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Quicken vs GnuCash

Quicken logo

Quicken

Software

Take control of your finances

From
$3.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GnuCash logo

GnuCash

Software

Personal finance and accounting software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

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

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Quicken and GnuCash actually diverge.

Attributes where Quicken and GnuCash differ
AttributeQuickenGnuCash
Starting price$3.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOSWindows, Mac, Linux
Founded19831997

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 Quicken

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

Only in GnuCash

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

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Mac support

What people use each for

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

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

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

Where each one falls short

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

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)

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Quicken

$3.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Quicken review.

GnuCash

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Quicken if

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

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

Questions people ask

Is Quicken or GnuCash better?
Neither clearly leads. Quicken starts at $3.99/month and GnuCash at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Quicken or GnuCash?
GnuCash has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $3.99/month for Quicken and Free for GnuCash.
Does Quicken or GnuCash run on more platforms?
Quicken runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS. GnuCash runs on Windows, Mac, Linux.
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 Quicken best used for?
Quicken is most often used for individuals managing personal finances via quicken simplifi cloud app for budgeting and savings tracking, freelancers and self-employed managing business and personal finances via quicken business & personal plan, users preferring local data storage via classic desktop editions. Of those, individuals managing personal finances via quicken simplifi cloud app for budgeting and savings tracking and freelancers and self-employed managing business and personal finances via quicken business & personal plan are not what GnuCash is typically brought in for.
What can Quicken do that GnuCash cannot?
Quicken covers Budget creation, Bill management, Investment tracking, Tax planning. GnuCash covers Double-entry bookkeeping, Multi-currency support, Reports and graphs, Budget tracking. Both handle Windows support, Mac support.
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