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Empower alternative
Looking for an Empower alternative?
Empower (formerly Personal Capital) has a good free dashboard for net worth and investment tracking. The catch is why it's free. Empower is a wealth-management firm, and the free tools are the top of a funnel to manage your money for a fee. It's also US-only.
Why people look for an Empower alternative
- Free, but you're the lead. The tools are free because Empower wants to manage your portfolio (its advisory service charges a percentage of the assets it manages, with a US$100,000 minimum). Expect a call from an advisor.
- US-only. Empower connects US institutions only, and signing up requires a US ZIP code and Social Security number. Canadians are out entirely.
- Investments-first. It's strongest at portfolio and net worth, lighter on everyday budgeting and cashflow.
OnTheBuck vs. Empower
| OnTheBuck | Empower | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✓ Yes, free to start (no card) | ✓ Yes (free tools) |
| Price | Free; Pro CAD $8/mo or $72/yr | Free (sells wealth management) |
| All accounts in one place | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Budgets & spending | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes (basic) |
| Cashflow view | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Investment tracking | ✓ Yes, incl. TFSA & RRSP | ✓ Yes (its focus) |
| Auto-categorization | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Multi-currency | ✓ Yes, USD and CAD in one base currency | ✕ USD only |
| Shared households | ✓ Yes | ✕ Limited |
| Multiple Spaces | ✓ Yes, keep personal, business & family separate | ✕ One account |
| Bank connections | Read-only via Plaid (Canadian banks) | US institutions only |
| Platforms | Web, iOS & Android | Web, iOS & Android |
The difference
Empower makes money managing money, so its "free" app is really a sales channel. OnTheBuck makes money the boring, honest way: a small subscription, if and when you want more than the free plan. And it's built for Canada, in CAD, with the accounts Canadians actually use.
Who should pick which
- Pick Empower if you're American, want free portfolio tracking, and don't mind a pitch for wealth management.
- Pick OnTheBuck if you want a Canadian money app with simple pricing and no upsell to an advisor.
Start free, no strings attached.
Competitor details are current as of 2026; check their site for the latest pricing and features.
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