By Nathan Isterling, Chief Information Officer, Otivo
More than 320 fintechs entered this year's Finnies, Australia's national fintech awards, run by FinTech Australia. When the winners were read out in Sydney, two of the night's category trophies went to the same company: Otivo, named both Most Innovative Application of AI in Finance and Most Innovative Fintech Product or Service. For a platform built to make quality financial advice affordable for everyday Australians, that's recognition that lands close to the mission. Here's what the wins actually recognise, and why the Otivo app is free to download on iPhone and Android until the end of June.
Otivo won two awards at the 2026 Finnies, FinTech Australia's national fintech awards held in Sydney in June 2026: Most Innovative Application of AI in Finance and Most Innovative Fintech Product or Service. The awards drew 321 entries across 22 categories. As at June 2026, the Otivo app is free to download and use on iOS and Android until 30 June.
What did Otivo win at the 2026 Finnies awards?
Otivo took home two category trophies on the night: Most Innovative Application of AI in Finance, and Most Innovative Fintech Product or Service. Winning a single Finnie is a genuine marker in Australian fintech. Winning two in the same year is rarer still, and it placed Otivo among a small group of multi-award companies in 2026, alongside the likes of Zepto, Hello Clever and Remitly.
The two categories are worth separating, because they recognise different things. One is about the technology under the bonnet, the way Otivo applies artificial intelligence to a problem that has historically resisted automation. The other is about the product as a whole, and whether it does something useful that wasn't being done as well before.
What are the Finnies, and how competitive are they?
The Finnies are the awards program run by FinTech Australia, the industry's national member body, and 2026 marked their tenth year. They're widely seen as the sector's benchmark awards, which is part of why they're hard to win. This year's program drew 321 entries across 22 categories, and winners were chosen through a two-round judging process: an initial shortlist, followed by a second panel of independent judges brought in to cross-check entries and decide each category.
The backdrop matters too. According to FinTech Australia, the sector contributed more than $13.6 billion to the Australian economy in 2024–25, and the ceremony in Sydney drew over 500 founders, investors and industry figures. You can see the full list of 2026 Finnies winners via Australian FinTech, and more about the program from FinTech Australia.
Why did Otivo win for AI and fintech innovation?
Quality financial advice has long been expensive and time-consuming to deliver, which has put it out of reach for many Australians. Otivo's approach is to deliver scalable, compliant personal financial advice through technology, using artificial intelligence to do the heavy lifting that would normally require hours of an adviser's time. That's the thread connecting both awards: the AI category recognises how the advice is generated, and the product category recognises what that makes possible for the person using it.
Otivo operates under its own Australian Financial Services Licence and Australian Credit Licence (No. 485665), which means the advice the platform provides is regulated advice, not generic tips. That combination, regulated personal advice delivered at the scale and price point of software, is the territory the judges were recognising.
What does the Otivo app help with?
The app is organised around a set of advice modules, each focused on a distinct money question. The aim is to take a topic many people find confusing and give it a clear, personalised answer.
- Retirement planning, which helps people estimate how much they might need in retirement and what could improve their position.
- Super investment options, which helps people understand how the choice of investment option can affect long-term outcomes.
- Salary sacrifice and tax-deductible personal contributions, which help people work through whether adding to super makes sense for them.
- Personal insurance inside super, and debt advice for paying down what you owe while covering the essentials.
Many Australians use tools like these to get their bearings before making a decision, rather than as a substitute for thinking it through. The information is tailored to the individual, but the choice always stays with the person.
How long is the Otivo app free, and on which devices?
As at June 2026, the Otivo app is free to download and use on both iPhone (iOS) and Android until 30 June. That covers the full app, not a stripped-back trial, so the advice modules above are available at no cost during the offer period. After 30 June, standard pricing applies.
Frequently asked questions
What awards did Otivo win at the 2026 Finnies?
Otivo won two awards at the 2026 Finnies: Most Innovative Application of AI in Finance, and Most Innovative Fintech Product or Service. Both were awarded at the ceremony held in Sydney in June 2026.
Who runs the Finnies awards?
The Finnies are run by FinTech Australia, the national industry body for the fintech sector. 2026 was the program's tenth year, with 321 entries assessed across 22 categories through a two-round judging process.
Is the Otivo app free?
As at June 2026, the Otivo app is free to download and use on iOS and Android until 30 June. The offer covers the full app rather than a limited trial. Standard pricing applies after the offer period.
What can the Otivo app help you with?
The app covers retirement planning, super investment options, salary sacrifice and personal deductible contributions, personal insurance inside super, and debt. Each module gives information tailored to the individual, while leaving the decision with the person.
Two national awards in one year is a strong signal of where Otivo sits in Australian fintech, but the more useful test is whether the product helps people feel clearer about their money. If you'd like to see what that looks like, the Otivo retirement planning module is a sensible place to start, and the app is free on iOS and Android until 30 June.
Disclaimer
The information in this communication is current as at June 2026 and has been prepared by Otivo Pty Ltd ABN 47 602 457 732, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 485665. This content is general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial or taxation advice and should not be relied on as such. Before acting on any information, you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your personal circumstances. This material must not be reproduced in whole or in part, or posted on any social media platform, without the prior written consent of Otivo Pty Ltd.