The Best Accounting Software for Mac 2024 – Top 10 Compared

• Seamless Integration with Bank Account: Effortlessly integrates with bank accounts and automatically updates transaction details, ensuring that balance sheets remain current.
• Intuitive Dashboard: Easy-to-understand UI. Each element has been designed with the user in mind, making complicated data easy to understand and assisting you in making the best decisions.
• Unlimited Invoice and Expense Tracking: Most accounting software, such as QuickBooks and Zoho, offer tiered plans with expenses and invoice tracking limits, whereas FreshBooks provides unlimited transaction tracking on all plans, free and paid. With this feature, a small business can do more while saving money.
• Simplified Finance Management: The platform streamlines financial management by allowing your clients to pay online quickly. You can also post checkout buttons on your website, social media pages, or anywhere else online so clients can just click and pay.
• Excellent Customer Support: Versatile customer service, such as phone and email support, allows you to choose the most preferable channel. You can quickly contact a support agent over the phone, which is only sometimes the case with most accounting software providers.

FreshBooks offers four subscription plans, as highlighted below:

• Lite: This plan is suitable for freelancers or self-employed professionals who manage up to five clients. Its features include five billable clients, unlimited expense tracking, unlimited estimates, and the ability to run reports for taxes.

• Plus: For professionals or business owners with an extensive client capacity. It offers all the features that come with the Lite plan, together with the ability to manage 50 clients, set up recurring bills and client retainers, and collaborate with your accountant.

• Premium: Suitable for small business agencies with unlimited capacity for client management. It includes all the Plus plan features with unlimited client management, tracking project profitability, and access to customizing email templates.

• Custom plan: The plan offers everything in the Premium plan with 2 team members’ accounts, dedicated customer support, automatic bills and receipt capturing, unlimited client invoicing, a dedicated account manager, and data migration.

I consider FreshBooks software an affordable choice for solopreneurs and small enterprises needing basic accounting services. Although extra team members cost $11/user/month, payroll is charged at a customized rate for all subscription tiers.

You can try the product out for free for 30 days before making a financial commitment.

FreshBooks accounting software is perfect for small businesses seeking basic and user-friendly accounting features tailored to Mac users. Its pricing options are geared to specific business needs and budgets, making it affordable to individuals and small businesses.

• Quick Mileage Tracking and Conversion: Zoho’s mobile app, available on iOS, allows you to quickly track your travel distance and convert it into an expense using GPS and Apple Maps.
• Compatibility with Siri: Semlessly integrates with Siri, allowing you to set transaction reminders, start and stop timers, make expenses, and review unpaid bills using Siri’s conversational shortcuts.
• Accessibility on Apple Watch: Easily sync your Apple devices so that you may access accounting information from anywhere. The Zoho Books app for Apple Watch allows you to stay on top of your finances while multitasking. Monitor outstanding invoices, send payment reminders, and track project progress while on the move.
• Online Inventory Tracking and Integration: Its inventory management feature allows you to track inventory levels, integrate Shopify sites, manage warehouses, print shipping labels, and calculate the cost of liquidating goods.
• Cash Flow Management: Simplified cash flow management allows you to record and categorize spending and payments, helping you see expenses and income channels. Conveniently manage cash flow with automation features like payment reminders, although its automation features are less advanced than FreshBooks.

Zoho offers a forever free plan together with five other flexible paid plans. The below pricing reflects Zoho’s price plan:

• Standard: This plan is for three users, can manage up to 5,000 invoices, accepts payment gateways, and ten custom financial report generators
• Professional: Supports five users and includes all the features in the standard plan, including project expenses and invoice tracking, retainer invoices, and timesheet approval.
• Premium: For up to ten users, get all the features in the Professional plan, vendor portal, budgeting, 50 custom reports, dedicated customer support
• Elite: This plan supports ten users, all the features in the Premium plan, advanced inventory control, unlimited custom reports, and multi-currency support
• Ultimate: Maximum fifteen users, all the features in the Elite plan, analysis and tracking of key financial metrics, customized reports and dashboards, and collaboration features

Zoho Books offers a 14-day free trial which allows you to test and decide if it’s a good fit for you. Additional users are available for $2.5 per month. You can also buy add-ons like Advanced auto-scans, which cost $8 for 50 scans each month across all plans.

Zoho Books accounting software is perfect for small and medium-sized businesses looking for a solid accounting solution that comes with a dedicated mobile app. With Zoho Books’ flexible price plans, you can quickly scale to a budget that meets your needs regardless of your business size.

