Best accounting software for Mac (2020)

Mac users are loyal. You like software that’s built specifically for you. In the past, there were substantial differences in accounting software developed for Mac and PC, but today, most accounting software is cloud-based and, therefore, platform-agnostic. This means that finding an accounting software package to use on a Mac is easier than ever before.

As a Mac user, you’re probably a fan of the unique interface and the Apple ecosystem, and it’s important to you to bring those qualities to the table in your search for the best accounting software for you. With that in mind, here are the questions we asked about each accounting software we reviewed for Mac users.

Who is this accounting software best for?

Sure, you’re a Mac user, but you’re also here because you need accounting software. In our reviews, we focus on the types of business for which each software will work best. Are you a freelancer? Contractor? Sole proprietorship? Another type of small business or maybe even a medium-sized business? Perhaps you’re looking for software for your nonprofit organization? One of the options on our list is certain to fit your needs.

Does the accounting software meet the Mac user’s expectations?

Most Mac users are on the iOS platform because of the user experience, so the top criterion for our rankings for best accounting software for Macs is “Ease of Use.” That doesn’t mean all the products on this list are dead simple to set up and use, but, by and large, they’re more intuitive than the other products out there and meet the Mac-user expectation of a smooth interface experience.

Does the accounting software fit into the Apple Ecosystem?

Mac users love iPhones and iPads, too. And iPhone and iPad users know that possessing a Mac is highly convenient because Apple devices form their own ecosystem. Being able to sync across that ecosystem makes it easy to find files on a Macbook, an iPad, or an iPhone.

But, not all accounting software works that way. Therefore, an important criterion here is the availability of an iOS app that allows users to manage the accounting functions of their businesses on the go. We’ve included current (as of this writing) App Store user ratings, as well, for the products that have an app, so you can see what users really think.

What features do you need?

Is your business sales-focused or service or project-based? Do you need full accounting functionality? Or are you looking for basic bookkeeping? Do you need to track expenses and time? Do you need to provide access to multiple users? Do you need to do your accounting on the go?

Each Bigger Picture review below includes a summary of the key features of the software to help you decide what you need now and possibly in the future.

Read on for a Snapshot of each accounting software option on our list, followed by Big Picture reviews with more detail.

Here’s our list of the best accounting software for Mac:

1.  ZohoBooks. Best overall Mac accounting software and best for mobile users. Mac users who like a software ecosystem will appreciate that aspect of ZohoBooks’s full-featured accounting software system. Mac users on the go will really like the robust functionality ZohoBooks provides for Apple devices, including the Apple Watch.

2. FreshBooks. Best Mac accounting software for freelancers and contractors. Ever-popular, FreshBooks is one of the best accounting software options for a variety of business types and sizes. Although the mobile app is scaled back from the full version, it does offer much of the functionality needed on the go, such as invoicing, expense and time tracking, and accepting and recording payments.

3. Xero. Best Mac accounting software for medium-sized businesses. Xero boasts strong accounting functionality with a nice range of five plans (ergo, prices). The dashboard provides a clean interface that should appeal to Apple users, as will the myriad app integrations that are available. The mobile app provides most of the functionality a user would need on the go.

4. QuickBooks for Mac. Best Mac accounting software for desktop installation. For those Mac users who want to stay out of the cloud for whatever reason, QuickBooks provides desktop accounting software specifically for the Mac. If you’re a committed Mac user, the clean interface should appeal to you, while the double-entry accounting, customization, robust invoicing workflow, expense tracking, and more provide you with significant functionality to keep your business on track. There’s no mobile app, so you’ll need to access files via iCloud on the go, which is not the most efficient way to go.

5. Free Agent. Best overall Mac accounting software for users needing multi-currency support. For Mac users with small businesses who need accounting software featuring strong multi-currency and multi-language support but not accrual accounting, FreeAgent may be just the thing. It’s easy to learn, automates some tasks, and provides a mobile app for iPhone and iPad to track financials and expenses, snap receipts, and check bank accounts.

6. QuickBooks Online. QuickBooks Online is another perennially popular software option for small businesses. Offering a comprehensive accounting software solution, it’s widely considered easy to navigate. Unlike the desktop version for Mac, QuickBooks Online provides opportunities for mobile use with its highly rated iPhone/iPad app.

