The Internet offers many credible sources for financial software reviews, but before you accept all that is written in software reviews, consider the following:
More Financial Software Quick Tips
Financial Software Versions
Be sure the financial software version being reviewed is the same version you want to research. Many websites leave reviews of previous software versions published without noting that a new version is available.
Ulterior Motives in Software Reviews
Some financial software reviewers are simply trying to sell you the software being reviewed. You will get more balanced opinions from a website that reviews multiple software titles objectively rather than from a site that focuses on one software package.
Variety of Financial Software Review Sources
Use a variety of financial software review sources. Read more than one online review for the same software to discover common threads that will alert you to solid features or problems with the software.
Consumer Commentary for Financial Software
Expect reviews from the general public to be mixed on websites that host financial software reviews from those who have used the software. Consumer reviews are very valuable, but remember that some of these reviews are from people who are not using the software correctly. Those who aren't using the software as intended may become frustrated, writing a misleading software review.
Ignore Some Reviews
If you find a few poor software reviews peppered among many favorable reviews for the same financial software, you can safely disregard the weak reviews. In this case, the few poor software reviews are insignificant.
Get the Financial Software You Expect
No matter what you read in software reviews, check the financial software product details before you buy it.
- Before you download financial software, be sure to read the product description on the manufacturer's site.
- If you buy financial software in a store, read the box to be ensure you are getting what you have read about in reviews.
- If you read about a rebate in a financial software review, be sure the box for the financial software says the form is inside or the software website tells you how you will receive the rebate form. You are ultimately responsible for your financial software purchase decision because some pricing and rebates may no longer be valid some time after the financial software review is published.
