Best Accounting Software for Nonprofits of 2024

NerdWallet compared more than a dozen accounting software products. Aplos is our top choice for most nonprofits because it’s built with their needs in mind, letting you avoid potentially costly integrations.

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Product
Product
Best for
Best for
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet rating
Starting at
Starting at
Promotion
Promotion
Learn more
Learn more
QuickBooks

QuickBooks Online

Scalable accounting software for nonprofits

5.0 /5
$38/month

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $75, $115, $275.

50% off

for 3 months or free 30-day trial.

on QuickBooks' website

Xero

Xero

Donor contact management

5.0 /5
$25/month

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $55, $90.

90% off

for 6 months.

on Xero's website

Zoho Books

Zoho Books

Budget accounting software for nonprofits

5.0 /5
$0

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $20, $50, $70, $150, $275.

14-day free trial

of the Premium plan.

on Zoho Books' website

Aplos

Aplos

Overall nonprofit accounting software

$79/month

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $99, $189.

15-day free trial

Sage

Sage Intacct

Nonprofit accounting automation tools

N/A

N/A

on Sage's website

QuickBooks

QuickBooks Enterprise

Enterprise nonprofit accounting software

4.7 /5
$1,873/year

Additional pricing tiers (per year): $2,210; $2,717; $5,364. Adding users or cloud access costs extra.

30-day free trial

on QuickBooks' website

AccuFund

AccuFund

Nonprofit HR management features

N/A

N/A

QuickBooks Online

Best for Scalable accounting software for nonprofits

Close
Starting at
$38/month

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $75, $115, $275.

Promotion
50% off

for 3 months or free 30-day trial.

on QuickBooks' website

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

Best for Donor contact management

Close
Starting at
$25/month

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $55, $90.

Promotion
90% off

for 6 months.

on Xero's website

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 inbound phone customer support (callbacks are available, though).
  • Entry-level plan limits bills and invoices to five and 20 per month, respectively.
  • Must subscribe to the highest-tier Established plan to claim expenses.

Zoho Books

Best for Budget accounting software for nonprofits

Close
Starting at
$0

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $20, $50, $70, $150, $275.

Promotion
14-day free trial

of the Premium plan.

on Zoho Books' website

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 than some competitors.
  • No plan includes more than 15 users (can add additional users for a fee).

Aplos

Best for Overall nonprofit accounting software

Close
Aplos

Starting at
$79/month

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $99, $189.

Promotion
15-day free trial

Pros

  • Designed for nonprofits and churches.
  • Tools to build and host your website, plus the ability to accept online donations and tithes.
  • Donor database collects information like giving history and lets you create groups.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how gifts, grants and donations are used.

Cons

  • Accounting features like budgeting and recurring transactions require a plan upgrade.

Sage Intacct

Best for Nonprofit accounting automation tools

Close
Starting at
N/A

Quote-based.

Promotion
N/A

on Sage's website

Pros

  • Manage grant budgets.
  • Revenue recognition tool helps nonprofits stay compliant.
  • Automation features streamline grant, fund and billing processes.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how donations and grants are used.

Cons

  • Lack of pricing transparency.
  • Not suitable for small nonprofits that don’t plan to grow.

QuickBooks Enterprise

Best for Enterprise nonprofit accounting software

Close
Starting at
$1,873/year

Additional pricing tiers (per year): $2,210; $2,717; $5,364. Adding users or cloud access costs extra.

Promotion
30-day free trial

on QuickBooks' website

Pros

  • Strong feature set includes thorough record-keeping, invoicing and advanced inventory management and pricing rules.
  • More than 200 reports, including industry-specific options for various industries.
  • 24/7 phone and chat support.

Cons

  • Limited direct, third-party software integrations.
  • Annual subscriptions are expensive; each additional user license and cloud access costs extra.

AccuFund

Best for Nonprofit HR management features

Close
AccuFund

Starting at
N/A

Quote-based.

Promotion
N/A

Pros

  • Built specifically for nonprofits and government agencies.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how donations and grants are used.
  • Built-in human resources management system for payroll, benefits, time tracking and more.
  • Web payment module lets you accept donations online.

Cons

  • Lack of pricing transparency.
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  • Starting at (low to high)

QuickBooks Online

Best for Scalable accounting software for nonprofits

QuickBooks Online

Best for Scalable accounting software for nonprofits

Starting at
$38/month

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $75, $115, $275.

Promotion
50% off

for 3 months or free 30-day trial.

on QuickBooks' website

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.
QuickBooks is a mainstay in the realm of accounting software, and with several plan options for its cloud-based QuickBooks Online product, the software can grow with your nonprofit organization. It lacks some of the industry-specific reporting and features that nonprofit-specific software offers, but its desktop software cousin, QuickBooks Enterprise, offers those capabilities if your nonprofit outgrows the substantial features and functions of QuickBooks Online.
Read full review

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.
QuickBooks is a mainstay in the realm of accounting software, and with several plan options for its cloud-based QuickBooks Online product, the software can grow with your nonprofit organization. It lacks some of the industry-specific reporting and features that nonprofit-specific software offers, but its desktop software cousin, QuickBooks Enterprise, offers those capabilities if your nonprofit outgrows the substantial features and functions of QuickBooks Online.
Read full review

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

Best for Donor contact management

Xero

Best for Donor contact management

Starting at
$25/month

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $55, $90.

Promotion
90% off

for 6 months.

on Xero's website

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 inbound phone customer support (callbacks are available, though).
  • Entry-level plan limits bills and invoices to five and 20 per month, respectively.
  • Must subscribe to the highest-tier Established plan to claim expenses.
With more than 20 not-for-profit app integrations available, Xero is a user-friendly, scalable, cloud-based accounting software that can be customized to fit the needs of your nonprofit organization. Need to manage a membership base? Connect Xero with MembershipWorks. Need to track donations? You can link your Xero account to Infoodle for seamless donor communication and analysis. And even without integrating Xero with third-party software, you can manage your donor contacts directly in Xero’s built-in contact management tool. The feature allows you to view a record of all transactions with each contact, save documents relevant to each donor and include important notes to refer back to in the future.
Read full review

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 inbound phone customer support (callbacks are available, though).
  • Entry-level plan limits bills and invoices to five and 20 per month, respectively.
  • Must subscribe to the highest-tier Established plan to claim expenses.
With more than 20 not-for-profit app integrations available, Xero is a user-friendly, scalable, cloud-based accounting software that can be customized to fit the needs of your nonprofit organization. Need to manage a membership base? Connect Xero with MembershipWorks. Need to track donations? You can link your Xero account to Infoodle for seamless donor communication and analysis. And even without integrating Xero with third-party software, you can manage your donor contacts directly in Xero’s built-in contact management tool. The feature allows you to view a record of all transactions with each contact, save documents relevant to each donor and include important notes to refer back to in the future.
Read full review

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 inbound phone customer support (callbacks are available, though).
  • Entry-level plan limits bills and invoices to five and 20 per month, respectively.
  • Must subscribe to the highest-tier Established plan to claim expenses.

Zoho Books

Best for Budget accounting software for nonprofits

Zoho Books

Best for Budget accounting software for nonprofits

Starting at
$0

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $20, $50, $70, $150, $275.

Promotion
14-day free trial

of the Premium plan.

on Zoho Books' website

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 than some competitors.
  • No plan includes more than 15 users (can add additional users for a fee).
Zoho Books is one of the few accounting software products that has a free plan, as well as five paid ones in case your nonprofit needs to scale up. Plus, it offers nonprofits 15% off paid plans, which can help make them more affordable. The downside is that, unlike other products on our list, Zoho Books doesn’t integrate directly with nonprofit-specific apps for managing donor databases and fundraising. However, if cost is your number one concern, it can be a good fit.
Read full review

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 than some competitors.
  • No plan includes more than 15 users (can add additional users for a fee).
Zoho Books is one of the few accounting software products that has a free plan, as well as five paid ones in case your nonprofit needs to scale up. Plus, it offers nonprofits 15% off paid plans, which can help make them more affordable. The downside is that, unlike other products on our list, Zoho Books doesn’t integrate directly with nonprofit-specific apps for managing donor databases and fundraising. However, if cost is your number one concern, it can be a good fit.
Read full review

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 than some competitors.
  • No plan includes more than 15 users (can add additional users for a fee).

Aplos

Best for Overall nonprofit accounting software

Aplos

Aplos

Best for Overall nonprofit accounting software

Starting at
$79/month

Additional pricing tiers (per month): $99, $189.

Promotion
15-day free trial

Pros

  • Designed for nonprofits and churches.
  • Tools to build and host your website, plus the ability to accept online donations and tithes.
  • Donor database collects information like giving history and lets you create groups.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how gifts, grants and donations are used.

Cons

  • Accounting features like budgeting and recurring transactions require a plan upgrade.
From its advent, Aplos software was designed for nonprofits and faith-based organizations. That means it comes with a wealth of features particular to the nonprofit sector, including customizable chart of accounts; fund tracking to efficiently keep tabs on grants and donations; a variety of reports to track accountability, such as fund-based balance sheets and income statements as well as contribution statements; as well as tools designed to encourage giving and track donations. With robust accounting features; tools related to fundraising, marketing and CRM; and optional add-on products for soliciting and receiving donations by text message, payroll and online bill payment, Aplos is a complete accounting and nonprofit management software solution.

Pros

  • Designed for nonprofits and churches.
  • Tools to build and host your website, plus the ability to accept online donations and tithes.
  • Donor database collects information like giving history and lets you create groups.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how gifts, grants and donations are used.

Cons

  • Accounting features like budgeting and recurring transactions require a plan upgrade.
From its advent, Aplos software was designed for nonprofits and faith-based organizations. That means it comes with a wealth of features particular to the nonprofit sector, including customizable chart of accounts; fund tracking to efficiently keep tabs on grants and donations; a variety of reports to track accountability, such as fund-based balance sheets and income statements as well as contribution statements; as well as tools designed to encourage giving and track donations. With robust accounting features; tools related to fundraising, marketing and CRM; and optional add-on products for soliciting and receiving donations by text message, payroll and online bill payment, Aplos is a complete accounting and nonprofit management software solution.

Pros

  • Designed for nonprofits and churches.
  • Tools to build and host your website, plus the ability to accept online donations and tithes.
  • Donor database collects information like giving history and lets you create groups.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how gifts, grants and donations are used.

Cons

  • Accounting features like budgeting and recurring transactions require a plan upgrade.

Sage Intacct

Best for Nonprofit accounting automation tools

Sage Intacct

Best for Nonprofit accounting automation tools

Starting at
N/A

Quote-based.

Promotion
N/A

on Sage's website

Pros

  • Manage grant budgets.
  • Revenue recognition tool helps nonprofits stay compliant.
  • Automation features streamline grant, fund and billing processes.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how donations and grants are used.

Cons

  • Lack of pricing transparency.
  • Not suitable for small nonprofits that don’t plan to grow.
The more you can automate your accounting tasks and business workflows, the more time you and your staff can dedicate to doing good in the world. Sage Intacct’s software comes with a number of automation features to simplify your nonprofit accounting and reporting, including an AI-powered general ledger and a revenue recognition tool that’s built to save you time and ensure your organization remains compliant. You may also appreciate Sage Intacct’s reporting and insights capabilities, in particular the digital board book the software can generate to visualize and present your organization’s impact and financial health to interested parties.
Read full review

Pros

  • Manage grant budgets.
  • Revenue recognition tool helps nonprofits stay compliant.
  • Automation features streamline grant, fund and billing processes.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how donations and grants are used.

Cons

  • Lack of pricing transparency.
  • Not suitable for small nonprofits that don’t plan to grow.
The more you can automate your accounting tasks and business workflows, the more time you and your staff can dedicate to doing good in the world. Sage Intacct’s software comes with a number of automation features to simplify your nonprofit accounting and reporting, including an AI-powered general ledger and a revenue recognition tool that’s built to save you time and ensure your organization remains compliant. You may also appreciate Sage Intacct’s reporting and insights capabilities, in particular the digital board book the software can generate to visualize and present your organization’s impact and financial health to interested parties.
Read full review

Pros

  • Manage grant budgets.
  • Revenue recognition tool helps nonprofits stay compliant.
  • Automation features streamline grant, fund and billing processes.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how donations and grants are used.

Cons

  • Lack of pricing transparency.
  • Not suitable for small nonprofits that don’t plan to grow.

QuickBooks Enterprise

Best for Enterprise nonprofit accounting software

QuickBooks Enterprise

Best for Enterprise nonprofit accounting software

Starting at
$1,873/year

Additional pricing tiers (per year): $2,210; $2,717; $5,364. Adding users or cloud access costs extra.

Promotion
30-day free trial

on QuickBooks' website

Pros

  • Strong feature set includes thorough record-keeping, invoicing and advanced inventory management and pricing rules.
  • More than 200 reports, including industry-specific options for various industries.
  • 24/7 phone and chat support.

Cons

  • Limited direct, third-party software integrations.
  • Annual subscriptions are expensive; each additional user license and cloud access costs extra.
QuickBooks Enterprise is a general accounting solution, but it still includes certain industry-specific features, like a nonprofit chart of accounts that shows your organization’s assets, expenses and revenue from both donations and retail sales. At tax time, you can easily transfer your data to the relevant IRS forms. Customizable reports allow you to manage budgets for various programs, view contributions by donor and track top-tier donors. QuickBooks Enterprise is desktop software, but users can pay more for cloud access.
Read full review

Pros

  • Strong feature set includes thorough record-keeping, invoicing and advanced inventory management and pricing rules.
  • More than 200 reports, including industry-specific options for various industries.
  • 24/7 phone and chat support.

