if the app automatically categorizes things, you don't ever have to look at it. doing it yourself requires that you review every transaction individually.
Categorization and review are two different processes. The app I use will download and categorize, but I still have to review/accept each transaction. What is the benefit of manual entry in this case?
My credit card statement already automatically categorizes things.
I don't know what's the point of using a 3rd party app for this, unless you feel very generous about providing your data for someone to sell.
I also don't know what's the point of reviewing transactions individually. If I pay something monthly (e.g. internet/car insurance/utility bills), I'm not going to look at it every month. I might check it at the end of the year to see if there are any 10x anomalies, but that's it.
I'm also not going to check transactions under $20, unless there are hundreds of them that are unexpected.
Although I do feel sorry for buyers who spend $1000+ every month on impulse shopping, but those are also the kind of people to never check their financial health anyway.