7. Wave. Not ready to add accounting software to the budget of your small business? Wave might be a good choice for you because it’s free. Wave offers good core accounting features, is easy to use, and provides two highly rated apps for iPhone and iPad—Wave Invoicing and Receipts by Wave—which do just what the names imply: invoicing and tracking receipts.

8. Sage Intaact. If you have a medium-sized business with fixed assets or expect to grow your small business, you might find Sage Intacct’s scalability appealing. Users with no accounting experience might find it difficult to get started with Sage Intacct and learn the system, though. Although there’s no app for the iPhone or iPad, Mac users can easily access Sage Intacct from any browser, including Safari and Opera.

9. Kashoo. Small business owners in search of a simple, straightforward accounting software option might take a look at Kashoo. The mobile app for iPhone and iPad enables invoice and expense tracking on the go.

10. GoDaddy Bookkeeping. An easy, inexpensive option aimed at online retailers, GoDaddy syncs with Amazon, Etsy, and Paypal. It’s basically a bookkeeping software offering that does not provide double-entry accounting, but if you’re a small business person who doesn’t really need all the extra bells and whistles, GoDaddy might be enough for you

Best Accounting Software for Mac / iOS

1. ZohoBooks

Best overall Mac accounting software and best for mobile users.
Best for:
ZohoBooks is an excellent option for small to medium sized businesses, freelancers and contractors, and nonprofit organizations. Whether you carry an inventory or provide a service, ZohoBooks is a strong contender for accounting software for Mac users. Keep in mind that ZohoBooks doesn’t support multiple entities, and it’s really not designed for accountants and bookkeepers, but it’s a great solution for companies and individuals who are sales-focused.
Overview of features:
If you’re looking for a comprehensive platform to help you build your business from the ground up, ZohoBooks provides it. The dashboard view helps you see real-time information about cash flow, projects, and expenses—whenever you need it.

Important features include an excellent estimate to invoice workflow and process automation for several key accounting tasks, such as invoices and reminders, payment processing and receipting, report scheduling, and project tracking and billing. Customizable invoice templates help you build your brand, and the client portal helps you communicate more efficiently with your customers.

ZohoBooks offers good project management capabilities, allowing users to manage both people and expenses at the project level. There are also user-level permissions, granting users access only to the data they should be able to see.

If you need to track mileage, ZohoBooks allows you to do so through your Apple Watch or an iPhone app. Plus, ZohoBooks manages multiple currencies with ease, and it allows you to set up user-level permissions at the project level or even globally, helping you collaborate with your team more effectively.

Ease of use:
The ZohoBooks interface is clean, and though it may take a little getting used to, it’s easy to learn. ZohoBooks is well-known for having high-quality user documentation and customer service, so if you have a question about how to do something, finding an answer is quick and painless. The seamless API integration with other Zoho modules makes ZohoBooks a good choice for a business that also needs to have an all-in-one ecosystem for managing day-to-day tasks.

Mobile app functionality:
ZohoBooks offers a mobile app for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. It’s consistently highly rated (4.6 out of 5 stars, as of this writing), and it takes advantage of iOS features that other apps don’t do as well. The app is comprehensive, and users can use almost all ZohoBooks features within the app itself, which goes well beyond what many other apps can do. Built-in Siri functionality also makes it easy to set reminders, and built-in iMessage support helps you stay in touch with your clients, even on the go.

Cost:
Overall, ZohoBooks is a reasonably-priced solution, especially for the feature set that it includes. There are three monthly subscription options to choose from. You’ll want to choose the subscription that provides you with the number of users, contacts, and automated workflows your company needs.

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2. FreshBooks

Best Mac accounting software for freelancers and contractors.

Best for:
FreshBooks is a popular choice for sole proprietorships. It is also popular for small and medium-sized businesses, self-employed entrepreneurs, and those doing freelance or contract work. FreshBooks is easy to learn, so it is a good fit for businesses without a professional accountant on staff or for businesses whose accounting needs are primarily limited to expense tracking or invoicing. However, some businesses might outgrow FreshBooks, as the monthly subscription plans only allow for one user, and other user accounts must be purchased. Even if these accounts are purchased, there are no permission controls for these profiles.

Overview of features:
FreshBooks is ideal for the self-employed thanks to its wide array of features that simplify the day-to-day tasks necessary to run a business. FreshBooks has invoicing features and payment collection abilities that allow it to track a company’s income, and its automatic expense tracking abilities allow it to categorize expenses and drop them directly into a bank account without user intervention needed. FreshBooks excels at tracking billable expenses, time worked, and automatic late fee addition.