Cons

  • Limited direct, third-party software integrations.
  • Annual subscriptions are expensive; each additional user license and cloud access costs extra.
QuickBooks Enterprise is a general accounting solution, but it still includes certain industry-specific features, like a nonprofit chart of accounts that shows your organization’s assets, expenses and revenue from both donations and retail sales. At tax time, you can easily transfer your data to the relevant IRS forms. Customizable reports allow you to manage budgets for various programs, view contributions by donor and track top-tier donors. QuickBooks Enterprise is desktop software, but users can pay more for cloud access.
Read full review

Pros

  • Strong feature set includes thorough record-keeping, invoicing and advanced inventory management and pricing rules.
  • More than 200 reports, including industry-specific options for various industries.
  • 24/7 phone and chat support.

Cons

  • Limited direct, third-party software integrations.
  • Annual subscriptions are expensive; each additional user license and cloud access costs extra.

AccuFund

Best for Nonprofit HR management features

AccuFund

AccuFund

Best for Nonprofit HR management features

Starting at
N/A

Quote-based.

Promotion
N/A

Pros

  • Built specifically for nonprofits and government agencies.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how donations and grants are used.
  • Built-in human resources management system for payroll, benefits, time tracking and more.
  • Web payment module lets you accept donations online.

Cons

  • Lack of pricing transparency.
If you run a more established nonprofit with a large employee base, then you may need software to help you manage not only your organization’s finances but your employees as well. AccuFund’s core software includes general accounting functions such as bank reconciliation, a general ledger, financial reporting and dashboards and accounts payable. Additionally, AccuFund offers add-on modules and products to round out the solution you need for your particular nonprofit. The company’s robust HR management product includes payroll, tax management, time tracking, employee self-service portal and additional tools.

Pros

  • Built specifically for nonprofits and government agencies.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how donations and grants are used.
  • Built-in human resources management system for payroll, benefits, time tracking and more.
  • Web payment module lets you accept donations online.

Cons

  • Lack of pricing transparency.
If you run a more established nonprofit with a large employee base, then you may need software to help you manage not only your organization’s finances but your employees as well. AccuFund’s core software includes general accounting functions such as bank reconciliation, a general ledger, financial reporting and dashboards and accounts payable. Additionally, AccuFund offers add-on modules and products to round out the solution you need for your particular nonprofit. The company’s robust HR management product includes payroll, tax management, time tracking, employee self-service portal and additional tools.

Pros

  • Built specifically for nonprofits and government agencies.
  • Fund accounting features for tracking how donations and grants are used.
  • Built-in human resources management system for payroll, benefits, time tracking and more.
  • Web payment module lets you accept donations online.

Cons

  • Lack of pricing transparency.

What is nonprofit accounting software?

Nonprofit accounting software is a bookkeeping program tailored to the needs of tax-exempt organizations. In addition to the basic functions of standard accounting software, it typically offers fund accounting — a method that monitors how donations are used — as well as capabilities like Form 990 filing, fundraising tools and a system for communicating with donors.
These features may be available in more universal products. For instance, tracking donations in QuickBooks is possible through workarounds, but not as straightforward as with a product built for nonprofits. If you choose to use regular accounting software, make sure you can integrate with an app like Donor Receipts or Kindful that provides nonprofit-specific tools.

How to choose nonprofit accounting software

Consider cost, ease of use and must-have features to choose the best accounting software for your nonprofit. Pay particularly close attention to the following:
  • CRM functions that let you track, analyze and engage a large donor or membership base.
  • Tools for easily accepting online donations.
  • The ability to budget by fund, project and/or tag.
  • Automated reporting for IRS Form 990.
  • Grant management features to meet time and use restrictions.
Ultimately, you’ll want to balance the features you need alongside your budget and whether the software checks other boxes, like scalability. Your nonprofit accounting software should accommodate your nonprofit today and down the road if it grows.
NerdWallet writer Kelsey Sheehy contributed to this article.
Last updated on October 25, 2024

Methodology

NerdWallet independently reviews accounting software products before determining our top picks. We collect the data for our software ratings from products’ public-facing websites and from company representatives. Our editorial team reviews information on a regular basis for consistency and accuracy.
We also periodically update our scoring system to reflect changing industry norms and business needs. For instance, in 2026, we stopped factoring in whether mobile apps work for both Android and iOS smartphones. If an accounting software product has its own mobile app, it’s almost always available for both operating systems.
NerdWallet’s accounting software ratings favor products that are easy to use, reasonably priced, have a robust feature set and can grow with your business. The best accounting software received top marks when evaluated across 10 categories and more than 30 subcategories. Learn more about how we rate small-business accounting software.
These ratings are meant to provide clarity in the decision-making process, but what’s best for your business will depend on its size, growth trajectory and which features you need most. We encourage you to research and compare multiple accounting software products before choosing one.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
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QuickBooks

QuickBooks Online

50% off your first 3 months

QuickBooks Online

50% off your first 3 months

on QuickBooks' website