Best Accounting Software for Macs of April 2023

Our picks for best accounting software for Macs

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QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

Our pick for: Best overall accounting software for Macs

QuickBooks for Mac has solid accounting features, such as invoicing, billing, inventory tracking, reporting, budget creation, sales and customer management. Several new features for 2021 simplify payment collection, including automated reminders, the ability to combine multiple invoices in one email, and an online payment portal. Self-employed freelancers or creatives who prefer Apple products could do well with this version of QuickBooks, especially if they do all of their own bookkeeping.

Xero

Our pick for: Unlimited users

Xero stands out by allowing unlimited users at every subscription tier, a potentially valuable feature for businesses where several users may need at least limited access to the system to run reports or analyze performance. You can also set up different permissions for each user so employees have access only to what's relevant to their job. By contrast, QuickBooks Online Advanced allows just 25 users and three accounting firms. The New Zealand-based company, which has accounting software that is a market leader in some parts of the world, is also working to make inroads in the U.S. It offers a full certification program for accountants (like QuickBooks does), with more than 100,000 accountants and bookkeepers using Xero — which makes it easier for Xero customers to find outside help.

FreshBooks

Our pick for: Best Apple Pay-friendly option

FreshBooks' mobile app is intuitive and feature-rich, making it a great choice for entrepreneurs who spend more time on the phone than at a desk. Aside from general accounting functions, the mobile app also allows you to respond to clients' questions and get notified when they view or pay invoices or when invoices are overdue. With FreshBooks' relatively recent addition of double-entry accounting, it's also now a candidate for a larger spectrum of companies, getting generally strong industry reviews for its intuitive, easy-to-use interface. Entirely cloud-based, it covers the basics and includes some attractive automated features and reports. If you need to have more than one person access the system, be sure you factor that into the price.

Zoho Books

Our pick for: Low cost, high value

Zoho Books packs an impressive collection of features and reporting capabilities for an affordable price. The free version is only for businesses that have less than $50,000 in annual revenue; it allows one user and one accountant. Its interface is easy to learn and use, and the option to automate workflows — for example, to send an email alert if an invoice exceeds a certain amount, or to apply a discount or late fee in certain cases — makes it stand out as an attractive choice. (You can create five automated workflows under the basic plan and up to 10 under the higher tiers.) Zoho is perhaps best-known for its customer relationship management, or CRM, and productivity apps, which integrate well with its accounting software. It's possible to create contacts on Zoho Books based on new leads in Zoho CRM, for instance.

Wave Accounting

Our pick for: Best free option

Unlike some “freemium” software products, Wave doesn’t put out a bare-bones free product as bait, then load it down with costly upgrades. Even the free version has things like the ability to add unlimited collaborators, along with unlimited bank and credit card connections. Its separate invoicing product (also free) adds unlimited invoices and automated invoice reminders. The company, which was purchased by H&R Block in 2019, makes money through payment processing, a service you can add (starting at 2.9% plus 60 cents per transaction). It's also among the best accounting software for payroll, as it offers a payroll add-on that starts at $20 per month ($35 in tax service states).

Accounting software features that Mac users should consider before buying

Consider the following when choosing the best small-business accounting software for your Mac-based business:

• Accessibility: Most new accounting software is cloud-based, meaning you can access it from any device with an internet connection, through either a browser or app for your iOS-enabled device. If wide accessibility, collaboration and integrations are important to your business, then a cloud-based option may be your priority. However, if you prefer your accounting software to be locally hosted, QuickBooks for Mac may be your best option. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to access it from other devices and your integrations will be limited.

• Collaboration: If you plan to work with an outside accountant or bookkeeper, choosing a software they can work in is paramount. While QuickBooks is one of the most ubiquitous options on the market, QuickBooks for Mac is much more niche and, as a result, may not provide easy collaboration.

• Scalability: Your accounting software should be able to grow with your business. That means looking at whether you can upgrade your accounting software when you need to and whether there are limits on the use of certain features.

• Feature set: Beyond the standard accounting features, what else does your business need to run most efficiently? You may also find inventory management, built-in payment processing, multicurrency capabilities, integrations and more in today’s accounting products. Be sure the one you choose has everything you need. On the flip side, don’t pay for “extras” you won’t use.

• Cost: Price probably isn’t the only deciding factor in your accounting software choice, but it's important to know what to expect. Monthly and annual subscription fees vary a lot, and add-ons could raise the price.