Medium-sized businesses will find the program’s contact management tools and team features useful. The program allows the user to assign due dates and tasks to employees and to establish budgets and share files, enabling teams of employees to have access to information they need. In addition, the program’s permissions features allow the user to restrict employees, clients, and other collaborators to only the information they need.

Ease of use:
FreshBooks is well-known for being easy to use. Originally designed for business owners, it’s simple, intuitive, and user-friendly. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, and setup is quick and painless. A recent FreshBooks upgrade (“New FreshBooks”) added double-entry accounting functionality, which makes it slightly more complex to use than the previous version (“FreshBooks Classic”); however, FreshBooks has been responsive, and users report that New FreshBooks continues to be improved regularly. Plus, FreshBooks provides great customer support.

Mobile app functionality:
Though Apple users say that the full version of FreshBooks is better overall and includes more functionality, users rate the Fresh Books iOS app 4.8 out of 5 stars. Currently, the app is available for use on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Plus, it syncs across all devices. You can use it to track time, create and send invoices, record expenses with just a quick photo, and accept credit card payments, among other features. Some users may even find that they don’t need any additional functionality beyond the app. More importantly, if you encounter a problem, FreshBooks customer support will help you right away.

Cost:
FreshBooks has a variety of monthly plans. Its least expensive plan is limited to only five billable clients, and the cost increases depending on how many clients the user needs. The most expensive plan supports 500 billable clients. In addition, the plans only serve one user; increasing the number of users adds more to the monthly cost. The program does have a 30-day free trial, though, allowing the user to see if FreshBooks would be a worthwhile investment before spending money on it. Even if the program is purchased, FreshBooks offers a 30-day money back guarantee—if the user isn’t satisfied with the program within the first 30 days of use, FreshBooks offers a full refund.

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3. Xero

Best Mac accounting software for medium-sized businesses.

Best for:
Xero is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, especially those with no accountants on staff. Accountants, however, will also appreciate its clear and clean interface and can make good use of the program’s abilities. Multiple users can access the program, and administrators can grant them limited access or full visibility, allowing employees from different departments to see information relevant to them.

Overview of features:
Xero’s scalability is excellent for growing businesses. It has hundreds of integrations with other programs and apps, and its mobile app is usable on iPhone, iPad, or even the Apple watch. Xero’s double-entry accounting features allow it to track income and expenses with ease. Xero uses advanced machine learning to save the user time by remembering transaction information, and its automatic reminders, receipt functions, and payment tracking help the user save time on daily tasks, allowing them to focus on the bigger picture. Xero’s most advanced plan even allows the user to track projects by money and time spent.

Contact management and inventory management are also features included within the software, helping the user manage the logistical side of the business. The program also includes features for fixed assets, allowing the user to manage their company’s property or vehicles. Xero offers connections to Gmail and other common email domains to help the user communicate effectively with clients and customers.

Ease of use:
Xero is easy to learn and use, even for those with no accounting skills. Xero’s sleek, clean interface makes navigating the program easy, and users can customize the dashboard to make the program even easier to use, especially for those with accounting or bookkeeping experience. Xero’s flexibility can be overwhelming at first, but it is very helpful once a user has adapted to it.

Mobile app functionality:
Xero’s mobile app isn’t the highest rated on our list (at 4.2 out of 5 stars), but it is still a strong contender. The Xero app is available for iPhone and iPad, and it allows users to manage cash flow, see a profit and loss statement, manage bank and credit card transactions and complete reconciliations, send invoices and quotes (including attaching documents to invoices!), review and pay bills, and access contacts. There are some limitations, as with all apps, but of note is the inability to issue a receipt from the app. Customer support seems to be lacking, as well.

Cost:
Xero is cost-effective for businesses of all sizes. It offers three tiers of plans, with the basic plan being the cheapest (aimed mostly at freelancers) and the advanced plan being the most expensive (aimed at larger companies).

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4. QuickBooks for Mac

Best Mac accounting software for desktop installation.

Best for:
QuickBooks for Mac was designed specifically for the Apple platform and Mac users. Keep in mind that QuickBooks for Mac is not a cloud-based software. It’s installed on the Mac, and it has features that Mac users will appreciate, including a super-clean interface that’s closer to what users would see in QuickBooks Online than in QuickBooks Desktop for PC.

