Customer Reviews (500)

Meria909 • 2025-03-03T07:50:04-07:00

I have used this app for years with glowing reviews. Each update makes me more and more frustrated. Now my recurring transactions are not showing up unless I manually enter them if I remember. Then that leaves my account a nightmare.

Lmb-iPhone • 2025-01-21T04:17:52-07:00

I had purchased a previous banking app that has a pig as icon. They have updated it and it is no longer user friendly. This app is doing everything I needed. Well done!!!!!!

sweetharmony101 • 2024-12-30T17:44:45-07:00

So far so good

Summary of Key Insights

Quick Checkbook Pro is a personal finance management app that aims to provide a simple way to track multiple accounts. While it enjoys a generally positive sentiment (overall rating of approximately 4.15 based on the provided score distribution), recent updates have caused significant user frustration due to forced subscriptions, bugs in recurring transactions, and changes to the user interface. Key strengths include its ease of use (in older versions), comprehensive features (multiple accounts, reports, etc.), and affordability (especially prior to the subscription model). Weaknesses involve the recent shift to a subscription model after users purchased a "pro" version with lifetime access, recurring transaction issues, UI changes that many find less user-friendly, and a lack of responsiveness from the developer.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: The reviews span several years, with a noticeable concentration of recent reviews focusing on the impact of recent updates (particularly in 2023).
  • Analysis Methods: The analysis involved sentiment analysis based on star ratings and keyword extraction from the detailed reviews to identify recurring themes, pain points, feature requests, and positive aspects.

Key User Pain Points

  • Forced Subscription Model: Many users who previously purchased the "Pro" version for a one-time fee are now being forced to pay a recurring subscription to access features they already paid for. This is the most significant and frequently mentioned pain point, leading to strong negative sentiment and accusations of unethical behavior.
  • Recurring Transaction Issues: A significant number of users report that recurring transactions are not working correctly. They either don't appear, duplicate, or cause incorrect balance calculations. This issue greatly impacts the app's core functionality and reliability.
  • Negative UI/UX Changes: Recent updates have changed the user interface in ways that many users find less intuitive and more cluttered. Specific complaints include difficulty finding information, less clear balance displays, and slower performance. The addition of timestamps to transactions is also disliked by many.
  • Lack of Responsiveness from Developer: Several users have reported difficulties contacting the developer for support or bug fixes, which exacerbates their frustration with the app's issues.
  • Data Loss and Backup Issues: Some users have reported losing data or experiencing problems with backup and restore functionality, leading to significant inconvenience and distrust in the app's reliability.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Syncing Across Devices (iPhone, iPad, Laptop): Many users want the ability to sync their data across multiple devices, particularly between iPhones, iPads, and laptops.
  • Customizable Categories: Users frequently request more options for categories or the ability to create custom categories to better track their spending habits.
  • Improved Reporting and Filtering: Users desire more advanced reporting options, such as filtering transactions by category, payee, or cleared/uncleared status. They also want to be able to print reports and ledgers more easily.
  • Running Balance Display: Some users want to see a running balance after each transaction in the transaction list, similar to a traditional checkbook register.
  • Bank Connectivity/Automatic Transaction Import: A few users requested the ability to connect the app directly to their bank accounts to automatically import transactions.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Ease of Use (Prior to Recent Updates): Many long-term users praised the app's simplicity and ease of use, especially in older versions.
  • Comprehensive Features: The app offers a range of useful features, including multiple account tracking, recurring transactions, reporting, and backup options.
  • Affordability (Prior to Subscription Model): The one-time purchase price of the "Pro" version was considered very affordable and a good value.
  • Helpful for Budgeting and Tracking Expenses: Users found the app helpful for tracking their spending habits, managing their budgets, and avoiding overdrafts.
  • Customizable Transactions: Users appreciate the ability to add notes, payee information, and mark transactions as cleared or not.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Subscription Model Backlash: Immediately address the concerns of users who purchased the "Pro" version with a lifetime license. Options include grandfathering existing users into a premium tier without a subscription, offering a significant discount on the subscription, or providing a refund. Failure to address this will likely result in continued negative reviews and user churn.
  • Fix Recurring Transaction Bugs: Prioritize fixing the recurring transaction issues to ensure that the app's core functionality is reliable. Thoroughly test all recurring transaction scenarios to prevent future problems.
  • Re-evaluate Recent UI/UX Changes: Gather user feedback on the recent UI/UX changes and consider reverting to the previous design or offering users the option to choose between the old and new interfaces. Focus on simplifying the interface and making key information more easily accessible.
  • Improve Customer Support Responsiveness: Respond to user inquiries and bug reports in a timely and helpful manner. Consider creating a dedicated support channel or knowledge base to address common issues.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Syncing Across Devices: Add the ability to sync data across multiple devices (iPhone, iPad, Laptop) to improve user convenience.
  • Add Customizable Categories: Allow users to create custom categories to better track their spending habits.
  • Enhance Reporting and Filtering: Add more advanced reporting options and filtering capabilities to provide users with deeper insights into their finances.
  • Implement Running Balance Display: Add an option to display a running balance after each transaction in the transaction list.

Low Priority:

  • Consider Bank Connectivity/Automatic Transaction Import: Explore the feasibility of adding bank connectivity for automatic transaction import, but be mindful of security concerns and user privacy.
  • Improve App Aesthetics: Consider updating the app's visual design to make it more modern and appealing.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Checkbook App with Legacy Support: A new checkbook app could differentiate itself by explicitly supporting users migrating from older apps and offering a transparent and fair pricing model (avoiding bait-and-switch tactics).
  • AI-Powered Expense Categorization: An app that automatically categorizes expenses using AI could save users time and effort.
  • Collaborative Budgeting App: An app that allows multiple users to collaborate on a budget and track expenses together could be useful for families or roommates.

Trends and Observations

  • Negative Sentiment Shift After Updates: There is a clear trend of negative sentiment increasing after recent updates, particularly those that introduced the subscription model and changed the UI.
  • Strong Focus on Core Functionality: Users primarily value the app for its core checkbook functionality (tracking transactions, balancing accounts) and are less interested in advanced features if they come at the expense of usability.
  • Desire for Simplicity and Control: Users appreciate the app's simplicity and the fact that it doesn't require them to connect to their bank accounts (for security and privacy reasons).

Conclusion

Quick Checkbook Pro has the potential to be a valuable tool for personal finance management, but recent missteps have significantly damaged its reputation and user satisfaction. By addressing the issues related to the subscription model, recurring transaction bugs, and UI changes, the developer can regain user trust and improve the app's overall quality. Prioritizing user feedback and focusing on core functionality will be crucial for the app's long-term success. The app should prioritize fixing existing problems before adding new features.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-checkbook-pro/id588959204?uo=2