Quicken Premier 2018: Features, What Changed, and Upgrade Guide
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- Quicken 2018 was the first version released after Quicken became an independent company (sold by Intuit to H.I.G. Capital in 2016)
- Quicken 2018 introduced the subscription pricing model - ending the traditional one-time purchase approach
- Premier 2018 includes investment tracking, Morningstar portfolio analysis, and tax planning reports
- Users on Quicken 2018 can still open their data files in current versions of Quicken
- If you have Quicken Premier 2018 installed, you should upgrade to the current version to keep bank sync working
What Was Quicken Premier 2018?
Quicken Premier 2018 was a significant release in Quicken’s history. It was the first major version after Quicken was spun off from Intuit as an independent company. The 2018 release also introduced the annual subscription model, replacing the previous approach where users purchased a new version every few years.
What Was New in Quicken 2018?
Key changes in the 2018 release:
- Subscription pricing: Annual subscription replaced one-time purchase pricing
- Improved cloud sync: Better sync between desktop and mobile app
- Enhanced investment tools in Premier: Better portfolio performance tracking
- Bill management improvements: More reliable bill fetching from biller websites
- Quicken ID requirement: All users now sign in with a Quicken ID (Intuit ID support ended)
Quicken Premier 2018 Features
The Premier tier in 2018 included everything in Deluxe plus:
- Investment analysis: Morningstar portfolio X-ray, asset allocation analysis
- Tax planning reports: Organize capital gains, dividend income, tax-deductible expenses
- Investment performance: Compare portfolio returns to market benchmarks
- Priority customer support: Shorter wait times for phone and chat support
Still Running Quicken 2018? Time to Upgrade
Bank sync support for Quicken 2017 and 2018 ended as financial institutions updated their security requirements. If your bank connections stopped working in Quicken 2018, upgrading to the current Quicken version (available at quicken.com) will restore bank sync. Your data file transfers seamlessly.
Maria Santos
Family Finance & Budgeting Expert
Upgrading from Quicken Premier 2018 to Current Version
Steps: 1) Purchase current Quicken Premier subscription at quicken.com, 2) Download and install, 3) When prompted, point to your existing Quicken data file (.QDF), 4) Quicken will convert the file to the current format automatically. No data is lost during conversion.
Quicken 2018 vs Current Quicken Premier
Current Quicken Premier improves on 2018 with: better bank sync reliability, improved mobile app, enhanced investment reporting, Morningstar data updates, and active security patches. The 2018 version no longer receives updates.
System Requirements (2018 Version Reference)
Quicken 2018 required Windows 7 SP1 or later, or macOS 10.12 Sierra or later. Note: the 2018 version is no longer supported and will not work correctly with current bank security requirements. Current versions require Windows 10/11 or macOS 10.15+.
Get Support
The fastest way to resolve a Quicken issue is to speak directly with a support agent. Below you'll find the verified Quicken customer service phone number, current support hours, average wait time, and the best time to call to avoid long holds.
- Phone Number
+1 (650) 250-1900
- Support Hours
Mon–Fri 5am–5pm PT
- Avg Wait Time
~~10 minutes min
- Best Time
Morning weekdays (7am–9am PT)
Common Problems
How to Reconcile an Account in Quicken
How to Verify Quicken Bill Pay Is Working
Quicken vs QuickBooks: Which Is Right for You?
Advanced Quicken Data File Troubleshooting for Windows
How to Migrate Quicken to a New Computer
How to Manage Online Bills in Quicken
How to Fix Quicken Online Banking Problems After an Upgrade
How to Create Scheduled Transactions in Quicken
How to Backup or Restore Your Quicken Data
How to Add a Rental Property in Quicken Rental Property Manager
Quicken Resources
Conclusion
Quicken Premier 2018 marked a turning point for the software as Quicken transitioned to an independent company and moved to subscription pricing. While it introduced meaningful improvements at the time, the 2018 version is now several years past its support window. Bank sync issues are the most common reason users look to move on from this version.
If you are still running Quicken Premier 2018, upgrading to the current version is straightforward. Your data file transfers automatically, and you will regain working bank connections, mobile sync, and access to current Morningstar investment data. Visit quicken.com to see current subscription pricing.
Sources & References
Disclaimer: OnCallSolve is not affiliated with Quicken Inc. Quicken is a registered trademark of Quicken Inc. Information about Quicken 2018 is based on historical product documentation. For current product information, visit quicken.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, your Quicken 2018 data file (.QDF) is fully compatible with current Quicken versions. When you install the current version and open your existing file, Quicken will automatically convert it to the updated format. All transactions, accounts, budgets, and investment history carry over without data loss.
Bank sync stopped because financial institutions updated their connection security requirements. Modern banks require OAuth-based authentication and updated API connections that Quicken 2018 does not support. Since the 2018 version no longer receives software updates, these connections cannot be restored without upgrading to a current Quicken version.
The current Quicken Premier has improved bank sync, a better mobile app, and active security updates that the 2018 version lacks. Both versions include investment tracking, Morningstar analysis, and tax planning reports. However, the current version connects to more financial institutions, has a more modern interface, and receives ongoing feature improvements included in the subscription.
Yes, Quicken 2018 was available for Mac and required macOS 10.12 Sierra or later. The Mac version of Quicken 2018 included most Premier features, though some investment reporting features were more limited on Mac compared to Windows at that time. Current Quicken for Mac has closed most of those gaps.
Quicken 2018 used Quicken ID accounts rather than traditional product keys. Your license was tied to your Quicken ID (email address). If you purchased through Quicken.com, you can log into your account at quicken.com to view past purchases. If purchased at retail, the activation code may be in your original email receipt or on the retail card in the box.
Maria Santos is a Family Finance and Budgeting Expert with 13 years of experience helping households use personal finance tools to reduce debt, build savings, and track investments. She is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) and holds a B.S. in Family Financial Planning from the University of Florida. Maria used Quicken extensively as a financial counselor at a nonprofit credit counseling agency, where she helped over 1,200 clients set up budgets, reconcile accounts, and track rental property income. Her guides focus on practical, real-world use of Quicken features including Bill Manager, rental property tracking, and investment portfolio monitoring. She is based in Tampa, Florida.
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Patricia Walcott spent 11 years as a Technical Support Lead at Intuit, specializing in Quicken for Windows and Mac across the Tier 2 and Tier 3 escalation teams. She resolved thousands of high-complexity issues involving data file corruption, bank feed failures, QXF import errors, and installation problems across every major Quicken version from 2012 through 2023. Since leaving Intuit in 2023, Patricia consults independently on Quicken data recovery and migration projects. She reviews OnCallSolve's Quicken troubleshooting guides to verify that fix steps are technically accurate, tested against current Quicken versions, and consistent with how Intuit's own support teams approach the same issues. She is based in Tucson, Arizona.
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