Overview of features:
QuickBooks for Mac offers double-entry accounting with both cash and accrual accounting methods, along with a customizable chart of accounts. There is a strong invoicing workflow, including an estimate feature, with 30+ invoicing templates and 20+ estimate templates; however, there is a recurring invoice function. QuickBooks for Mac does include progressive invoicing at the milestone or deliverable point, and it allows for batch invoicing, where the user creates a single invoice for one item or service and sends it to multiple clients at same time. In addition, QuickBooks for Mac provides the ability to include a Past Due stamp on overdue invoices. An interesting feature in QuickBooks for Mac that isn’t available in other products is bounced check processing, which allows the user to add bank fees and fees that are passed on to the client, automates marking the original invoice unpaid (creating a new invoice), and adjusts the bank register.

Expense tracking in QuickBooks is simple and straightforward with transaction category matching and customizable rules, as well as good accounts payable functionality. Class and subclass capability also exists, which facilitates tracking transactions by specific location or department.

Project management features include excellent contact management (vendors, employees/contractors, clients) with a grouping feature; QuickBooks for Mac contacts automatically syncs with Mac contacts. In addition, QuickBooks for Mac offers built-in time tracking, but projects must be connected to a specific customer. Time tracking can also be used globally, outside of project management functionality. There is no automatic mileage tracking, but a manual tracker is included, and mileage can be assigned to a specific customer and automatically invoiced.

Other features include budgeting, inventory management, purchase order processing, and strong reporting functionality (110+ reports), most of which are customizable. Users can customize the dashboard to view only what’s important to them. QuickBooks for Mac also provides Forms 1099 and 1096 support, and it includes a powerful search function that even searches scanned and attached images, such as receipts.

Drawbacks of QuickBooks for Mac include the lack of an integrated payroll module. QuickBooks provides a payroll module for Mac, but it must be purchased and used separately. There is no multi-currency support, and while there are bank feeds, they’re not automatic, and they tend to work inconsistently. QuickBooks for Mac only allows for three users, and it’s not backward compatible, so if your accountant doesn’t have the current version of QuickBooks for Mac, he or she may not be able to access your data.

Ease of use:
QuickBooks for Mac is very easy to use as compared to QuickBooks Desktop. The trade-off here is that it’s not as robust as QuickBooks Desktop. It is less buggy than previous QuickBooks for Mac versions, but it does tend to bog down a bit, as many desktop products do. In addition, it may have too much functionality for micro-businesses/solopreneurs.

Mobile app functionality:
There is no mobile app for QuickBooks for Mac. Users can share QuickBooks for Mac files via iCloud for remote access, but the process is clunky.

Cost:
QuickBooks for Mac users will incur a one-time fee for three years of usage and limited support. After the three-year period, QuickBooks does not support the product. However, Intuit frequently offers significant discounts on the product. There is a 30-day free trial available (it can be difficult to find), but if you use the trial period, Intuit will not allow you to receive a discount on the product purchase. Intuit also offers a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, making QuickBooks for Mac essentially risk-free, even without the trial period.

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5. Free Agent

Best Mac accounting software for users needing multi-currency support.

Best for:
Cloud-based FreeAgent is a UK-based company, and is probably best for UK business owners. However, in general, small businesses, freelancers and contractors, and project-based businesses will find FreeAgent most helpful.

Overview of features:
One of the key features of FreeAgent is it’s multi-currency and multi-language support. To date, FreeAgenty supports 28 languages and more than 100 currencies. FreeAgent features double-entry accounting and a streamlined estimate-to-invoice workflow, with recurring transactions and tons of templates. Tracking features include expenses (with phone camera), time, billable time, and projects. FreeAgent can automatically import bank transactions (FreeAgent uses Yodlee for bank feeds). Additional features include fixed asset management, sales tax support, and contact and vendor management.

Tax support targets UK users, and it doesn’t support US taxes. Also, inventory invoicing appears to be a hassle.

Ease of use:
FreeAgent is quick and easy to learn with it’s intuitive interface and a dashboard that is effectively organized, easily customized, and effortless to read at a glance—which is a good thing because users based in the US might find the phone support option prohibitive (no toll-free calling, and the phone numbers are UK numbers) and email responses can be slow. However, the website includes a help center with guides, webinars, YouTube videos, and a community forum.

FreeAgent also draws upon bank statements, invoices, and expenses to automatically create business accounts.

Mobile app functionality:
The FreeAgent mobile accounting app in the App Store is available for iPhone and iPad. It includes the ability to track financials—incoming and outgoing cash, profit, income, and costs. Users can snap receipts, create expenses, and check bank accounts from the app.

