Summary:
- Empower, Monarch, and Quicken only work in the US/Canada: If you live in the UK, Australia, Europe, or Asia – you cannot use them. Period.
- They’re heavily recommended but geographically locked: You’ll see them topping “best finance app” lists, but those lists rarely mention they’re useless outside North America.
- Know Your Dosh works in every country worldwide: Available globally with multi-currency support and family collaboration, plus already downloaded in 75 countries.
You’re in London, Sydney, or Singapore searching for a net worth tracker.
You find Empower (formerly Personal Capital), Monarch Money, and Quicken everywhere in top of “best finance app” lists, praised on Reddit, recommended by YouTubers.
You think: “Perfect, exactly what I need.”
Then you discover: They don’t work in your country.
Not “limited features.” Not “some restrictions.” They literally do not work at all outside the United States and Canada.
This guide explains why these popular apps are geographically locked and shows you the global alternative that actually works.
Quick Comparison: US-Only Apps vs Global Alternative
| Feature | Empower | Monarch Money | Quicken | Know Your Dosh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countries | 🇺🇸 US only | 🇺🇸🇨🇦 US & Canada | 🇺🇸🇨🇦 US & Canada | 🌍 Every country |
| Works in UK/EU/Asia | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Multi-Currency | USD only | USD/CAD | Limited | ✅ 150+ currencies |
| Family Collaboration | Basic | ✅ Good | Minimal | ✅ Built for families |
| Pricing | Free | $100/year | $35-$107/year | £4.99-14.99/month |
What “Doesn’t Work” Actually Means
These aren’t “US-focused with international options.” They’re US-only, period.
❌ Cannot download the mobile app outside US/Canada app stores
❌ Cannot connect to banks outside North America
❌ No support for non-US/CAD currencies
❌ Terms of service restrict use to US/Canada
Even with a VPN, you still can’t connect your actual bank accounts.
1. Empower – US Only, No Exceptions
What It Is (For Americans)
Empower offers free net worth tracking for US users:
- Net worth dashboard with unlimited US accounts
- Excellent investment portfolio analysis
- Retirement planning calculator
- Links to 14,000+ US financial institutions
- Completely free
Why It Doesn’t Work Internationally
Empower only operates in the United States.
From their support docs: “Empower Personal Dashboard cannot link international accounts.”
What happens if you try:
- UK: Cannot download app, cannot connect Barclays or HSBC
- Australia: Cannot download app, cannot connect CommBank or ANZ
- Europe: Cannot download app, cannot connect any European bank
- Only supports USD
User complaints:
- “Moved to the UK and Empower is completely useless now”
- “Won’t even let me create an account from Australia”
2. Monarch Money – US & Canada Only
What It Is (For North Americans)
Monarch Money is a premium finance app with beautiful UX:
- Modern interface across web and mobile
- Net worth tracking and budgeting
- Strong couples/family collaboration
- Goal tracking and reports
- Winner of WSJ “Best Overall Budgeting App 2024”
Why It Doesn’t Work Internationally
Monarch operates in US and Canada only (Canada support launched Dec 2023, still limited).
From their Help Center: “Monarch Money is available in the United States and Canada.”
What happens if you try:
- UK: App not found in UK App Store
- Australia: Cannot connect Australian banks
- Europe: No EUR support, cannot link European accounts
- Only supports USD and basic CAD
Pricing: $99.99/year or $14.99/month (no free tier)
3. Quicken – US & Canada Only, Discontinued Elsewhere
What It Is (For North Americans)
40-year-old personal finance software with two products:
- Quicken Simplifi (web/mobile): Modern budget tracker
- Quicken Classic (desktop): Comprehensive software with business tracking
Why It Doesn’t Work Internationally
Quicken only operates in US and Canada.
From their support: “Quicken products are not designed to function outside the U.S. and Canada.”
Important: Quicken UK was discontinued 20 years ago (around 2005). There is no current Quicken product for the UK or any other country.
What happens if you try:
- UK: Discontinued product from 2005, nothing available now
- Australia: Cannot download app, software doesn’t work
- Europe: No European version exists
- Mobile app only in US/Canada stores
User complaints:
- “Quicken UK was abandoned 20 years ago”
- “Can’t even download the mobile app from UK App Store”
Pricing: $35-$107/year (various tiers)
Why Don’t These Apps Work Globally?
