Best Quicken Alternatives for 2023
Best Alternatives to Quicken: 15 Free and Paid Replacements
Is there a good replacement for Quicken? Check out this list of best alternatives (including free options) to manage your money.
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| © CreditDonkey |
Quicken was founded in 1983. That year, Cabbage Patch Dolls were sold for the first time, the Atari was $200, and the average price of a new home was $80k.
Looking for something a little more up to date? Us too.
Quicken used to be the biggest name in personal finance software. But the program launched back when we still used VHS tapes, and a lot has changed since. Many 80s companies are still go-tos for technology solutions, like Microsoft and Apple, but Quicken simply hasn't kept up with the times.
Recently, the software switched to a yearly subscription model, leading many to believe it just isn't the good deal it once was.
If you're sick of your accounts not syncing and dealing with an old-fashioned interface, it's time to consider an upgrade. Check out the best easy-to-use Quicken competitors down below.
| Quicken Alternative | Best For |
|---|---|
| 1. Empower | Top personal finance tools |
| 2. You Need a Budget (YNAB) | Top budgeting tool |
| 3. Tiller Money | Spreadsheet Budgeting |
| 4. Banktivity | Mac/iOS |
| 5. PocketGuard | iPad |
| 6. Mint | Credit monitoring |
| 7. Gnucash | Accounting without a subscription |
| 8. Goodbudget | Couples and roommates |
| 9. EveryDollar | Budgeting beginners |
| 10. CountAbout | Transferring data from Quicken |
| 11. PocketSmith | Retirement planning |
| 12. Moneydance | Bill pay |
| 13. MoneyWiz | Crypto and investments tracking |
| 14. Dollarbird | Budgeting calendars |
| 15. Wally | Basic budgeting tool |
PRO TIP: Try our free budget calculator to visualize your monthly expenses right now. No login required.
What are the best alternatives to Quicken?
Money management should be free from glitches and lag. Find out which Quicken competitors offer a better—and more affordable—user experience.
Quicken used to offer a free program called Quicken Online. But Intuit dropped the program after it bought Mint. Today, one of the best free alternatives to Quicken is Empower which lets you monitor all your financial accounts in one place.
Compare Top Deals and Promos
1. Best Overall: Empower (FREE)
If you want a full picture of your finances, Empower is your best bet. Like Quicken, Empower tracks your spending patterns and categorizes them. You can see all your finances in one place, including your net worth over time and your investments.
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| credit empower |
Empower excels in investment tracking by offering personalized investing advice and deeper insights for your retirement planning. Plus, it's a completely free alternative to Quicken.
On the downside, you can only set a general monthly budget. There's no option to create budgets for different spending categories. There's also no bill pay capability. Even with these drawbacks, this alternative still manages to pack in lots of useful money management features. Find out more
Key Features
- Pricing: Free
- Free Trial: N/A
- Accessibility: Web, iOS, and Android
- Import From Quicken: No
Quicken has more features. But for the value and its solid range of useful tools, Empower is the winner.
Empower is great for long-term savers and investors. For better help with your day-to-day spending, don't miss the next app.
Learn more: Empower full review
2. Best Budgeting Tool: You Need a Budget
You Need a Budget (YNAB) focuses purely on budgeting. It uses a strategy called "zero-sum budgeting." Every cent you earn must have a plan, whether it goes toward groceries, rent, or savings.
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| Courtesy of YNAB |
YNAB also helps you plan for big expenses ahead of time so that you have enough saved when it comes. The app holds you more accountable than Quicken does. If you overspend, you'll get an alert. The app will help you adjust your budget by moving over money from another category.
It also offers financial tools, such as daily webinars, to get you comfortable handling your own money. The service is an easy introduction into the world of budgeting. It's great for beginners looking to gain control of their finances.
Key Features
- Pricing: $14.99/mo or $99/yr[1]
- Free Trial: 34 days
- Accessibility: Web, iOS, Android, and Alexa devices
- Import From Quicken: Yes; QIF compatible
YNAB is great if you're serious about creating and sticking to a budget. It'll help improve your financial situation from the ground up. Quicken offers more comprehensive tools other than budgeting.
Learn more: You Need a Budget full review
3. For Spreadsheet Budgeting: Tiller Money
Tiller Money is the ultimate budgeting service if you love seeing your numbers all neatly organized into spreadsheets. This web-based program is completely customizable and automatically updates your spending into Google Sheets. Create multiple budgets and track what's most important to you.
