Compare WillMaker: Online vs. Download

When you buy Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust, you can choose to make your documents:

• in the online WillMaker app, or
• using software downloaded to your computer.

Here is a comparison chart.

Why Two Versions?

For decades, Nolo provided WillMaker as software that you install on your computer. In the beginning, the software came on a floppy disk, then it moved to a CD, and now it comes as a download. And many customers still prefer to use it this way.

However, because so much of the DIY world has moved online, we want to make sure our customers have that option, too. So we created an online version of WillMaker, and now our customers can choose how to create their estate planning documents—online or using downloadable software.

What They Both Have

In most ways, the two versions of WillMaker are the same--both provide the same time-tested estate planning documents with nearly identical interviews. With both, you also get:

• All documents included in one price
• Use for all immediate family members
• Time-tested wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
• Technical support available M-F 9am-6pm EST
• Annual renewal available at a reduced cost, and
• Nolo’s no-hassle money-back guarantee

But there are a few important differences between the two versions, for example where you make your documents, where your data is stored, the purchase process, and how renewals work.

Location of the Software and Your Data

The main difference between the online and downloadable versions of WillMaker is a matter of location--where you do the work and where your data is stored. Would you rather make your documents (and store your data):

• online—with any device and an internet browser, or
• on your personal computer, needing the internet only for the initial download and occasional updates?

The choice is yours, and you can use both platforms. But keep in mind that data does not transfer from one to the other--see below.

Included Documents

The two versions of WillMaker provide all of the same documents, with one exception: Only the download version of WillMaker contains the Information for Caregivers and Survivors document.

How You Purchase WillMaker

No matter how you buy WillMaker, you get access to both the online and download versions of WillMaker. (The one big exception to this is WillMaker Premium, sold at Costco, which is download-only.) But there are several ways to purchase WillMaker, and the method you use determines which version you get first.

(No) Interoperability

Although you can use WillMaker online or as software, the two platforms don’t share data, so you can’t work on the same document in both places.

Said another way, you can make documents in both versions, but you can’t start a document on one platform and then continue working on it on the other platform.

Renewals

Your purchase of WillMaker is time-limited by the date of purchase (or by the version year, if you have an older copy of the software).

Online

When you purchase the online version of WillMaker (usually at willmaker.com), you’re purchasing a year-long membership to WillMaker.com. For one year from your date of purchase, you can make and edit all of your estate planning documents. 30 days from the expiration date, you’ll be able to renew at a steep discount. If you don’t renew, for 90 days after the expiration date, you’ll be able to view, edit, and print any documents you’ve completed. After 90 days, you will no longer have access to the documents in your account.

The online version of WillMaker receives ongoing legal and technical updates.

Download

When you buy or use the download version of WillMaker, you own the software forever, but you will receive updates for one year from the date of purchase. Or, if you have an older version with a year on it, you will receive updates only through that version year.