For a long time, Quicken was the only dependable personal finance software on the market. It was (and still is) the perfect tool to help you keep all your financial information organized, keep track of your bills, and build your budget.
But Quicken isn’t the only player in the game anymore. Today, there are tons of affordable – and even free – alternatives to help you manage your finances. Some of these options are a lot more modern and come with features Quicken never offered.
Quicken is great, but it’s not your only option. Here’s everything you need to know about the 15 best Quicken alternatives available in 2023.
1. Personal Capital
If you’re looking for the best budgeting software of 2023, Personal Capital is a great place to start.
For one thing, Personal Capital is 100% free to use. That’s pretty incredible, considering all the features it comes with. This software is great for basic personal finance management: building a budget, keeping track of bills, etc.
But it also goes beyond that – Personal Capital is also a resource to grow your wealth and track your progress toward your long-term goals.
You can use Personal Capital online, or download the mobile app to your phone. Some of my favorite features of this site include a fee analyzer, which will scan all your accounts for excessive or unnecessary fees; and a retirement planning tool to help you track your progress toward retirement.
All things considered, this is an awesome full-service finance app for everyone.
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
Personal Capital is a free Quicken alternative that comes with a wide variety of tools and resources.
It’s technically not budgeting software, like Quicken, but a personal finance website and app – that means you don’t need to download a program that will take up space on your desktop and require constant updates. You can just check your accounts on your phone or on the site.
Best of all, Personal Capital brings all of your financial accounts together in the same place. It’s basically your one-stop financial manager!
The downsides:
Personal Capital is free to use if you only want the personal finance and budgeting tools, but if you’re interested in their wealth management service, there are fees. Still, those fees could be worth it to keep all of your financial information in the same place.
Additionally, the budgeting and expense tracking tools are a little more simplistic than Quicken’s, so it might not be the best service for someone with a complex budget (like a small business owner).
2. PocketSmith
If you want to simplify your budget and keep track of all your bills in one place, PocketSmith could be the perfect Quicken alternative for you.
With PocketSmith, you can connect your bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investment accounts in the same program. It’s a great way to get a big-picture view of your finances and handle everything all at once.
There is a free version of the software, but you’ll get the most use out of it if you invest in the Premium account for $9.95 a month, or $89 for the year. With Premium, you can connect up to 10 accounts and have all your bank information import automatically.
For someone with a really complex budget, there’s also a Super account available for $19.95 a month, or $169 a year. That will let you connect an unlimited number of accounts (great for a couple or family), and update information in real time.
The coolest feature of PocketSmith is the forecast application. You can use this tool to “play” with your financial planning by running different scenarios and getting a projection of your future balances. With a Premium account, you can forecast as far as 10 years into the future (and 30 years with a Super account).
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
PocketSmith makes budgeting simple. Instead of keeping track of all your separate accounts individually, you can see everything in one place, and even project future balances to make the smartest financial decisions.
Through this software, you can create budgets and set alerts, so you’ll know when any of your accounts are getting low, or when it’s time to pay a bill.
The downsides:
PocketSmith doesn’t have a bill paying feature, so you can’t actually use it to pay your bills.
It also comes at a fee. If you’re just looking for a tool to track your spending and budget with a couple accounts, a free alternative is probably a better choice for you. But if you have as many as 10 different accounts to keep track of and a complicated budget, a Premium account with PocketSmith is definitely worth it.
3. Tiller
Do you use spreadsheets to keep track of your finances?
A lot of people love applications like Microsoft Excel for their financial planning. But inputting all that information can get tedious, and it’s easy to make a mistake. That’s where Tiller comes in!
For $6.58 a month, or $79 a year (with an initial free 30-day trial), Tiller will pull all of your financial data out of your accounts and automatically put it into a spreadsheet with Google Sheets or Excel – whichever your preferred app is.
You’ll have a personalized, continuously updated spreadsheet to keep track of everything. See where your spending is going, know when accounts are getting low or bills are due, and plan for future spending in one place.
If you’re someone who struggles to stay organized (like me), Tiller is well worth the investment to keep all of your financial and budgeting information in order.
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
Tiller is a really unique financial service. It helps you track your spending in a simple, straightforward way by automatically updating your spreadsheet.
If you don’t need all the fancy expense tracking and forecasting tools of Quicken and other alternatives, Tiller should be perfect for you. Plus, if you don’t like having your data in the Cloud, you can use Tiller with Excel to keep everything downloaded right on your desktop.
