Is my data really private?
Yes. Meridian is a zero-knowledge application. Your financial data is encrypted with AES-256-GCM on your device and never sent to any server. We have no database, no user accounts, and no way to access your data. Even if someone obtained your encrypted vault file, they could not read it without your passphrase.
What happens if I forget my passphrase?
Your data cannot be recovered. There is no reset mechanism — this is by design. Your passphrase is never stored anywhere. We recommend keeping an encrypted backup (the app has an export feature) and storing your passphrase in a password manager.
Does Meridian connect to my bank?
No. Meridian does not use bank aggregation services like Plaid or Yodlee. This is intentional — connecting to banks would require sending your credentials through a third party, which conflicts with the zero-knowledge architecture. You enter your data manually, paste from spreadsheets, or import CSV files from your broker.
How do stock prices update?
Meridian supports three price data providers: Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and Financial Modeling Prep. You enter your own free API key in Settings. Only ticker symbols are sent to these providers — no personal or financial data. You can also update prices manually.
Where do exchange rates come from?
FX rates are sourced from the European Central Bank via frankfurter.app, a free public API. Only currency pair requests are sent — no personal data. Rates update when you open the app.
Can I use Meridian on my phone?
Yes. Meridian is a Progressive Web App (PWA). On iOS, open the app in Safari and tap "Add to Home Screen." On Android, Chrome will prompt you to install it. The app works offline after the first load.
What if I clear my browser data?
Your encrypted vault is stored in browser storage (IndexedDB and localStorage). Clearing browser data will delete it. Always maintain an encrypted backup using the Export feature in Profile & Settings. You can restore from a backup file on any device.
Can I share data with my partner?
Yes, with the Family plan. Household sharing works via share codes — you generate an encrypted summary of your portfolio totals (not individual transactions) and your partner imports it. Both people maintain their own vaults. The dashboard shows a combined household view when enabled.
Is Meridian suitable for UK tax residents?
Yes. Meridian includes the UK Statutory Residence Test (SRT) with automatic overseas test, automatic UK test, and sufficient ties test. The tax day tracker monitors 183-day thresholds per jurisdiction, and the capital gains tracker records trades with FIFO cost basis for CGT reporting.
What currencies are supported?
USD, GBP, EUR, AED, CAD, AUD, CHF, SGD, HKD, JPY, THB, INR, and ZAR. Holdings, accounts, budget categories, loans, and goals can each be in any currency. Everything converts automatically to your chosen display currency.
How does the AI analyst work?
The AI analyst sends a summary of your financial data (portfolio, budget, loans, goals, retirement scenarios) directly from your browser to Anthropic's API using your own API key. No data passes through Meridian's servers — the call goes directly from your device to Anthropic. The AI can answer questions about your finances with specific, data-driven insights.
What's the difference between free and paid plans?
The free Lite plan includes 1 investment account, 10 holdings, 1 retirement scenario, and core features. Pro ($99/year) unlocks unlimited accounts, holdings, and scenarios plus live price refresh, Monte Carlo simulation, benchmark comparison, capital gains tracking, custom reports, and the AI analyst. Family ($199/year) adds household sharing for partners.
Can I export my data?
Yes. Meridian offers CSV export for 8 data types (holdings, accounts, budget, loans, goals, trades, bank accounts, watchlist), a full PDF financial report, a custom report builder where you choose which sections to include, and an encrypted vault backup that can be restored on any device.
Is the retirement calculator accurate?
The retirement projector uses standard financial modelling with compound growth, inflation adjustment, and optional Monte Carlo simulation (1,000 random paths with varying returns). It syncs live data from your portfolio and budget. However, all projections are estimates — actual returns will vary. Always consult a qualified financial advisor for retirement planning decisions.