Steady vs PocketSmith, Which NZ Finance App Is Better?

Bank connectivity and transaction syncing

Both Steady and PocketSmith use Akahu to connect to New Zealand banks, so you get the same coverage, ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, Westpac, and many more. Where they differ is what happens after your transactions arrive. PocketSmith uses rule-based categorisation where you set up matching rules over time. Steady uses AI to automatically categorise transactions from day one, learning from your spending patterns without requiring manual setup.

Forecasting and planning

Steady forecasts your cash flow up to 90 days ahead, with income and bill timing built in, and answers "can I afford this?" directly in the AI chat. Ask it in plain English and it models the answer against your real data: cash runway out to 180 days, savings simulations like "what if I cut $200 a month from dining", and a recalculated ETA showing how that change moves your goal date. No scenario builder to learn.

PocketSmith's difference is range: it projects up to 60 years out. That sounds impressive, but a multi-decade projection compounds assumptions about your income, inflation, interest rates and life changes that nobody can predict, so the output looks precise while telling you very little. Steady deliberately forecasts the window where the numbers are real and the decisions actually get made, this pay cycle and the next few months, and answers the one-off affordability questions as they come up. If you genuinely want multi-decade modelling, PocketSmith does it; for most people it is a different product category rather than a better one.

AI and smart features

Steady is built around AI from the ground up. You can ask questions like "How much did I spend on groceries last month?" or "Am I on track for my holiday fund?" and get instant answers in plain English. Voice input lets you interact hands-free. PocketSmith doesn't currently offer an AI assistant, though their reporting and visualisation tools are comprehensive for people who prefer to explore data visually.

Motivation and engagement

Managing money is one of those things most people know they should do but struggle to stick with. Steady tackles this with gamification, you earn XP for financial actions, build streaks, and unlock achievements. It turns the mundane task of checking your finances into something you actually want to do. PocketSmith takes a more traditional approach, which works well for detail-oriented planners who are already motivated.

Pricing and value

Both apps offer free tiers, and both include automatic bank feeds. PocketSmith's free plan limits the forecast to 6 months; their paid plans start at NZ$9.99/month billed annually (NZ$14.95 monthly) and stretch the projection to 10, 30 or 60 years depending on tier. Steady's free tier includes live Akahu bank sync and spending tracking out of the box. Steady Plus at $$12.99/month (or $$129/year) unlocks 200 coach questions a month, unlimited bank connections, 90-day forecasting, net worth, and investment and KiwiSaver tracking.

Track record and maturity

PocketSmith was founded in Dunedin in 2008 and has grown into one of the most respected personal finance tools globally, with users in over 100 countries. They have a mature platform, dedicated mobile apps, and a deep feature set refined over 15+ years. Steady is newer to the market but is building on modern AI technology and a mobile-first design philosophy. If you value a proven track record, PocketSmith has it. If you want the latest in AI-powered finance management, Steady is pushing the envelope.