The downsides:
The flipside of that simple convenience is that Tiller doesn’t come with any extra tools or services to take your finances off your hands. It also comes at a cost.
If you have a more complicated financial plan and need more resources to help you budget, track spending, pay your bills, etc., you should probably subscribe to a more hands-on financial service.
4. Mint
Want a service that’s as dependable as Quicken, without the cost? Check out Mint.
Mint is owned by Intuit, the same guys who originally developed Quicken. It’s totally free to use online or download the app, and perfect for someone who wants an intuitive, easy-to-use budget tracking tool.
Use Mint to keep track of all of your accounts at once. It will send you weekly spending summaries and fee alerts, and let you know whenever your accounts are getting low. You can also use it to check your credit score.
Your transactions upload to Mint automatically, so your information is always up to date when you open the app.
My favorite feature of Mint is that you can set savings goals in the app like “down payment on a house,” or “paying off student loans,” then track your progress toward those goals. It’s a great way to stay on track toward those big purchases.
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
It’s free! For basic financial planning and tracking, Mint gives you all the ease and reliability of Quicken, for no cost.
If you’re a recent college graduate or someone who’s just starting to build your own wealth, Mint is a great resource. You can build your budget, keep track of your loans and spending, and plan for the future all in one place.
The downsides:
Mint doesn’t come with any investment resources. It’s just for tracking and budgeting – you can’t use it to pay your bills, either.
For someone with multiple investment accounts who needs a serious wealth management resource, Mint is probably not the way to go. You’re better off investing in a Quicken alternative with more features and some investment tools.
5. You Need A Budget (YNAB)
The name says it all. YNAB is budgeting software for the people who really need it.
Their goal isn’t just to help you build a budget and track your spending, but to teach you how to manage your finances for long-term success. It’s like having the convenience of an app like Mint, combined with the personal touch of a financial advisor.
It’s around $84 a year for the software, but you can start off with a free 30-day trial to decide if YNAB is right for you, before you pay anything. Once you subscribe, you’ll have access to all their budgeting tools, financial philosophy, and guidance.
All-in-all, this is an awesome resource for someone who needs to learn how to budget and wants to get out of the paycheck-to-paycheck trap.
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
YNAB is unique in that it goes above and beyond what other budgeting apps do. It will help you to track your spending and build your budget, but it also teaches you as you go.
After a year or two of working with the software, you might not even need a budgeting app anymore. It does come at a cost, but you’ll probably save enough money to pay it off within the first month.
The downsides:
Not everyone needs to be taught how to manage their budget. If you’re a financially savvy person who just wants the tools to keep track of your banking and investment accounts, YNAB probably won’t be right for you.
6. MoneySpire
For someone who wants to feel like they’re in complete control of their financial life, MoneySpire is an awesome, easy to use personal finance software.
You can use MoneySpire to see all of your accounts and payments in the same place, and keep track of all your spending. It’s perfect for a more private person who doesn’t want to put their financial data online – with MoneySpire, everything is stored right on your computer.
What really sets this software apart from some other Quicken alternatives out there is that it’s not a subscription. It’s just a budgeting tool, and once you buy it, it’s yours to keep.
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
MoneySpire is a tool to help you keep track of your finances, plain and simple. If you don’t want the extra features, spending tips, and subscription plan that comes with other services, this software is perfect for you.
Unlike Quicken and other alternatives, it’s a one-time purchase that you can use however you want once you buy it.
The downsides:
If you need a little more support when it comes to building your budget, MoneySpire will probably fall a little short. This software is just for viewing your accounts and tracking spending.
On top of that, it comes at a fairly high one-time cost, so if you don’t have the space in your budget for it just now, you might want to start with a free alternative.
7. EveryDollar
Want to keep track of where every dollar goes? Try EveryDollar.
This budgeting app is designed to help you build a budget on any income. It’s free to sign up – or you can get EveryDollar Plus for $129 annually, which comes with automated syncing of all your accounts, plus regular tips and guidance from financial guru Dave Ramsey.
The free version is great if you just need a little help planning your budget. Just bought a house, or started a new career? EveryDollar will provide a template so you can plan out where every single dollar in your spending accounts goes.
What makes it a great Quicken Alternative:
EveryDollar is awesome for building a basic budget. It’s incredibly easy to use, and you can take a quick scan of your finances anytime with the mobile app.
Plus, there’s no obligation to buy into the paid subscription. You can always start out with the free app, then upgrade as your budget becomes more complicated.
