QUICKEN or QuickBooks?

[lovemountains]

Is I've used Quicken a long time, but need to get new software. Is there an advantage to QuickBooks?

[justme]

I think the best way to do financial software is to use a spred sheet like Msoft XL, Libreoffice or equivalent and down load the appropriate spred sheet file from the bank or broker with robust security. This requires writing a macro that fits my needs as well as down loading the file. That way I would have the security I that even may be more robust than Quicken. The problem is getting the time to write the Macro. It would be nice if I could find one on the Inet already written to where I could tailor any changes to fit my needs specifically. Meanwhile, I think I will do this as project after the Holidays. Being retire, I don't have much else to do and it will keep me out of the DW hair 🙂 I don't understand why these software folks don't offer spred sheet macros that I can inspect to make sure they are secure or even modify rather than producing free software that is self contained.

[justme]

CloudDriver wrote:
Long time Quicken user here - 15+years. In August 2014, I decided to quit buying a new version of Quicken every few years and try something else. I discovered KMyMoney, a free personal finance manager. I used it in parallel with quicken for a few months, than cut the Quicken cord.

KMyMoney does everything I need, including investment tracking.

It's a free download - give it a try.

This looks like good software for financial stuff. But I am concerned about security. I don't know who controls the source code and protect the security of the user. At least with Quicken one has a company that is trusted and somebody to sue if your security has been violated. I have too much at stake to trust something like this software. Who knows where the information you are providing goes at present and into the future. I think it is a small price to pay Quicken or any other known reputable software house to protect security.

[CloudDriver]

I had no idea that KMyMoney was sending anything back. I haven't used Zone Alarm for years and get no such notifications from my Norton Internet Security. As a test, I disconnected the LAN cable from my desktop PC so it couldn't communicate with the internet and started KMyMoney. No problem with it starting up.

Just in case it makes a difference, I downloaded KMyMoney directly from the software developer, KDE, at this site.

FYI, I do not put account numbers or other personal information into KMyMoney. I didn't do that for Quicken either. I can still download transactions from my bank and match them up with my manual entries so I can reconcile with the bank statements.

[tenbear]

CloudDriver wrote:
Long time Quicken user here - 15+years. In August 2014, I decided to quit buying a new version of Quicken every few years and try something else. I discovered KMyMoney, a free personal finance manager. I used it in parallel with quicken for a few months, than cut the Quicken cord.

KMyMoney does everything I need, including investment tracking.

It's a free download - give it a try.

I tried KMyMoney and I think I will like it.

I use Zone Alarm and it flagged KMyMoney presumably sending something back to the originator, the same as Quicken does. I blocked it and KMyMoney would not run. Quicken sends a message 4x, which I block, then allows the program to run.

I finally got KMyMoney running again and stopped Zone Alarm from blocking the message it sends when it starts. It ran fine.

Have you any idea what KMyMoney is sending when it starts up? Have you seen an increase in spam that could originate from whatever the program sends back?

Thanks.

[CloudDriver]

TenOC wrote:

CloudDriver wrote:
Long time Quicken user here - 15+years. In August 2014, I decided to quit buying a new version of Quicken every few years and try something else. I discovered KMyMoney, a free personal finance manager. I used it in parallel with quicken for a few months, than cut the Quicken cord.

KMyMoney does everything I need, including investment tracking.

It's a free download - give it a try.

1. Does KMyMoney print to regular wallet checks or do you need special check format like Quicken. In all the years I used Quicken, I never used it to print checks. With online bill pay, I seldom write checks anyway. I don't think KMyMoney has the functionality to print checks.

2. KMM is a Linux based program. Is this a concern for the casual windows user?. KMyMoney has both a Linux and a Windows version. I have used both and the windows version works with no issues. Currently using KMyMoney with Windows 7 on a desktop and also with Windows 10 on an old laptop when we travel.

3. A review of KMM here.

[TenOC]

CloudDriver wrote:
Long time Quicken user here - 15+years. In August 2014, I decided to quit buying a new version of Quicken every few years and try something else. I discovered KMyMoney, a free personal finance manager. I used it in parallel with quicken for a few months, than cut the Quicken cord.

KMyMoney does everything I need, including investment tracking.

It's a free download - give it a try.

1. Does KMyMoney print to regular wallet checks or do you need special check format like Quicken.

2. KMM is a Linux based program. Is this a concern for the casual windows user?.

3. A review of KMM here.

[joebedford]

Quicken works (as well as it ever worked) with Windows 10.

Intuit forces you to upgrade about every three years by disabling bank, credit and investment account downloads, but if you're just using it as a dumb cheque book you don't need to worry about that.

[lovemountains]

Thanks for all of your responses.

[CloudDriver]

Long time Quicken user here - 15+years. In August 2014, I decided to quit buying a new version of Quicken every few years and try something else. I discovered KMyMoney, a free personal finance manager. I used it in parallel with quicken for a few months, than cut the Quicken cord.

KMyMoney does everything I need, including investment tracking.

It's a free download - give it a try.

[lovemountains]

I explain that in my other thread about software compatibility. We had a new computer with Windows 10 and it quit working and wondered if my old Quicken program caused a problem.

[fj12ryder]

Why do you need new software? Is the old incompatible with you new equipment? I use MS Money for my checkbook program. I'm running W7 and it may not run on W8 or W10.

Quickbooks would work, but it's way overkill for just a simple checkbook program. Kind of like pulling a teardrop camper with a MDT.

[lovemountains]

Thanks, I should have researched it first. I read so many negative reviews about newer versions of Quicken, so was looking for an alternative.

[fcooper]

Poppy & Nana wrote:

the bear II wrote:
QuickBooks is aimed at small to medium businesses.

It really is not a practical software for personal use.

Agree. I use quicken for personal accounting, and quickbooks to run the HOA accounting/water system billing. Quickbooks is overkill for personal use.

Fred

[Poppy___Nana]

the bear II wrote:
QuickBooks is aimed at small to medium businesses.

It really is not a practical software for personal use.