Guide
Looking for a Walnut or axio alternative that doesn't read your SMS?
Many Indian expense trackers build your log by reading your SMS inbox, and several also ask you to create an account. My Instincts takes a different route: it reads the payment notifications your bank, UPI, and card apps already show, and keeps processing and storage on your phone.
| My Instincts | axio (ex-Walnut) | Money View | CRED | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it finds transactions | Payment notifications | Check their Play listing | Check their Play listing | Check their Play listing |
| SMS permission | No | Check Play listing & permissions | Check Play listing & permissions | Check Play listing & permissions |
| Account / sign-up | No | Check their Play listing | Check their Play listing | Check their Play listing |
| Data collected (Play Data safety) | None declared collected or shared | Check Data safety on Play | Check Data safety on Play | Check Data safety on Play |
| Also sells loans / credit | No | Check their Play listing | Check their Play listing | Check their Play listing |
| Price | Free core + optional Pro (lifetime ~₹199 or annual via Google Play Billing) | Check Play for current pricing | Check Play for current pricing | Check Play for current pricing |
Competitor rows not filled from memory · Checked October 25, 2026 · verify on Play before you decide
Honest trade-offs
- Only catches transactions that show a notification after you install (older history needs statement import with Pro).
- No bill-pay, credit score, or rewards tracking.
- Android only — no iOS app.
- Some phones limit background capture; the app includes capture status and guidance.
Switching in three steps
- Install My Instincts from Google Play.
- Grant notification access for bank, UPI, and card apps.
- Optional: import a recent bank statement (Pro) to backfill history — supported formats are shown in the app.