CNET Editors' review
Checkbook Ease Freeware will help you take charge of both your checkbook and budget. You will have to spend a considerable amount of time manually entering your bank information, but once you're done it, it'll give you a clear overview of your finances.
This free program is impressive with its practically limitless options, but the number may overwhelm the less experienced. Users are shown a large screen outlining all their accounts in the upper right where bank account, credit, and loan balances are showcased. Dominating the bottom of the screen are recent transactions and to the right are the tools for entering a new transaction. In addition, there are buttons that open up menus for Options, Colors, Accounts, and Budget. Checkbook Ease is impressive with its ability to give instant glances at a wide financial swath. There are a number of reports that can be run, and clicking on any item will bring up a chart or informative box to provide more insight.
Our complaints are fairly minimal on this product. One big issue we had was the program's claim to download bank financials from the Internet and the glaring lack of direction on how to accomplish this important task. Otherwise, all information will have to be entered manually, which can take some time. Still, if you have the patience to spend a little time with the program, it's certainly worth a download.
Publisher's Description
From CheckbookEase:
CheckbookEase is a free checkbook/budget/task manager. View your budget and checkbook in one window to make adjustments to future household expenses. Major features include: import transactions from the internet (OFX and QIF), schedule transactions with a reminder or auto entry. Uses envelope budgeting with 100 categories or user added, split transactions into budget categories, one click to view budget/account monthly summaries/charts. Create payee lists, automatic check numbering, quick transaction search, register sorting, select registry view by date, select transaction entry order, easy checkbook balancing, recall prior bank statements, extensive report capability and archive accounts. Retirement, home purchase and college planners. Select from 20 color backgrounds with matching calculator/calendar. Task manager with reminder. Print accounts, budget and transactions, on screen help buttons, user manual and on-line instructional videos. Version 2.1 adds ability to schedule transactions, import downloaded transactions, and a task manager with a reminder.
What's new in this version: Version 2.1 adds ability to schedule transactions, import downloaded transactions, and a task manager with a reminder.
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All versions:
3.2 starsout of 38 votes
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Current version:
3.2 starsout of 33 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Does what I downloaded it for."
Version: Checkbook Ease Freeware 2.1
Pros
I was looking for a program to keep track of and balance my cheques. This program works great for that. I only have one chequing account, so the fact that it only allows one account in the free version is not an issue for me. I can't comment on the budgeting part of it because I havn't used any of the added features yet.
Cons
None that I've encountered so far.
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"relatively simple checkbook program"
Version: Checkbook Ease Freeware 2.1
Pros
free and easy to install
Cons
very unwieldy, awkward
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"Free version is too restrictive"
Version: Checkbook Ease Freeware 2.1
Pros
Looks pretty; lots of colours to choose from.
If you have only 1 account to work with, then it may work well for you.Cons
You can only set up 1 bank account ~ how many people really have just 1 bank account?!
Summary
Wasted 4 hours of my time for nothing!
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"Very easy to use check register program."
Version: Checkbook Ease Freeware 2.1
Pros
Basic program with some very good features.
Cons
None. Practically no learning curve.
Summary
This program is just what I was looking for.
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"pretty but not friendly"
Version: Checkbook Ease Freeware 2.1
Pros
Pretty -but not worth the time to even do a trial run
Cons
Want you to pay but you get nothing in return. Hard to figure out how to use it and hard to do entries.
Summary
Poor program - very basic but yet hard to input and manage.
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"Meets the needs for what I want."
Version: Checkbook Ease Freeware 2.1
Pros
Easy to use.
Cons
Not able to add my other account.
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"Too Complex, Too Restrictive"
Version: Checkbook Ease Freeware 2.1
Pros
This review form is also wasting my time and yours. It requires me to use at least 10 characters when all I need is four to say: none.
Cons
Too much trouble entering items; can't insert late entries. "Budget" is creators idea of a budget. Should be a table with formulas but fields empty so user can create his OWN budget. Budget has no way to deduct items from available cash.
Summary
This is a very complex, time-consuming piece of junk.
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"Not worth it"
Version: Checkbook Ease Freeware 2.1
Pros
It helps balance the checkbook - period.
Cons
Features, functionality, bloatware - lots of extra junk not needed.
Summary
Such a pain to use! I bought the full featured one after trying it a bit but never really liked it. Balancing was a massive pain. Add in something you forgot and you had to scroll all the way down, checkmark it and scroll all the way back up. Found it cumbersome and no way to have a default item setting, so every debit card entered meant scrolling through a long list of various types of transactions. My hard drive crashed and I don't miss this program one bit.
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"Great basic program"
Version: Checkbook Ease Freeware 2.1
Pros
Good as a free checkbook register for 1 account.
Cons
Must balance account whenever you want to check off posted transactions.
Summary
I have been using this program (free version) for over a year now. I downloaded it to a laptop running Vista. Unlike some of the other reviews, I have had NO problems using it. You just have to understand it, and it's very simple. The best thing this program is good for is a checkbook register, which is all I wanted. I have never found it to be inaccurate or difficult to use. I do wish I could simply check off transactions as they post, but once you get used to balancing the account every few days it works like a charm....and it's free!!!!!
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"Complete waste of time."
Version: Checkbook Ease Freeware 2.1
Pros
****None****
Cons
* Does not function properly with Vista.
* Way too many complexities to be a checkbook register.
* Not intuitive in any way.Summary
This thing is a complete mess....During installation, it tells Vista and 7 users to disable user account control...VERY BAD. It comes loaded with a bunch of "sample" accounts....when you try to get them out of your way by deleting them, the entire application crashes with a run time error and closes. The instructions say to use "my accounts", located under the "options" button, to set up your new accounts.... and yet, "my accounts" DOES NOT show up in the options drop down menu. Just setting up ONE account takes forever and is NOT a logical or intuitive process. The user interface is very awkward and cumbersome and will confuse many users. It is bloated with many functions that are completely unnecessary to balance a checkbook. After uninstalling it....it leaves behind MANY registry entries and old file folders.... I suggest you use a third party uninstaller to make sure you get rid of all the left overs. -- Like I said, it`s a mess.
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