Tech

CountAbout Review: The Right Personal Finance Software For You

Today's technology has made maintaining a personal budget easier than ever.

But with so many digital transactions, there is also probably much more information to track. Apps and programs like CountAbout aim to help you do just that. Of course, each new product provides its service in a unique way.

That means this might -- or might not -- be the right program for you. And we can help you determine for yourself without having to purchase anything. We'll dissect what CountAbout has to offer, which is substantial. You can compare that with your own needs to see if it sounds like a good fit. If not, we've also included several of its top rivals. We believe that anyone looking for an easier way to keep up with finances will find it below.

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A Little About CountAbout

CountAbout was founded by Joseph Carpenter and Alex Wong. One was a longtime and well respected CPA. The other was a software guru and industry leader. So naturally they joined forces to create a great new budgeting software. The system has earned a loyal following since then. We'll share some of its most popular features so you'll know if it's the right app for you.

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Background of CountAbout

This program has caught on in large part because of its simplicity. And that applies to both your initial experience and the interface that follows. Because you won't have to download anything to get started. Once you have the program, accessing its features and functions is a breeze.

That's in large part because it is a web based app. So you'll have access to your vital information wherever you can surf the web. And the team behind CountAbout knows that there will still be some hiccups. If you get stuck, just reach out to customer service personnel, who are actually very helpful.

Who Is CountAbout Great For?

Since easy is the name of the game, this app is best for those who don't need a deep dive. If you're looking for something simple to use with all the basic data you need, it could be perfect. We'll discuss some of the specific capabilities further on in our review.

But in determining a perfect market for this product, we envision the typical household. These are people planning for the future, trying to make their budget stretch as far as possible. If you're trying to budget for a large company or with unique challenges, you might need more. But for average folks, we think CountAbout has many of the wish list features.

What are the Best Uses of CountAbout?

Of course you can use this app to keep track of household expenses. But there are a lot of other innovative uses contained within the software. You can sync the information with other tools like Quicken or Mint. It will also automatically download transactions from scores of other banks and institutions.

But you can also use it to manage the expenses of a small business. We find the features comprehensive enough to get a good overview of the books. Follow running balances and track receipts right on the app. Then get reliable financial reports in a professional, clean template.


Features & Benefits of CountAbout

There are a few primary reasons fans of this software keep coming back. We've mentioned these high points broadly in the sections above. But let's take a closer look at the capabilities this smart app possesses.

1. Easily Establish A Budget

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This is probably the main reason you'd consider downloading this app. It is incredibly user friendly and lets you set up a budget in a matter of minutes. Better yet, CountAbout will help you stick to that plan once you've created it.

Among the available options is automatically tracking transactions through your financial institution. But you don't need the premium version to get many of the helpful functions. It's always very easy to get a comprehensive overview of your assets and expenses. Plus, if you use Quicken or Mint to help with your financial services, it's compatible.

In addition to configuring the app to communicate with those third party apps, it will import other info. And if you need the data outside of the CountAbout system, you can download and export that, too. 

2. Choose The Right Plan For You

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As we mentioned before, there are several differences between the basic and premium versions. You might imagine that the basic plan lacks some of the more advanced functions. But for many users, we think that's actually a benefit.

If you're just trying to maintain a relatively simple household budget, it's great. Because there aren't a lot of extras cluttering up the app or the desktop appearance. You can easily track all of your money and where it's going from one spot. And since there isn't a lot of unnecessary stuff, you don't have to click around all day. Just log in, check what you need, and get on with your life.

Of course, if you need some of the additional functions, you'll appreciate the premium edition. It's not free -- but if you believe time is money, it might pay for itself. One of the major bonuses of this upgrade is the automatic transfer of financial data. You can import from other apps and accounts with the basic version. But if you want a hands free, easy ride, you'll have to shell out for the premium app.

3. Automatically Download Transactions

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Here's a premium feature we felt deserved some specific attention. Though much of the CountAbout charm is available for free, this is truly special. Sure, there are other apps that provide similar functionality. But if you're a typical user, we think you'll appreciate the ease of use.

All you have to do is connect the software to your accounts and it does the rest. Get a comprehensive view of all of your financial information. And of course that is the first step toward gaining control over your budget.

The powerful system also gives you the option of scheduling payments. This way you will know exactly when to plan on money coming out of your accounts. Not only that, the app will allow you to make specific categories for your books. Depending on what you want to track a bit closer, you can input that information into the app. And then CountAbout will retain that information, showing you the relevant data when prompted.

4. Get Help From Customer Service

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There are a few things CountAbout doesn't do. But for everything else, there's help if you need it. Call on the customer service department of this tech company and get valuable assistance.

Maybe you've been in situations where a tech company is short on customer service. But this is one of the areas where CountAbout shines. And this could especially come in handy if you opt for the premium version. That's because there are several modifications you can make here that give you a personalized view.

But that also means there are a few more moving pieces to follow. 


What Users Have to Say About CountAbout

It's obvious that there is a lot to recommend about this product. But no developer can please everyone. So we've taken a close look at a wide array of users. We paid attention to what they liked as well as what they didn't. Here are the main pros and cons we were able to identify.

PROS:

  • plus
    Easy to use.
  • plus
    Links to thousands of banks.
  • plus
    Uncluttered interface.

CONS:

  • close
    Premium version cost.
  • No investment tracking.

The chart above gives you a pretty good idea of CountAbout's strengths and limitations. If you're still not sold on it, check out the products below. We've identified them as some of the app's most promising competitors. Some have been around for years and others are new to the market. Either way, they offer their own unique features for their target customers.


Alternative Personal Finance Programs to Consider

If you should decide that CountAbout isn't the proper personal finance program for your needs, there are plenty of alternatives available. Consider these options:

1. Quicken Home & Business

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You might already be familiar with this brand. But if you're looking for something a bit more robust than CountAbout, check this software out. There are some similarities, including connections to thousands of banks and other institutions.

The Quicken product also offers great automation for your transactions. You will be able to easily track your money's movement with some easy to read graphics. And if you're also running a business or keeping its books, you're in luck. Invoices, expenses and taxes are just a few of the issues you can easily resolve here.

It also includes investment capabilities. This is an area where it really rises above the competition -- including CountAbout.

2. Moneydance

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Here's another software system for basic budgeting and other financial services. A few of the primary features are tracking bank transactions. These functions also include investment tracking and other synced accounts.

You can also easily follow your information from any smartphone or computer. And helpful reminders give you a clear overview of your assets and expenses. Plus, when you need to review that information it all makes sense.

Download helpful reports to break down all the data this system has recorded. Then make sense of it all with graphs and charts that clearly show your financial situation.

3. Sage 50

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Sage is a company that has been attracting new customers with a simple, powerful platform. It's great for keeping up with budgets and expenses. But it is primarily aimed at small business owners.

The program keeps track of employee related costs and other important expenses. Plus, you can store it all in the cloud for easy retrieval. 

This is a program you can easily customize to your specifications. And once it's set up, you can count on Sage 50 to give you accurate, reliable data about your finances.


CountAbout is one of several great personal finance options.

If you think the features and benefits of this app seem right for your situation, it's easy to download. Then you're on your way to taking control of your budget. If not, there are plenty of other choices with their own pros and cons.

We hope you found our review helpful and invite you to share this article with your friends. And leave us a comment below if you have any final thoughts or questions.

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