By: Jeremy Biberdorf
February 28, 2024
Quicken used to be the premier solution for budgeting, managing bills, and organizing financial information all in one place. It was the leading personal finance software before the advent of web-based tools, offering users a comprehensive platform for handling their finances. However, this convenience came at a cost, as Quicken was a paid service.
In recent times, the landscape of personal finance software has evolved significantly. New entrants, leveraging modern technology, have introduced platforms that are not only faster but also offer seamless integration with financial institutions like banks and credit card companies.
These alternatives address common issues such as account synchronization, user interface problems, and the frequent maintenance challenges that Quicken users often encounter.
The shift towards these new tools is also driven by their cost-effectiveness; many of these personal finance solutions are free, providing users the freedom to explore and find the personal finance software better than Quicken that suits their needs without financial commitment.
If you’re seeking a change from Quicken’s problematic support and synchronization issues and are in search of a reliable alternative, there are several outstanding candidates to consider. Here is a list of the best Quicken alternatives.
Personal Finance Software Better Than Quicken
Whether these personal finance softwares are better than Quicken will come down to individual preferences. But I will highlight the benefits and costs of each, so that you can decide which is best for you.
Empower
Empower is an innovative personal finance app that takes managing money to the next level. Unlike just tracking expenses and budgeting, Empower focuses on helping you save more, earn cash back, and access cash advances easily. It’s all about giving you the power to manage your finances better.
With its clean design and comprehensive analytical tools, plus the Empower Visa debit card, this app offers a streamlined way to handle your money. It simplifies financial tracking by categorizing your spending, automating savings, and setting custom budget limits. After starting with a 14-day free trial, Empower has a clear pricing model with a monthly subscription fee of $8.
Empower does more than just show where your money goes. It gives you a complete view of your financial life, similar to what Quicken offers, but Empower adds its twist. It tracks your spending, investments, and even your net worth over time, all in one place.
Empower offers a robust set of features, especially for those interested in investment tracking and retirement planning. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to save and invest for the long term, offering solid value with its range of financial tools.
If you’re on the lookout for a comprehensive financial tool that can help with long-term planning without the fees associated with other platforms like Quicken, Empower might be the right fit. Click Here to get started with Empower.
Monarch Money
Monarch Money, created by Val Agostino, is a streamlined financial management tool perfect for just about anyone – whether you’re flying solo, part of a couple, managing family finances, investing, or saving for specific goals. It connects with a vast array of banks and financial institutions, giving you a full view of your money all in one spot.
The platform is super user-friendly and offers a ton of useful features. You can track everything from your bank account balances and transactions to your investments, set financial targets, get budgeting help, and even receive personalized financial advice. Plus, Monarch Money takes your data security seriously, so you can rest easy knowing your information is well protected.
What’s really cool about Monarch Money is how it caters to couples.
You and your partner can both log into the same account with your own credentials, see each other’s financial data, and connect your individual accounts. This feature is a game-changer for managing joint finances while keeping your own money matters private.
And if you’re used to Quicken Classic, you’ll find Monarch Money’s investment tracking pretty familiar. It lets you keep an eye on all your retirement accounts and other investments in one place.
Interested in giving it a try? Monarch Money offers a 7-day free trial. After that, it’s just $7.50 a month to continue. It’s a small price to pay for such a comprehensive and easy-to-use financial tool. Click Here to give Monarch Money a try.
Learn More About Monarch Money
Moneydance
MoneyDance offers a unique approach in the personal finance software industry, distinguishing itself by prioritizing data privacy and local storage. Unlike many other financial applications that store information in the cloud, MoneyDance ensures your financial data remains on your own computer, addressing privacy concerns for those wary of online data storage.
Despite its emphasis on privacy, MoneyDance doesn’t sacrifice functionality. Users can connect their financial accounts for automatic transaction updates while having the option to manually input transactions if preferred.
MoneyDance is available as a free download, allowing users to test its full range of features. However, the free version is capped at 100 manual transactions. For unlimited access, there is a one-time fee of $65, with an option for a $99 yearly subscription for ongoing updates.
Different from typical web-based solutions, Moneydance is a downloadable software, ensuring a secure and personal usage experience. It automates the categorization of expenses, adapts to your personal financial management style, and even supports bill payments directly from the software.
Additionally, Moneydance provides a consolidated dashboard view of your finances, includes alert capabilities for upcoming bills, and offers both Mac and Windows compatibility, priced at $49.99.
This makes Moneydance not just a Quicken alternative, but a comprehensive tool for those preferring a more localized approach to their financial management. Click Here to get started with Moneydance today.
Final Thoughts
The world of personal finance software has evolved tremendously, offering viable alternatives to Quicken that cater to diverse user needs and preferences. These platforms leverage modern technology to provide quicker, more integrated solutions for managing your finances, often at a fraction of the cost.
Empower, Monarch Money, and MoneyDance each offer unique features and benefits, from enhanced investment tracking and collaborative financial planning to prioritizing data privacy with local storage options.
Whether you’re looking for a tool that offers deep financial insights, facilitates joint financial management, or ensures your data remains private, there’s likely a personal finance software better than Quicken for your specific needs.
