Ownership and convenience are different priorities
Self-hosting gives you direct responsibility for your database, updates, and backups. A managed service removes that operational work but requires trusting a provider. Neither choice is universally better. If keeping relationship data on infrastructure you control is a requirement, Monica is a stronger match than PersonalCRM. If you want to start using a system without maintaining it, compare the hosted experiences instead.
Choose the level of detail you will keep using
A useful personal CRM is one you can maintain on an ordinary busy week. PersonalCRM focuses on who you know, the circles they belong to, what you last discussed, and when you want to reconnect. You can write richer notes when a conversation calls for them and use a quick check-in when it does not. Try entering a real conversation and setting its follow-up before committing to either system.
Evaluate available features separately from roadmaps
Monica announces an API and MCP server as part of its v3 direction, with native mobile applications to follow. PersonalCRM already offers a REST API, MCP server and a native iOS app on the App Store. A planned feature can be a reason to watch a product, but should not be treated as something you can use today.
Pricing: what you actually pay for
Monica lists hosted access at $9/month or $90/year, with unlimited contacts and a 30-day trial that does not require a credit card. Self-hosting the software is free, with infrastructure and maintenance handled by you. PersonalCRM is free for 100 contacts on the web. Pro costs $4.99/month, $49.99/year, or $99.99 once for lifetime access. The API and MCP server are included in Free.
Prices quoted in USD. Billing periods, taxes, offers, and plan limits can change. Check the linked official pricing pages before subscribing. View PersonalCRM plans for our current plan details.
Moving your contacts to PersonalCRM
Export supported contact fields from Monica to CSV or vCard, preserve a full backup, and preview a small import in PersonalCRM. Detailed journals, custom relationships, and attachments may not map to a contact import. Keep the original archive and decide which notes you want to bring over deliberately.
Read the contact import guide