The downsides:
You won’t find any investment tools or special spending features, such as automated bill paying, on EveryDollar. It’s just for budgeting.
If you don’t need any help building and sticking to your budget, a more sophisticated Quicken alternative will suit you better.
8. GoodBudget
Have you ever tried the cash envelope method for sticking to your budget? By sorting a certain amount of cash into envelopes for groceries, clothes, entertainment, etc. every month, you’ll make sure you don’t overspend.
GoodBudget takes the cash envelope method into the virtual world. This handy app lets you set a budget for all your needs every month. You can keep track of your spending on your phone, and sync your bank accounts so you’re always up to date.
The coolest part of GoodBudget is that you can sync it to multiple phones – perfect for a family or couple trying to stick to a budget together.
Best of all, it’s totally free!
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
GoodBudget stands out from the crowd for its simplicity. You don’t have to be an expert with budgeting or technology to use it. It’s perfect for dividing up a monthly budget and making sure you never overspend.
This app is also uniquely designed for multiple people. Starting your financial planning as a couple? GoodBudget is the ideal tool to make it easier.
The downsides:
Like a lot of the budgeting apps on this list, GoodBudget is only meant for budgeting. You can’t use it to track your investment accounts, pay your bills, or get support for growing and managing your wealth.
Simple can be good for some people, but a more complex budget definitely requires more complex financial software.
9. Xero
I’ve talked a lot about basic budgeting services for families and individuals, but what if you need a financial resource for your business? That’s where Xero comes in.
This is a cloud-based accounting program designed specifically for small business owners. It costs between $9 and $70 per month, depending on the features you’re looking for.
Those features include programs for invoicing, payroll, inventory tracking, and more. It can also sync with hundreds of different iPhone apps, so you can incorporate your accounting software with whatever other services you use (time tracking, mobile payments, etc.).
There’s no limit on the number of people who can access your Xero account, so it can be available to all your employees or partners at once.
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
While Quicken can be helpful for a small business, it’s best suited for individual or family financial planning.
Xero comes with awesome features that your whole business can access and use. Best of all, there are multiple “tiers” or subscription options, so you don’t have to overpay for features your small business doesn’t use.
The downsides:
This software is meant for growing businesses. I definitely wouldn’t recommend it if you are self-employed or only have an employee or two. You won’t need all the features that come with the more sophisticated plans, and the starter plan will probably be too basic.
For smaller businesses or individual finances, another Quicken alternative on this list will be a better fit.
10. CountAbout
If you’re looking to transition from Quicken or Mint to a modern financial software with plenty of features, you should take a look at CountAbout.
This service was developed by the owners of Quicken, which is why you can automatically import your date from Quicken or Mint – making it super easy to make the switch.
The subscription is $9.99 for the basic plan, and $39.99 for premium. Paying for a subscription means no hidden fees or annoying ads (something Mint users have complained about). The whole service is web-based, so you won’t have to download or update any software.
With your subscription, you’ll have all your finances in one place, and have access to a whole slew of tools, including budgeting, spending tracking, account and bill pay alerts, invoicing, and more.
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
This program was actually developed by the makers of Quicken to be the go-to Quicken alternative. It takes some of the best features of the Quicken software online, making it more accessible and easier to use.
At just $9.99 a month, it’s also really affordable for all the features you get. If you have a complicated budget and need a lot of resources to stay on top of your finances, CountAbout is the perfect choice.
The downsides:
CountAbout is a lot like Quicken. If you’re switching away from Quicken because you didn’t like the features, you won’t be happy with CountAbout.
You also shouldn’t pay for CountAbout’s service if all you need is basic budgeting help. For that, check out one of the free apps on this list.
11. Banktivity
For anyone who doesn’t want to pay a subscription fee, Banktivity is an awesome personal finance tool that you can download for a one-time fee.
This software will do just about everything you need to manage your finances, including budgeting, tracking spending, scheduling and paying bills, and monitoring your investment accounts. It’s like your all-in-one money management tool.
Banktivity can also automatically import all your data from Quicken, so it’s super easy to make the switch.
The software costs just under $70, but you can also try it out for free for 30 days, no obligation.
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
Banktivity takes all the easy tools and features of Quicken and downloads them right onto your hard drive. You can keep track of every aspect of your finances all in one place for no monthly fees.
It’s also nice and private, with none of your data stored in the cloud or online.
The downsides:
Banktivity is designed specifically for MacOS systems. Sorry, Android users!
