Top free Quicken alternatives include Empower (for investment/budgeting), Mint (budgeting/tracking, now part of Credit Karma), open-source options like Actual Budget or Pachira, and spreadsheet-based systems like using Google Sheets with templates, with free versions of paid tools like PocketSmith also available for basic needs. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize investment tracking, simple budgeting, or open-source control, as truly feature-rich free options are limited.
Free and Open-Source Quicken Replacements
GnuCash is a popular open-source alternative to Quicken, offering an extensive range of financial tools for users looking for a free option.
5 Best Free Accounting Software
Can I use my 2019 or later product without membership? No. All versions of Quicken released in 2019 require the purchase of an annual membership.
Simplifi is the brand new personal finance solution created by Quicken. It is a simple, intelligent, and intuitive mobile money management tool that gives users the ability to securely keep track of their income and expenses in real time.
Quicken Online was discontinued on August 29, 2010, and users were encouraged to transition to Mint.com. When Intuit sold Quicken to H.I.G. Capital, Mint.com remained with Intuit rather than being part of Quicken. Quicken introduced a cloud-based service, Simplifi, in 2020.
GnuCash is a free, open-source accounting software available across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. It offers double-entry accounting and allows users to track bank accounts, stocks, income, and expenses. Best for: Businesses seeking a free, intuitive desktop accounting solution.
For many small and micro-businesses, Google Sheets is the perfect bookkeeping tool. And the good news is that using Google Sheets for bookkeeping is easier than you think. Sure, you can format the columns and rows and add your own visual charts and formulas within Google Sheets to manage your finances.
To replace QuickBooks, popular alternatives include Xero, great for collaboration and established businesses; FreshBooks, ideal for freelancers with strong invoicing and time tracking; Wave, offering free basic accounting; Zoho Books, known for automation and Zoho integration; and Sage (Intacct/Accounting) for growing or larger businesses needing advanced features. Key factors in choosing involve your business size, industry (service vs. product), need for automation, and budget.
Accountants often dislike QuickBooks (especially the Online version) due to its limitations for complex work, weak reporting, frequent disruptive updates, and poor customer support, which hinder robust financial controls and efficient auditing compared to the Desktop version or other software. They find it less reliable for complex needs, poorly customizable, and frustrating when forced migrations or bugs interfere with established processes, making it feel better suited for basic businesses rather than professional accounting.
Free QuickBooks Alternatives
Limited Functionality
Free accounting software often comes with a limited set of features compared to paid versions. While these basic functionalities may be sufficient for startups or freelancers with simple financial needs, they may not meet the requirements of growing businesses.
The best free personal accounting software depends on your needs, with top choices including Wave for freelancers (invoicing & basic accounting), GnuCash for desktop power users (open-source, detailed control), and Goodbudget for envelope-style budgeting (manual entry, great for couples). For overall financial overview and linking accounts, Empower (formerly Personal Capital) and the reimagined Mint on Credit Karma are popular free options, while HomeBank offers robust desktop features.
You can get Microsoft 365 for free by using the web versions (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) at office.com with a free Microsoft account, through free Education plans for students/teachers, or by getting added to a Family plan by someone who already has one, while mobile apps offer basic free features, or you can try a one-month free trial for full features.
You won't be able to send or receive email in Outlook.com. After 6 months, we may delete your OneDrive and all files within it. Read the "What happens if you exceed your quota?" section in How Microsoft storage works for more information.
Yes, Quicken is sold as a yearly subscription for its various desktop versions (like Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business), requiring annual renewal for access to online services, bank downloads, mobile sync, and new features, though you retain ownership of your data. While you can buy it as a 1-year activation code from retailers, the software functions on an annual membership model, meaning you'll need to renew to keep features active.
Quicken users can connect to a variety of financial institutions, including the five largest banks in Canada – Bank of Montreal (BMO), Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD).