Sponsored partner picks for
In-depth forecasting
PlanGuruCash flow management
FloatBest Business Budgeting Software Tools
Product | Promotion | Learn more | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
QuickBooks Online Learn more on QuickBooks Online's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for All-in-one budgeting software | $35/month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $65, $99, $235. | 50% off for first three months or free 30-day trial. | Learn more on QuickBooks Online's secure website |
Xero Learn more on Xero's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for All-in-one budgeting software | $15/month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $47, $80. | 95% off for 3 months plus get a $300 Amazon voucher (terms apply). | Learn more on Xero's secure website |
Zoho Books Learn more on Zoho Books' secure website | 4.5/5 Best for All-in-one budgeting software | $0 Additional pricing tiers (per month): $20, $50, $70, $150, $275. | 14-day free trial of the Premium plan. | Learn more on Zoho Books' secure website |
PlanGuru | Best for In-depth forecasting | $99/per month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $299. | 14-day free trial | |
Float | Best for Cash flow management | $69/per month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $119, $249. | 14-day free trial | |
Centage Planning Maestro® | Best for Financial planning and analysis | N/A Quote-based. | N/A | |
Futrli | Best for Software integrations | $35/month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $200, $375, $500. | 14-day free trial | |
LivePlan | Best for Startups | $20/month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $40. | N/A | |
Budgeto | Best for Easy to use business budgeting software | $25/month Additional pricing tiers (per month): $30, $35, $40, $45. | 14-day free trial |
Our picks for
All-in-one budgeting software
If you already use (or are planning to use) one of these top accounting solutions, then the features and reports they offer will likely satisfy your business budgeting software needs.
QuickBooks Online
on QuickBooks Online's secure website
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $65, $99, $235.
for first three months or free 30-day trial.
Pros
- Easy to share information with your accountant and to find QuickBooks experts and online resources if needed.
- More than 750 app integrations.
- Robust feature set includes record-keeping, reporting, invoicing and inventory management, plus a capable mobile app.
- Chat and phone support available Monday through Saturday in all plans.
Cons
- Expensive compared with the competition.
- Frequent price increases and a tendency toward upselling.
- Limited account users with each plan.
Xero
on Xero's secure website
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $47, $80.
plus get a $300 Amazon voucher (terms apply).
Pros
- Unlimited users in all pricing plans.
- Integrates with more than 1,000 third-party apps.
- Feature set includes an excellent mobile app and suite of reports, capable invoicing features, plus automated bill and receipt capture through Hubdoc.
- Simple layout and easy to use.
Cons
- No phone number for customer support listed.
- Entry-level plan limits bills and invoices to five and 20 per month, respectively.
Zoho Books
on Zoho Books' secure website
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $20, $50, $70, $150, $275.
of the Premium plan.
Pros
- Less expensive than some competitors; free plan available for businesses with less than $50k in annual revenue.
- Email support in free plan; phone and chat support in paid plans.
- Rich feature set includes excellent invoicing, inventory management, workflow rules and a capable mobile app.
- Add accounting widgets to your phone’s home screen; track time using your Apple Watch.
Cons
- Fewer third-party integrations and reports than some competitors.
- No plan includes more than 15 users (can add additional users for a fee).
Our pick for
In-depth forecasting
PlanGuru
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $299.
Pros
- Offers more than 20 forecasting methods including percentage of other accounts, growth rates and assumptions, and key performance indicators.
- Predicts cash flow and can create budget forecasts for up to 10 years.
- Can import chart of accounts data from QuickBooks Online or Xero.
- Scenario analysis tool helps your business plan for “what if” situations.
Cons
- There will be a learning curve if you’re not familiar with using various projection methods.
- Accounting data isn’t synced daily. QuickBooks Online integration updates scenarios with actual results on a monthly basis.
Our pick for
Cash flow management
Float
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $119, $249.
Pros
- Forecasts cash flow for up to three years.
- Automatically imports QuickBooks Online and Xero data daily.
- Scenario planning tool prepares your business for “what if” situations.
- Streamlined user interface makes it easier to use than some competitors.
Cons
- Focuses on cash flow only, as opposed to other apps that incorporate profit and loss budgets, etc. This can be limiting for businesses that need a more holistic view of their financials.
Our pick for
Financial planning and analysis
Centage Planning Maestro®
Quote-based.
Pros
- Scenario planning tool helps your business prepare for “what if” situations.
- Can use non-financial drivers, like hours worked or square footage, to calculate expense and revenue budgets.
- Customizable performance dashboard drills into historical trends and comparisons.
- In-depth financial planning and analysis tools can accommodate medium-size businesses with dedicated finance teams, too.
Cons
- Accounting software integrations cost extra.
- Getting used to various customization options is a learning process.
- Cost may be prohibitive for many small businesses.
Our pick for
Software integrations
Futrli
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $200, $375, $500.
Pros
- You’ll likely need only the least-expensive plan to serve your budgeting needs since it’s designed for small businesses.
- Direct integrations with popular accounting software.
- Advanced forecasting tools.
- All plan tiers include unlimited users and free 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- Integrations are limited to accounting software.
- Software plans and features seem geared slightly more toward accountants, so functionality may be more than some small business owners need.
Our pick for
Startups
LivePlan
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $40.
Pros
- Integrates with popular accounting software.
- Automates a great deal of the earliest stages of starting a business.
- The company requires no contract and offers a 35-day money back guarantee.
- Customer support is available by email and live chat.
Cons
- You need the most expensive plan to use the software for budgeting beyond the pitch and investment startup stages.
- Most expensive plan is required to integrate with accounting software.
Our pick for
Easy to use business budgeting software
Budgeto
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $30, $35, $40, $45.
Pros
- Intuitive user experience.
- Syncs with QuickBooks and Xero.
- No contract.
- Can upgrade or downgrade plan at any time.
- Easily share financial reports with business collaborators from within software.
Cons
- Integrations are limited to accounting software.
NerdWallet’s picks for the best business budgeting software
QuickBooks Online
- $35 per month for the Simple Start plan.
- $65 per month for the Essentials plan.
- $99 per month for the Plus plan.
- $235 per month for the Advanced plan.
Xero
- $15 per month for the Early plan.
- $42 per month for the Growing plan.
- $78 per month for the Established plan.
Zoho Books
- $0 per month for the Free plan.
- $20 per month for the Standard plan.
- $50 per month for the Professional plan.
- $70 per month for the Premium plan.
- $150 per month for the Elite plan.
- $275 per month for the Ultimate plan.
PlanGuru
- $99 per month for the single-entity solution.
- $299 per month for the multidepartment/multilocation solution.
- $29 per month for each additional user.
Float
- $69 per month for the Essential plan.
- $119 per month for the Premium plan.
- $249 per month for the Enterprise plan.
Centage Planning Maestro
Futrli
- $35 per month for the Single plan.
- $200 per month for the Starter plan.
- $375 per month for the Professional plan.
- $500 per month for the Practice plan.
LivePlan
- $20 per month for the Standard plan.
- $40 per month for the Premium plan.
Budgeto
- $25 per month for the Basic plan.
- $5 per month, in addition to the Basic plan, for each of the following options: collaborate with unlimited users and create an unlimited number of budgeting scenarios.
- $10 per month, in addition to the Basic plan, to import accounting data from Quickbooks Online or Xero.
- $45 per month is the total price of a Budgeto subscription including the basic plan and all optional add-ons.