The other downside is that it’s built for use on a desktop. While the software can sync with some mobile apps, it doesn’t come with the intuitive mobile display of some other finance and budgeting apps.
12. Wally
For a clear picture of your monthly budget and spending right in your pocket, give Wally a try.
Wally is a budgeting app. Like a few of the other options on this list, it will help you to set limits on your monthly spending, build a sustainable budget, and track your spending. It’s free, and super easy to use.
You can sync multiple accounts to Wally, and watch them update in real time on the interface. Want to take a quick scan of your checking, savings, and credit card accounts? Just open the app.
For the budgeting aspect, you will have to manually enter your transactions, so there is a little effort involved. Still, that’s worth it to have such a comprehensive view of your spending and budgets, for free!
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
Wally is so easy to use and understand. Unlike Quicken, it’s totally free and in your pocket at all times.
If you want a simple mobile tool to help you save money and prevent overspending, Wally is totally the way to go.
The downsides:
Because Wally is free, it doesn’t come with all the features of a paid budgeting service. For example, you’ll have to manually input your transactions in each of your spending categories.
You also can’t use Wally for anything beyond budgeting. If you want a service that will pay your bills and help you grow your wealth, go with a more complex personal finance software.
13. Dollarbird
Building a budget with your future in mind? Try Dollarbird.
This handy personal finance app lets you collaborate with your spouse, family, or business partners by creating shared monthly calendars. You can use the app to track your spending, set monthly and annual budgets, and even build a five-year financial plan.
If you have long-term spending goals in mind, Dollarbird can be a huge help. It’s also really affordable for what you get – the pro version is only $39.99 annually!
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
Dollarbird is the budgeting app for savvy spenders. It goes beyond building you a monthly budget to actually help you set up your future finances and track how close you are to reaching your goals.
Plus, the collaborative calendar is a totally unique feature that Quicken and other alternatives don’t have.
The downsides:
Dollarbird helps you to project for your future spending, but the real work is all in your hands. You can’t automate bill pay or track investments through this app – it’s just for monitoring your budget.
The free version is also pretty limited, and only really works for an individual. Couples should invest in the Pro plan.
14. MoneyWiz
Another great platform to see all your finances and manage your budgets in one place is MoneyWiz.
This budgeting tool goes way beyond some of the more basic budgeting apps on this list – you can use it to budget in multiple categories and sub-categories, split transactions, edit in bulk, and create reports. It can also link to your cryptocurrency accounts, if that’s how you invest.
And for all that, it’s super affordable – only $4.99 a month for the Premium plan, or $49.99 a year.
MoneyWiz is supported on pretty much any device, as a mobile or desktop app.
Why it’s a great Quicken Alternative:
MoneyWiz is like the perfect middle ground between Quicken and a simplified budgeting app. If you want the ability to create reports and budget in multiple categories, plus automatically syncing from your bank accounts, for a free or minimal subscription, this is a great choice.
The downsides:
MoneyWiz isn’t quite as intuitive as some of the other budgeting apps on this list.
If you subscribe, it might take some time to get used to the interface and all its features. You also can’t pay your bills through the app – but it will send you notifications when bills are due.
15. Wave
Last but not least on this list of the best Quicken alternatives is Wave, a cloud-based accounting, invoicing, and bookkeeping program.
If you need an easy-to-use software for your business finances, you should definitely check out Wave. It’s perfect for those extra-small, one or two-person businesses (like freelance writers and artists).
Manage your budget, send invoices, keep track of your orders and spending, and even take care of payroll through the mobile and desktop app. It’s free to use, and additional features come at minimal costs – so you won’t need to spend more until your business starts to grow.
Why it’s a great Quicken alternative:
Love all the features of Quicken, can’t fit a subscription into your small business budget? Wave will be perfect for you.
This is the best choice for anyone who needs a little help getting started as a freelancer or entrepreneur.
The downsides:
Wave can be pretty limited once your business starts to grow. For example, it costs an additional fee every time you add another employee onto your payroll.
If you see your business really expanding in the near feature, go for a more sophisticated accounting or bookkeeping software.
Financial Planning For Everyone
As you can see, there are tons of financial planning, accounting, and budgeting services out there. Quicken is great, but it’s no longer the only option!
Whatever your budget or income looks like – whether your saving up for a new car or starting your own business – the right personal finance app or software is out there for you. Take a look at some of the options on this list, and get your finances organized.
With all these resources available, managing your money is easier today than ever before.
