Banktivity Explained

Banktivity
Developer:	IGG Software Inc.
Operating System:	macOS, OS X, iOS
Genre:	Personal finance, Accounting software
License:	Proprietary

Banktivity (formerly known as iBank) is a personal finance management suite designed for macOS^[1] and iOS platforms by IGG Software and debuted in 2003 as a Mac desktop software.

History

There have been a total of 8 releases for the desktop version since its inception. Over this same period, IGG Software Inc. also released iOS versions for the iPhone (2009), the iPad (2012), and Apple Watch. Features differ between the apps, specifically the lack of reporting on the iPhone version.

Macworld compared iBank 2 to Quicken, but "with a decidedly Mac-like interface".^[2] iBank 3 was updated for Mac OS X Leopard, with support for Cover Flow, Quick Look, and Core Animation. It also integrates with other Apple Inc. products, such as syncing with an iPhone via MobileMe.^[3] iBank 3.4 improved support for Quicken import.^[4]

iBank 4 was updated to be compatible with Mac OS X 10.7. Some iBank 4 features included Direct Connect (downloads from online accounts), iPhone sync, MobileMe compatibility, interactive charts, multiple currencies, a budget monitor, check printing, loan and portfolio management, smart accounts, TurboTax exporting, and Quicken importing.

iBank 5 was released November 19, 2013,^[5] introducing several new features such as online billpay, Direct Access and Improvements to budgeting.^[6] iBank 5 saw the release of six major upgrades to the product through iBank 5.6.4 which included the addition of iBank Cloud Sync.^{[7] [8]} Banktivity 5 was released on January 28, 2016. After nearly 13 years, IGG retired the iBank name, announcing Banktivity as the successor of the IGG's personal finance software line.^[9]

Banktivity 6: initial public release on April 25, 2017.^[10]

Banktivity 7: initial public release on September 24, 2018.^[11]

Banktivity's features include a proprietary cloud sync that can be used between macOS and iOS devices, traditional and envelope budgets, multi-currency support and investment portfolio management.

Reception

According to MacWorld, MacLife Magazine, Endgadet and others, Banktivity is considered in the Mac user community as viable alternative to Quicken for Mac.^{[12] [13] [14] [15]}

iBank was the runner-up for the Best Mac OS X Leopard Application in the 2007 Apple Design Awards.^[16]

Notes and References

1. Lazar . Lonnie . October 15, 2008 . IGG Software iBank . dead . . https://web.archive.org/web/20081030100212/http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/igg_software_ibank . October 30, 2008.
2. Web site: Barylick . Chris . iBank 2.1 Review . March 1, 2009.
3. Web site: Chartier . David . February 27, 2008 . iBank 3 lands with Direct Downloads, iPhone sync, more - Ars Technica . March 1, 2009.
4. Web site: Cohen . Peter . iBank finance software improves Quicken migration . March 1, 2009.
5. Web site: Banktivity 5 Version History . 2016-02-02 . ...Initial public release ...'.
6. Web site: iBank 5 – The Leader in Macintosh Personal Finance . 14 November 2013 . 2016-02-02 . ...Better Budgeting – The budgeting feature in iBank (something I don’t use much, but may now) has been improved dramatically by automatically incorporating Scheduled Transactions (which I use a lot) into your Budget. Budgets will also now auto-update based on changes and will synchronize to iBank for iPad 2. Budgets were probably the weakest area of iBank previously. ...'.
7. Web site: Version: 5.6 . 2016-02-02 . ...Implement Cloud Sync (official release - beta is complete) ...'.
8. Web site: Cloud. Sync. Now. . 2016-02-02 . ...Our free Cloud Sync solution is now available....'.
9. Web site: Banktivity is the new iBank . 26 January 2016 . 2016-02-02 . ...So today we are announcing the end of the iBank name and the beginning of our new name for our apps: Banktivity....'.
10. Web site: 2017-04-25 . Banktivity 6.0 Now Available! - Developers' Blog . 2022-10-22 . en-US.
11. Web site: Banktivity Product Announcements . 2022-10-22 . www.iggsoftware.com.
12. News: iBank 5 review: Personal finance Mac app corners the market on your money . en . Macworld . 2018-03-14.
13. News: Playing with the big boys . en . The Brattleboro Reformer . 2018-03-14.
14. News: 2014-05-01 . 10 Best Quicken Alternatives For Mac . en-US . MacHow2 . 2018-03-14.
15. News: IGG Software, iBank and its climb from one-man shop to Intuit competitor . en-US . Engadget . 2018-03-14.
16. Web site: June 13, 2007 . WWDC: Apple Design Awards 2007 Winners . April 3, 2012 . The Mac Observer.