The best Lili alternative for freelancers and gig workers
Gig income records · 1099 tools · mileage tracking · tax set-aside
Kronos is an iOS money app for gig workers and freelancers. KronosPay LLC is a financial technology company, not a bank or lender. This guide is built from the negative reviews people leave about Lili — the exact phrasing they use when they start searching for a replacement. Quotes below are verbatim from public app-store and forum reviews.
Why people look for Lili alternatives
Lili built its name on the “tax bucket” — and the 1–2★ reviews show both why people loved that feature and what drives them away:
- ““I received an email that my bank account has been closed with literally NO explanation.”” — App Store review, Mar 2023
- ““I opened an account… provided all required personal information (including SSN), and had zero transactions—yet my account was immediately closed”” — Trustpilot, Mar 2025
- ““Prices keep going up and up and they keep taking features away… moved me to pro from basic without my consent”” — Google Play review, 2026
- ““The AI support is broken… there's no in-app 'close account' button… they literally threaten you with a permanent ban if you leave.”” — Google Play review, 2026
Income records, mileage tracking, 1099 tools, and tax set-aside in one app.
Real alternatives to Lili
- Kronos: The tax-bucket idea without the bank: set-aside percentage, income records per platform, 1099 organization, mileage and receipts — Apple-managed subscription.
- Novo: Free business checking; recurring freeze and support complaints of its own.
- Found: Similar freelancer-banking bundle; fee-creep and freeze reports in reviews.
- Second account at your current bank: The unglamorous option: no new fintech risk, pair with a records app.
Side by side
| What matters | Lili | Kronos |
|---|---|---|
| Tax bucket | Loved feature — but tied to Lili tiers and price hikes | Set-aside lives in the app; independent of any bank |
| Account stability | Closure-without-explanation review pattern (BBB profile reflects it) | No custody — nothing to close or freeze |
| Support | “AI support is broken… only bots” | In-app support requests with transaction context |
| Price | Pro tier hikes reported ($9 → $15 → $35/mo mentions) | Usable free tier; Pro and Black tiers |
Who should stay with Lili
Stay with Lili if your account is healthy, the free tier fits you, and the tax bucket plus debit card in one place is worth the fintech trade-offs — plenty of users are fine; the reviews above are the tail risk realized.
Where Kronos fits
Kronos keeps the part of Lili people praise — set-aside, expense categories, 1099 view — and drops the part that hurts: custody. Your money stays at your bank; Kronos organizes what it does.
Gig income records · 1099 tools · mileage tracking · tax set-aside
Frequently asked questions
Why did Lili close my account?
Lili closure emails cite “risk appetite” without detail, per user reports; fintechs close accounts for fraud-model, identity, or partner-bank reasons they rarely explain. Requests for the reason usually get form letters.
What did Lili users love?
The tax bucket — automatically portioning income for taxes — and simple expense categories. Kronos covers the same job with an in-app set-aside percentage, no bank account required.
Is Lili a bank?
Lili is a fintech whose accounts sit on partner-bank rails. That distinction matters when something goes wrong: your dispute path runs through the partner bank, not a branch.
How do I leave Lili safely?
Withdraw or transfer funds first, export statements and tax summaries, then close. Keep the exports with your tax files.
General educational information only; not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Competitor details and pricing change — verify on the official product page before deciding. No provider paid for inclusion.