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| Credit: Tiller Money |
Tiller's interface is easier to use than Quicken's multiple drop-down menus. It concentrates on straightforward budgeting without the bells and whistles, so you'll need another tool if you're looking for investment tracking.
If spreadsheets are your go-to choice for organizing your life, this could be a great choice. The platform is free for the first 30 days and costs $79 per year afterward.[2]
Key Features
- Pricing: $79/yr
- Free Trial: 30 days
- Accessibility: Add-on for Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel
- Import From Quicken: Yes; CSV compatible
Tiller keeps it simple by feeding all your financial info into Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. It's a good alternative if you're looking for spreadsheets that are more user friendly than Quicken.
Tiller Money is also good for Chromebook users since Chromebooks can't run the full version of Quicken.
Your operating system shouldn't hold you back from quality budgeting tools. Apple fans, be sure to check out the next two apps.
4. For Mac: Banktivity
Sick of missing out on Quicken features because you use a Mac? This app is for you. Banktivity is only available on MacOS and iOS, and it syncs across all your linked devices: Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
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| Courtesy of Banktivity |
Banktivity takes a zero-sum approach to budgeting. This means you'll "spend" all your money every month on either expenses, savings, or debt payments.
Other features include setting savings goals and paying bills from the app. You can also build interactive, custom reports which give you great insight on your financial health.
Banktivity offers 3 pricing tiers. The Bronze plan only tracks your banking and credit accounts. The Silver plan includes investments, loans, and real estate tracking. The Gold plan can track accounts in different currencies.[3]
Key Features
- Pricing: Bronze ($49.99/yr), Silver ($69.99/yr), Gold ($99.99/yr)
- Free Trial: 30 days
- Accessibility: Mac and iOS apps
- Import From Quicken: Yes; QIF compatible
Quicken for Mac lacks some features of the Windows version. Banktivity includes features only found in Quicken for Windows, like portfolio analysis. Plus, it syncs across all your Mac and iOS devices.
Try Banktivity Free for 30 Days
Learn more: Banktivity full review
Looking for a Free Alternative?
Empower is the best free alternative to Quicken in terms of features. You can link all your financial accounts, and it even has advanced investment tracking and retirement planning tools that rival Quicken. Compatible with Mac and Windows.
5. For iPad: PocketGuard
PocketGuard is a freemium, basic budgeting app. It calculates your monthly, weekly, and daily budget based on your bills, income, and savings goals.
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| screenshot of pocketguard |
The program actually tells you how much money you have left for everyday purchases. Quicken relies on you to set your own monthly limits.
PocketGuard also lets you set up notifications to stay on top of your money without opening the app. The app is fast and efficient, and it's an especially good choice to use on the iPad.
The basic account is completely free. Or, you can opt for PocketGuard Plus which lets you track cash spending and create custom spending categories.
Key Features
- Pricing: Basic (free), PocketGuard Plus ($34.99/yr)
- Free Trial: N/A
- Accessibility: iOS, Android
- Import From Quicken: No
The Quicken mobile app is limited—it's really designed to be used on a desktop. PocketGuard is a good replacement if your main focus is budgeting. The app runs smoothly on both iPads and Android tablets.
Want your budgeting app to do more than just track expenses? The next pick can actually help you learn how to increase your credit score.
6. Credit Monitoring: Mint
Mint is actually owned by Intuit, the same company that used to own Quicken. It's a free tool that lets you create custom budgets for all your spending categories.
Yes, Mint is 100% free to use. Mint doesn't make money by charging monthly or annual rates. Instead, they collect revenue by referring you to financial institutions and credit card promotions.
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| Screenshot of Mint |
You can set goals and track your savings progress. All your transactions are synced and sorted into categories automatically. It also offers alerts to help you stay on track throughout the month. Plus, you can get a free credit score, credit monitoring, and tips to improve your score.
A drawback of Mint is its investment and retirement savings tools aren't very robust. If you're looking for a comprehensive personal finance tool, this might not be right for you. Also, the automatic categories aren't always accurate, so you might need to manually change them from time to time.
Key Features
- Pricing: Free
- Free Trial: N/A
- Accessibility: Web, iOS, and Android
- Import From Quicken: No
Both Quicken and Mint can help you track expenses and keep tabs on your credit. But Mint offers a bit more with their daily monitoring, alerts, and monthly updates.
Not all free programs are limited in features. Find out which Quicken competitor punches above its class—and doesn't cost a penny.
Learn more: Mint full review
7. Accounting Without a Subscription: Gnucash
If you're looking for an alternative to Quicken but aren't willing to give up the features that Quicken offered, Gnucash could be right for you.
