What they do and don’t do

All the programs and services listed here will create custom budget categories and remind you of coming bills. But some have extra features. For example, programs that average your monthly expenditures by category, rather than in the aggregate, give you more control in devising and sticking to category budgets. And ones that split transactions ensure that, say, the $100 you got back when you used your debit card to buy groceries doesn't get labeled as groceries. Note: Microsoft Money is included for comparison's sake. Microsoft has announced it would stop selling the program after June 30, 2009.

This article appeared in Consumer Reports Money Adviser.