TallyMint- Excellent Option for Home Finance Recordkeeping
Some Background-
I have been a long-time Quicken user: Think ‘Quicken for DOS’ when I first began using the software for home record keeping. I was a Quicken loyalist up until Ver. 17, purchasing a Quicken upgrade at least every other year. After Ver.17, Quicken moved to their new subscription requirement and expected that I send them money annually, and eventually allow my data to be hosted by them. Since that time, roughly 2018 or 2019, I have been looking for an alternative program that would accomplish what I needed for my record keeping and allow me to keep my data locally.
I went through trials of several different programs, but none of them met my needs. For nearly nine years I have just been saying “No” every time Quicken wanted me to do an update, because I knew that I had reached to point where the next update would require me to move to the subscription/off-site data model. Not updating meant that I lost the ability to directly import my banking or credit card transactions, but I felt that was a small price to pay to avoid having to move to the ‘new’ Quicken model. I could still do the csv download and import, but that eventual became cumbersome and I simply used the program for my check register.
About a month ago I learned about TallyMint and thought it was worth giving a try. I liked the feature of being able to choose to either purchase to the program outright or choose a subscription model. I know there are those who prefer the subscription model and are comfortable having someone else host their data. Just not my cup of tea. The outright purchase was especially enticing because it still came with the assurance of any future updates.
Review-
TallyMInt is the most ‘Quicken-Like’ package that I have experienced. The register has a similar feel and I can again keep track of my credit cards and investment funds. There has been a minimal learning curve in making the transition from (my Ver.17) Quicken. (I can’t speak to more recent Quicken version for reasons listed above.) The Recurring Bills and Cash Flow Projections all feel very similar to my past experience. Report generation also looks good for producing various expenditure reports and the data I will need come tax time.
The last thing I want to mention is the responsiveness of the developer (Chuck) to suggestions and questions. I have had a few of each. The ‘User Guides’ are a good source of information but there have been some occasions where I was looking for a bit more, and I reached out to TallyMint support. In every instance I have heard back in a timely manner (usually less than 24 hours) and he has either incorporated my suggestion (or explained why it is not fitting), or has answered my question- personally.
I am struggling to come up with a negative to point out. Perhaps you were that Quicken user who took advantage of every feature offered. I was not. TallyMint may have many of these ‘more advanced’ features, but since I won’t be using them, I probably will not look for them. I used Quicken for my home finance, record keeping, budgeting and cash flow projections. TallyMint more than meets my needs in these areas and doesn’t require me to be an annual subscriber. Win-Win! I hope to be a ‘decades-long’ user.
TLDR- I am a decades-long Quicken user who switched to TallyMInt and couldn’t be happier.