EmailBest Reviewed
Accounting Software
- Best personal accounting software Quicken 2009 Deluxe *Est. $50
- Alternative personal accounting software Money Plus Deluxe *Est. $55
- Budgeting and debt-management software You Need A Budget Pro *Est. $50
- Free personal accounting software GnuCash *Est. $0
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Budgeting and debt-management software
- Helps users rein in spending and save money
- Free upgrades for life
- Easy to set up and use
- Good customer support
- Emphasizes budgeting rather than accounting
- Doesn't track investment accounts
- Doesn't download bank transactions automatically
- Too basic for some
February 2009. You Need A Budget Pro is praised by reviewers and users alike for its strength: It teaches users a methodology that will -- if they follow it carefully -- allow them to take control of their spending and accumulate savings. It features an easy-to-use interface, intuitive navigation and simple-but-useful reports to let users track their spending and reconcile accounts. Best of all, once you buy the software, you get free upgrades for life. However, You Need A Budget Pro does not track investments, and it doesn't offer the sophisticated financial planning tools that Quicken and Money Plus include. One other drawback noted by users is that you have to download transactions from your bank onto your computer and then import them into the program, rather than having the software do it automatically. For those who want more accounting features and the ability to track more types of accounts, reviewers recommend Quicken 2009 Deluxe (*est. $50).
We found few comparison reviews that include You Need A Budget, but About.com reviews the software itself, and almost 100 user reviews on Amazon.com offer a first-hand perspective.
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Our Sources
1. About.com
Shelley Elmblad reviews You Need A Budget Pro's features in detail, including its interface, register, scheduler and reports. She gives the software "a solid endorsement," and likes its "unique budgeting capabilities." She notes that a Mac version is reportedly in the works. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: You Need A Budget Pro Review, Shelley Elmblad
2. Amazon.com
About 100 owners rate You Need A Budget Pro, giving it 4.5 out of five stars -- much higher than the user ratings of either Quicken 2009 or Money Plus. Users say the software is easy to download, set up and use. They like the fact that this program teaches them how to design and stick to a budget, and many report that they have started saving money for the first time.
Review: You Need A Budget Pro -- Personal Finance Software Program, Users of Amazon.com
Accounting Software Runners Up:
2 picks including: About.com…
2 picks including: About.com…
