Each person's financial plan is different, so make sure the software you choose gives you what you need. Most financial software (the newer versions, at least) won't hog much of your system's resources, but you should check to make sure that it is compatible with your computer's operating system. See our Comparison Chart for system requirements.

Experts agree that a personal finance software package should, at a minimum, allow you to:

  • Download bank and investment data. Check for compatibility with your financial institution. Most large banks can transfer your account information to Money Plus, Quicken, and most of the other alternatives, but some smaller banks aren't there yet.
  • Create graphs and/or reports. If your needs don't go much beyond balancing your checkbook, this feature may not mean much to you. However, if you'd like to be able to chart your expenses and graphically see what percentage you spend on housing, insurance, etc., then charting features are nice.
  • Create a budget. Even basic software should allow you to work out a budget by tracking expenses and income using your financial information.
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