Good personal finance and budgeting software helps users control their spending and manage household money. Finding the right accounting program is not an easy task, especially for the starters, so we tried to analyze and describe all important features which will be handy for any user.
Price
Special features
Graphs & piecharts
Supported OS
YNAB
YNAB is free personal budget planning software for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android users. It provides real-time access to user data, setting and tracking budget goals. There's a 30-day trial version, then you have to purchase the program for $7.99 per month.
Main Window
- Bank syncing.
- Integrated tools to plan budget.
- Setting the goal budget.
Advantages
- Balancing checking accounts.
- Credit card overspending.
- Building a budget according to expenses.
Disadvantages
- All data is stored in the cloud.
- No tools to track stocks, funds, etc.
- Annoying alert messages.
GnuCash
GnuCash is a personal and small-business financial accounting program. It is freely licensed under the GNU GPL and available for GNU/Linux, BSD, Solaris, Android, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows. This tool is based on professional accounting principles to ensure balanced books and accurate reports.
Monitor your money
Feature
- Checkbook-style register.
- Projections for the future.
- Small business accounting.
Advantages
- Auto backup settings.
- Scheduled transactions.
- Comparing fund market price data.
Disvantages
- Double entry accounting package.
- Steep learning curve.
- No sync between desktop and mobile versions.
MoneyManagerEx
Money Manager Ex is free, easy-to-use personal finance software. Organize your finances and keep track of where, when and how the money goes. It's open source and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Main window
Feature
- Budgeting and cash flow forecasting.
- Reminders for recurring bills and deposits.
- CSV support.
Advantages
- Dropbox support.
- Tracking of fixed assets.
- Run from a USB key.
Disadvantages
- No category filter.
- Lack of online banking.
- Time-consuming from start.
AceMoney Lite
AceMoney Lite is a freeware personal finance manager and supports all the features required for home or even small-business accounting needs. It works on Windows XP or higher and Mac OS X or higher.
Track your budget
Feature
- Scheduled transactions.
- Multiple currencies support.
- Analyzing spending habits.
Advantages
- Planning of debts and mortgage payments.
- Integration with e-business, shareware and eBay.
- Easy import from other finance software.
Disadvantages
- Lack of online bill payments.
- No stock support.
- No mobile app.
QuickBooks Pro
QuickBooks Pro is an accounting solution which offers such functionalities as account payable & receivable, project accounting and expense management. It works on Windows 7 and higher, Linux, Android, and iOS. Try the free version for 30 days, than purchase it for $199 per year.
Manage money
Feature
- Assistance in tax deductions.
- Invoice status tracker.
- Employee sick and vacation tracking.
Advantages
- Sample accounting reports.
- Bank account reconciliation.
- Inventory tracking for companies.
Disadvantages
- Issues with mileage tracking.
- Limited dashboard data drilling.
- No payroll function.
Conclusion
We have tested popular personal finance programs which help in organizing your budget and getting details about your expenses. Number one goes to GnuGash that is completely free and to QuickBooks Pro that is quite costly but feature-rich.
These are five personal finance apps for your Windows PC, if you use other budgeting programs than listed in this article - you are welcome to name them.
GnuCash can be a bit challenging to use for those of us lacking CPA credentials. I've downloaded it two or three times over the many years it has been available. Maybe I'm stupid, but I still can't get past the first page.
Oh well, maybe the fourth time will be the charm.
I'm currently using QuickBooks and I have several individual accounts for other people, do any of your software packages have this option?