Getting started
How to set up Expensa, and answers to common questions
Expensa runs without a sign-up, so setup is mostly about one Shortcut and a first budget. Here’s the path, then straight answers to the questions people ask before they download.
The steps and answers below follow the app’s own onboarding, listing and site, checked on 2026-09-24. It is free to start; Premium lifts the caps.
Step 1: download and open
Get Expensa free from the App Store (iOS 17 or later) and open it. There’s no account to create, no email and no password.
Step 2: set up the Apple Pay Shortcut
Follow the in-app guide to add the Shortcuts automation once. From then on, each Apple Pay payment sends the amount, merchant, and date to Expensa. On iOS 27 the Shortcut comes with the automation already built in.
Step 3: build your first budget
Enter your total and let Smart Allocation propose a split across categories, then adjust any number. Pick a monthly, weekly, or custom cycle.
Step 4: add what Apple Pay doesn’t catch
Add cash, transfers, and recurring bills by voice or by hand, or import history from another app via CSV, PDF, or TXT.
Step 5: create spaces if you need them
Split out household, business, or trip budgets, and invite a partner or family member to a shared space.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Download | Get Expensa free from the App Store (iOS 17 or later); no account to create |
| 2. Apple Pay Shortcut | Add the Shortcuts automation once from the in-app guide |
| 3. First budget | Enter a total, let Smart Allocation propose a split, adjust |
| 4. The rest | Add cash, transfers and bills by voice, by hand or by import |
| 5. Spaces | Split out household, business or trip budgets; invite family |
Frequently asked questions
Is Expensa really free?
Yes, free to download with a capped free plan; Premium lifts the caps and adds AI categorisation, category budgets, analytics, shared spaces, and multi-currency entry.
Does it need my bank login?
No. It doesn’t use Plaid or any other aggregator.
Where is my data stored?
On your iPhone and in your own iCloud. The developer states there is no Expensa server holding your transactions.
What does the AI see?
The developer states optional AI features send only the minimum they need, such as a merchant name, and never your transaction history.
Which languages does it support?
The interface is available in nine languages: English, Ukrainian, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Turkish.
What devices does it run on?
iPhone on iOS 17 or later.
Is it financial advice?
No. Expensa organises and tracks your spending; decisions about your money stay yours.