Gnucash is a free, open-source accounting program. It can help you track your bank accounts as well as your investment portfolio. It can even help small business owners with bookkeeping and invoicing.
You can import QIF files from Quicken to make the switch even easier. Although it doesn't have all of the custom options of other paid programs, it's a solid free alternative to Quicken.
Key Features
- Pricing: Free
- Free Trial: N/A
- Accessibility: Linux, Windows, Mac
- Import From Quicken: Yes; QIF compatible
This one isn't much of a competition. Quicken has switched to a subscription-only model, while Gnucash is available as a free, open-source program.
8. Couples & Roommates: Goodbudget
Goodbudget uses the envelope budgeting system to help you see how much money you can spend on each expense. You allot a set amount of money to an "envelope" for your spending categories.
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| Screenshot of Goodbudget |
This straightforward platform doesn't restrict you from spending if you go over your allotted amount, but it will send you a notification. Quicken, on the other hand, trusts you to create and track your own monthly allowances.
The free version only allows one linked financial account and 20 envelopes. The paid version unlocks unlimited synced accounts and envelopes.[4]
Key Features
- Pricing: Free, Plus ($70/yr)
- Free Trial: N/A
- Accessibility: Web, iOS, Android
- Import From Quicken: Yes; QFX and CSV compatible
Quicken isn't designed to support multiple users or data sets. Goodbudget can be a great way for families or roommates to sync budgets and avoid surprises at the end of the month.
9. Budgeting Beginners: EveryDollar
EveryDollar is based on Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps approach to personal finance. If you're not sure where to start your personal finance journey, this app can provide direction.
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| Credit: Everydollar |
The steps include saving for an emergency fund and paying down your debts starting from the lowest balances. The idea is that you'll get a psychological boost with each little victory so you'll actually stick to your financial goals.
The app uses zero-sum budgeting to make you assign every dollar a category. This is purely a budgeting app, so you won't find any investing or retirement tools.
It costs $129.99 per year for the Ramsey+ account, which includes full access to EveryDollar and money lessons.[5] Unfortunately the free version of the app is very limited and requires you to manually track everything.
Key Features
- Pricing: Limited free version; Ramsey+ account ($129.99/yr)
- Free Trial: 14 days
- Accessibility: Web, iOS, Android
- Import From Quicken: No
Quicken is probably the most comprehensive financial tool on the market. But that can actually be a bad thing if you're new to money management. EveryDollar makes budgeting more accessible by breaking it down into easy steps.
Try Everydollar for Free for 14 Days
Learn more: EveryDollar full review
Transitioning to a new app can be more of a headache than it's worth. But some make it easier to switch than others. The next Quicken alternative allows you to start a completely new tracking system without losing all the progress you've made.
10. Transfer Data From Quicken: CountAbout
CountAbout is a budgeting tool that makes leaving Quicken easy. This program seamlessly imports your data from Quicken and Mint, so you can keep budgeting right where you left off.
Just like Quicken, CountAbout automatically syncs transactions across all of your linked accounts (for Premium accounts only). But CountAbout shows even transactions that have not yet been processed.
CountAbout offers Basic and Premium accounts. The only difference between the two is the ability to automatically sync your accounts with Premium. Basic only offers manual entries. Both are paid, ad-free accounts.[6]
Key Features
- Pricing: Basic ($9.99/yr), Premium ($39.99/yr)
- Free Trial: 15 days
- Accessibility: Web, iOS, Android
- Import From Quicken: Yes; QIF compatible
If you're paying for Quicken features you don't even use, consider simplifying with CountAbout. The program isn't as feature-rich as Quicken, but it's a simple app that can import data from Quicken and Mint.
Where will you be financially in 10 years? How about 20? Take the guesswork out of your future finances with the next smart app.
Try CountAbout Free for 15 Days
11. Retirement Planning: PocketSmith
PocketSmith is a good tool to budget and track spending. But its stand-out feature is the ability to forecast your money based on current expenses, income, and spending habits. It can predict your account balances up to 30 years into the future.
Instead of simply listing your transactions, the program organizes them in a calendar. From there, you can also view your future income and expenses. If you're a visual person, this is a great way to understand where your money goes.
Another unique feature is the "what if" scenarios. You can test decisions to see how they would affect your finances. For example, you could predict how having a wedding would impact your future plans and finances.
