April 07, 2023

apps that give you real time display of your bank account balance widget

I researched various online sources, including Reddit threads, Android and iOS app forums, and web discussions related to bank account balance widgets and apps [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. There was a reasonable consensus on a few popular options, but some sources also provided alternative or less common suggestions. The sources were directly related to the query and provided a range of opinions and recommendations.

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Mint App

Mint App

The Mint app is a popular recommendation for displaying real-time balances of multiple bank accounts from multiple banks [1] [2] [5] . It also includes a widget that displays all cash and credit card balances [5] . However, one user reported that the app displayed only the amount owed on their credit card, not the bank balance [2] . The Mint app also allows users to choose between "Current Balance" and "Available Balance" by clicking on the respective option [8] .

Tasker and SMS

Tasker, an Android app, can be used to pull SMS data and display balances in a notification or widget [1] . This can be achieved by texting your bank for the balance and using Tasker's send variable action to send the information to KWGT [7] . KWGT can then create a widget that displays the balance using a specific formula [7] . Tasker can also be set up with a Notification Event profile or a Received Text Event profile to fetch the bank balance data [7] .
Chime App

Chime App

The Chime app connects to a Citizens Bank account and has a widget that displays the balance of the Chime account as well as any other connected accounts [2] . However, it is an "old school" widget that cannot be added to the home screen [2] . To use Chime, users need to sign up for an account and receive a debit card in the mail [2] .

Bankdroid and Meta Widget

Bankdroid is an open-source app that supports many banks, including public transit [3] . It provides a widget to display the bank balance. Meta Widget is another option that can do much more than just show the balance [3] . A user shared a screenshot of their bank balance displayed in a widget using one of these apps [3] .

Scriptable Widget and Plaid API

A scriptable widget developed using Plaid API can show basic details, like balance and account name [4] . The Github repo link for this widget is provided in the source [4] . Plaid API can also be connected to Google Sheets, allowing users to create a widget for Android by scraping a cell off the sheet for balance [4] . This can be set up to auto-run, and a detailed explanation is provided on the Github repo [4] .

Email Warnings

Using email warnings to check account balance is an alternative that doesn't require an app [6] . This is a more privacy-focused option, as apps can be more invasive than websites and present risks of malicious code being inserted through app weaknesses or updates [6] . In conclusion, the Mint app, Tasker with SMS, and Chime app are popular options for displaying real-time bank account balances in a widget. Other alternatives include Bankdroid, Meta Widget, Scriptable Widget with Plaid API, and using email warnings for checking balances without an app.

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Research

Source: "Display text from sms or notification as widget?" (from reddit, r/tasker)

  • Tasker
    • Can text your bank for the balance
    • Has a send variable action that lets you send info to KWGT
    • Use a variable action to set a variable to the body of the text whenever you receive one
  • KWGT
    • Create a widget that displays a variable
    • Use the formula: $br(tasker,VARIABLENAME)$
  • Notification Event profile
    • Fetch the data in %evtprm()
    • %evtprm(3) is what you’re looking for
  • Received Text Event profile
    • Can be used instead of Notification Event profile
    • Configuration part of the action needs to be set up correctly

Source: "Is there an API to get bank transaction and ban..." (from reddit, r/learnprogramming)

  • Plaid
    • Plaid can give access to account information, but it is not free. Sample data and API key are free though.
    • It has a YouTube video that explains how to build a financial tracker/bookkeeping database through use of API via Plaid.
  • Crypto Exchange
    • Suggestion to find a crypto exchange that let’s you pay with crypto using a debit card and query the blockchain.
    • Service should listen to the blockchain changes to notify in real time, instead of relying on a scheduler.
  • Banks
    • Banks can talk to each other, but getting into the circle is more hassle than it’s worth.
    • Doing so could lead to possible arrest and jail time.

Source: "Why do you recommend against using banking appl..." (from reddit, r/privacy)

  • Avoid using banking applications while mobile
    • Protocols behind SMS are vulnerable making it possible to intercept SMSs
    • Apps offer better protection in case of device theft
    • SMS verification is vulnerable to sim swap attacks, while mobile banking apps, if the banks does their job correctly, may offer greater protection against this
  • Pay with cash whenever possible
    • Cash payment presents greater privacy
    • Coronavirus issue raises questions to cash
  • Use as few apps as possible
    • Apps are more invasive than websites
    • Apps present a risk of malicious code being inserted via a weakness in the app itself or the app updates
  • Use a mobile VPN when accessing banking apps
    • Protects against local interception
  • Use email warnings to check account balance
    • No app necessary

Source: "Show Available Balance and not Current Balance ..." (from reddit, r/mintuit)

  • Mint App
    • On the app, once you are in the account, click on “Current Balance” (balance you bank currently shows) near the top. This will give you an option to choose “Available Balance” (includes pending transactions).
    • The budget feature is meant to show the available balance, and how much money can be used in the accounts.
  • Banks
    • Mint only reports what your banks show.

Source: "Widget that will display my account balance? : ..." (from web, www.reddit.com)

None

💭  Looking into

What are the most reliable sources of bank account balance data?

💭  Looking into

Are there any free apps that can show real-time bank account balance widget?

💭  Looking into

What are the user experience limitations of using Bank Apps to set up alerts that show balances when payments are made?

💭  Looking into

What are the technical limitations of using Tasker to pull SMS data and then put balances in a notification or widget?

💭  Looking into

Does Mint provide real-time updates for multiple bank accounts from multiple banks?

Source: "Can anyone recommend a 3rd party app that will ..." (from reddit, r/iOSWidget)

  • Chime app
    • Connects to Citizens Bank account and has a widget that displays Chime balance and balance of any other accounts connected to it
    • “Old school” widget that cannot be added to home screen
    • Requires signing up for an account and receiving a debit card in the mail
  • Mint app
    • Was suggested but did not display balance, just what was owed on credit card
    • Requested that data be deleted
  • Citizens Bank app
    • Widget disappeared after an update
    • Troubleshooting tips didn’t work
    • Sent a message through help menu

Source: "Widget that shows Bank Account Balance using Pl..." (from reddit, r/Scriptable)

Source: "Made a widget to display my bank balance and Pa..." (from reddit, r/Android)

  • Mint.com’s widget
    • It can do this as well.
  • Bankdroid
    • It’s open source and has a lot of banks to choose from, including public transit.
  • Meta Widget
    • Can do much more than just show the balance.
  • Screenshot
    • Showing the balance in a widget.

Source: "App/Widget for multiple bank accounts" (from reddit, r/androidapps)

  • Mint
    • User suggested that Mint can show real-time balances of multiple bank accounts from multiple banks
  • SMS
    • User suggested using Tasker to pull SMS data and then put balances in a notification or widget
  • Bank Apps
    • User suggested setting alerts that show balances when payments are made, with the Bank of America app being an example. This would require Tasker and AutoNotification.

Source: "Widget to show multiple bank account balances? ..." (from web, androidforums.com)

  • Mint app
    • Has a widget that displays all cash plus credit card balance
    • Can set up multiple accounts to view different accounts
  • Other apps
    • Can use multiple apps to view different accounts (workaround)
    • No other apps mentioned besides Mint

💭  Looking into

What is the best bank account balance widget?