• Multiple Currency Support: The multi-currency capability for over 160 currencies, including USD and EUR, makes it ideal for handling multinational businesses.
• Organized and Intuitive Design: I found the dashboard to be one of the most orderly and well-designed features, matching the simplicity that Mac customers value and frequently find with alternatives such as FreshBooks.
• Numerous Mac-compatible Apps: The Xero App Store contains a variety of Mac-compatible apps for accounting, CRM, documentation, ecommerce, inventory, payroll, payment, time tracking, and much more, allowing you to manage your business with ease.
• Fixed Asset Management: Track fixed asset data and automatically compute depreciation charges.
• Cloud-based Access: Xero is cloud-based accounting software, so you can access it from any Apple device with an internet connection. This allows you to easily manage your finances on the go, whether you’re using a MacBook, an iMac, or an iPad.

Xero offers 3 paid plans and lets you take advantage of a 30-day free trial for its Starter, Standard, and Premium plans.

• Starter: This plan allows you to send quotes and 20 invoices, reconcile bank transactions, and capture bills and receipts with Hubdoc.
• Standard: This plan comes with unlimited invoices, quotes, bills, bulk transactions, and short-term cash flow.
• Premium: This plan includes everything in the Standard plan plus the ability to use multiple currencies.

One thing I like about Xero’s pricing is that it only allows for monthly recurring billing. This technique ensures that you pay as you go and gives you the flexibility to quit or pause whenever you want. To discontinue your subscription, you need to provide one month’s notice.

Xero’s user-friendly interface and low-cost plans make it an excellent alternative for small businesses with a large number of employees. The many integration options also allow businesses that predominantly use Apple products to combine the software with third-party tools.

• Seamless Integration with Numerous Apps: Integrates with over 750 third-party applications, including Mac-friendly CRM software like Salesforce and Pipedrive, increasing its capability and adaptability to different business demands.
• Robust Inventory Management: Sophisticated inventory management with detailed and real-time alerts for stock levels sets it apart from competitors like Bonsai, which doesn’t offer the same level of inventory tracking.
• Data Security: QuickBooks prioritizes users’ security and privacy, ensuring automatic backup, using industry-standard encryption technology (128-bit SSL) to protect your data.
• Intuitive Mobile App: Run your business on the go with QuickBooks mobile app. This flexibility is available to both Apple and Android users, allowing you to do everything expenses, reporting, invoicing, banking, and other advanced functions.
• Banking Reconciliations: Connect your bank accounts and credit cards seamlessly. It also supports manually importing transactions from your bank accounts for account reconciliation.

QuickBooks offers a wide range of features with its Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced plans.

• Simple Start: This plan supports only one user and allows you to create invoices and manage them alongside payments, general reports, receipt capture, and mileage tracking.
• Essentials: Everything from the Simple Start plan with enhanced reports, bill management, multi-currency, the ability to add three users, and time-tracking capabilities.
• Plus: Add five users and contain all the essential features, including inventory management, project profitability, budget management, and cash flow.
• Advanced: The Advanced plan is designed for larger businesses with complex requirements and high-volume operations. With support for up to 25 users, powerful reporting tools, fixed asset tracking, and priority 24/7 customer support, this plan caters to the comprehensive needs of enterprise-level organizations.

QuickBooks is more considerable for people on budget than accounting software like Zoho Books in terms of feature richness, current price offer, and the number of users allowed for each plan.

QuickBooks is an excellent fit for Apple users with a variety of accounting, bookkeeping, and business tax needs. QuickBooks includes VAT and GSC tracking with all of its plans, making it the best tax software for Mac.

• Staff Payroll: Automated payroll management for small businesses and simplify employee and contractor payments. Although this option requires an additional price, it is still less expensive than FreshBooks’ payroll service.
• Expert Advisor Support: In-house accounting coaches and bookkeepers provide personalized bookkeeping, accounting, and tax help as needed. This feature is a premium add-on that helps business owners feel more confident in their financial management.
• Free Invoicing and Accounting Features: Unlimited invoicing and bookkeeping to small businesses, allowing for non-stop finance management, as opposed to competitors who only provide unlimited invoicing on paid plans. Wave enables Mac users to build and share professional invoices with clients entirely for free.
• Ease of Setup: Wave accounting software is easy to use, allowing users to quickly set up and use the software by inputting their business information, such as their name, address, and contact information.
• Mobile Receipts: The Wave iOS app allows you to scan receipts on the go from your device.

