No doubt, Quicken is one of the best money management software around. Not only does it enable you to manage your money easily, it also comes with plenty of useful features such as setting up bill reminders, creating budgets and manage your investment portfolio right within the dashboard.

If there is anything to complain about, it has to be the price and the compatibility issue with Linux OS. While Quicken is good, it comes at a price range from $39.99 to $99.99 and it only works in Windows does not have a native version for Linux. (Update: Quicken does work in Windows and Mac, thanks to Mulder for rectifying my mistake).

Luckily there are many free software options out there that works in various platforms and have the capabilities to become an alternative to Quicken.

1. GnuCash

Of all the free money management software out there, GnuCash is the most complete and also the closest alternative to Quicken. Not only can it be used as a personal finance manager, it also functions well as a small business accounting package. It aims to keep things simple, yet maintains the true accounting principles.

Useful features found in GnuCash include double-entry accounting, schedule recurring transactions and support for Quicken files (OFX/QFX) import/export.

Gnucash is available for Windows, Linux and Mac.

2. Grisbi

The best thing about Grisbi is its simple, intuitive and clean interface that makes organizing your finances a breeze. All the options are arranged in tabs and can be accessed quickly. While it is simple and easy to use, it is never short of features. Reconciliation, scheduling future transactions and creating a budget are just some of the many features found in Grisbi.

The default currency used in Grisbi is Euros, but you can easily change that to other currencies. If the exchange rate is supplied, it can even adjust the currency to the base value automatically.

The most powerful thing about Grisbi is its ability to generate reports and present the data in numerous ways. You can export your report in CSV or HTML format, or even clone it and export them to another machine.

Grisbi is available for Windows, Linux and Mac.

3. Home Bank

Home Bank is a small and lightweight money manager that works in multi-platforms. It is simple in design and does not take up plenty of resources. If you have completely no experience in using money management software and have no wish to learn complicated stuff, then Home Bank is most suited for you.

Home Bank is available for Windows, Linux and Mac.

4. jGnash [No Longer Available] 

jGnash is a Java based software. This means that you can use it in almost any platform, as long as you can install and run Java in that platform.

When you first start jGnash, you might be surprised to find a blank screen staring at you, with very little instructions on how to get started. However, if you are patient enough to explore around, you will find that there are actually plenty of interesting features. Other than managing your own finances, jGnash also allows you to track your investment account and transactions. If you are geeky enough, you can even create your own javascript and run it in jGnash.

jGnash is available as long as you can run Java in your platform.

5. Money Manager Ex

Apart from GnuCash, Money Manager Ex is another software that is used and liked by many people. The unique thing about MMEx is not about its features, but its big screen that allows you to see at one glance where all your money has gone to.

Money Manager Ex runs on Windows and Linux and an experimental build is now available for Mac OS X.

(Note: The Money Manager Ex package for Ubuntu found at the download page is not an English version. I have not figured out where the download link for the Linux English version is though.)

What software do you use to manage your financial accounts?