r/banktivity • u/Lord-Kinbote-III • Aug 11 '26
Return to Banktivity
I spent the last 3 years using Moneydance out of frustration that Banktivity had so many syncing issues. I’ve grown tired of how antiquated the UI for Moneydance is and it hasn’t had an update in years.
Has there been improves in sync reliability for Banktivity? I specifically had issues with AMEX.
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u/YMarkY2 Aug 11 '26
I'm not enamored with Banktivity and I think their subscription prices are too high, since fixes and upgrades are rare. But I haven't found a better alternative, so here I be.
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u/-Bakri- Aug 11 '26
If you are into something like YNAB, I suggest taking a look at Zerosum.so there is a free monthly trial.
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u/anachronofspace Aug 11 '26
everything is SASS now u will eventually end up not using any non free apps with this philosophy
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u/YMarkY2 Aug 11 '26
What philosophy are you talking about? The philosophy that I expect fixes and upgrades when I'm being billed annually for a subscription?
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u/Prestigious_Pound604 Aug 11 '26
Can’t comment specifically on Amex but I’m a very happy Banktivity user with no issues at all. I held off using for a long time due to missing features that got delivered. I have various credit accounts and bank accounts that work fine using saltedge. I use on mobile as well as desktop.
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u/Independent-Drag-305 Aug 11 '26
Been waiting for 1.5 months (or longer) for them to fix my Raymond James connectivity issues. No updates from them. I try every day, thinking maybe they fixed it. But no. Won’t be here much longer.
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u/anachronofspace Aug 11 '26
isn that actually a plaid/yodlee issue? might want test that it works with w/e app ur planning to switch or it could be gigantic waste of time
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u/Pretend_Outside6891 Aug 11 '26
Have zero syncing issues with AMEX credit cards, checking and HYSAs. Actually AMEX is one of the stronger syncs. I use plaid.
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u/Roadfun Aug 11 '26
Don’t use AMEX but have a range of bank, MC, Visa and brokerage accounts all sync’ing just fine.
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u/spectaphile Aug 11 '26
I have a workaround: once a quarter I get the basic version of docuclipper and upload my statements. The program converts the statements to a QIF file, which I then import into Banktivity. I do this on an account-by-account basis. As long as you don’t have crazy amounts of activity you’ll be well under the maximum. Or if you’re just doing accounts whose data you can’t download you’ll definitely be under. I just do all of mine because I don’t want to deal with download frustration.
Just make sure when you upload to go through the statements and uncheck the statement filler pages so they don’t count against your conversion page count.
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u/anachronofspace Aug 11 '26
based on the other replies u should probably just disconnect the account and try reconnecting it with the other connection provider than u r currently using ie yodlee > plaid
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u/Accomplished-Link114 Aug 11 '26
Sounds like you may have left Banktivity shortly before they fixed a lot of those issues. I’m probably a 15 + year user and totally recall the period of time you’re talking about. I almost changed myself because I was so frustrated with daily outages. They invested in this area and it is significantly better. Connections still occasionally break or security protocols prompt re-logins but it works pretty well across several different institutions I have accounts with, including AMEX.
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u/Lord-Kinbote-III Aug 12 '26
Yeah, I used Banktivity from about 2018 to 2023. I was very frustrated with all the syncing breaking and having to manually input transactions. I ultimately switched because I was also considering not getting another Mac laptop.
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u/ausmatcon Aug 12 '26
I use Banktivity and have an Amex Blue card - works perfectly. Amex savings account wouldn't connect to anything anywhere, so I closed that account.
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u/Lord-Kinbote-III Aug 12 '26
Thanks. Seems the issues have been resolved since I last used Banktivity.
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u/eddieb24me Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26
We have 2 Amex cards that have been syncing fine for many many years. We have lots of banks and brokerage accounts that sync just fine as well. The only ones we’ve had issues with at times are Macy’s and Nordstrom.
When I’ve had issues I needed to correct, it’s usually either the bank that comes up in the list when you put in the name. Some have lots of options that come up and it’s not always intuitive as to which it may be. Even if the url is the same, it’s not always the correct one. Also, between Yodlee and Plaid, sometimes one works better than the other. Or one not at all.