PocketSmith has 3 plans. Basic only supports manual transaction imports. Premium gives you automatic transaction syncing, 10 linked accounts, and 10 years of budget projections. The pricy Super plan unlocks unlimited accounts and 30 years of budget projections.[7]
Key Features
- Pricing: Basic (free), Premium ($90.00/yr), Super ($169.92/yr)
- Free Trial: 14 days
- Accessibility: Web, iOS, Android
- Import From Quicken: Yes; QIF compatible
Both programs offer retirement planning tools. But PocketSmith has a slight advantage. PocketSmith gives you in-depth insight on your future finances. It's especially helpful if you have FIRE (financial independence, retire early) goals.
Try PocketSmith Free for 14 Days
12. Bill Pay: Moneydance
Unlike most other budgeting programs, Moneydance doesn't upload your data to the cloud. Your information is saved only to your hard drive—unless you download the app to your phone or sync to another computer.
This bill pay program offers advanced financial tracking and budgeting tools, such as financial graphs and reports, investment tracking, and bill reminders. It's also one of the few budgeting apps that offer bill pay.
Moneydance costs $49.99 for lifetime access to the current version of the program.[8] If you want to upgrade to a newer version of the program at a later point, you'll need to purchase Moneydance again. There is a 90 day money back guarantee.
Key Features
- Pricing: Limited free version, Moneydance ($49.99)
- Free Trial: Free account with 100 transactions
- Accessibility: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Import From Quicken: Yes; QIF compatible
Moneydance comes with online bill pay included in its price. To use Quicken's Bill Manager function, you have to pay extra.
You work hard for your money. Don't let a single dollar slip by unaccounted for. Whether it's euros, yen, or other currencies , stay on top of it all with the app that works wherever you are in the world.
Try Moneydance Free for 100 Transactions
Learn more: Moneydance full review
13. Track Crypto & Investments: MoneyWiz
MoneyWiz supports all global currencies and can sync 40,000 banks in over 50 countries, including cryptocurrencies. So if you're an expat or a frequent traveler, this app is a great choice for you.
Link your financial accounts for automatic syncing. Or you can choose to manually enter transactions and import bank statements.
One thing MoneyWiz does well is the investment tracking function. You can easily track stocks, forex and cryptocurrencies. It even supports exchange transactions for forex & cryptos. It also offers custom graphs and charts to help you visualize your money.
MoneyWiz offers a standard subscription with manual transaction entry and a premium account for automatic syncing.[9] You can test drive the platform with a 1-week free trial.
Key Features
- Pricing: Standard ($24.99/yr), Premium ($49.99/yr)
- Free Trial: 1 week
- Accessibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- Import From Quicken: Yes; QIF compatible
Quicken doesn't currently support crypto accounts, though the functionality may be in the works. In the meantime, MoneyWiz is a great way to monitor all your crypto balances.
14. Calendar-Based Budgeting: Dollarbird
Most apps just list your expenses by category. But this doesn't help you plan out your expenses and prepare for bill due dates.
Dollarbird is a calendar-based app that helps you manage your cash flow on a monthly and daily basis. If you have irregular income or unpredictable expenses, Dollarbird could be perfect for you.
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| Screenshot of Dollarbird |
Dollarbird organizes your expenses into categories and monitors your typical monthly spending average in each category. This lets you know if you're spending much more than normal on things like eating out, groceries, or entertainment.
You can add future and recurring expenses. Dollarbird will track them and show your projected financial situation.
Note that Dollarbird does not connect to your bank accounts or credit cards. It's up to you to manually add your info and confirm the recurring transactions that Dollarbird's AI predicts.
Dollarbird is free for one calendar. Dollarbird Pro allows up to 20 calendars with up to 3 team members on each calendar.[10]
Key Features
- Pricing: Free, Pro ($39.99/yr)
- Free Trial: N/A
- Accessibility: Web, iOS, Android
- Import From Quicken: No
Quicken has a calendar view, but it feels clunky compared to Dollarbird. Dollarbird also allows you to add multiple users. You can easily access and edit your calendar on mobile and desktop.
Try Dollarbird Free for 1 Calendar
15. Basic Budgeting App: Wally
In a crowd of flashy budgeting apps, Wally keeps it simple. It focuses strictly on budgeting and expense tracking, so it might not be the best fit if you need investment tracking.
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| Screenshot of Wally |
Wally lets you link to over 15,000 banks in 70 countries. It will auto sync and categorize your transactions for you, so you have real-time updates wherever you go. The app also has bank-level encryption for extra security.
