Quicken Subscription Question

[Jerry1]

I was thinking about biting the bullet and upgrading to the newest version of Quicken. I was hoping they might have a basic program that you could buy without the subscription. In doing a little research, I came across this comment in a user group:

https://community.quicken.com/discu...ut-prefer-to-buy-it-outright-is-this-possible

The comment states:

When your "membership" expires, you can either renew, or continue to use the product manually . . .

If you want to maintain access to Quicken's online services (bank downloads and mobile app) you'll need an active membership after your current version is discontinued.

The person posting uses "membership" interchangeably with "subscription".

So, that doesn't sound bad for me at all. My question is if anyone knows if it's true. I don't use the online services so if that's all that discontinues and I can get a couple years out of each subscription, that would be about what I was doing anyway.

Said another way, a one year subscription is currently $29.99. If I could pay that and let it run out after a year (don't pay to renew), but keep using it for another year or two and then upgrade again (rinse and repeat), I'd be fine with that. Understanding that would not work for many if you want to use the online services - which I do not.

Can anyone confirm yet what happens when the subscription runs out?

 

[Montecfo]

I was thinking about biting the bullet and upgrading to the newest version of Quicken. I was hoping they might have a basic program that you could buy without the subscription. In doing a little research, I came across this comment in a user group:

https://community.quicken.com/discu...ut-prefer-to-buy-it-outright-is-this-possible

The comment states:


So, that doesn't sound bad for me at all. My question is if anyone knows if it's true. I don't use the online services so if that's all that discontinues and I can get a couple years out of each subscription, that would be about what I was doing anyway.

Said another way, a one year subscription is currently $29.99. If I could pay that and let it run out after a year (don't pay to renew), but keep using it for another year or two and then upgrade again (rinse and repeat), I'd be fine with that. Understanding that would not work for many if you want to use the online services - which I do not.

Can anyone confirm yet what happens when the subscription runs out?

If you do not download transactions, you should be fine.

But why do you need to "upgrade"?

And by the way, you can let your "membership" expire and try it out. No harm no foul.

 

[pb4uski]

You can continue using your current version of Quicken... it just won't continue to download transactions or stock quotes. I decided that manual entry of transactions and manual update of quotes would be laborious and that the annual subscription was worth the cost by YMMV.

 

[jollystomper]

For now I am continuing the use Quicken 2017. Manual entries of transactions is not an issue for me - our volume of transactions has steadily declined. For quotes I have programs to download and format them into a file that I import to Quicken.

 

[erkevin]

I use Quicken 2014; no downloads anymore, so it is free. I use Morningstar for my portfolio tracking (also free). The downside is that my financial picture is in two places.

 

[Jerry1]

If you do not download transactions, you should be fine.

But why do you need to "upgrade"?

And by the way, you can let your "membership" expire and try it out. No harm no foul.

I don’t need to upgrade, but I do like to keep programs more current. However the main reason I’m looking into this is because we got a new computer (for DW) and I want to transfer the work of keeping track of our finances (bookkeeping) to that computer. I don’t think moving my current program (2016) is an option and I couldn’t imagine the grief I’d encounter to try to reinstall in from the original dick, if I can even find it. Just seemed like $30 to upgrade and move to the new computer was worth it.

Plus, the 2016 program is aggravating in that often when it first boots up, it errors out saying it can’t connect to the Quicken server. It always works on the second attempt, but things like that along with the continual notification screen to upgrade upgrade are annoying. I could put that part in the pet peeves thread. Even when you click the “do not remind me again” button, it always does.

I’m looking to do the same thing with my Microsoft Office program (2013). They at least have an option to purchase a basic version, which is all I need. In looking into Quicken, it may be that, while somewhat disguised, they may have a purchase option that will work for me.

 

[OldShooter]

...I was hoping they might have a basic program that you could buy without the subscription. ...

Nope, AFIK. By going to subscription they have cut the connection between revenue coming in and the need to provide worthwhile upgrades. This is becoming common among companies with strong market shares. Adobe did it with their graphics products and Microsoft will be doing it with Windows.

FWIW I was just forced to "upgrade" from Ver. 2016 to Ver. 2019 bought for cheap ($21.40) on eBay. I did this because I use the automatic bank transfers to reconcile accounts and they are holding that feature hostage to force users to pay them. Other than having to pay to release the hostage I can see no (zero, none) improvements in the product. I'm sure they are making tons of money now that they don't have to develop upgraded products sufficient to motivate buyers.

 

[Livefree]

I was thinking about biting the bullet and upgrading to the newest version of Quicken. I was hoping they might have a basic program that you could buy without the subscription. In doing a little research, I came across this comment in a user group:

https://community.quicken.com/discu...ut-prefer-to-buy-it-outright-is-this-possible

The comment states:


So, that doesn't sound bad for me at all. My question is if anyone knows if it's true. I don't use the online services so if that's all that discontinues and I can get a couple years out of each subscription, that would be about what I was doing anyway.

Said another way, a one year subscription is currently $29.99. If I could pay that and let it run out after a year (don't pay to renew), but keep using it for another year or two and then upgrade again (rinse and repeat), I'd be fine with that. Understanding that would not work for many if you want to use the online services - which I do not.

Can anyone confirm yet what happens when the subscription runs out?

My 2019 Subscription runs out today. They keep sending me messages to upgrade. I do like the update feature, as it updates all my credit union CD interest and fund dividends and prices.



Where did you see it for $29? I looked on ebay etc. cheapest I could find was $39.99

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

My 2019 Subscription runs out today. They keep sending me messages to upgrade. I do like the update feature, as it updates all my credit union CD interest and fund dividends and prices.



