Softwr

Software · head to head

GnuCash vs Quicken

GnuCash logo

GnuCash

Software

Personal finance and accounting software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Quicken logo

Quicken

Software

Take control of your finances

From
$3.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GnuCash has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: GnuCash desktop only, with no mobile application; Quicken quicken Simplifi (cloud version) costs $3.99 annually if billed yearly, but renews at full price $6.99/month unless cancelled before renewal
  • They diverge on capability: GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Quicken covers Budget creation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GnuCash and Quicken actually diverge.

Attributes where GnuCash and Quicken differ
AttributeGnuCashQuicken
Starting priceFree$3.99/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Mac, LinuxWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Founded19971983

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in GnuCash

  • Double-entry bookkeeping
  • Multi-currency support
  • Reports and graphs
  • Budget tracking
  • Import/Export
  • OFX format
  • Linux support

Only in Quicken

  • Budget creation
  • Bill management
  • Investment tracking
  • Tax planning
  • Bank accounts
  • Investment accounts
  • Credit cards
  • IOS support

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Mac support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

GnuCash

  • Personal finance tracking with a checkbook register interfacenot Quicken
  • Double-entry bookkeeping for a small businessnot Quicken
  • Tracking stocks, bonds and mutual fund accountsnot Quicken
  • Importing transactions via QIF, OFX or HBCInot Quicken
  • Scheduled recurring transactions and financial reportsnot Quicken

Quicken

  • Individuals managing personal finances via Quicken Simplifi cloud app for budgeting and savings trackingnot GnuCash
  • Freelancers and self-employed managing business and personal finances via Quicken Business & Personal plannot GnuCash
  • Users preferring local data storage via Classic desktop editionsnot GnuCash

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

GnuCash

  • Desktop only, with no mobile application
  • Version 3.11 is the last release supporting Windows 7 and macOS 10.12 and earlier
  • Uses strict double-entry accounting, so every transaction needs two sides

Quicken

  • Quicken Simplifi (cloud version) costs $3.99 annually if billed yearly, but renews at full price $6.99/month unless cancelled before renewal
  • Renewal pricing significantly higher than introductory rate; annual cost jumps from $47.88 (promotional) to $83.88 (regular renewal)

Pricing, plan by plan

GnuCash

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Double-entry bookkeeping
    • Multi-currency support
    • Reports and graphs

Quicken

$3.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Quicken review.

Which should you pick?

Choose GnuCash if

  • You need double-entry bookkeeping.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux.
  • You also want multi-currency support.
GnuCash review

Choose Quicken if

  • You need budget creation.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want bill management.
Quicken review

Questions people ask

Is GnuCash or Quicken better?
Neither clearly leads. GnuCash starts at Free and Quicken at $3.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GnuCash or Quicken?
GnuCash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GnuCash and $3.99/month for Quicken.
Does GnuCash or Quicken run on more platforms?
GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux. Quicken runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
Can I use GnuCash for free?
Yes. GnuCash has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Quicken starts at $3.99/month.
What is GnuCash best used for?
GnuCash is most often used for personal finance tracking with a checkbook register interface, double-entry bookkeeping for a small business, tracking stocks, bonds and mutual fund accounts, importing transactions via qif, ofx or hbci. Of those, personal finance tracking with a checkbook register interface and double-entry bookkeeping for a small business are not what Quicken is typically brought in for.
What can GnuCash do that Quicken cannot?
GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Budget tracking. Quicken covers Budget creation, Bill management, Investment tracking, Tax planning. Both handle Windows support, Mac support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on GnuCash

More on Quicken

Keep looking

Other head to heads