Guac

Guac is a savings app designed to help users set money aside for goals. It connects to a checking account and synchronizes transactions, then uses auto-tips and percentage-based savings to direct money toward goals based on spending. Users can create goals for purposes such as a trip, a car, or groceries, and set custom savings rules. Money can be moved between a savings goal and a connected checking account, with withdrawals made manually. Guac also has a Marketplace where purchases may earn cashback, as well as side hustles. It is available on Android, iOS, and the web. The free version costs nothing and includes savings tools and the Marketplace. Guac’s homepage says the company does not hold customer funds, is not a bank, and is not FDIC-insured. Its Google Play listing says accounts are insured up to $250,000 through FFBKC Bank, Member FDIC, with insurance applying to an insured bank’s failure. The privacy policy says Guac does not sell or rent personal information and encrypts communications between devices and Guac.

Guac combines spending-linked savings with goal setting, manual transfers, and a Marketplace.

Guac suits people who want to set savings goals and connect a checking account to track transactions. It may also appeal to users interested in cashback-eligible Marketplace purchases or side hustles.

Overview

Guac is a savings app for people who want contributions shaped by their spending and divided among specific goals. It suits savers who value custom rules and optional shopping rewards more than fully hands-off transfers.

Key features

Guac connects to a checking account to synchronize transactions, then uses Auto-Tip and percentage-based savings to help users save based on spending. That approach gives goal-oriented users more control over how contributions relate to their activity than a single fixed deposit would, but it is not a roundup tool: Guac does not offer card roundups.

Users can create goals for purposes such as a trip, a car, or groceries, and apply custom savings rules. Money can be moved between a goal and a connected checking account, but withdrawals are manual. That makes Guac a better fit for people willing to manage transfers themselves than for anyone who wants money moved automatically in both directions.

The Marketplace features purchases that may earn cashback, and the app also offers side hustles. These extras may appeal to users who want more than goal tracking in a savings app, though cashback is described as a possibility rather than a guaranteed return.

Guac says communications between a user’s device and the service are encrypted and that it does not sell or rent personal information. Google Play says Guac accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000 through FFBKC Bank, Member FDIC. Guac itself says it does not hold customer funds, is not a bank, and is not FDIC-insured; FDIC insurance applies to the failure of an insured bank.

Pricing

The free version is the sensible starting point for users who want the savings tools and Marketplace without a subscription. Guac advertises a free version and a Premium trial, but the trial should not be mistaken for a permanently free Premium plan.

Platforms

Guac is available on Android, iOS, and the web, so users can choose between mobile access and a browser.

Who it's for

Choose Guac if you want spending-linked contributions, multiple savings goals, and custom rules, and are comfortable making transfers manually. Look elsewhere if you need card roundups or automatic withdrawals to keep saving without intervention.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Spending-based Auto-Tip and percentage savings give users a way to tie contributions to activity instead of relying only on fixed deposits.
• Pro: Separate goals and custom rules support saving toward different planned expenses.
• Pro: The free version includes Savings Tools and the Marketplace, with Android, iOS, and web access.
• Con: Transfers out of a goal are manual, which adds effort for users seeking a hands-off system.
• Con: No card roundups are offered, ruling out a common automatic-saving approach.

Alternatives

Automated Savings Apps is a useful place to compare options if automatic transfers matter more than Guac’s manual withdrawal approach.

Consider Betterment if you want a savings and investing service with plan thresholds: its Digital plan requires $200 in monthly recurring deposits or a $24,000 eligible balance, while Premium requires a $100,000 minimum eligible investment balance. Choose finbee if you prefer a free savings app for Android and iOS and its plan terms suit you, including limits on some history and transfers.

Plum may be a better fit for users who want a tiered free and paid setup: Basic is free but limited to one pocket and lacks pocket goals, while Pro costs €3.99 a month and adds pockets. Choose SavingsBox if you want savings boxes, manual contributions, and bank and ACH payments; its free plan has limited AI coaching, while Premium costs $4.99 a month.

Amini is an alternative for users who prioritize free transfers between users, though bank withdrawals and bill payments carry provider fees. Chip is another option for savings accounts and autosaves, with each save costing 45p on its free Basic plan. Pick Goin if you want automatic saving, investment options, and rewards, or its Pro plan for more cashback and flexible, speedy saving. PayDay may suit users seeking custom percentage or fixed split rules and automatic pay detection; its free plan is offered while the service builds.

Verdict

Guac is a good choice for goal-focused savers who want contributions linked to spending and the flexibility of custom rules, with a free version to try. Its manual transfers are the main reason to look elsewhere: users who expect money to move automatically should choose a more hands-off option.