8 Best Accounting Software for Macs 2023

Whichever your accounting method is – cash-based or accrual – Xero works well for both. At this point, a business owner can decide what level of access to give to an accountant or a CPA firm helping with accounting and taxation. It possesses a great app marketplace, so whenever users need to extend their Xero functionality, they have a wide choice of apps that come to help. The best accounting software for Mac is easy to use, has good customer support, and offers accounting features that are compatible for Mac users. All of Zoho’s paid plans are a little costly when compared with the competition, and this gives Zoho the lowest pricing score (2.2/5) of the accounting solutions on this list.

She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. This is also Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliant for VAT, which means that you can submit tax returns quarterly to HMRC. Users don’t like that the monthly fee increases after the introductory period. This can make the software that much more expensive to use and difficult to switch because you will use it for 12 months before the price goes up. Windows and Mac software versions can convert from one file to the other.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Since MacOS has traditionally been a closed system, they are often considered to be more secure than their competitors. For many years, Windows PCs were susceptible to viruses while Macs were generally safe from this type of malware. While that may no longer be as true as it was years ago, Mac users still perceive their systems as being more secure against hacking and viruses. As such, they desire a product that they can feel secure inputting financial data into. We’ve reviewed the best Mac accounting software for ease of use, core features, cost, and compatibility with Mac OS.

Standout Features

If you need great reporting and desktop access to your financial data, a QuickBooks Desktop plan for Apple users could suit. While Wave’s invoicing app has fairly positive iOS reviews, Wave still doesn’t have a mobile accounting app. And Wave has just one accounting plan, so it isn’t particularly scalable. Since Wave offers the same accounting features for small businesses as for large enterprises, it’s best for freelancers and business owners with one location and few employees. Mac users are all about simplicity and user-friendliness—and so is QuickBooks Online, Intuit’s cloud-based accounting solution.

Remote Access Feature Highlights

Accounts payable features are missing from the two lowest tier plans, while inventory and budget management tools are restricted to the highest two tiers. This way, when choosing accounting software for Macs, you might want to focus primarily on your business needs. So, when looking at the provided features, you’ll be putting them into the context of your business requirements.

A new user interface gives QuickBooks a look and feel similar to Intuit’s Mint.com and the new Web interface for QuickBooks Online. This new look gives you a great overview of your financial status at a glance. While not everything you might want, QuickBooks for Mac 2014 still gives you what you need to take care of business.

For example, a construction business could use the Weather Kit to check site conditions before sending workers out, which I see as a practical way to optimize operations. Ease of use and customer support, both of which I reviewed under the Usability category, are areas where GnuCash took a hit. The program has a steep learning curve, especially if you need to customize it, as coding skills are required. You’ll need to rely on self-help resources like blogs and setup guides if you run into issues. Leveraging my accounting and bookkeeping expertise, I rigorously assess software using our internal case study that objectively scores key features while upholding editorial independence. Today’s leading accounting platforms offer standard security features like data encryption, secure credential tokenization and more.

Since FreshBooks charges $10 per month for additional users, it’s ideal if you’re doing business on your own. There’s also a Zoho Books app you can download on any Mac device to take care of your accounting needs while you’re away from your desk. In addition to quick business insights, the app makes it easy to generate and send invoices and record expenses. For small business owners, tax time will never be easy, per se, but there are ways to make it less painful. Chief among them is using good bookkeeping software to keep track of the business’s finances throughout the year.

New to the business world and not sure how to start tracking your finances? Sage Business Cloud Accounting’s Start plan costs just $10 a month and offers essentials like bank reconciliation and professional invoicing. Its well-reviewed iOS app syncs across Apple Watches, iPads, and iPhones. With FreshBooks’ $15-a-month plan, you can send unlimited invoices—but to no more than 5 clients a month. That limit could work for freelancers with a small clientele, but small businesses with a larger customer base will need the Plus plan ($25 a month with 50 monthly billable clients). And unlike Xero, FreshBooks charges $10 extra for each additional user you add.

Connect Seamlessly with iOS Apps

The one application that probably hasn’t made it onto your radar—but should have—is Cognito Software’s MoneyWorks Gold (; $499). MoneyWorks Gold is a solid, full-featured business accounting application that is networkable, supports multiple users, and works on both Macs and PCs. Compare pricing and features for FreshBooks, NetSuite, QuickBooks Online, Odoo, Xero, and Sage Intacct.

Quick Comparison of the Best Accounting Software for Mac

• Our top pick for Mac users who want user-friendly accounting software is Xero.
• If Xero isn’t your top pick, though, we have nine other recommendations that could fit your needs.
• But whether QuickBooks is the best software depends on what features matter most to you.
• From there, we looked at the pricing range between the different plan tiers a provider offered.
• In addition, we also considered whether a software provider offered a free trial or free version.

MoneyWorks uses a flowchart-like interface similar to what’s used by both AccountEdge and QuickBooks for Mac. As is the case with both AccountEdge and QuickBooks 2014, the flowchart attempts to create a visual relationship between various business activities. While this makes all of these applications a bit more interesting visually, in practice I’ve rarely used the flowchart to figure out how the many aspects of a business are related. As CFOs ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software.

• The payments we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site.
• Most accounting software for Mac includes these features, but some confine it to higher-tier pricing plans or limit the number of receipts and trips you can capture on the entry-level plans.
• It includes features like editing financial data, sales orders, purchase orders, and customer data.
• Customer support varies by provider, but most offer comprehensive support options, including live chat, email, and phone support.

With plans starting at $15 a month, FreshBooks is well-suited for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small-business owners alike. FreeAgent’s user-friendly software and well-reviewed iPhone app make it a great pick for freelancers and solopreneurs who want a streamlined, on-the-go accounting experience. Sage Intacct does not disclose pricing for this software product — interested customers must contact the sales team for a personalized pricing quote. We’ve rounded up six of the best accounting software options for Macs to help kick off your search. Xero has the most available customer support, with hours being around the clock every day of the week. For someone who prefers to speak with a real person, QuickBooks has weekday and weekend hours for customers.

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software for businesses designed to make it all easier for you. It allows users to manage their finances, including invoicing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation. To choose the best accounting software for Macs, we consulted user reviews and product documentation. We considered factors such as pricing, customer support and user reviews. We also considered features such as invoicing, time tracking, expense tracking, mileage tracking, inventory tracking and financial reports.

Pricing

Xero offers three subscription plans that might suit businesses at different stages. Plans consist of the Early plan ($12 per month), the Growing plan ($34 per month), and the Established plan ($65 per month). QuickBooks offers various subscription plans that businesses might choose from considering their particular needs. QuickBooks plans offer discounts for its clients for the first 3 months.

One-time-charge pricing means that you pay once for the use of the software. Depending on the provider, software business software for mac updates and technical support might be included in this price, or you’ll have to pay for them separately. Basic on-premise (desktop) Mac accounting systems may cost around $200 – $400 for limited user licenses. The one-time charge can help avoid frequent payments and outflow of cash. Billings Pro is not an accounting application, but you can export Billings Pro data directly into QuickBooks for Mac or MoneyWorks 6.

The cost for basic on-premise Mac accounting systems start at $250-$400 (one time charge) for limited user licenses (more licenses add to the cost). A standout feature exclusive to Mac users is the Business Insights functionality. This tool offers valuable financial insights by analyzing profits, operating balances, and turnover, providing a clear picture of the fiscal year’s performance. Clear Books offers Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered accounting technology to help simplify managing business finances.