Another cool feature is that you can create private groups to track joint finances with family or housemates. You can even upload shared documents like lease agreements and shopping lists.
The basic version of Wally is free. Premium add-on features cost $5.99-$9.99/year. Or you can get all features with a Wally Gold membership.[11]
Key Features
- Pricing: Free, Add-Ons ($2.99-$9.99/yr), Wally Gold ($39.99/yr)
- Free Trial: N/A
- Accessibility: iOS, Android
- Import From Quicken: No
Quicken's extensive features aren't for everyone. If you just want a simple app that will help you reach your money goals, Wally is a good alternative.
What are the best Quicken alternatives for small business?
From invoicing to bookkeeping to inventory tracking, there's a lot that goes into your business. Find a program that does it all with these powerful Quicken replacements.
1. Best Small Business Accounting: QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online is an excellent accounting program for small businesses. You can link up your bank accounts and credit cards, as well as over 650 business apps (including Shopify, Square, PayPal, and much more).
The software goes beyond just business expense tracking. It's also packed with features like invoicing, tax deductions, bank reconciliation, inventory tracking, and employee time tracking.
QuickBooks offers 4 pricing tiers. Simple Start, Plus, and Advance plans are geared toward small businesses. The Self-Employed plan is designed for freelancers.[12]
Key Features
- Pricing: Self-Employed ($15/mo), Simple Start ($30/mo), Plus ($85/mo), Advanced ($200/mo)
- Free Trial: 30 days
- Accessibility: Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
Learn more: QuickBooks Online full review
2. Small Business Mac Users: FreshBooks
Freshbooks is an accounting program for freelancers and small businesses. It offers comprehensive tools like invoicing, expense tracking, and double-entry accounting.
The software integrates with more than 100 apps, so you can link your Shopify, Squarespace, Gsuite accounts, and more.
FreshBooks has a clean interface that works well on any platform. If you're a Mac user, you'll especially like how well it syncs across all your devices. With their mobile app, you can stay connected to your business no matter where you are.
FreshBooks has 4 pricing tiers. Lite, Plus, and Premium plans include billing for up to 5, 50, and unlimited clients, respectively. Or, you can go for the Select plan and get custom pricing for unlimited clients.[13]
Key Features
- Pricing: Lite ($204/yr), Plus ($360/yr), Premium ($660/yr), Select (custom pricing)
- Free Trial: 30 days
- Accessibility: Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
3. Best for Growing Business: Xero
Xero has everything you need in small-business accounting software. Like the other programs, Xero handles invoicing, expenses, inventory, and lots more. You can also link your bank accounts and apps like PayPal, Square, and Gusto.
Xero also lets you connect data from other accounting programs, so you won't lose your old transactions. It also allows unlimited users with every plan, which lets you collaborate with your team and save time.
There are 3 plans available. The Early plan limits you to just 20 invoices and 5 bills. The Growing plan gets unlimited invoices and bill management. The Established plan includes project tracking and expense claims.[14] You can cancel your subscription any time with a 30-day notice.
Key Features
- Pricing: Early ($13/mo), Growing ($37/mo), Established ($70/mo)
- Free Trial: 30 days
- Accessibility: Web, iOS, Android
What are common complaints about Quicken?
If you're frustrated with Quicken, you're not alone. Some of the biggest concerns expressed by users are:
Issues with Syncing
The popular money management software allows you to link bank accounts, including credit cards, but many complain about accounts not syncing properly.
Poor Customer Service
Many have complained about Quicken's customer service. If you want assistance from an actual human on the phone, you'll need to buy Quicken's Premier or Home & Business product.
Desktop Software Required for Mobile Access
You can only use their mobile app if you already have a regular Quicken desktop account. This is unlike other personal finance software that lets you operate exclusively from a mobile phone or tablet.
Not Sure How Long It'll Be Around
Quicken, once considered an innovative personal finance software, has been overshadowed by newer finance apps. Some versions of Quicken have even been discontinued, making the future of the program unclear.
How do I choose the right app?
Everyone's needs are a little different. The best financial app caters to you without skimping on the important stuff, like security.
Whether it's an app from this list, or a different one entirely, here's what to look for when test-driving financial software:
Security Features
As with all online financial products, check the app's security measures before you commit. A few things to look for are two-factor authentication and encrypted data.
Ease of Use
It's important that you actually enjoy the interface of your money tool. After all, a tool is only helpful if you actually use it. If an app feels clunky and confusing during the trial period, it might not be right for you.
