Banktivity vs Quicken 2025: Which financial app is better?

Jeremy Biberdorf
By: Jeremy Biberdorf
 

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Choosing the most suitable personal finance software can be tricky. Banktivity and Quicken are both leading contenders in the industry, but each one offers distinct features and advantages that may be better suited for your particular financial requirements.

Continue reading, as I compare Banktivity vs Quicken side-by-side, so you can determine which is best for your financial goals.

For more detailed analysis of Quicken check out our full Quicken Review.
Banktivity is Better for:Quicken is Better for:
Mac usersComprehensive financial management
Interactive budgeting toolsAdvanced investment tracking
Basic expense trackingBill management
One-time purchase pricingExtensive customer support options

Banktivity vs Quicken: Your Brief Introduction

Banktivity: Financial Budgeting For Mac Users

Banktivity, formerly known as iBank, was launched in 2003 by IGG Software, a company named after its founder Ian G. Gillespie. With a strong background in biology and a passion for technology, Ian has been developing software for Mac for over two decades.

Specifically designed for macOS and iOS users, Banktivity provides interactive tools that allow users to manage their financial reports and securely store important documents. Although it offers many advantages, Banktivity has some limitations in investment tracking and bill management compared to solutions like Quicken.

Banktivity excels by delivering a platform that is perfectly aligned with the needs of Mac users, ensuring a seamless integration with their operating systems for effective financial management.

Quicken: A Time Tested Personal Finance Tool

Quicken has been a trusted name in personal finance management for over 35 years, serving more than 20 million users. Today, it stands as the best-selling personal finance software in the US, continuously evolving under the leadership of CEO Eric Dunn, a longtime team member since 1986.

Quicken’s offerings include the Quicken Classic web platform, the Quicken Classic Companion App for iOS and Android, Quicken Home & Business and Quicken Simplifi—a modern solution for digital natives introduced in 2020.

Known for robust features, Quicken excels in budgeting, investment tracking, and bill management, providing a comprehensive toolkit for managing your finances efficiently. Whether you’re new to financial software or seeking an all-in-one solution, Quicken offers the necessary tools to keep your finances in check.

Read more about it here.

Banktivity Quicken
Type of Service Personal Finance Software Personal Finance Software
Best Use Budgeting and Expense Tracking Comprehensive Financial Management
Customer Support Email and Chat Phone, Chat, and FAQs
Current Promotion

More Info

More Info

Get up to 50% OFF on Quicken for a Limited Time!
Modest Money Overall Rating
3.5 rating based on 5 ratings
4.8 rating based on 5 ratings
Banktivity
Type of Service Personal Finance Software
Best Use Budgeting and Expense Tracking
Customer Support Email and Chat
Current Promotion

More Info

Modest Money Overall Rating
3.5 rating based on 5 ratings
Quicken
Type of Service Personal Finance Software
Best Use Comprehensive Financial Management
Customer Support Phone, Chat, and FAQs
Current Promotion

More Info

Get up to 50% OFF on Quicken for a Limited Time!
Modest Money Overall Rating
4.8 rating based on 5 ratings

Factor 1: Budgeting Tools

  • Quicken offers advanced and intuitive budgeting tools.
  • Banktivity provides interactive budgeting but may overwhelm new users.

Banktivity: Interactive Budgeting Tools

Reap the powerful benefits of Banktivity’s interactive budgeting tools – from creating budget plans to managing funds. Fine-tune finances with this software, however, the interface might appear overwhelming to novices or individuals less versed in financial tech.

Quicken: Advanced Budgeting Tools

Quicken offers advanced budgeting tools with a more intuitive interface, making it easy for users to plan and manage their budgets. This user-friendly approach makes Quicken a preferred choice for individuals who want an easy-to-use yet powerful budgeting tool.

Factor 2: Investment Tracking

  • Quicken excels with comprehensive investment tracking tools.
  • Banktivity lacks investment tracking features.

Banktivity: Lacks Investment Tracking

Banktivity is great at helping users manage their expenses and plan budgets, but there is one feature it currently lacks –– investment tracking. For individuals that would like to keep track of their investments together with their budget, this can be an unfortunate gap.

Quicken: Comprehensive Investment Tracking

Quicken shines with its comprehensive investment tracking tools. Users can track their investment portfolios, monitor performance, and make informed decisions based on real-time data. This makes Quicken an excellent option for individuals who want to manage both their budgeting and investment needs within a single platform.

Factor 3: Bill Management

  • Quicken provides robust bill management tools.
  • Banktivity does not offer bill management features.

Banktivity: Lacks Bill Management

Banktivity does not offer bill management features, which can be a drawback for users seeking a comprehensive financial management solution. This limitation means users must use separate tools or platforms to manage and pay their bills.