Cost:
FreeAgent offers only one plan for the US. It’s relatively inexpensive, and there is an introductory offer for a 50% discount, along with a discount for paying for the full year. FreeAgent provides a 30-day free trial, too.

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6. QuickBooks Online

Best for:
QuickBooks Online has a suitable version for businesses of all sizes, from the Self-Employed version all the way up to the comprehensive Advanced version. Companies growing quickly may outgrow QuickBooks, and Quickbooks Online is limited to one company per subscription, however, meaning bookkeepers and accountants with multiple clients will find it to be less than ideal, as will business owners with more than one company.

Overview of features:
QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based, comprehensive, double-entry accounting software product. As with most of the products on this list, QuickBooks Online allows users to track income and expenses easily. It also includes project tracking functionality (with classes) at the Plus and Advanced subscription tiers, and online payment options, including Stripe, Square, and PayPal, integrate seamlessly. QuickBooks Online handles inventory management easily, too.

There are tons of automation features (including recurring invoices, bill payments, and journal entries), plus multi-currency support, myriad app integrations, and QuickBooks Online allows multiple users in several of its pricing tiers. QuickBooks Online provides a standard, but fully customizable, chart of accounts, allowing users to manage business data at a level of granularity that makes sense for them.

QuickBooks Online’s reporting module is quite robust, featuring almost 50 reports in the Simple Start subscription tier and 100+ reports in Plus and above. Most reports are customizable, as well.

Recently, Intuit launched a new program, QuickBooks Live, allowing clients to work with a dedicated QuickBooks Online Bookkeeper. This option, along with excellent training materials and a huge online QuickBooks user community, makes QuickBooks Online a strong contender for anyone looking for a new accounting software.

Ease of use:
QuickBooks Online is easy to set up and use, and it’s flexible—with many add-on options. The clean interface and clear navigation make QuickBooks online quite user-friendly, and there are high-quality video tutorials for the vast majority of tasks any user would need to complete. The “test drive” option that Intuit offers is a great way to see how the software works and decide if it’s right for you.

Mobile app functionality:
The QuickBooks mobile app is available for iPhone and iPad. This app is for users of QuickBooks Online Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced. A separate app is available for QuickBooks SelfEmployed users. In the App Store, the QuickBooks app is highly rated (4.7 out of 5 stars), and it is such a frequent download that it’s consistently ranked in the top 100 business apps overall. The QuickBooks mobile app will automatically track mileage, allow you to snap pictures of receipts, and help you manage cash flow. You can also send and track invoices, take payments, and issue receipts on the go.

Cost:
QuickBooks Online offers several subscription tiers; functionality increases with pricing, as one would expect. The SelfEmployed and Simple Start plans are really affordable, but functionality is quite limited. The Advanced plan may be cost-prohibitive to all but the largest businesses, so it’ll be important to balance the functionality you need with the pricing you can afford.

One drawback of QuickBooks Online is that the payroll module isn’t included in the base price. While the payroll module is quite good, its additional monthly cost, along with a surcharge per employee, may make it cost-prohibitive for some.

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7. Wave

Best for:
Wave is a good (and free!) option for small businesses, freelancers and contractors, startups, bloggers, and small online retailers. Wave provides direct and easy integration with Etsy, Ex, Squarespace, and WordPress. A new 1099 module provides the additional functionality needed by small consultancies, companies working with contract employees, and service-based businesses.

Overview of features:
For a free software, Wave is surprisingly feature rich, offering income and expense tracking, billable expense tracking, customizable invoicing, strong reporting, contact management, automated reminders, automatic bank and credit card sync, and time tracking. Furthermore clients are able to access a portal to view invoices and pay them online.

Wave doesn’t include project management features. It doesn’t provide tax support, either, but as H&R Block has recently acquired Wave, we might expect some changes here.

Ease of use:
Wave is widely considered easy to navigate and use. The dashboard features a good overview of financial functions such as bank accounts and credit cards, cash flow, and profit and loss. It’s easy to add customers and vendors, customize invoices, view reports right from the dashboard. Tabs to the left guide the user easily to sales, purchases, accounting, and so on.

Wave’s Help Center provides very clear and effective guides for switching to Wave, getting started, payroll, and preparing for the end of the year.

