Banktivity Reviews

by Ken Malvey

Upgraded to the new subscription based this app 8 two months ago and immediately tried to set up Direct Connect to all of my financial institutions. Charles Schwab (the largest retail brokerage firm in the world) won't connect after two months of back and forth with this app tech support. Problem is - IGG outsources the connectivty piece to a third party who can't or won't trouble shoot the problem. There are lots of Schwab customers out there - if they don't get this sorted out I and many others will go back to Quicken for Mac. Further - after functioning flawlessly for a month, Direct Access to my bank inexplicably quit working a week ago. Contacted tech support, they did rudimentary testing (basically told me to delete the connection and try resetting up the connection) and then when that failed indicated that forward the issue to thier third party Direct Connect vendor. Black hole...

by Panoptic

Well, this app 7 will be my last. When I saw there was an 8 now I went to check it out. Side note great job IGG letting your users who had paid for apps prior know there was a new version. Any way, where was I. Oh yes subscription model. No. Seven will be my last version. I paid quiet a lot for seven and even prior spent the money for the phone app (before it was free) and thought those prices were high until I saw the prices for the subscriptions. Wow. For those prices I better get a new version every year at most. These companies are following the trend that companies like Microsoft and Adobe started. It’s a bummer.

I get prior versions had subscriptions for certain things. But I had the option to still have a fully functional check book app with all types of accounts with out having to pay. I just had to pay for some extra services if I wanted them (direct download and stuff I wouldn’t use). That is using server power and I understand that. But to have to pay a subscription fee just to be able to use the software for basic things like having different account types listed? Really? I have to pay extra money so I can keep track of my student loans? Or making a budget? Well sorry, I can tell you with out the programs help that paying hundreds of dollars over the years vs the one time cost of a version is out of my budget.

by Chadd_St_Clair

I’ve used the product for about 5 years now. They moved to a paid subscription model last year. Worked fine for me as the online auto connect to the bank was one of my primary concerns. It used to work well. On Jan 19 I reported that it had stopped working. Customer Service was initially helpful. Initially. They now apparently blame another company. I’m told that they have a call in and they will let me know when they hear back. It’s been over two months. I email occasionally for an update and receive an automated message saying that my ticket has been re-opened. I will then get an email from the rep saying that he has a call in. No other info is provided, even with specific requests. I tried the chat feature, too. After waiting for about 30 minutes for a rep, they quickly found my ticket and said that the original rep had put in a call. That was all they could do. Did I mention that I PAY for this service? If you’re looking for a good financial software, don’t try this one.

by B A Young

I've been using this app since the iBank days. It has improved a lot in the last 7 years. My opinion of other versions has typically been between "meh" and "it's good enough for the price." However, I now pay annually more than the one-time purchase price for software that is, at best, worth about half that.

A few complaints listed here... there are many more:
- I spend as much time fixing direct access import errors as I would simply entering transactions manually. In fact, today it has decided to download every transaction again... as a double. And when I delete the extras, it repopulates them a few minutes later. And I pay for this?
- I have to have the more expensive option just to download stock prices??? Really???
- Scheduled transactions are clunky... my honest opinion of the process wouldn't make it past the moderators.

I know every business wants to be software as a service and collect subscription fees. But this is not there yet. My honest opinion of this software is that it's worth $30 as a one time purchase. I'll be dumping this app for something better when the subscription runs out... maybe sooner.

by JoniVarner

I only continue to use this after 5-6 years because its mobile/desktop/cloud sync works, and reporting is appropriate to our tax reporting strategy. But from the start, it has been a miserable experience. The fact that they do NOT automatically enter a decimal point when entering amounts was a red flag when I first tested the product many years ago - that has never been changed. For me, every single step in data entry is as awkward as possible (and I've been doing personal banking with software since 1982) - the amount field is automatically highlighted first, and the user must deliberately select and edit the date. Selecting categories to assign, splitting a transaction for multiple categories, almost every data entry operation feels as though it requires the user to adapt to the software, rather than the software anticipating how the user might work. And none of this has improved as the product has continue to develop and change over a number of years. If there were a viable alternative, I'd drop this product immediately.

by Wabygayle

I have been a loyal this app user for 10 years, dating back to the days of iBank. Over that time, I have been moderately happy with the product, just enough to keep using it for that long. However, that has all changed. This year, I upgraded to this app 8 (against my best judgement) following the company into their subscription model in the hopes of gaining better bank connectivity. My how that was a mistake. This year I have given IGG software more money than I ever have in 10 years, and received a software/service that works little more than 20% of the time.

