I’ve been using Quicken for my financial tracking, but I’m looking for similar personal finance software that offers solid budgeting tools and account tracking. Any recommendations or advice on what might work best?
Oh boy, another quest for the holy grail of personal finance software. Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re jumping from Quicken, you’ve got options, but nothing’s going to be exactly the same.
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Mint – Free, clean interface, decent at budgeting, but your data’s basically being sold so you can get bombarded with credit card offers. Took me two days to uninstall after they suggested I open ANOTHER credit card… like, read the room, Mint.
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YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Perfect if you have the patience of a saint and enjoy assigning every dollar its own personality and dream. Super hands-on. Either life-changing or maddening, depending on how type-A your soul is. Costs $$ though.
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Personal Capital – More about net worth tracking than hardcore budgeting. Great if you’re obsessed with investments and spreadsheets. Less great if you’re more “which app can help me stop buying things I don’t need on Amazon at 2 a.m.?”
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EveryDollar – Created by Dave Ramsey’s team, so it’s all about zero-based budgeting and debt payoff. Light on features unless you pony up for the paid version, which bummed me out.
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Tiller Money – Think: Google Sheets on steroids. Hooks up your accounts and automates transactions into spreadsheets. You have to LOVE spreadsheets for this one to work. If formulas make your eyes glaze over, skip it.
All these have pros and cons depending on what you actually need – whether it’s intense budgeting or keeping tabs on multiple accounts. Spoiler: if you want something that feels like Quicken without the Quicken quirks, you might just end up slapping your wallet and staying with it. It’s like the ex you can’t quit, amirite?
You know what? This whole search for the “perfect Quicken replacement” is kind of like trying to replace your favorite coffee shop—a near impossible task. But let’s get into it.
First off, I see @mikeappsreviewer broke it down pretty well (even threw some shade at Mint, rightfully so). But here’s my two cents:
If you’re all about that detailed account tracking and don’t want to reinvent the budgeting wheel, Banktivity might deserve a look—especially if you’re on a Mac. It’s got a Quicken-lite feel but honestly, it’s leaning more toward the serious finance nerds. Downside? You gotta pay for it. Upside? No random, in-your-face ads or “hey, wanna refinance your student loans?” moments.
Not into paying for software? Then I get it—check out GnuCash. It’s open-source, so it’s like the Swiss Army knife of finance apps. But the interface? Oh boy, it’s not… cute. Prepare to spend some quality time with YouTube tutorials to actually make it work for you. It’s free though, so can’t complain too much.
And hey, nobody seems to bring up Moneydance enough! Does it have a slick design? Nope. But it gets the job done for tracking accounts and running reports. It’s a one-time fee, and you don’t have to sign your life away with monthly subscriptions. Plus, if you’re used to Quicken’s more old-school layout, you might actually dig Moneydance. If you’re hoping for super flashy tools though, that’s not what this is.
Honestly, none of these are perfect. Software these days either goes too far into micromanaging budgets or not far enough into giving you detailed tracking. Maybe it’s not that the alternatives are bad, it’s just that Quicken, for all its flaws, set a weird kind of “baseline” we all got used to.
Oh man, the Quicken-to-anything-else leap can feel like switching from a Swiss Army Knife to a set of screwdrivers—not impossible, but you’re going to feel like you’re missing tools. Let me throw another option into the mix: PocketSmith. It hasn’t been mentioned yet, but here’s why it might catch your interest.
Why Consider PocketSmith?
- Pros: It’s pretty versatile in managing future financial projections, which is something Quicken users might appreciate. You can plug in your accounts, track your spending history, and forecast months or even years ahead. The calendar-based budgeting is a standout feature—ideal if you want to know how your bank balance is looking on, say, April 17th, 2025.
- Cons: It’s got a steeper learning curve than some simpler tools, and multiple account linking can feel slightly clunky at times. Also, the good features are locked behind the Premium plan—yes, another subscription. If you’re over subscriptions, this might not feel like the best pick.
How Does it Stack Up vs Others?
- Compared to YNAB, PocketSmith feels less intense; you won’t have to micromanage every single dollar, but you will get plenty of financial control. That’s either a relief or a downside, depending on how detail-oriented you’ve become after sticking with Quicken for so long.
- Against Tiller Money, you get less customization but also less spreadsheets-induced anxiety. Tiller shines with those who love raw data in Google Sheets; PocketSmith’s strength is its visuals and predictive tools.
- As for Moneydance, PocketSmith feels more modern, but the latter might trump if you’re looking for a one-time purchase instead of recurring fees.
Is It the Holy Grail Everyone’s Looking For?
Nope. What most alternatives to Quicken lack—a PERFECT mix of account linking, serious reporting, and reliable budgeting—PocketSmith doesn’t magically fix. But what it offers is unique and may fit users who value forward-looking tools over retroactive ones.
In short? If you don’t mind paying for something with forecasting chops and calendar budgeting, PocketSmith’s worth a shot. For hardcore Quicken nostalgia or one-time-fee enthusiasts, you’ll be circling back to Banktivity or Moneydance instead. Maybe we should just invent our own tool that does EVERYTHING… who’s in?