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Mac and PC?

Bob.

After 35 years of Windows, just bought a Mac. May and may not transition, but for the moment using both platforms as I learn a new OS and find comparable programs (not so easy) for the Mac.

Can I install one license which I have for Windows on BOTH PC and MAC? Do they use the same .qdf file? If not, how to keep them in sync? Any major differences between Mac and PC versions?

I'd like to see how Quicken performs on Mac before I decide if I switch or remain with both or PC only.

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RickO

Yes, your license for Quicken allows you to use the program on both Windows and Mac.

They do NOT use the same data file. QMac will open a QWin file, but it's a one way transfer. And not everything transfers. If you search, you will find a lot of discussion on the foibles of the transfer process. (I'd recommend searching with Google using "site:community.quicken.com (search term)".

There are significant differences between not only how the programs look and feel but also features that are supported. Some of this depends on which level of subscription you have. Again, a search will provide a lot of info.

Unfortunately, while testing both platforms, the only way to keep them in sync is to duplicate whatever you do on QWin (downloads, data entry, etc.) in QMac.

Boatnmaniac

Hi @Bob. I can't answer all of your questions but I will answer what I can.

Can I install one license which I have for Windows on BOTH PC and MAC?

You can use your existing subscription license for both so you can keep QWin installed and running on your Windows system at the same time as you keep QMac installed and running on your new Mac system.

But you should note that QWin and QMac are totally different softwares that share a lot of features and functionality but also have some significant differences between them. When you want to set up your QMac you should first make sure to backup your QWin QDF file. You will then need to convert your QWin QDF file so it can be used by QMac. Once that is done it will no longer be usable by QWin.

Do they use the same .qdf file?

No. I do not fully understand the QMac side very well but QMac does not have a single QDF file. I believe it has a "QDF" folder with several different files in that folder. (I'm sure I'll be corrected on this if I am mistaken.)

If not, how to keep them in sync?

Not possible. The closest you can come to that is to set up and run QWin and QMac in parallel but they will not sync with each other. Also, if you use QMobile and/or QWeb, you should note that QWin and QMac will have their own instances of those that will not be synced with each other.

Any major differences between Mac and PC versions?

There are differences but I am not able to speak to them myself. My understanding is that QMac is not as full-featured as QWin and because of that the QDF file conversion process does result in some data loss but I'm not sure which types of data can be or will be lost. Hopefully a QMac user will pipe in here and provide more insights for you.

Because of the differences what some QMac users do is install a VM on their Mac system. Parallels is one VM that is used but there are others and I understand that some of them are free. Then they will install QWin on their Mac systems and run that instead of QMac. Doing this allows them to continue running QWin with their existing QDF file allowing them to retain all of the QWin features and functionality they are familiar with and want to keep.

If you decide to go down this VM path it circles back to the question of how to sync between your Win system and Mac system. That is tricky and potentially very problematic since QDF files were not really designed to be shared between different computers. If not carefully managed it can result in software performance issues, data file corruption and permanent loss of data. So I do not recommend routinely sharing a data file between computers because I'm too risk adverse. But there are others who do share and say it can be managed. Still, if you go down this path of using a VM and continuing to use QWin, then why would you want to also keep running it on your Windows system?

Here is a Support Article on this subject: https://www.quicken.com/support/can-i-share-my-quicken-file-between-multiple-computers-using-dropbox/ .

And here is a Help Article you might find helpful: https://info.quicken.com/win/how-do-i-move-quicken-data-files-between-computers .

I hope your find this helpful. Perhaps others will pipe in here with addition tips and suggestions.

Bob.

Thanks folks.

Classic Home and Business. Sorry neglected to mention not anticipating version would make a difference in the answer.

I really do not want to run Windows on the Mac. I think Parallels has new limitations in Sequoia, but did not make notes as I explore the Mac OS. And its an expense. Recommended now-a-days is VMWare. Again, did not pay too much attention to this.

Off to Google :)

RickO

No. I do not fully understand the QMac side very well but QMac does not have a single QDF file. I believe it has a "QDF" folder with several different files in that folder. (I'm sure I'll be corrected on this if I am mistaken.)

Correcting this a bit… QMac does have a hidden structure within its Quicken file which can be accessed in extraordinary circumstances, but for all practical purposes, it acts like a single file on the Mac with the file extension ".quicken" (not QDF). As previously stated, the QDF file from Windows cannot be directly opened on the Mac (only imported) and the .quicken file cannot be opened on the PC. They are completely different formats.

