Required | $14.99/mo or $99.99/yr (Core) | Yes |
| Quicken Simplifi | None (30-day refund) | Pay up front | $3.99/mo billed annually first year, then $6.99/mo | Yes |
| YNAB | 34 days | Not when signing up direct | $14.99/mo or $109/yr | Optional |
| Copilot Money | 1 month | Not stated | $18/mo or $109/yr (limited-time yearly offer) | Yes |
| Finny | 3 days for Pro | None for the free tier | Pro costs a low monthly or yearly price | No |
Quicken Simplifi
Simplifi has no free trial at all. You pay for the year up front and can get a full refund within 30 days. Our Quicken Simplifi free trial guide explains how that refund window works.
YNAB
YNAB's 34-day trial is the longest here, and signing up directly does not require a card. It costs $14.99 a month or $109 a year, and college students can get a free year.
Copilot Money
Copilot offers a one-month free trial on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and web, then $18 a month or $109 a year on its current yearly offer.
Finny
Finny has a free tier with no time limit and no bank connection on any plan, so there is no trial clock on the basics.
Finny app's AI chat feature
The free tier covers unlimited manual entries, custom categories, and budgets with rollover. Pro adds AI input, where a typed sentence like the one above becomes an entry, plus Tap to Track, which logs card payments as you make them. Pro has a 3-day free trial.
This video shows Tap to Track logging a card payment with no bank connection:
Common Questions About the Monarch Money Free Trial
How long is the Monarch Money free trial?
The Monarch Money free trial lasts 7 days, and Monarch's site describes it as "Your first week is on us." Both the Core and Plus plans include the trial. You are billed at the end of the week for the plan you chose at signup unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends. If you cancel early, you keep access for the rest of the week.
Do you need a credit card for the Monarch free trial?
Yes. Monarch's pricing page says "Payment method required" under each plan's free trial terms. Nothing is charged during the 7 days, but your card is billed automatically when the trial ends unless you cancel in settings first. If you sign up through the App Store or Google Play, the store's own payment method is used and the store handles billing.
Is there a Monarch Money discount code?
As of late October 2026, Monarch advertises 30% off Core for one year with the code WELCOME, which brings annual Core to about $70 for the first year. It is for new members only, works only on annual Core billed directly by Monarch, and cannot be used on Plus, monthly plans, or App Store and Google Play subscriptions. Apply it during your trial.
Can I get a refund after the Monarch trial ends?
Usually, yes. Monarch's money-back guarantee says that if you decide at any point after purchase that it is not for you, it will refund the remaining time on your subscription. The refund cancels your subscription and ends access immediately. Subscriptions bought through Apple's App Store are not eligible from Monarch and must be refunded by Apple.
Want to budget without a trial clock or a card on file? Download Finny and start on the free tier with no bank connection and no account required, then try Pro free for 3 days when you want AI input and Tap to Track.
