CountAbout Review 2026: The Quicken User's Cloud Alternative
Last reviewed on April 28, 2026.
Quick Verdict
CountAbout serves a specific audience exceptionally well: Quicken users seeking a cloud-based alternative. As the only budgeting app that imports Quicken and Mint data directly, it preserves years of financial history. While the interface feels dated and mobile apps are basic, its powerful desktop-like features and reasonable pricing make it valuable for traditional budgeters.
✓ Pros
- Only app that imports Quicken files
- Imports Mint data (crucial after shutdown)
- Powerful reporting features
- True double-entry accounting
- No ads or data selling
- Reasonable pricing ($9.99/month)
- Running balance in registers
- Check printing support
✗ Cons
- Dated interface design
- Basic mobile apps
- Limited bank connections
- No investment tracking
- Steep learning curve
- No bill pay features
- Small development team
The Quicken Migration Story
CountAbout was created specifically for users frustrated with Quicken's move to a subscription model and lack of robust cloud options. It's the only budgeting app that can import your complete Quicken history—transactions, categories, accounts, everything—preserving decades of financial data.
With Mint's shutdown in March 2024, CountAbout also became a refuge for Mint users, offering the ability to import Mint data exports. This unique capability makes it invaluable for anyone with extensive financial history in these legacy systems.
Core Features Analysis
Register-Based Accounting
Like Quicken, CountAbout uses a checkbook register approach:
- Running balance for each account
- Manual transaction entry with auto-complete
- Split transactions with multiple categories
- Memo fields for detailed notes
- Check number tracking
- Reconciliation with statement balances
- Transfer tracking between accounts
- Void and delete transaction options
Budget Management
Traditional envelope-style budgeting similar to Quicken:
- Monthly and annual budget views
- Category groups and subcategories
- Budget vs actual comparisons
- Rollover unused amounts
- Income and expense budgets
- Copy budgets from previous periods
- Budget reports and analysis
Reporting Power
CountAbout's reporting rivals desktop software:
- Income/Expense reports by period
- Category spending analysis
- Cash flow statements
- Net worth over time
- Tax reports with customizable categories
- Payee reports
- Custom date ranges
- Export to CSV/Excel
Data Import Excellence
Unmatched import capabilities:
- Quicken files: QIF and QFX formats with full history
- Mint data: Complete transaction import from CSV
- Bank files: OFX, QFX, QIF, CSV formats
- Preserves: Categories, tags, notes, splits
- Deduplication: Smart matching to prevent duplicates
Pricing Structure
Basic Plan
or $79.99/year (save $40)
- Unlimited accounts
- Manual transaction entry
- All reports
- Data import/export
- Web and mobile access
- Email support
Premium Plan
or $119.99/year (save $60)
- Everything in Basic
- Automatic bank downloads
- 5 bank connections included
- Additional connections $2/each
- Transaction auto-categorization
- Priority support
Free Trial: 15 days for Premium features
The CountAbout Experience
Web Interface
The web app is CountAbout's strength, resembling desktop Quicken:
- Multi-panel layout with customizable views
- Keyboard shortcuts for power users
- Drag-and-drop transaction editing
- Multiple windows/tabs support
- Print checks directly from registers
- Batch operations for efficiency
Mobile Apps
Mobile apps are functional but basic:
- Transaction entry on the go
- Account balance viewing
- Basic reports
- Photo receipt attachment
- Limited compared to web version
- Sync can be slow
Bank Connections
Premium plan includes automatic downloads:
- Covers 12,000+ institutions
- Uses Yodlee for connections
- Daily automatic updates
- Connection stability varies by bank
- Manual import always available as backup
Migrating from Quicken
- Export from Quicken: Create QIF file for all accounts
- Sign up for CountAbout: Choose Basic or Premium
- Import QIF file: Upload through web interface
- Review import: Check categories and account balances
- Set up connections: Add bank downloads if using Premium
- Adjust settings: Customize categories and budgets
Tip: CountAbout preserves up to 10+ years of Quicken history perfectly, including investment transactions, though investment tracking is view-only.
Who Should Use CountAbout?
Perfect For:
- Quicken refugees: Seamless transition from desktop
- Mint orphans: Import and continue after shutdown
- Data preservationists: Keep decades of history
- Register fans: Prefer checkbook-style tracking
- Privacy conscious: No ads or data selling
- Power users: Need advanced reporting
Not Ideal For:
- Mobile-first users: Apps are secondary
- Modern UI seekers: Interface feels dated
- Investment trackers: Very limited features
- Beginners: Steep learning curve
- Automation lovers: Requires manual work
CountAbout vs Competitors
| Feature | CountAbout | Quicken | Simplifi | YNAB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price/month | $9.99 | $5.99+ | $3.99 | $9.08 |
| Quicken Import | ✓ | N/A | ✗ | ✗ |
| Running Balance | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Investment Tracking | View only | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ✗ |
| Mobile Apps | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Reports | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
Recent Updates (2026)
- Mint Import Tool: Streamlined import after Mint shutdown
- Enhanced Security: Added two-factor authentication
- Faster Sync: Improved mobile-web synchronization
- Category Management: Bulk editing capabilities
- Tax Report Updates: 2026 tax category mappings
- CSV Export: Enhanced formatting options
- Dark Mode: Finally added to web interface
Tips for CountAbout Success
- Start with manual entry: Learn the system before automating
- Import history first: Bring in old data before new transactions
- Set up categories carefully: Match your tax needs
- Use memo fields: Add context to transactions
- Reconcile monthly: Keep accounts accurate
- Export regularly: Backup your data monthly
- Learn keyboard shortcuts: Speed up data entry
- Use splits: Accurately track complex transactions
Common Issues
Slow performance
Large data imports can slow the system. Break imports into yearly chunks if needed.
Bank connection problems
Some banks have issues with Yodlee. Use manual import as a reliable backup.
Mobile limitations
Do complex work on web; use mobile for quick entry only.
Learning curve
Watch tutorial videos and start with basic features before advancing.
Security and Privacy
- SSL encryption for all data
- No advertising or data selling
- Read-only bank access
- Two-factor authentication
- Regular backups
- US-based servers
- PCI compliance
- Manual data export anytime
Final Verdict
CountAbout earns 3.8 out of 5 stars for serving a specific niche exceptionally well. For Quicken users seeking a cloud alternative or Mint refugees needing to preserve their data, CountAbout is invaluable—literally the only option that maintains your complete financial history.
The interface won't win design awards, and the mobile apps need work, but the core functionality is solid. Power users who value features over aesthetics will appreciate the robust reporting, true double-entry accounting, and register-based approach that modern apps have abandoned.
At $9.99/month for the basic plan, it's reasonably priced for what it offers. If you're coming from Quicken or Mint and want to preserve your data while moving to the cloud, CountAbout is worth the learning curve. Just don't expect a modern, mobile-first experience.