A better Quicken alternative for Mac & iPhone users.
If Quicken feels cumbersome, overpriced or just not built for the way Apple users work, Banktivity gives you a modern, native replacement — on Mac, iPhone and iPad — without leaving your financial data or your history behind.
If any of those sounds familiar, this page is for you. Banktivity is built specifically for Mac, iPhone and iPad — and it covers everything Quicken does, in an app that actually feels at home on Apple devices.
Why People Leave Quicken
Quicken has a loyal user base built over 40 years. But the reasons people leave have become consistent enough that they are worth naming clearly.
The subscription price keeps climbing
Quicken Classic Deluxe is around $59.99/year. Premier is $99.99/year. For software you’ve used for a decade with all your own data inside it, annual price increases with no perpetual license option frustrate long-term users.
The Mac version has always been second-class
Quicken was built for Windows. The Mac version has historically lagged in features and does not feel native to macOS. It runs — it just never feels at home.
Bank sync problems that never fully go away
Direct Connect fees, sync failures and repeated password re-entry are among the most persistent complaints in Quicken's own user forums. These are not new problems.
The interface hasn't kept up
For users who’ve adopted the rest of the Apple ecosystem, the gap between Quicken and a modern native Mac app is jarring. It looks and behaves like software from a different era.
Why Banktivity
A more intuitive, more native way to stay on top of your finances.
Banktivity is built specifically for Mac, iPhone and iPad — not ported from Windows, not a web app dressed up in a native wrapper. Everything from the interface to the sync to the keyboard shortcuts feels at home on Apple devices, because that is the only platform we build for.
Beyond the native experience, Banktivity covers the full depth that Quicken power users depend on: envelope budgeting, portfolio-level investment tracking, 10+ report types, dedicated goal planning, direct bank sync and a straight import path for your existing Quicken data. You do not have to give anything up to switch.
What you gain
- Truly native Mac, iPhone and iPad apps
- Local data storage — your data stays on your devices
- End-to-end encrypted Cloud Sync
- No data monetization
- One-time purchase option available
- 30-day free trial, no credit card required
- Unlimited email and live chat support
What to know before switching
- Mac and iOS only — no Windows or Android
- Quicken import covers Mac (QMTF) and Windows (QIF) formats
- Some Quicken-specific report layouts differ in Banktivity
Banktivity vs Quicken
More of the tools Mac users need, in a more Apple-native experience.
Banktivity gives you powerful money management across budgeting, reporting, goals, investments, importing and device sync — all in an app built specifically for Apple devices. Here is how the two compare across the features that matter most.
| Feature | Banktivity | Quicken Classic Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Platform & Data | ||
Native iPhone + iPad app Full-featured iOS — not a companion app |
✔ Fully native | ○ Companion app only |
End-to-end encrypted cloud sync IGG Software cannot access your data |
✔ End-to-end | ○ Standard encryption |
Offline access Full functionality without internet connection |
✔ Advanced |
✔ |
Local data storage Your data stays on your devices |
✔ On your device | ✔ Yes |
| Budgeting & Reporting | ||
Envelope budgeting Full zero-based envelope budget methodology |
✔ Full suite | ○ Category-based only |
Fund envelopes in the future Budget next month before it begins |
✔ Available in v10 | ✗ Not available |
Report export — PDF, CSV, Excel Portable reports for your CPA or records |
✔ Advanced | ○ Limited on Mac |
Custom report builder Advanced report customization and filtering |
✔ Advanced | ○ Limited on Mac |
| Goals & Planning | ||
Retirement projections on Mac Full what-if scenario modeling on Mac |
✔ Full suite | ○ Windows-level only |
College savings planning — advanced Dedicated advanced education savings tool |
✔ Advanced | ○ Basic only on Mac |
Home purchase planning — advanced Model a home purchase impact on your finances |
✔ Advanced | ○ Basic only on Mac |
What-if scenario modeling on Mac Full scenario depth available on Mac |
✔ Advanced | ○ Windows-level only |
| Transactions | ||
New credit card transaction types Dedicated refund, charge, payment types |
✔ Available in v10 | ✗ Not available |
Active/Inactive category support Archive old categories without losing history |
✔ Available in v10 | ✗ Not available |
Better transfer matching Smarter duplicate detection on download |
✔ Improved in v10 | ○ Ongoing sync issues |
| Investment Tracking | ||
Per-account portfolio drill-down on iOS See each account's performance individually on iPhone |
✔ Available in v10 | ✗ Not available |
Security Detail Report on iPhone/iPad Full investment history per security on iOS |
✔ Available in v10 | ✗ Not available |
Tax-loss harvesting Surface harvesting opportunities automatically |
✔ Advanced | ○ Basic only |
| Privacy & Pricing | ||
No data monetization — guaranteed Your data is never sold or shared |
✔ Guaranteed | ○ Historical concerns |
Annual subscription price Entry-level cost per year |
✔ From $59.99 | ○ From $77.88 |
Free trial — no credit card required Try without entering payment details |
✔ 30 days, no card | ○ Card required |
Want the full feature-by-feature breakdown?