Bank connectivity is virtually non-existent. The company's move toward Direct Access 2 has ruined any hope I have of ever being able to seamlessly download my account transactions again. Multple support tickets opened, many months of waiting, no service.

Connection issues aside, Banktivity itself has grown increasingly buggy as of late. Often freezing and becoming unresponsive. Attempting to close Banktivity results in endless waiting, finally needing a force close, resulting in lost work.

These frustrations have been going on for close to a year and there is no end in sight. For close to a year, I've paid for a software-as-a-service and received virtually no service. As a user who has given Banktivity more than a fair shot, I'm now incllined to advise that you look elsewhere for personal finance software for Mac. this app doesn't work.

by Enfuego13

I use the this app App on my home Mac as my primary finance tool. I download the this app app for my iPhone so that I can take out transactions when I’m out and about. Then sync back to the home computer. But over the past two years after a month or two of using Banktivity , the sinc has issues. The amount that I show in my checking account on my home computer gets off from the amount shown on my phone. Even after I verified both the home computer and my phone have synced. Then I even tried to wipe out the data on my phone and replace it with the data on the this app cloud sink, but it is still off. My only recourse is to upload a fresh cloud sync document, wipe out my app on the phone and reinstall and get data from the new cloud sync. That is a lot of work and happens over and over again. I can’t figure out why my phone sync gets screwed up. And they have not been able to help me. I love the program and don’t want to stop using it, but I don’t know what else to do.

by R_I_C_A_N

I used this app 6 and 7 just manually putting in my transactions. I upgraded to this app 8 but just used the free trial to test the waters on the changes before biting the subscription plan bullet since it is $70 for the plan I need. It links to all of my credit union accounts except for my credit card, which I use daily. A ticket was opened. It has been 6 or 7 weeks now. I emailed for an update with no response. Even though my free trial expired, I was going to still purchase the product and insert my transactions manually with the hopes the issue would get resolved but because of the lack of professionalism to follow up with me after 7 weeks, especially after sending them an email requesting an update, I am going with a competitor. It's unfortunate as I have enjoyed the product and understand from a development perspective that this is a big jump for the company so there are bugs to be worked out, but there is no excuse for poor customer service.

by Gabe Kotter

While I like many of this app's features, and I find the program useful, one continuing problem is the program's inability to correctly ammoratize a mortgage. I complained about two months ago and a ticket was created. I have followed up since then without response. The issue has to do with escrow payments. In the loan account set up, one can enter the current monthly principle and interest due on the first page. Then on the send page, one can enter the monthly escrow amount due. All looks good until direct access is run. Once that runs, the escrow is automatically added to the monthly principle and interest amount. In short, it will then show a higher payment being made then initially entered. Obviously, this throws off the ammortization. Monthly adjustments are needed to try and keep it on track. Highly annoying. I would be happy if IGG would confirm they are working on this. Instead, it is complete radio silence.

by Tmacrv

I have been using this app (and iBank) for several years. Though I am not a big fan of subscription models, with the offer for direct access I subscribed. Unfortunately, I find direct access is non functional and more frustration than it is worth. I am keeping my subscription because I like the overall look and feel of the application and want to get updates, but other than keeping my software up-to-date, there is no advantange to paying a subscription. Direct Access as a feature is essentially broke and worthless.

by Vike99

I was looking for a solid financial app to replace the old Pocket Money. Took a long time and many apps before I settled on this app. Syncs quickly between iPhone, iPad and Mac, though I found it difficult to set up the synch. Handles multiple splits to include income, transfers and expenses in a single transaction (key for paychecks). Easy transaction entry. Scheduled/ recurring transactions. Easily
Organizable accounts - I have a folder for zero balance or old accounts that I use to declutter my account table. Have a folder for spouse, one for kids, etc so I can focus on my accounts while still have family one click away. Reports, budgets, goals - all work as I would expect. I generally use the phone to capture transactions, and iPad while away from my desk (otherwise Mac version to balance checkbook, assess finances just due to larger screen real estate). Yes it is a subscription but pay only once if you like (and do not need bank connection) and that’s it. Renew if you want future features. Pretty fair IMO. I also found the user guide to be current and helpful. Owners web site even includes financial how tos and even webinars on how to get the most out of this software. Lost one star due to a few personal quirks and the difficulty I had to get synch working right (works great).

by Nonname2K

I have been underwhelmed by their customer service in the past two weeks, the chat portion. If it is possible to feel rudeness through a chat, the guy I worked with was excellent at communicating it.