Mobile app functionality:
Wave offers two mobile apps for iPhone and iPad, which are rated 4.6/5 in the App Store. Wave Invoicing for iOS can be used independently of the online version of Wave although it can sync with Wave’s cloud accounting software. Wave Invoicing allows the customizable invoicing a small business, freelancer, or contractor might need. The app can link a bank or credit card, and it accepts bank or credit card payments through Payments by Wave (which does charge for each transaction). Wave Invoicing can track the invoice and payment status, along with sending out reminders and receipts.

Receipts by Wave also syncs with Wave’s cloud accounting, but it does require a Wave online account, as well. With Receipts by Wave, the user can scan receipts (up to ten at once) to track them while online or offline. Scanned receipts update automatically to the Wave online account. Users can add notes to receipts, and receipts are searchable.

Cost:
It’s free! Mostly. The optional bookkeeping and payroll services do incur a monthly fee. Payments by Wave applies a transaction fee for bank and credit card payments.

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8. Sage Intacct

Best for
Businesses expecting to need scalability should take a look at Sage Intacct. Sage Intacct is a good option for mid-size organizations with a CPA or CFO or medium to large nonprofits. Really, any small to medium sized business could use Sage Intacct, but it might provide far more functionality than a small entity needs. Sage Intacct is worth a look for any business that needs the ability to manage fixed assets.

Overview of features:
Sage Intacct’s strongest feature by far is its powerful fixed asset management capability. Its data slicing features allow it to integrate easily with other software. The program’s strong internal controls allow the user to analyze information from every angle, including geographical locations and times at which transactions/donations were made. The software has time-saving features that automate basic features, like sending out reports at a certain time. Sage Intacct’s fixed chart of accounts makes preparing for taxes easy, though it is not customizable. The program has no features to automatically balance the user’s accounts or to show the user where the issue is, forcing them to scan back through manually and find out why everything is unbalanced.

Ease of use:
Sage Intacct is less intuitive than most other accounting programs, especially for users who are not trained accountants. While the program is relatively easy to use, it can be frustrating for some users. It is easy to make careless mistakes that the software will not alert the user to, and the interface is clunky and difficult to use even for those who are professional accountants. In addition, Sage Intacct’s customer support is slow to respond, further hurting the program’s functionality for users without an accounting background. However, user permissions determine a user’s dashboard, allowing non-accounting personnel to see information relevant to them at a glance once the program is set up for the company.

Mobile app functionality:
As of this writing, there is no mobile app for Sage Intacct. Recently, however, Sage has begun developing apps for many of its products, so it’s reasonable to assume that an app will be made available at some point in the future. The good news is that iPhone and iPad users can open and use the full version of Sage Intacct from any web browser, including Safari and Opera.

Cost:
To get a price quote for Sage Intacct, users must contact the company through their website. The cost of the program can vary significantly depending on the needs of the user’s business. The program is subscription based. In addition, certain features must be purchased as add-on modules. These features include interactive billing, budgeting, and grants tracking. As a result, Sage Intacct can become quite expensive for non-profit organizations and small businesses.

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9. Kashoo

Best for:
Kashoo is a simple, straightforward accounting program that is a good option for small businesses and freelancers focusing on consulting or projects.

Overview of features:
Kashoo includes all the basic features most users will need, including income and expense tracking, payroll integration (with Sure), bank integrations, and simple reports. But, Kashoo ups the ante a bit with project-level budgeting, and it streamlines the accounting process by allowing the most common tasks to be completed via direct data entry fields on the main workspace. And, user-level permissions can be set to allow employees access to limited information.

One of Kashoo’s most interesting and impressive features is how it uses machine learning to automatically categorize transactions. As users enter information, Kashoo remembers and makes assumptions for future transactions accordingly.

In addition, Kashoo’s payment processor integration with Square, PayPal, BluePay, and Stripe is highly regarded. Kashoo downloads your transactions via these payment processors seamlessly, and you can even change your processor at the individual invoice level, allowing users to pay using the method you want them to.

Kashoo lacks some features that may put off potential users, such as company-level budgeting, pre-invoice documents like proposals and estimates, inventory tracking, and purchase orders. Reporting is limited, as well. The good news is that if users outgrow Kashoo, data can be exported for use in QuickBooks Online and other products.

Ease of use:
Kashoo’s setup is simple, and it’s easy to learn because it’s very basic. Kashoo also has excellent customer support available via a Chat feature, so if users have questions, answers are readily available.