1. Bank Connections: Built exclusively for US/Canadian banking systems. No integration with UK Open Banking or European PSD2.
2. Regulatory Compliance: Financial regulations differ by country. US companies focus on US compliance only.
3. Currency Complexity: Built around USD. Multi-currency requires real-time exchange rates.
4. Business Focus: These companies chose to remain US/Canada-focused rather than expand globally.
Know Your Dosh: The Global Alternative
Built for Worldwide Use
Truly Global Availability
- Available in every country in the world
- Already downloaded in 75 countries across all continents
- Mobile app downloadable from any country’s app store
- Zero geographic restrictions
Any Bank, Any Currency
- Manual entry for banks worldwide where automatic connections are not available yet
- 150+ currencies with real-time conversion
- Consolidated net worth across all currencies
Family Wealth Coordination
- Shared family dashboard with permission controls
- Each member gets their own login
- Multi-generational access for estate planning
Flexible Pricing
- Starter: Free tier
- Lite, Pro, Elite: £4.99-£14.99/month
- All tiers include family collaboration
What Know Your Dosh Focuses On
Primary use: Net worth tracking and asset aggregation for families
Best for:
- Families outside (and inside) North America
- Tracking household wealth across accounts
- Collaborative family finance management
- International or multi-currency assets
NOT focused on:
- Deep investment analysis (Empower’s strength)
- Daily spending categorisation (Monarch’s strength) – this is on the 2025 roadmap however
- Business finance tracking (Quicken Classic’s strength)
Know Your Dosh prioritises global accessibility, family collaboration, and complete net worth visibility.
Country-Specific Recommendations
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
US Apps: None work (Quicken UK discontinued 2005)
Alternatives:
- Know Your Dosh – Works globally, multi-currency, family-focused
- Snoop – UK budget app with Open Banking
- YNAB – Budget focus, works internationally
Australia 🇦🇺
US Apps: None work
Alternatives:
- Know Your Dosh – Works globally, multi-currency
- PocketSmith – NZ-based, works internationally
- Frollo – Australian app
Europe 🇪🇺
US Apps: All three unavailable
Alternatives:
- Know Your Dosh – Works in every European country
- PocketSmith – International support
- Country-specific apps (vary by nation)
Asia, Africa, Latin America, Elsewhere 🌏
US Apps: None work
Global Alternative: Know Your Dosh – Available everywhere
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Empower | Monarch | Quicken | Know Your Dosh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Availability | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Net Worth Tracking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Investment Analysis | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Family Collaboration | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Multi-Currency | ❌ | ⚠️ Minimal | ⚠️ Minimal | ✅ |
| Free Option | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a VPN to access these US apps?
A: You might access the website, but you still can’t connect your actual bank accounts or download the mobile app from your country’s store. VPNs don’t solve the core problem.
Q: Will these apps ever expand globally?
A: No public indication. They’ve been US-focused for years (decades for Quicken) with no signs of international expansion.
Q: What happened to Quicken UK?
A: Discontinued around 2005, 20 years ago. There is no current Quicken product for the UK.
Q: I’m an American moving abroad. Will these still work?
A: Partially. You can track existing US accounts but cannot add new local accounts in your new country. Most expats switch to global platforms like Know Your Dosh.
Q: Why don’t reviews mention these geographic limitations?
A: Most personal finance content is created by Americans for American audiences. They don’t think to mention “US-only” because it’s their default assumption.
Q: Are there other global alternatives?
A: PocketSmith (New Zealand-based) works internationally but costs more ($13+/month) and focuses on individuals rather than families.
The Bottom Line
Empower, Monarch Money, and Quicken are solid finance apps if you live in the US or Canada.
For everyone else living in the UK, Australia, Europe, Asia, or anywhere outside North America: They don’t work.
You cannot download them. You cannot connect your banks. You cannot track your finances.
Know Your Dosh exists for the rest of the world, available in every country, already trusted by families in 75 countries who need net worth tracking and family wealth coordination that actually works wherever they live.
Track your family’s finances with an app that works in your country.
Sign up for our free tier to get started at Know Your Dosh, or download the free app, with paid plans that scale as your financial complexity grows. Built specifically for families managing wealth together anywhere in the world.
Trusted by families in 75 countries tracking over £100 million in assets.