The software itself, every rendition I seem to purchase each year, seems a bit better though not really needing a complete upgrade asking for purchase. I do like that they have done away with the direct access subscription. That was a rip off considering that Quicken offers it for free. Quicken also does not require you to purchase different verions so frequently. this app is good for Mac users though I would appreciate a version that IGG can simply upgrade more instead of the excessive need to purchase the NEWEST version.

by Pashadawg

This is a nice companion app for the MacOS version. The subscription model for the iOS, iPadOS, and MacOS apps makes sense. Their business model is not to harvest data. As it goes, if an app or service is free or cheap, it usually means you’re the product not the customer. For an app I use a lot for an important life task (tracking household finances), the cost is reasonable.

I have been using iBank / this app for years. It works well, but you need to take time to learn how Banktivity processes data (like any software). Sometimes it will make a wrong guess about a category. Sometimes financial institutions will throw it a curveball when importing data. You need to check when balancing your accounts. Ah life! Still glad I have it.

I am happy to see that they are regularly updating their apps, too. Thank you.

by Jffabian

I run this app solely on an iPad. With 7 months remaining on my Direct Access subscription it was not at all clear how this was to be applied, if at all, to my new Bronze level subscription. I could find nothing in IGG’s FAQ or support articles. After a live chat and emailing several screen shots the process became clear.

Hope this helps others: First you must pick a subscription level (I choose Bronze) and complete Banktivity Store payment prompt. This gets you the 30 day free trial and one year subscription. THEN a second App Store payment prompt appears for a “free” extension based on your remaining Direct Access subscription, for me it was 6 months. To recap this resulted in trial + 1 year subscription + extension based on remaining DA = 19 months.

All is well now and the new version looks very good. I am subtracting 1 star for the upgrade hassle.

by Wicker Park

The positive:

Great with the basics of what you want in a personal financial management app. Easy to setup accounts for the most part, and easy to use and get going.

The "needs work":

Investing views are lacking. Banktivity feels more geared toward the old school "balance your check register" days rather than the needs of more sophisticated users who have meaningful investment portfolios and expect robust views and reporting.

Reporting is dismally basic. Yes...they have some reports...but I want to create my own views and reports to my tastes.

If the developers could spend some time REALLY understanding and learning from the incredibly well done UX is at Personal Capital, Banktivity could t take giant strides. Ideas like the "You Index" and showing me my portfolio autoindexed/compared against the major market indices like the S&P are invaluable...but that's just barely scratching the surface.

Finally - the iOS and iPadOS apps are pretty basic and borderline dismal afterthoughts. I'm hoping there's a lot more to come here, but right now...the apps pale compared to the macOS app.

The price...I've seen praise and complaints here...I don't mind the price as long as we see consistent iteration and evolution of the UX for this app. What I really want is to see Banktivity evolve strongly in the two dimensions above: investing and reporting.

by Rcbrauer

this app has been consistently improving. At the moment all of my accounts automatically update. Yes there are some banks that consistently put the credit in the debit field, etc. I am not sure why that happens but I have only one of those. (A very little bank, maybe it uses some different software to report.) But all of the others usually work well. There are times where some of the big guys don't report well. Later I find out that it is not Banktivities fault. For the Bank reports that it has had an issue and apologies.

Yes, this app could use some better reports. Personal Capital's report system is awesome, I wish Banktivities would be as good. But that said, I can still see exactly how my overall financial health is doing. I can plan out to make sure I will have the funds in the bank to cover expected expenses and the keep other funds aside for emergencies.

As others have noticed. There just aren't any other programs available on the Apple Mac os that are any better.

by PWRusso

After being a dedicated Quicken user for many years I switched to this app for my my Mac, iPad, and iPhone. I rely on it to download transactions for all my accounts (credit cards and bank and investment accounts) in the US and overseas, and in multiple currencies.
It allows me to easily track cash, monitor my accounts, and prepare taxes for myself and my business. It is easy to use and powerful.
I appreciate the many improvements and upgrades in the latest version, and that IGG Software is always investing in response to customer feedback. Their customer support is fabulous, too.
If you are serious about managing your money, this app is an essential tool.

by HeadacheBall

I’ve been using this app (iBank) since switching from Microsoft to Apple about 10 years ago. Prior to that had always used Quicken from first release. Quicken for Mac was a joke 10 years ago, so I found iBank. Steep learning curve, but eventually became somewhat comfortable with it. Separate this app ID and Direct Access added confusion, several problems with Direct Access, authentication, etc.
With the announcement of this app 8, I thought seriously about looking at what else might be out there. I decided to give 8 a try and am very happy I did. The transition to 8 was surprisingly seamless! Works and looks great on both iPad and iPhone.
Unfortunately, some of the negative comments are from people that don’t understand the interface or how to navigate through transactions. Don’t let that discourage you from using this great program.