Quicken: Robust Bill Management

In contrast, Quicken provides robust bill management tools. Users can track, manage, and even pay their bills directly within the platform, offering convenience and streamlining financial management. This all-in-one approach makes Quicken a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for managing personal finances.

Factor 4: User Experience

  • Quicken has an intuitive, cross-platform interface.
  • Banktivity is detailed but designed specifically for Mac users.

Banktivity: Detailed Interface for Mac Users

Banktivity’s user interface is detailed and comprehensive, making it a good option for Mac users who appreciate a Mac-oriented design. However, this level of detail can be overwhelming for some, especially those new to personal finance software.

Quicken: Intuitive and User-Friendly Interface

Quicken, on the other hand, boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface. It’s designed to be easily navigated by users of all tech levels, making it a more accessible tool for a broader range of users. Plus, it’s available on both Mac and PC platforms, making it a flexible choice for any user.

Factor 5: Pricing

  • Banktivity offers a 30-day free trial with tiered subscription plans.
  • Quicken Subscription model offering 50% off with my link.

Banktivity’s pricing structure is designed to accommodate various user needs with its tiered subscription model. Users can choose from three main plans: Bronze at $49.99/year, Silver at $69.99/year, and Gold at $99.99/year, translating to monthly costs of $4.17, $5.84, and $8.34 respectively.

Each tier offers different levels of access to features, allowing users to select the plan that best suits their financial management requirements. Additionally, every new user can explore Banktivity’s offerings through a comprehensive 30-day free trial, providing ample time to assess the software’s value.

Check Banktivity website to confirm current pricing and full terms.

Quicken’s pricing, on the other hand, is structured to provide a range of options suitable for varying financial management needs, all billed annually for convenience.

The plans include Quicken Simplifi at $3.99 per month for basic budgeting and financial tracking; Quicken Deluxe at $5.99 per month for more extensive budgeting tools and investment features; Quicken Premier at $7.99 per month for advanced investment tracking and wealth management tools; and Quicken Home & Business at $10.99 per month for those running a business alongside personal financial management.

What makes Quicken particularly appealing is the exclusive discount available through my link, where users can save 50% on their membership, significantly enhancing the value offered by Quicken’s comprehensive financial tools.

Check Quicken website to confirm current pricing and full terms.

This pricing flexibility combined with the discount opportunity makes Quicken a highly attractive choice for those seeking detailed and extensive financial management capabilities.

Factor 6: External Customer Reviews & Ratings

External Banktivity Reviews & Ratings

SiteRating
Trustpilot4.2 from 17 reviews
Slashdot3

External Quicken Reviews & Ratings

SiteRating
Best Wallet Hacks4.6 from 615 reviews
PC Magazine4.5
Top Ten Reviews4.5
Forbes4.1

My Verdict: Quicken For The Win

When weighing the advantages and features of both Banktivity and Quicken, it’s clear that both offer distinct benefits for different user needs. Banktivity is a solid choice for Mac users who need intuitive budgeting tools and basic expense tracking. However, for those looking for a more comprehensive and advanced approach to financial management, Quicken is undoubtedly a stronger contender.

The investment tracking and bill management features within Quicken set it apart, providing users with the ability to manage all their financial affairs in one place. It’s user-friendly, well-designed, and has powerful tools that can handle just about any financial task.

If this is what you’re looking for, click here to get started with Quicken today.

Get up to 50% OFF on Quicken with my exclusive link for a limited time!

Learn More About Quicken

FAQ

How Good is Banktivity?

Ultimately, how good Banktivity is will come down to personal preference. Many Mac users are very satisfied with the features Banktivity delivers. Banktivity has a 4.1 out of 5 overall rating on TrustPilot.

Can I use Banktivity Without a Subscription?

Banktivity gives a generous 30-day free trial with all of its subscription plans. Also, once you pay for your subscription, you will still have access to your account, you just won’t be able to access new features.

What Can I Use Quicken For?

Quicken assists individuals, families, and businesses in monitoring their account balances, investments, budgets, and various other expenses.

Are Quicken and Quickbooks The Same?

No, Quicken and Quickbooks are not the same. Quicken is tailored for personal finance management, whereas QuickBooks is intended for small business accounting. Both applications can monitor income and expenses, set up budgets, and produce reports. Despite their similarities, there are notable differences. Quicken is more affordable and simpler to operate compared to QuickBooks.


Jeremy Biberdorf

About the Author:

Jeremy Biberdorf is the founder of Modest Money. He’s a father of 2 beautiful girls, a dog owner, a long-time online entrepreneur and an investing enthusiast.