Pekvio vs Emma: privacy-first vs bank-connected
← Back to: Budgeting apps without bank connections
Emma is a popular UK budgeting app that links to your accounts through Open Banking. It's slick — but it needs access to your bank. Pekvio takes the opposite approach: you upload statements, nothing connects. Here's how they compare.
| Pekvio | Emma | |
|---|---|---|
| Bank connection | No — you upload statements | Yes — Open Banking |
| Bank credentials involved | None, ever | Account access granted |
| Data model | Only what you upload | Continuous account access |
| Delete all data | One tap, instant | Revoke access / request deletion |
| UK focus | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Privacy-conscious users | Hands-off auto-sync users |
Where Emma wins
Automatic, real-time sync across all accounts in one place. Good if you want everything updated without lifting a finger.
Where Pekvio wins
No Open Banking access to your accounts — you control exactly what's shared, statement by statement. Instant, total data deletion. Built by UK accountants (Finstrive Ltd).
Verdict
Emma suits people happy to grant continuous bank access for convenience. Pekvio suits people who'd rather keep their bank at arm's length and stay in control.
See your money clearly — without connecting your bank. Start freeFrequently asked questions
How much does Pekvio cost?
Pekvio is £59/year, or £89/year for Pekvio Plus, which adds business income tracking and a year-end pack to hand to an accountant. There is a 30-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee. We don't publish comparisons against other apps' prices, because those change and we would rather you check them yourself.
Does Pekvio connect to my bank like Emma does?
No. Pekvio never connects to your bank. Instead, you download your statements from your banking app and upload them to Pekvio. It reads and categorises everything automatically — same clarity, no ongoing bank access.
Is Pekvio built for the UK?
Yes. Pekvio is built by Finstrive Ltd, a UK accounting firm. It understands UK banks, UK merchants, UK categories and UK financial terminology. Emma is also UK-based.
Can I delete my data from Pekvio?
Yes — instantly, in one tap. Because Pekvio doesn't connect to your bank, there's no ongoing data pipeline to revoke. Your data only exists because you uploaded it, and you can erase it all whenever you want.