Customer Reviews (500)

Boboaze • 2025-03-22T18:14:21-07:00

Can I delete some of my old categories and put in new ones and keep old info.

TAZFIX • 2025-03-22T07:19:02-07:00

I really like this app the only thing is the cloud sync could be more live. Even leaving the apps open on my devices it doesn’t always sync properly plus I don’t like to leave the apps open all the time

Whisperin eye • 2025-03-21T20:49:13-07:00

Love the app, been using it since the original. I would love it if the register would stay on the last item entered instead of going to the top and having me scroll back, sometimes very far, to that item. It could at least be an option.

Summary of Key Insights

The Accounts 3 Checkbook app is generally well-received for its simplicity and ease of use, particularly as a replacement for a paper checkbook. Many long-time users appreciate its straightforward approach to tracking finances and its avoidance of subscription models. However, several recurring issues significantly detract from the user experience, particularly regarding syncing between devices, data loss, and reporting problems. The app's lack of proactive customer support is also a common complaint. While the app boasts a solid base of loyal users, addressing these pain points and implementing frequently requested features would greatly enhance its appeal and competitiveness. The overall sentiment is mixed, leaning positive due to the app's core functionality, but tempered by persistent technical issues and a lack of responsiveness from the developer.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating (based on score distribution): Approximately 4.0 (weighted average based on the review scores)
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 41.4% (207/500)
    • 4-star: 23.4% (117/500)
    • 3-star: 12.8% (64/500)
    • 2-star: 7.4% (37/500)
    • 1-star: 15.0% (75/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: The reviews span from July 2022 to March 2025, with a concentration of recent reviews (late 2024 and early 2025).
  • Analysis Methods: The analysis was primarily qualitative, involving thematic analysis of user reviews to identify recurring issues, feature requests, and positive aspects. Quantitative data (star ratings) was used to assess overall sentiment and the relative importance of different issues. Keyword extraction was used to identify common terms and phrases related to specific problems and features.

Key User Pain Points

  • Syncing Issues: The most frequently mentioned problem is unreliable syncing between devices (iPhone and iPad) via iCloud. Users report data discrepancies, incomplete syncing, and the need for manual uploading and downloading to force synchronization. This significantly impacts the app's usability for users with multiple devices.
  • Data Loss: A significant number of users have experienced complete data loss, often after updates or when attempting to transfer data between versions. This is a critical issue that erodes trust in the app's reliability.
  • Reporting Problems: Many users report issues with the reporting functionality, including app crashes when generating reports, inaccurate totals in reports (especially with split transactions), and limited customization options.
  • Lack of Customer Support: Users consistently complain about the lack of responsive customer support. The primary channel for support appears to be leaving a review, which is perceived as inadequate and unreliable. The broken Facebook support link exacerbates this issue.
  • Recurring Transaction Issues: Several users report problems with recurring transactions, such as the inability to set specific dates, the lack of split category support, and the inability to view future recurring transactions in the account register.
  • Exporting Issues: Some users have difficulty exporting data in CSV or other formats, often due to email-related problems or limitations in the export functionality.
  • Predictive Text Issues: Some users are experiencing issues with predictive text overriding previously entered vendor names, creating frustration and extra work.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved Syncing: Seamless, automatic syncing between devices is the most frequently requested feature.
  • Advanced Reporting: Users desire more customizable reporting options, including annual summaries for tax purposes, filterable spending by category reports, and the ability to export reports with itemized breakdowns.
  • Ability to See Future Transactions: Many users want the ability to view upcoming recurring transactions in the account register to better plan their finances.
  • Shared Access/Collaboration: Users want the ability to share accounts with family members (especially spouses) who use different Apple IDs, enabling collaborative financial management.
  • Ability to Print Check Register with Running Balance: Users want to print a complete check register, including a running balance for each transaction.
  • Android Version: Some users have requested an Android version of the app.
  • Mac Version: Some users have requested a macOS version of the app.
  • Widgets: Users would like to see widgets for different views, such as account balances and upcoming transactions.
  • More Customization Options: Users want more customization options, such as the ability to change account colors, hide inactive accounts, and reorder transactions.
  • Ability to Edit Payees: Users want the ability to edit or delete payees to clean up the payee list.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Simplicity and Ease of Use: Many users praise the app's simplicity and ease of use, especially compared to more complex financial software like Quicken.
  • Replacement for Paper Checkbook: Users appreciate the app as a convenient and efficient replacement for a traditional paper checkbook.
  • Recurring Transaction Feature: The recurring transaction feature is highly valued for automating bill tracking.
  • One-Time Purchase: The app's one-time purchase model (as opposed to a subscription) is a significant draw for many users.
  • Photo Receipts: The ability to capture and store photo receipts is a useful feature for expense tracking.
  • Customizable Categories: Users appreciate the ability to create and customize categories for tracking expenses.
  • Offline Functionality: Users appreciate that the app doesn't require a connection to their bank accounts, allowing them to manually enter transactions and maintain control over their data.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Syncing Issues: Investigate and resolve the syncing problems between devices. This is the most critical issue and should be the top priority. Implement robust error handling and logging to diagnose the root cause of sync failures. Consider offering a "force sync" option or providing more detailed sync status information to users.
  • Prevent Data Loss: Implement stronger data backup and recovery mechanisms to prevent data loss. Provide clear instructions on how to back up and restore data. Consider automatic backups to iCloud or other cloud services.
  • Improve Reporting Functionality: Fix the app crashes and inaccuracies in reports. Add more customization options and filtering capabilities to meet user needs.
  • Enhance Customer Support: Establish a reliable customer support channel (e.g., email, in-app chat) and respond promptly to user inquiries. Address the broken Facebook support link.

