Emma (Account Synching App) Alternatives?

Nick_C

Emma will be restricting its free "service" to two banks only with synching once a day from 26 April.

https://emma-app.com/blog/2023/04/12/new-emma-limits/

Can anyone recommend any free alternatives that allow synching with a dozen banks?

(I'm surprised at this move by Emma.  This free service provides them with a lot of valuable data.  YouGov Finance pays £200 a year for data like this.)

quirkydeptless

A shame as the free Emma was handy for a helicoptor view of multiple accounts. Not something I'd pay money for, so looks like I'll be ditching Emma.

When I was looking at these sort of apps, the alternative was Money Dashboard, but I went for Emma at the time. Not sure if others have appeared since then.

Nick_C

@quirkydeptless Thanks.  Moneydashboard looks particularly interesting, as you can also use it via a browser.

Nick_C

I've set up Money Dashboard and like the look of it so far.

I had a problem trying to set up Amex, but found the answer.  You need to add any Amex cards one at a time.

I've unlinked all my Open Banking connections from Emma's side, and deleted my Emma account.  However, when looking at my Bank Accounts, the Emma connections are still shown as active, so I am going via each bank and removing the permissions at the back end.

ibyvana

Money Dashboard apps haven't been updated in more than a year, so they could be closing shop soon.

quirkydeptless

ibyvana said:

Money Dashboard apps haven't been updated in more than a year, so they could be closing shop soon.

That's possible, and also there don't seem to be new entrants into this sort of app, so maybe the concept doesn't earn enough revenue for them. It was of some use to me as MSE mania led to me having lots of accounts and this was an easy one stop shop to keep an eye on them, but not something I've pay hard cash for, so if they can't make enough from the information they're being given or adverts then we'll have to wait and see what happens to Money Dashboard. Not tried MD for ages, and currently not able to log into it

About to find out how useful their support is.

glennevis

I've used Emma in the past but I now use Snoop (don't be put off by the name) on my android phone. It regularly nags you to upgrade to the paid version but the basic free version supports multiple accounts.

RG2015

I got the email too from Edoardo, Co-founder and CEO of Emma. Quickly followed up by an offer to get a 50% discount on Emma Pro to support me better during the change. Really? I pretty quickly deleted my account with them.

Still got Money Dashboard which is just as good for my purpose which is mainly quick balance checking on all of my balances.

May be worth checking both versions, Classic and Neon which have different features and functionality.

RG2015

quirkydeptless said:

ibyvana said:

Money Dashboard apps haven't been updated in more than a year, so they could be closing shop soon.

That's possible, and also there don't seem to be new entrants into this sort of app, so maybe the concept doesn't earn enough revenue for them. It was of some use to me as MSE mania led to me having lots of accounts and this was an easy one stop shop to keep an eye on them, but not something I've pay hard cash for, so if they can't make enough from the information they're being given or adverts then we'll have to wait and see what happens to Money Dashboard. Not tried MD for ages, and currently not able to log into it

About to find out how useful their support is.

I use Emma, Money Dashboard and NatWest open banking as my one stop shop * for my accounts. Sad that the First Direct aggregator offering was discontinued a few years back.

Each has a slightly different view but always very quick to refresh (unlike the FD one)

Anyway Emma has now been binned as my need does not stretch to parting with any of my dosh.

Edit. * I realise that this means I had three one stop shops. 

SaintAlf

Agree it's a shame about Emma, I have had Moneydashboard for years and tried it again a couple months ago but could not connect to Virgin credit card or BA American Express.  The former just seems not to work and the latter I'm wondering if it's because I'm the second cardholder.  But I don't need Emma enough to pay for it.

Nick_C

I've been able to link both my Virgin credit cards.  But I can't link the supplementary card I have on my OHs Amex Gold.