There are three main features that you should look for before you buy a personal finance software, also known as an accounting or budgeting software. These are ease in use, customizability, upgradability. Let’s have a look at each one.

• Ease in use – Is the software easy enough to install? A software that takes a lot of time to install and takes up more time to set-up may not be the best thing for anyone. To really benefit from an accounting or budgeting software, much of its functions should be instinctual. If it’s taking too much time for you to learn how to use it, then it is difficult and may discourage you from using it. Is it web-based or desktop-based? Web-based finance software allows you to view your files from multiple computers and different places. A desktop software downloads the entire program to your computer and can  only be used in that PC.
• Customizability – “Different strokes for different folks” is also applicable in choosing a budgeting software. Can the software give you the kind of reports that you need? Can you use it for several different functions? Banks often will allow you to sync your software with theirs. The benefit of this is that you save a lot of time and money by just doing your transactions online and at home.
• Upgradability – Find out first if the software you plan to purchase can be bought in modules wherein you can just pick out which modules can be used. Taking this further, can you also keep on purchasing new modules or upgrade the system if needed?

Some companies allow a ‘try before you buy’ period. Take advantage of this and take the software on a trial run. For trial runs, you won’t have all of the features available for your use, but you get a sense of how it feels to use it for yourself.