Mobile app functionality:
Kashoo’s mobile app, which is available for iPhone and iPad, currently has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. You can create, send, and track invoices quickly, and tracking expenses is a breeze (including taking pictures of receipt). You’ll always be able to see real-time data because the Kashoo app syncs very quickly. Some limitations exist; for example, there is no multi-currency option in the app, and you can’t assign entries to specific projects. Overall, it’s functional, but it’s fairly utilitarian as compared to other apps.

Cost:
Kashoo is affordable for most users, especially since it includes unlimited users and user-level permissions. Monthly subscriptions are available, and an annual plan option includes a discount. Plus, there’s a 14-day free trial, so users can try the software without having to make a financial commitment.

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10. GoDaddy Bookkeeping

Best for:
GoDaddy Bookkeeping is designed for freelancers and the self-employed. Sole proprietorships will find it useful, and online retailers will find it helpful as well, as it syncs directly with Amazon, Etsy, and Paypal. However, the program does not support double-entry accounting, meaning companies with assets and liabilities will find it challenging to use. In addition, medium-sized or larger businesses will struggle to make use of the program.

Overview of features:
The key feature of GoDaddy Bookkeeping is its easy integration with retail and reseller sites online. It was originally developed to calculate quarterly taxes, so that remains a strong feature. GoDaddy primarily focuses on keeping the books without double-entry accounting.

GoDaddy Bookkeeping is a simple product, and for many users, that’s plenty. If you’re looking for a product that can be set up and running in just a few minutes, GoDaddy Bookkeeping is a good option.

Ease of use:
It is simple and easy to use, and specialized accounting knowledge is not necessary to make use of the program. Bank download features automate tasks, allowing the user to focus on other tasks while allowing manual entry for those who prefer it. In addition, most day-to-day tasks can be completed using the primary business functions on the GoDaddy Bookkeeping dashboard, making it easier for users to run their business.

Mobile app functionality:
GoDaddy Bookkeeping at the App Store isn’t rated highly at this time, coming in at 2.8 out 5. Users either love it or hate it, with not much in between. The mobile app allows users to accept payments (scan or swipe credit cards), send invoices, create estimates, track mileage, and attach photo receipts. It helps with organizing data for taxes, too.

Cost:
GoDaddy Bookkeeping is inexpensive, meaning that self-employed individuals, small online retailers, and microbusinesses can make full use of it without having to make the significant financial investment normally associated with accounting software.

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FAQs

Should I use cloud-based or Mac-specific desktop software?

We understand that Mac users are dedicated to their chosen brand and love the Mac experience. However, the future of accounting is in the cloud with software that can be accessed on both PC and Mac. The sole desktop-only option on our list is QuickBooks for Mac, which does align well with Mac user expectations. However, some limitations covered in our review must be considered.

Is a desktop option more secure than cloud-based software?

You will want to make sure you’re comfortable with the accounting software vendor you choose, but keep in mind that the stakes are high for the companies that provide the software. They want to enhance their reputations as providers of secure, effective products. They are committed to maintaining the security of your information. Consider that information stored on one computer in an office is more at risk for loss of data than information stored in the cloud.

Can I access my accounting software on my iPhone or iPad?

All cloud-based software will allow mobile access. The question here is really whether you want a nice, clean, intuitive app for your iPhone or iPad. Our reviews include an overview of mobile app functionality, including features you may want or need on the go.

How much do I need to know about accounting to use accounting software?

Having some accounting knowledge is useful, of course, and the more you know, the more helpful it’s going to be. Taking a little time to familiarize yourself with some basic accounting terms [Link to accounting terms here] will help, too. However, modern accounting software marketed to the general public is designed to be easy to set up and use. Read over our reviews, look for free trials, and make note of support providers offer in the form of guides, videos, and other training before making your final decision.

Which accounting software is best for Macs?

There are many factors to consider here, including the size of your business or organization, the features you need now, the features you may need later, and how much you are willing and able to spend. An additional consideration specific to Mac users is how deep you are into the Apple ecosystem. Do you want or need iPhone or iPad functionality? Would you like Apple Watch functionality? Think about where and how you want to access your accounting software.

Conclusion

As a Mac user, you probably enjoy the iOS interface and want software that integrates effectively into the Apple ecosystem. For you, choosing the right software may mean finding the right app for your iPhone or iPad, as well. Ideally, our reviews of best accounting software for Macs will help you identify the right software to address your accounting needs while accessing it on the devices you love.