Bob.

Some good links I found on differences and transition. Food for thought.

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/7916637/quicken-for-mac-functionally-the-same-as-quicken-for-windows

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/7928433/mac-vs-windows-functionality

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/7945306/parity-between-mac-and-windows-versions-of-business-personal

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/7946739/mac-versions-investments-features-are-lacking-compared-to-windows-edited

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/7945306/parity-between-mac-and-windows-versions-of-business-personal

On and on...

https://machow2.com/quicken-for-mac-vs-windows/

https://machow2.com/quicken-mac-review/

Might help someone else with the same questions...

Boatnmaniac

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20468685#Comment_20468685

Those last 2 web articles you referenced have a lot of really good comparison and performance information in there. Good job finding them and posting the links here!

Boatnmaniac

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20468682#Comment_20468682

Thanks for piping in and correcting what I'd posted. I'll try to keep this in mind.

jacobs

I'm not going to try to dive into discussing issues point-by-point in the articles linked, but I found lots of misstatements and out-of-date information. I'll just say that I think some of the information in these and other links are dated because the Quicken Mac application is moving forward — slower than anyone would wish, but unmistakably better year by year. Some of things mentioned a missing in Quicken Mac, from business invoicing to more detailed investment reporting, have been announced as forthcoming. (The former appears to be imminent any day now; the latter is apparently planned for sometime in the upcoming year.)

We all use Quicken differently, so what might be a dealbreaker for you might be something I'd consider minor, and visa versa. So the best way to determine whether Quicken Mac will/can meet your needs is to try it. Since you already have a Quicken license and a Mac, there's no cost to giving it a whirl, other than an investment of some of your time. The converted data file may require some tweaks and adjustments; since you can still run your Quicken Windows, getting all your accounts and holdings matched up is easier because you can run the programs side by side. The other thing to realize is that because the user interface is different and some of the functionality is different, there's a definite learning curve. You need to give yourself some time to grasp the Quicken Mac way of doing things, and to not get frustrated that things are different.

Most people who have converted from Quicken Windows to Quicken Mac report that they are happy after adjusting; some people have specific issues which cause them to conclude they need to stay on Quicken Windows. None of us can tell you in advance where you'll fall on that spectrum, but we can help with questions about where to find/how to do things in Quicken Mac if you get stuck.

Bob.

Thanks, Jacob. I will have to try when I find an empty day. I am a tweak, so I'm sure it will take me a bit of time to get the Mac version "as good as I can for my wants and needs".

I must say I have been incredibly surprised that there are a number of functions in general that either I find Winfdows to do so much better or have no equivalent in Mac or are suprisingly high priced for Mac software/utilities. If I had to declare today, I would say I will not be able to transition and may use the Mac primarily for Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop and that trip away from home. That might change, but 3 weeks in or so its how it is feeling.

I'll post after I try Quicken Mac.

MontanaKarl

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20468680#Comment_20468680

Look forward to hearing what happens when you try QMac with a conversion of your QWin data. Note that you may be able to import the QDF direclty in QMac… or your may have to export a QXF from QWin and import that. Try both. In any case, no business data (other than transactions) will transfer to QMac. Even though QMac has evolving business features now, the import of business data from QWin has not yet been implemented, at least in my testing.

I'm responding to your note about VMWare vs Parallels. I heartily disagree. Parallels Desktop 20 is tuned for Apple Silicon Macs and will, with little effort, install Windows 11 ARM which can run most any Intel Windows program via emulation. The Mx Macs are so fast, that you will not notice any slowness at all running Windows apps. Installing Win 11 ARM with VMWare can be dodgy. If you are a tech nerd, then you'll be fine either way, but I prefer Parallels.

I do agree that the cost is meaningful - especially if you have only one Windows program such as QWin to run, as Parallels Desktop is $55 to $100 depending on upgrade or new, and the Win 11 ARM license is $199.

TDM56

Have fun and don't worry,, it all works out. I made the transformation in 2013 and have never looked back. Yes, maybe a feature or two are not in the MAC version but you will over come the change. Just have fun.

jacobs

@TDM56 said: I made the transformation in 2013 and have never looked back.

Did you perhaps mean 2023, not 2013? The modern Quicken Mac program didn't come on the market until August 2014. (There was a predecessor version called Quicken Essentials for Mac in 2013, but it lacked a LOT of functionality, including investment accounts, loans and budgets.)