Wave offers a completely free accounting and invoicing feature and a paid plan that supports extra flexibility. The price plan is highlighted below.

• Starter – This plan offers basic accounting and invoicing solutions for new businesses that are seeking cost-effective accounting software. It includes features like unlimited invoicing, bookkeeping, estimates, and bills, on-the-go invoicing via the Wave app, and cash flow management.
• Pro – This plan is suitable for small businesses that need more flexibility with their accounting solutions. It includes all the Starter plan features with the option to accept online payments at a discounted rate, auto-import bank transactions, digital capturing of unlimited receipts and track expenses, and automation of late payment reminders.

While Wave’s affordability and basic accounting capabilities make it an excellent choice for small enterprises, customers may need to pay an additional fee to enjoy flexibility and more features.

Accepting online payments, for example, starts at 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction, while payroll begins at $20 per month.

Wave accounting software is suitable for freelancers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs seeking a free accounting solution for Mac platforms. It’s also ideal for startups and small businesses on a tight budget because it delivers essential basic accounting features for free.

• Year-Round Tax Support: The year-round tax service guarantees that Mac clients can get tax help whenever they need it. This function allows users to keep track of their tax responsibilities and make smart financial decisions throughout the year.
• Dedicated Bookkeeper with Guarantee: Each user is assigned a specialized bookkeeper who is in charge of keeping their financial records and offering tailored support. Having a specialized accountant simplifies communication and guarantees that users receive personalized attention and assistance with their business accounting needs.
• Seamless Integration with QuickBooks Online and Xero: Xendoo supports seamless integration with QuickBooks Online and Xero, allowing customers to synchronize their financial data easily. This integration simplifies the accounting process and ensures that users can use QuickBooks and Xero while also benefiting from Xendoo’s additional services.
• Interactive Dashboard: The dynamic dashboard provides detailed insight into your company’s financial performance. You can quickly analyze your income, expenses, and cash flow and make data-driven decisions to improve your business’s performance.
• Data Protection: To secure users’ financial information, Xendoo prioritizes security and data protection by using strong encryption, regular backups, and rigorous access controls.

Xendoo offers three monthly subscription plans, Essential, Growth, and Scale:

• Essential: This plan is suitable for bookkeeping for up to $50K in monthly expenses.
• Growth: This plan is ideal for bookkeeping for up to $75K in monthly expenses.
• Scale: This plan is ideal for bookkeeping for up to $125K in monthly expenses

Custom plans are available for businesses with monthly payments of more than $125,000 or full accrual. Tax Guidance is also provided for an additional $1,200 each year.

One of my favorite features about Xendoo is that it allows businesses to test and establish confidence in their expert bookkeeping team for 30 days, and if users do not see any guaranteed results, Xendoo will refund the monthly charge for the first month.

Xendoo accounting software is excellent for small businesses that want a simple accounting solution with personalized support and professional guidance. Professionals and small business owners who wish to use Mac-compatible software can use Xendoo for their bookkeeping and finance needs as well.

• Data Security: Sage, being a cloud-based platform, prioritizes data security by deploying strong encryption and storing your financial information every hour.
• Expert Advice/Training: A prominent feature we love is the Sage Accountants Network (SAN), which provides training, support, and tools to improve collaboration and client relationship management. This is ideal for small business owners, accountants, and bookkeepers.
• Powerful Automation: Automation tools, such as automated payroll runs, ensure that employees are paid on time and in the correct amount. Salaries and income, including hourly rates, taxes, deductibles, PTO, and insurance, are computed automatically, eliminating the need for manual calculations.
• Automatic Data Entry: Sage Accounting, like Xero, has AutoEntry, which automates data entry and eliminates the need for manual input. It scans bank statements one at a time or in bunches, including receipts provided via the iPhone.
• Sage Security Shield: Sage Security Shield is a cybersecurity and internal fraud prevention tool for small and medium-sized enterprises. This functionality is available for free with a Sage 50 subscription.

Sage offers custom quotes for businesses. Before committing financially to Sage service, you can take advantage of the 30-day free trial period.

Sage 50 for Mac would be the best option as it’s fully compatible with Mac devices, and you can download the Sage app from App Store.

