Alternative
A free axio (formerly Walnut) alternative worth trying
If you're weighing up axio (formerly Walnut), it helps to know exactly what it's good at and where it might not fit — before you switch.
This is an honest look at axio (formerly Walnut), followed by where Balance is a strong free alternative and where axio (formerly Walnut) might still be the better call.
Free · No ads · 140+ currencies · Android (iOS coming soon)
Balance - Expense Tracker by Clarzen on Google Play
What axio (formerly Walnut) is
An Indian money-management app (previously Walnut) that now centres on credit and pay-later.
What axio (formerly Walnut) does well
- Originally popular for automatic SMS-based expense tracking
- India-focused
- Pay-later and credit features
Pricing model
Free app, monetized primarily through credit and pay-later products.
Where it may fall short
- Auto expense tracking has relied on SMS access
- Now heavily oriented around credit rather than pure tracking
- Budgeting analytics are secondary to the credit focus
Who should stick with axio (formerly Walnut)
Users wanting SMS-based tracking bundled with pay-later/credit.
Where Balance is a strong alternative
Balance is a free, ad-free expense tracker that works in 140+ currencies. Users who want a privacy-first, dedicated expense tracker with optional on-device SMS capture and no credit upsell.
It scans receipts and UPI screenshots, builds category and merchant analytics, never asks for a bank login, offers optional on-device SMS capture on Android, and works offline-first with an encrypted cloud backup.
Beyond Roast Mode's overspend nudges, you get a subscription and bill tracker with renewal reminders, home-screen widgets, multiple accounts and wallets, and one-tap CSV export.
Switching over
Balance doesn't import from axio (formerly Walnut) directly. The practical path is to start fresh from the beginning of a month — set up your accounts and categories, and begin scanning or logging spends. Because most people track forward rather than backfill, this is usually a clean, quick switch.
| Feature | axio (formerly Walnut) | Balance |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (monetized via credit) | Free to download and use |
| Ads | Credit-product prompts | None |
| Receipt / UPI screenshot scanning | ||
| Bank login / SMS access | Reads SMS (historically) | No bank login; SMS optional, on-device |
| Offline-first capture | ||
| Built for India (₹, UPI) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Balance a free axio (formerly Walnut) alternative?
Yes. Balance is free to download and use, with no ads, which makes it a good alternative if cost or ads are why you're leaving axio (formerly Walnut).
Can I import my data from axio (formerly Walnut)?
There's no direct importer. Most people switch by starting fresh at the start of a month, setting up accounts and categories, and tracking forward from there.
What are some apps like axio (formerly Walnut)?
Popular apps like axio (formerly Walnut) include Moneyview, ET Money. If you want something free with no ads, no bank login and UPI-screenshot scanning, Balance is built for exactly that.
Does Balance connect to my bank?
No. Balance never asks for a bank login or net-banking credentials, and it never links to your bank account. You add transactions by scanning a receipt or payment screenshot, entering them manually, or, on Android, letting Balance pick them up from bank SMS alerts if you turn that on.
Keep exploring
Track every expense. Ask anything.
Free to download, no ads, no bank login. Get Balance on Google Play and start tracking in minutes.
