SplashMoney - The good and the bad (Review updated for version 4.7)
Skip to the end of the review to see new comments for version 4.7
I have used a finance package on a PDA for about 10 years - I used PMT on my Palm, Cash Organizer on my Dell Axim - and now SplashMoney on my iPhone 3G. I chose SplashMoney over PocketMoney primarily because it offered a desktop version to integrate to rather than just a standalone version.
What I like:
- I exported a QIF from CashOrganizer and imported it into SplashMoney - worked perfectly first time - instant transfer of my data
- good account reconciliation and ledger functionality - similar to CashOraganizer and PMT
- memorization of repeating transaction details and the ability to setup auto transactions
- integration to a desktop version (also see what I dont like)
What I dont like:
- Synchronization to desktop is just plain flaky. Transactions disappear or are replicated bizarrely. Example: a single credit card charge transaction on the iPhone app became a 2 different transactions on the desktop - the correct $19.93 charge and a weird $19.93 deposit to the same account. When I correct the error on the desktop and resynch - the problem can become worse - other times, transactions disappear arbitrarily. Frankly - I just cant trust the synchronization. It can often take me a half an hour to straighten the errors out. If you cant trust the synch - its not worth doing. Please note that the iPhone data remains correct for the most part - the synchronization to the desktop is where the problem lies.
- Check number functionality doesnt work. The app is supposed to auto advance the check number - it doesnt. *Maybe* this is because I imported the checking accounts - either way it doesnt work for me. I can only enter the check number for a transaction by putting it into the desktop version of the same transaction and resynching (shudder).
- Account reconciliation only is fully supported on the desktop version. On the iPhone app, there is only balancing entry functionlity that really isnt proper account reconciliation at all. To do a *proper* account reconciliation, you need to use the desktop app and synch to the iPhone.
So there you go. Its a pretty good app that still needs some work. If (like me) you are choosing this app for the desktop integration - keep looking. If you cant trust the data synch - its just a frustrating experience. The strength of this product should be its desktop integration - but it is really the Achilles heel.
Cmon SplashData - lets show the desktop version some love...
Update for Version 4.7
Added 1 star to the rating - now 4 stars due to a great new version.
- Synch functionality greatly improved. This was the Achilles Heel of Version 4.6. Now it works. Bravo!!
- Check number increment works now
- Keypad entry for numbers is a good improvement
- Nagging "out by 1 cent" reconciliation problem solved
- Payee automatically fills in when you create a new payee. Sounds simple - but this was a pain in version 4.6.
- Still no proper reconciliation functionality on the handheld although the desktop version works well.
So there you go. A great release that solves most of the problems from version 4.6. I gave the previous version a fairly harsh review - but I am happy to update it to reflect the new improvements.
Well done SplashData.
Roberto the Toad about SplashMoney - Personal Finance Manager