Sage is the ideal choice for international businesses of all sizes as it offers multi-currency support. As the software can be a bit complex, it’s best suited for users who are knowledgeable about desktop software and have a strong understanding of accounting principles.

• Mac-compatible features: Melio’s accounting software works smoothly with Mac devices, allowing users to easily access financial data and complete accounting tasks while on the go. This ensures that Mac customers can effectively manage their funds without encountering compatibility concerns.
• Seamless Synchronization with Accounting Software: Integrates effortlessly with common accounting software, ensuring that financial data is completely shared between systems. This integration improves the accounting process for businesses by minimizing the need for manual data entry and lowering the chance of errors.
• Free ACH bank transfer and no subscription fees: Free ACH bank transfers allow business owners to conveniently move funds between accounts without incurring additional expenses.
• Dedicated team management tool: Melio offers a dedicated team management solution that allows organizations to manage their employees and collaborate on financial tasks efficiently. This feature improves organizational efficiency and cooperation by making communication, task assignment, and team activity tracking easier.
• Payments Schedule: This feature allows customers to make payments for bills, invoices, and other financial responsibilities. It enables users to remain organized and make timely payments, avoiding late fees and preserving good vendor relationships.

ACH bank transfers are free, but Melio charges fees for various transactions as listed below:

• Mail check — $1.50 (first two are free)
• Pay by card — $2.9%
• Instant transfer — 1.5% (up to $50)
• Fast ACH bank transfer — $1% (up to $30)
• Fast check — $20
• International payments — $20 (flat fee)

While Melio does not support monthly subscriptions, you can try Melio for free today and start providing better ways for your clients to pay for your services.

Melio accounting software is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) such as freelancers, contractors, startups, and service-based organizations seeking an easy-to-use and cost-effective way to handle their business accounting processes.

• MacOS Integration: The integration with Mac OSX and iOS devices is a notable feature that most businesses need for financial data accessibility across Apple devices. The familiar Apple iCalendar software layout allows users to easily manage scheduled chores and appointments, setting it apart from competitors.
• Ecommerce Integration: Seamless integration with platforms such as Amazon, Shopify, and HubSpot enables large enterprises to expand their operations beyond traditional accounting tasks.
• Financial management: Get a real-time, consolidated view of your company’s financial state with multi-currency support, transaction monitoring, auditing, and budgeting.
• Customer relationship management: Easy management of customer relationships and helps manage customer needs throughout the purchasing process.
• Analytics and Reporting: Real-time financial reporting and analytics dashboards allow businesses to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), measure financial data, and obtain insights into their business performance. With the help of NetSuite’s business intelligence capabilities, you can easily identify patterns and offer valuable insights to help your company flourish.

Oracle NetSuite offers tailored pricing to meet the individual demands of different businesses. While this technique ensures individualized solutions, it makes the service difficult to compare to other providers. However, you can take a product tour from NetSuite’s website to see if the service is right for your business.

Oracle NetSuite is ideal for Mac users in midsize to big enterprises seeking a comprehensive cloud-based ERP system that integrates finance management, inventory management, and other critical business operations.

• Easy-to-use Templates: Freelancers with little time will appreciate thousands of ready-made templates for a variety of papers, including contracts, proposals, professional invoices, briefs, quotes, and tax forms.
• Time Tracker App: The Bonsai Time Tracker application, available on the Mac App Store, adds value by allowing freelancers to monitor their work hours correctly, and I consider it one of the best online project management tools. Its simplicity and ability to sync with Mac and iPhone devices enhance user comfort.
• Client Management: Handle clients stress-free by organizing client information, recording contact history, and scheduling follow-up reminders,  resulting in easy client interactions.
• Financial Management: I like Bonsai’s comprehensive financial management tools, which aid in handling every aspect of a business’s accounting process. Manage cash flow and financial health effectively, from planning and cost tracking to invoicing and tax management.

You can use Bonsai by considering any of its three plans listed below based on your needs:

• Starter: This plan is suited for freelancers and contractors.
• Professional: This plan is suited for a growing business.
• Business: This plan is suited for small businesses and agencies.

There are two ways to get started for free with Bonsai: one, by using its 7-days free trial, and secondly, by using Bonsais’ first two months of free offering when you choose a yearly plan.

I picked Bonsai as the best for freelancers because it is ideal for Mac freelancers looking for simple and efficient accounting software with an intuitive interface. The dashboard’s basic, minimalist design makes for easy navigation, allowing freelancers to manage funds, clients, projects, and tasks in one place.