Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Quicken

$35.99 per year

Quicken is a personal finance management tool that provides users with insights into their spending, budgets, and subscriptions.

Our take

Quicken keeps your finances organized.

Alright, let's dig into Quicken. It's like the Swiss Army knife of personal finance software—does a bit of everything. You can manage your budget, track expenses, and keep an eye on investments all in one place. It's pretty handy if you like seeing all your financial stuff laid out for you. The best part is probably its ability to sync with your bank accounts, so you don’t have to manually enter every single transaction. But heads up, sometimes the syncing isn’t perfect, and you might have to fiddle with it to get everything matching up just right.

Quicken's interface isn't the most modern or intuitive, which can be a bit of a bummer. It feels like it's stuck in the 2000s, and if you’re used to sleek, app-like designs, it might feel clunky. That said, it’s packed with features, so if you can get past the looks, you get a lot of functionality. It’s like dating someone with a great personality but questionable fashion choices. You might have to spend some time clicking around to get the hang of things, but once you do, it’s pretty powerful.

One thing to watch out for is the cost. Quicken isn’t the cheapest option out there, with annual subscription fees that can add up. If you’re on a tight budget, this could be a dealbreaker. But if you’re serious about managing your finances and need something more robust than free apps, it might be worth the investment. Just make sure you’re actually going to use the features it offers, otherwise it’s like buying a gym membership you never use.

Now, if you’re into investment tracking, Quicken does a decent job there. You can track your portfolio, analyze your investments, and even get a sense of your net worth. This is great if you're someone who likes to keep a close eye on your financial health. But again, it’s not perfect—sometimes the data doesn’t sync right, or the projections feel a bit off. It’s good, but not perfect, so you might need to do some manual adjustments.

Overall, Quicken is kind of like an old reliable car. It might not be the flashiest, but it gets the job done. If you’re looking for a comprehensive financial tool and don’t mind paying for it, it could be a good fit. Just be prepared to spend a little time ironing out quirks and getting used to the interface. Otherwise, you might end up feeling like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. Use it if you need its full range of features; skip it if you just want something simple and easy.