by Bryan In Michigan

Long time user of financial software (Quicken and Moneydance). Left Quicken years ago after they quit supporting Macs and converted to Moneydance. Used it for a number of years, but that software is showing its age. Decided to make the switch to this app and am very glad I've done so. Like all software, it has its quirks, but nothing that I've found to be a detriment. Especiallyon the investment side of things, the functionality is miles ahead of Moneydance. I like the interface and definitely like the direct connect to accounts. Much faster connections and downloads than previous software. Also, security price downloads are very good. All in all, glad I made the switch.

by Oneblessedguy

I have now tried the new this app software and gone to the website. Overall, it seems to be a little more money per year with the benefit of a unified system. I understand the billing system now and they even thought ahead to make sure that the user gets credit for their previous version Direct Access subscription. Overall, good improvements on the previous version. I love that I can use the iPad version with my subscription now. Sweet. Two things that would have made this better. One, some sort of update email or notification that said a new version was coming out and this is how it is going to work, what the changes mean for the user, etc. Two, make Banktivity Store information more clear. I had no idea of the changes and it was very unclear in Banktivity Store what exactly the new version would cost all around. Also, what are the benefits? What are the downsides to upgrading? At least refer everybody to the website so they can get the new information from there. Lesson, if you are unclear like I was, go to their webpage. It explains it very well.

by SteveMKE

Please be careful before updating to the new version. First you’ll need to pay again (which I haven’t minded paying for a new product every year or so). But this new app and new version is just overdone with confusing imagery and crap.

The biggest problem is Banktivity is useless for managing your accounts. You can’t edit any transactions. Who makes an app that you have to be tied to a computer to use? The default view for accounts is the future, so anytime you want to see your transactions you have to grab this annoying sliding bar. But then can’t edit anything.

Within Banktivity there is zero settings or user controls. I haven’t had the time to look through the desktop version to see if I can influence that.

It is very slimy how they get you to upgrade but then force you to subscribe to do anything in your account.

I’m really frustrated with how useless this has become. I’ve been a paying member for years (back from iBank!). I need to start researching other platforms now this is a brick.

by Quiet 1

I downloaded this app from Banktivity store in September and enjoyed the free trial. During this time I was able to enjooy all of the features it had to offer. So on October 26th, I purcahsed the software for $69.99. Unfortunatlely, when I opened Banktivity for use on October 28th, it required an upgarde to this app 8 which was associated with another free trial and subscription based cost. NOT FAIR and NOT COOL. Reached out to this app directly and was told there was nothing that could be done as I bought the software through Banktivity store. I refuse to have to pay twice for the same product days apart just because the change in the business operations. So I have put in a request to Apple for a refund and hope they do the right thing since Banktiivity won't. Bankitivity pulled the old bait and switch and should be ashamed and while the software is good, the business practice leaves a lot to be desired and at the end of the day, its not worth it.

by SCSpidey

I realize this is a companion app to the Mac version but I guess I was expecting more from the iPad version. I’m hoping that the iPad version gets more powerful and more feature rich down the road. I’m not expecting parity with the Mac version but more than basic transaction management and simple views of accounts would be great.

Also, this is the second time that I’ve attempted to use one of the companion apps (iPhone version about 2 years ago) and this is the second time that one of my credit card accounts has gone completely haywire. The time before and this time, I’ve had to completely scrub 4 years worth of transactions to get it right. I stopped using the iPhone app 2 years ago because I could never keep the account synced and accurate between my Mac and my phone. I’ll be cautiously watching this on my iPad over the next couple of weeks.

by Velgor

While I don’t mind subscriptions for important apps such as this one and its Mac counterpart, this new iOS version needs work. The ‘Tap to Begin’ prompt followed by an animation and second step to select my document is two steps too many to launch Banktivity . The prior version did not have this issue. It should remember where I left off. Also, I find the artwork distracting at best. I do appreciate the enhanced account and portfolio views though.

by Brauntj

So far so good. I would prefer to subscribe through Banktivity and bill through iTunes, but I understand the business decision not to do that.

by Antiduplicity

I have all my accounts in this app all the way back when it was iBank. It is amazing and up to the minute with my balances. It is very easy to track checking, savings, stocks, mortgage and more. This update puts this app over the top as the best of the best for macOS and ios