Flexibility
Your financial situation is unique. A personal finance or small business app should be able to support your needs. Look for apps that let you customize spending categories, invoices, or whatever else is important to you.
Relevance to You
Some apps offer an impressive roster of features. But, be realistic about how many of those are actually useful to you—especially if it's a paid app. You might find that a cheaper or free app has everything you need.
Synced Accounts
Software that syncs your bank, credit cards, and other accounts will save you a lot of precious time. This features ensures that you'll have an accurate picture of your finances at your fingertips at all times.
Choosing a new budgeting tool takes time and research. Find out below how to get insight on your finances right now—without needing to download any apps.
Free budget calculator
Take control of your finances by learning exactly where your money goes. Try our free monthly budget calculator to get a visual for your spending. Plus, find out if you're saving enough according to the 50/30/20 rule.
Setting a budget is way easier when you take some time to figure out what's important to you. Have debt you want to pay off faster? Or a vacation you want to save up for? Try reducing your budget in another area to see how much money you could free up.
Of course, you can still spend some money on fun stuff. But it's all about moderation and making sure you're in good financial health first.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best financial software for personal use?
It entirely depends on your needs and what kind of rates you're willing to pay. But Empower and Mint are great free options to start with. You can link all your accounts, view your credit score, and get professional financial advice. - Is Quicken being discontinued?
Quicken has no current plans to permanently close its services, though they have been discontinuing some versions of their software after Intuit sold Quicken in 2016. Quicken encourages customers to use the most up-to-date software to take advantage of the latest features and tools. - Is Quicken subscription only?
Quicken recently switched to a subscription model. Subscriptions can be purchased on a 1-year or 2-year basis, but the program is still a desktop software as opposed to cloud-based. - Do you have to renew Quicken every year?
Since Quicken is a desktop-based software, you could just let your subscription expire and not renew it. However, you will no longer get updates. But you can continue to use the latest Quicken version you had before your subscription expired. - Is Quicken worth it anymore?
Quicken could be still worth it for you if you have more complex finances to track. It's good if you have lots of investments, a business, or properties to track. But if you just need an app for budgeting and simple expense tracking, there are lots of free alternatives. - What Quicken alternatives offer bill payment features?
Most money management apps offer bill reminders, but Moneydance is one of the only Quicken alternatives with a bill pay feature. It lets you schedule single or recurring bill payments to payees directly from the program. It only costs a one-time $49.99 fee for lifetime access. - Which Quicken alternative works with Windows?
Every platform in this article (except for Banktivity) is compatible with Windows computers. Most are web-based, meaning you can access them from your internet browser instead of having to download a separate program. - What is the best non-cloud alternative to Quicken?
If cloud-based software is a security concern, try Moneydance instead. It's local software, so all your data stays on your hard drive. The only time the program uses the cloud is when you choose to sync to another device. But your info is encrypted and they don't store it in the cloud. - What is zero-sum budgeting?
When you think of budgeting, you probably think of setting spending limits and trying to keep your money under those limits each month. You might have some money left over at the end of the month to put into savings or repay debt.With zero-sum budgeting, you deliberately "spend" all your money until you're left with $0. Each dollar is designated for a purpose: rent, savings, debt repayment, etc. There are fewer surprises because you've financially planned out your entire month.
What experts say
CreditDonkey assembled a panel of industry experts to answer readers' most pressing questions. Here's what they said:
Bottom line
Budgeting is a crucial step toward financial freedom. If you're switching from Quicken or just need a new program to organize your money, you can't go wrong with the choices above.
For powerful financial tools without spending a lot of money, make sure to check out Empower. It's a great fit to keep your current finances in order and prep you for a successful retirement later on.
But a budget is only useful if it fits your lifestyle and preferences. Be sure to go with a program that's easy and enjoyable for you to use. Most of the programs on the list offer a free trial period. Take advantage to test out their service before you commit.
With just a little bit of help, you'll surely make progress with your financial goals.
References
- ^ You Need a Budget Pricing, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ Tiller Money Pricing, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ Banktivity Pricing, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ Goodbudget Sign up, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ EveryDollar Ramsey+, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ CountAbout Pricing, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ Pocketsmith Pricing, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ Purchase Moneydance, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ MoneyWiz 2020 Pricing, Retrieve 12/17/2020
- ^ Dollarbird Plan, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ Wally App Store Preview, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ QuickBooks Online Plans & Pricing, Retrieved 12/17/2020
- ^ FreshBooks Pricing, Retrieved 02/08/2021
- ^ Pricing Plans - Xero US, Retrieved 02/08/21
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