General Mac software discussions forum: Personal finance software for Mac

Hi-

Just a regular new PC to MAC convert, and I am happy to say that I do not have one regret from the switch - at all. For personal use, I highly recommend Moneywell for tracking, budget and planning features, as well as its simple to use interface. Very short learning curve, and good tutorials. I have test several other MAC OS personal finance programs, and found this to be the best. I liked it so much that I told them (and I rarely do that). I am a former Quicken user, and although some of the more sophisticated functions are not there like managing complex investments, there are many other apps our there that do only that - which is a good thing. 'Just my personal reference. As far as instant downloads - the program accepts the same file format - so it's seamless.

'Hope that helps.

I finally saw the light and switched to a Mac. Ahh, bliss. No more blue screens of death! I used MS Money. I'm checking out all the recommendations on here, but feeling a little overwhelmed. Maybe someone who has had good success can recommend something? Here are the features from Money that I would like to find in a new software:

--Update accounts. You enter your sign on and password info for your bank into the software and can update all of your accounts at once. You don't have to go to each bank individually and download statements.
--Investment accounts. We have 5 total. One thing that confused money was the fact that we had two accounts with Vanguard. (DUH! Two people=two IRAs... how retarded did they have to be to not realize married people like to track assets together but have separate accounts?)
--Income/expense projector. Recurring bills.

I don't use the budgets or reports at all. I'm thinking there has to be a free or cheap program that can work for me, since I don't use all the bells and whistles of Money. But I haven't been able to find it. And I'm worried about downloading a bunch of free trials and gunking up my nice new shiny fast Mac.

I just received the latest version of Quicken for the Mac. They are calling it Quicken Essentials for Mac 2010. I have to tell you, I have never been more disappointed with a piece of software before. I used Quicken for Windows ever since the mid-1990's and was always impressed with the robust features and somewhat intuitive interface. Like you, when I switched to a Mac, I wasn't sure what to do, but heard a new version of Quicken was coming out for the Mac. Excited, I signed up for a copy. Now, I can't believe how lame it really is. I was using a spreadsheet I created myself to track my finances while I waited for my new Quicken software to arrive. Believe it or not, my little spreadsheet does MORE than the "professionally-developed" financial software I had just spent almost $70 for. About the only thing lacking in my spreadsheet is the ability to automatically download account information. I'm still pissed at how weak the new Quicken for Mac program is.

I stumbled across this thread while looking for a "real" financial program. Haven't found one yet, but will let you know if I do.

I searched around and came to the conclusion that Money Dance was my best bet. It's primarily a check register in my case and it does that very well.

I did hear that Quicken was horrible on Mac, and being that I switched over to Mac two years ago...I'm forgetting the old standby's.

you are referring to an expensive financial advisor, quite different from a $50 software package.

I have used quicken windows version since #4.
For themac's that I now run Mint, Moneywell, Quicken for mac essentials and Quicken 2007. They all lack something.I am now using iBank 3 and it needs a lot of work.I bought quicken 2007 for mac too late and couldn't register it so couldn't download some of my data requirements. The Essentials program is basically Mint with a new interface. None of the programs allow you to write checks or do online transfers of money between accounts. Ibank allows you to write checks but not do transfers. This program is the lesser of all evils of the accounting programs. I will probably put Quicken 2010 on the machines and run in under VMWare Fusion 3.

Larry

This is quite a thread. I, too, recently swapped to a Mac (Mac Mini) ...hooray! ...and have been a *long* time user of Quicken.

And like everyone else I am looking for a good personal financial software program ...nothing fancy but I'm really addicted to paying my bills *through* whatever software I'm using (a la Quicken via BillPay). I recently read where Intuit bought Mint ....and Quicken's online banking service is powered by Mint. The latest Mac software from Intuit is a reboxed version of Mint. Totally stripped down program and it does not handle on line bill payments ...but then at least it tells you so on the box and Quicken gives you a 60-day money back guarantee.

Moneydance. It's not quite all it's "sunshine and roses" website would have you believe. First off: the trial version is *fully functional* ...it *will* allow you to use your banks online bill pay service. It's just that the website fails to tell you that (I have been working with MD support and they have reworded their website to specifically tell you this now). I paid the $40 thinking (as a hope to be ex-Quicken user) that no way was this service gonna be free. The other aspect they fail to tell you is that not every bank will allow you access to their bill pay feature and/or it will cost you to do so from application-based access (Moneydance)versus directly from the banks website. Then to top it off, some bright bulb at Moneydance decided to release the latest version, MD2010, with the users manual from MD2008 ...right. Oh there is a .pdf file you can download but it appears to have been cobbled together pretty quickly. You get the feeling that every version of their software is a beta test.....I'd like to help but I need software that works like I want it to work.

I cannot believe there is not one personal financial program written for Mac that will run your checkbook (with a Quicken-like reconcile feature) and allow you to pay your bills using the software.I guess since Intuit bought BillPay a few years ago they put the lock on that access.

I wonder why Apple doesn't come up with something?

I hate to say it but I may just move my Quicken 2007 onto my XP powered netbook and simply wait for the dust to settle and the programs to get more refined.....

MacWorld June 2010

no link, I have the print copy

In addition to Mint:
Wesabe
Buxfer

Just add .com

I switched from a pc to a new 27' Mac and bought quicken essentials. I like it . I don't share other reviews that don't. I have been using quicken for over 10 years and don't have a problem with quicken essentials. The only thing I don't like is I can't write checks in it but I use a debit card for everything and don't care. It is a good program!

Long story short - I lost all my data when I went to reconcile for the second time. Everything else was relatively easy although instructions are virtually non-existent. Does anyone know if I can get my money back if it is within 30 days?
I purchased this product specifically for my new IMAC after I read about how bad Quicken for MAC was. Anyone have any work arounds?

Thanks for this inquiry, I had never thought of the complications that may arise for programs such as retirement planning software when the decision to change operating systems arises. http://www.financialprose.com