# Checkbook vs Fern Software

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Fern Software at none against Checkbook's 5. Fern Software also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). Checkbook's advantage is chart position (#155 vs unranked). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Checkbook sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Fern Software asks for nothing beyond the download.

Checkbook ships an update every 6 weeks, Fern Software monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Checkbook | Fern Software |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checkbook-account-tracker/id484000695/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 55.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Best chart rank | **#155** | — |
| Size | 122 MB | 85 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Beesoft Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1420966143) | [Fern Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1120714656) |

## What reviewers say

### Checkbook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checkbook-account-tracker/id484000695)

**Currently charting:** #155 Top Grossing · Finance (US App Store)

Manage your daily finances with this app, tracking credit card charges, cash expenditures, and more. It offers multiple accounts, recurring transactions, fund transfers, and detailed reports with graphs. Easily search and export your financial data.

**Highlights:** Multiple account tracking, Recurring transaction saving, Fund transfers between accounts, Export data in CSV, QIF, HTML, Calendar view of transactions, Reports and charts for expenses/income, Passcode protection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium - 1 Month | $0.99 | per month |
| Premium - 1 Year | $7.99 | per year |
| Premium - 1 Year | $8.99 | per year |
| Premium - 1 Year | $9.99 | per year |
| Upgrade to Checkbook Pro | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💻 Easy to use
- 📊 Helpful charts and reports
- 🔄 Seamless sync across devices
- 🧮 Convenient built-in calculator
- 🗂️ Ability to manage multiple accounts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Lacking advanced search/filtering
- 🔁 Recurring transactions issues
- 🔒 Concerns about data security
- 💰 Subscription model too expensive
- 📢 Intrusive ads in free version

**Reported bugs**

- Account balances not updating correctly
- Transactions disappearing or duplicating
- Sync issues between devices
- App crashes or freezes after updates

**Requested features**

- Custom categories and icons
- Budgeting and forecasting tools
- Ability to attach receipts/photos
- Improved account organization options
- Automatic balance reconciliation


### Fern Software

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fern-software/id1566377501)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Checkbook free?

Checkbook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Fern Software free?

Fern Software is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Checkbook or Fern Software have ads?

Checkbook shows ads; Fern Software does not.

### Which is updated more often, Checkbook or Fern Software?

Checkbook ships an update every 6 weeks, and Fern Software monthly. Most recently, Checkbook was updated on October 24, 2026 and Fern Software on October 19, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*