Where did you see it for $29? I looked on ebay etc. cheapest I could find was $39.99

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Quicken-De...-1-Year-Subscription-Mac-Windows/193311415174

Bestbuy on Ebay, they have other versions and you have to add to cart to see the price.

 

[Jerry1]

Where did you see it for $29? I looked on ebay etc. cheapest I could find was $39.99

Directly on their web site.

https://www.quicken.com/compare

Might only be for new subscriptions.

 

[Jerry1]

My 2019 Subscription runs out today. They keep sending me messages to upgrade. I do like the update feature, as it updates all my credit union CD interest and fund dividends and prices.

Can you confirm what happens if you do not renew your subscription? Does it continue to work but with out the update (online) feature?

 

[Livefree]

Can you confirm what happens if you do not renew your subscription? Does it continue to work but with out the update (online) feature?

Yes it will continue to work, but you just won't be able to download quotes, dividends etc.

 

[Livefree]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Quicken-De...-1-Year-Subscription-Mac-Windows/193311415174

Bestbuy on Ebay, they have other versions and you have to add to cart to see the price.

Thanks for this..I must have missed it

 

[Jerry1]

Yes it will continue to work, but you just won't be able to download quotes, dividends etc.

Thanks!

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Just out of curiosity have you tried going to your banks website and trying to download it from there into Quicken. Seems to me I used to do that years ago when Quicken cut me off on an older version that I was using. In otherwords it would not work within Quicken but I could still manually do it at the banks website.

 

[Livefree]

Just out of curiosity have you tried going to your banks website and trying to download it from there into Quicken. Seems to me I used to do that years ago when Quicken cut me off on an older version that I was using. In otherwords it would not work within Quicken but I could still manually do it at the banks website.

It would be too much trouble..2 Credit Unions, Ally Bank, Vanguard and Fidelity all work within Quicken.

 

[pb4uski]

+1 While not a lot of activity in most of them, between 2 checking accounts, 7 savings accoounts, 6 CDs, 2 HSA accounts and a brokerage, tIRA and Roth at Vanguard not to mention 23 tickers to update quotes on and 4 credit card accounts I'll gladly pay $4/month to not have to manually update. Most activity is in one credit card and one checking account but there is enough occasional activity in the other accounts to make it worth paying for. Besides, I can afford it... blow that dough!

Other than our Navy Federal retirement CDs every account that we have updates automatically.

 

[OldShooter]

... 2 checking accounts, 7 savings accounts, 6 CDs, 2 HSA accounts and a brokerage, tIRA and Roth at Vanguard not to mention 23 tickers to update quotes on and 4 credit card accounts ...

So, as a retired accounting guy, your retirement hobby is ... accounting ?!!?

 

[pb4uski]

So, as a retired accounting guy, your retirement hobby is ... accounting ?!!?

Sort of I guess. I have us, Mom (including two trusts), a 501(c)(7) I'm Treasurer for and I also help out a 501(c)(3). Golf is more fun though.

 

[jpeter1093]

I don’t need to upgrade, but I do like to keep programs more current. However the main reason I’m looking into this is because we got a new computer (for DW) and I want to transfer the work of keeping track of our finances (bookkeeping) to that computer.

We were in a similar situation; we chose to keep that old computer and nowadays, we only use it for Quicken 2011

 

[zinger1457]

Just out of curiosity have you tried going to your banks website and trying to download it from there into Quicken. Seems to me I used to do that years ago when Quicken cut me off on an older version that I was using. In otherwords it would not work within Quicken but I could still manually do it at the banks website.

No, once your subscription expires you won't be able to manually import any quicken type (QFX, QIF, etc.) files into Quicken.

 

[GreatLaker]

Here is Quicken's data access guarantee. Can still use it but no online access for transaction downloads etc.
https://www.quicken.com/support/what-quicken-data-access-guarantee

When it went to a subscription model a few years back I just kept using my old expired version, entering transactions myself. But I expected that eventually like OP I would need a new PC, and at some future time my old program would stop working on new OS versions. Quicken has detailed instructions on how to import old file version, but eventually it becomes combersome if you are upgrading from very old versions.

I also thought of only renewing my subscription every 3 years, and manually entering transactions inbetween renewals. But after a web browser, Quicken is my most used software, I use it for banking and investments and I have data going back to the 90s. I find it useful for looking up things like when did I buy that whatever and how much has my insurance or taxes changed.

For me it's worth the annual subscription, even for this retired senior on a fixed income.

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

+1
I only paid $10 for my 14 month subscription on EBAY a few months back so it's well worth less than a dollar a month for the convenience. Will re-evaluate next year when I need to renew.

 

[JoeWras]

Quicken just sent me a nice mail saying they will boost my rate by $3 next year.

Yippee! I love subscription services!!!!

I get a decent value out of quicken, but this is really ticking me off. For now, it is bullet biting time. But someday, I may just spreadsheet the stuff out of it.

Dear Joe,

We wanted to give you a heads up that the annual price of a Quicken Premier membership will increase by $3. The price change will not go into effect until your next renewal date, <in the future>, and there is no action required.

We try to keep these changes as minimal as possible while continuing to optimize quality and performance as well as to maximize security—standards we know you depend on.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Your membership includes free phone support <blah, blah, blah, we love you and support you>

 

[steelyman]

Quicken just sent me a nice mail saying they will boost my rate by $3 next year.

Yippee! I love subscription services!!!!

I get a decent value out of quicken, but this is really ticking me off. For now, it is bullet biting time. But someday, I may just spreadsheet the stuff out of it.

I got that notice too. I’ll continue with Quicken as it’s very useful to me.

More annoying is the VM I use (Parallels) in order to run Quicken for Windows on MacOS. They warn it won’t run on the upcoming Big Sur. Upgrading is a lot more than $3.