The Money Flow Index (MFI) and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) are both momentum oscillators that help traders identify overbought and oversold conditions, but they differ in their calculations and applications.

The key difference between MFI and RSI is that MFI incorporates volume in its calculation, while RSI is based solely on price movement. MFI is sometimes called the volume-weighted RSI because it considers both price and trading volume, making it more reflective of market strength.

MFI is calculated using the typical price (average of high, low, and close) and money flow (typical price multiplied by volume). It then compares positive and negative money flows over a given period, usually 14 days, to generate an index between 0 and 100. In contrast, RSI calculates relative price strength by comparing average gains and losses over a similar period without considering volume.

Due to its volume component, MFI is often considered a leading indicator than RSI, which may provide earlier signals of potential trend reversals. However, MFI can also generate false signals in low-volume markets.

Traders often use both indicators together to confirm signals and improve trading accuracy, especially in forex and stock markets.