Better Budgeting
Budget with more intention and less friction.
Banktivity's envelope budgeting helps you put your money to work — plan ahead, handle irregular expenses and always know exactly what you can spend.
Track Investments
Monitor your portfolio alongside the rest of your financial life.
Banktivity handles the investment tracking that serious Quicken users depend on — buys, sells, dividends, options, ROI, IRR, capital gains and lot-specific trading — all from the same app you use for budgets, reports and goals.
Reports & Insights
Get the reporting depth serious money management requires.
Banktivity gives you rich reports for income and spending, payees, categories, net worth, investments and more — so you can stop guessing and start seeing what is really happening with your money.
Plan Ahead
Track all the goals you’re actually working toward.
Whether you’re building an emergency fund, paying off debt, saving for education or planning for retirement, Banktivity gives you dedicated tools to turn long-term intentions into a clear, trackable plan. Quicken doesn’t have an equivalent.
Switching from Quicken
Your data comes with you.
One of the most common hesitations about switching is losing years of transaction history. Banktivity imports directly from Quicken for Mac (QMTF format) and Quicken for Windows (QIF format), so your accounts, categories, balances and history make the move with you. You do not start from scratch.
What Former Quicken Users Say
Real customers who made the switch to Banktivity.
Many Banktivity customers came from Quicken and were looking for a better experience on their Mac, with simpler workflows, better reporting and tools that still go deep when needed.
"This is a great tool to keep track of your income, expenses, and all sorts of financial assets. If you worked with Quicken in the past, this software is an easy transition. The functionality is great and it is very intuitive to use. I am thankful I found this software."
– Chris, Ohio
"Banktivity is the best account management tool for Mac that I have found. Simple and accurate with good reporting tools. Former Quicken user, I like the simplicity of Banktivity."
– Ken, Utah
"I was overjoyed to find Banktivity for my Mac. Much superior to Quicken, and with a lot of the power I'd come to depend on… Intuitive to use."
– Patty Page, Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Banktivity fully replace Quicken for everyday money management?
Yes. Banktivity covers accounts, budgets, investments, reports, goals, loans and more from a native app built for Mac, iPhone and iPad. For Apple users, it covers everything Quicken does and adds features — like dedicated goal planning — that Quicken does not have.
Can I import my existing Quicken data into Banktivity?
Yes. Banktivity imports from Quicken for Mac (QMTF format) and Quicken for Windows (QIF format). Your transaction history, accounts, categories and balances make the move with you.
Does Banktivity work on iPhone and iPad too?
Yes. Banktivity runs natively on Mac, iPhone and iPad with secure, end-to-end encrypted sync across all your devices.
Is Banktivity a web app?
No. Banktivity is not a web app. It is a native application built specifically for macOS, iOS and iPadOS.
Can Banktivity track investments the way Quicken does?
Yes. Banktivity handles buys, sells, dividends, options, ROI, IRR, capital gains and lot-specific trading. You can track your full portfolio alongside your budget and bank accounts in the same app.
What happened to Mint? Can I switch from Mint to Banktivity?
Intuit shut down Mint in early 2024. Banktivity supports CSV import for users who exported their Mint transaction history before the shutdown.
Is Quicken being discontinued?
Quicken is not being discontinued and continues to be sold as Quicken Classic. However, it requires an active subscription to maintain full access, sunsets older versions over time and has historically prioritized Windows over Mac — which is why many long-term users are looking for alternatives.
Try Banktivity risk-free for 30 days.
No credit card required for first-time subscribers. If you are ready to move on from Quicken, your data can come with you.
Want the full feature breakdown? See the complete Banktivity vs Quicken comparison →