After 3 months of daily use, I can confidently say Quicken Premier is like that high-maintenance friend who's incredibly useful but occasionally frustrating.
The investment tracking is where this software shines. Being able to see all my accounts in one place with daily updates has been a game-changer for retirement planning. The tax reports saved me hours during tax season!
However, the subscription model stings. At $100/year, it's pricey compared to free alternatives, though none offer Quicken's depth. The Mac version (which I use) feels surprisingly smooth compared to the clunky Windows version I tried at a friend's place.
Transaction downloads work about 85% of the time perfectly. That other 15%? Prepare for some manual cleanup. My credit union accounts sync flawlessly, but one of my investment accounts requires weekly manual updates.
The bill pay feature feels outdated in 2024 - I still use my bank's free bill pay instead. But the spending categorization and net worth tracking make this worth keeping despite its quirks.
Warning: The 'new subscriber' labeling is confusing. I successfully renewed with this code after my subscription lapsed for 2 days, but others report being blocked. Buy at your own risk if you're an existing user.
Bottom line: If you're serious about personal finance and willing to overlook some annoyances, Quicken remains the most comprehensive option. But casual users might find cheaper alternatives sufficient.