Medium Priority:

  • Improve Recurring Transaction Features: Allow users to set specific dates for recurring transactions, support split categories in recurring transactions, and enable users to view future recurring transactions in the account register.
  • Enhance Exporting Capabilities: Ensure that exporting data in CSV and other formats works reliably. Provide clear instructions on how to configure email settings for exporting.
  • Address Predictive Text Issues: Correct the predictive text issue where it overrides previously entered vendor names.
  • Implement Shared Access/Collaboration: Explore options for enabling shared access to accounts for family members with different Apple IDs.

Low Priority:

  • Add More Customization Options: Consider adding options for account colors, hiding inactive accounts, and reordering transactions.
  • Develop Android and Mac Versions: Explore the feasibility of developing versions of the app for Android and macOS.
  • Implement Widgets: Consider adding widgets for quick access to account balances and upcoming transactions.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Enhanced Financial Planning App: Build a more comprehensive financial planning app that integrates with the Accounts 3 Checkbook app (or similar apps) to provide advanced budgeting, forecasting, and investment tracking features.
  • Secure Data Backup and Recovery Service: Offer a secure, cloud-based data backup and recovery service specifically designed for financial apps like Accounts 3 Checkbook.
  • Collaborative Financial Management Platform: Develop a platform that allows families to collaboratively manage their finances, regardless of their Apple ID or other account settings.
  • AI-Powered Expense Tracking: Create an app that automatically categorizes expenses and generates reports using AI and machine learning.

Trends and Observations

  • Long-Time Users: A significant portion of users are long-time users of the app (or its previous versions), indicating a strong base of loyal customers.
  • Desire for Simplicity: Users consistently value the app's simplicity and ease of use, suggesting a preference for a straightforward approach to financial tracking.
  • Focus on Core Functionality: Users are primarily concerned with the app's core functionality (tracking transactions, balancing accounts, generating reports) and are less interested in "bells and whistles."
  • iOS Updates Impact: A number of reviews mention issues arising after iOS updates, suggesting a need for more thorough testing and compatibility checks.

Conclusion

The Accounts 3 Checkbook app has a solid foundation and a loyal user base, but it is currently being held back by persistent technical issues and a lack of responsiveness from the developer. Addressing the syncing problems, data loss issues, and reporting problems should be the top priority. Implementing frequently requested features, such as improved recurring transaction options and shared access, would further enhance the app's appeal. By focusing on reliability, functionality, and customer support, the developer can solidify the app's position as a leading checkbook replacement app in the App Store.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize bug fixes and improved customer support to retain existing users and attract new ones. Focus on core functionality and user feedback to guide future development efforts.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/accounts-3-checkbook/id1638551535?uo=2