Five Best Accounting Softwares for Mac in 2021

Accounting software that runs on only a Mac has become harder to find in recent years. Cloud-based solutions are making it harder to find accounting software that runs exclusively on a Mac. Cloud-based accounting software works on any web browser. It will also work on Macs and PCs. Many accounting software developers have shifted to online software which can be used on all operating systems, rather than catering to Mac users. Cloud-based alternatives offer many benefits over traditional desktop options. These include cost savings, mobility and data recovery via cloud storage.

The best Mac accounting software was designed with Mac users in mind. It will appeal to the things they love about their Macs and mobile devices. It is intuitive in form and function, visually pleasing, easy to use, and allows for collaboration with other users.

• QuickBooks Online – The best small business accounting software available for Mac users
• Quickbooks Desktop for Mac: The best desktop accounting software designed specifically to work on Mac
• Zoho books: The best for self-employed entrepreneurs, such as freelancers and gig workers.
• FreshBooks is the best for Mac users who want professional-looking invoices and great time tracking features
• Wave Best free accounting software for Mac users

QuickBooks Online: The Best Accounting Software for Macs

QuickBooks Online provides a web-based accounting system that is suitable for small businesses as well as individual accountants. It is consistently praised for its ease-of-use, flexibility, and rich set of features. It is the best small-business accounting software because it can be customized to suit any industry.

QuickBooks Online. You can do a wide range of bookkeeping tasks such as bank reconciliations, tracking expenses and tracking time, inventory accounting, and financial reporting monitoring. An external accountant can also have free access to your QuickBooks Online account through their own version QuickBooks Online Accountant. The app is mobile-friendly and allows you to do many of the same tasks that the web-based version. This includes uploading receipts, tracking mileage, and even tracking your mileage.

 

What We Like

• Numerous integrations available
• Simple to use and intuitive interface
• Reports that can be customized
• You have access to a network QuickBooks Pro Advisors
• A robust mobile app that can track mileage and record receipts
• Additional fee for integrated payroll

What’s missing?

• Inadequacy of tools specific to the industry, such as lot tracking and bar scanning
• Each plan has a limited number of users
• It is impossible to compare actual and estimated project costs
• Maximum combined limit of 40 classes or locations
• Inventory management features are limited

Plans & Pricing

• Simple Start: $25/month for one user
• Essentials:$40 a month for three users
• Plus: $70 a month for five users
• Advanced: $150/month for 25 users

Check out our QuickBooks Online Review

 

Our Expert Opinion

QuickBooks Online has many benefits for small businesses. This system is ideal for small businesses with five or fewer employees who have complex transactions. QuickBooks is also available for sole proprietors looking for a smaller program. You can add features to your business as it grows. The powerful mobile app makes it easy for small businesses to access from anywhere. It can be used on any Mac and PC due to its cloud-based capabilities.

QuickBooks Desktop for Mac: The Best Desktop Accounting Software For Macs

QuickBooks Desktop Mac allows users to create custom invoicing, sync bank or credit card accounts and track expenses. It also lets them manage accounts payable (A/P), process payroll and monitor cash flow. The Mac version of this accounting software also includes specific features such as the ability to embed a QuickBooks notification panel on a Mac menu bar and to add payment reminders in iCalendar. You can also sync iCloud contacts.

It is an excellent choice for project-based businesses due to its sophisticated features that allow you track time and cost. It’s also great for small businesses that have three or fewer users, and don’t need to be able to access files via an internet browser. It is not possible to get customer support for anyone who might need it. Support by phone is only offered to subscribers who have an active subscription. Email support is not available.

 

What We Like

• After installation, you don’t need an internet connection
• Unlimited number of companies allowed
• For a strong set of features, low cost
• 60-day satisfaction guarantee
• Accessible and easy-to-navigate user interface

What’s missing?

• Each additional user requires a license
• Telephone support is not available unless there is a customer support agreement
• The user interface isn’t as intuitive as that on the PC version.
• Integrations are not possible
• There is no multicurrency support

Plans & Pricing

QuickBooks for Mac licenses are currently available for up three users for $399.99 per user. The license is valid for three years, but QuickBooks stops supporting it after that. You must purchase phone support separately along with the QuickBooks Care Plan for Macs. It costs $29.95 per month and $299.95 annually.

Check out our QuickBooks Desktop for Mac Review

 

Our Expert Opinion

QuickBooks Desktop for Mac offers a few Mac-specific features that make it an appealing option for desktop software users. iCloud document sharing, for example, is available. This allows you to share files between Macs that are connected via iCloud. QuickBooks for Mac is less feature-rich than QuickBooks for PC and does not integrate with third-party apps.

Zoho Books: The Best for Self-employed Business Owners

Zoho Books online accounting software lets you manage your finances and banking, automate sales and purchase workflows, track time, and create reports. This is just one of the many Zoho apps that include Zoho CRM and Zoho Inventory. Zoho Books has accounting capabilities such as accrual accounting, chart of accounts control, and the ability for journal entries. To monitor your company’s financial health, you can easily generate balance sheets and profit and loss statements (P&L).

Zoho Books has an accounting app for Android and iOS. You can send invoices, estimates and account statements to customers using the iOS version. GPS and Apple Maps can track your mileage and make it an expense. Siri can be used to remind you about transactions. Zoho Books even offers an app for your Apple Watch. All of these features, including the mobile app, are useful for self-employed business owners.

 

What We Like

• Access to Vendor Portal with Professional Plan
• A wide range of customizable reports available
• Affordable price
• To automate business processes, integrates with many Zoho apps
• Strong mobile app with GPS tracking to track your mileage
• Capability to track time, expenses, and add them to an invoicing

What’s missing?

• The Standard plan does not offer inventory management
• It doesn’t integrate well with tax preparation software
• There is no integrated payroll
• Incapable to create multiple companies from one account

Plans & Pricing

• Free: $0.0 for one user, one accountant
• Standard: $20/month for three users
• Professional:50 per month for five people; includes managing bills and sales orders as well as purchase orders
• Premium: $70/month for 10 users; Includes a vendor portal, budgeting and budgeting

To evaluate Zoho Books, you can get a 14-day trial for free. You can purchase it separately, as part the Zoho Finance bundle or as part Zoho One which includes all Zoho apps.

Read our Zoho Books Review

 

Our Expert Opinion

Zoho Books is affordable and simple to use, making it a great option for freelancers or small businesses looking for tools that can help them with their other business aspects, such as customer relationship management (CRM) and project management. This cloud-based solution can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection. The mobile app targets Mac users thanks to its iMessage integrations and Apple Watch integrations.

FreshBooks: The Best For Invoicing and Time Tracking

We recently ranked freshBooks the best invoicing software. This is because it was initially created to help small businesses create professional invoices. FreshBooks allows you to quickly create and send invoices via the web or mobile app. You can even choose your preferred currency. You can also track hours, assign them to invoices and create recurring invoices.

FreshBooks is more than an invoicing system. It’s also a powerful double entry accounting system that allows for team collaboration and time tracking. It is easy to use and has excellent usability. It is a great choice for independent contractors and freelancers, but it does not have the functionality larger businesses require.

 

What We Like

• No credit card needed. Free trial for 30 days
• You can track your time and invoicing with power
• Interface intuitive and simple to use
• iOS app automatically tracks your mileage
• Supports proposals and projects

What’s missing?

• We offer minimal setup assistance
• Mobile app lacks some site features
• There is no inventory management nor cost tracking
• No quarterly tax estimates

Plans & Pricing

• Lite:$15/month for one user and five billable customers
• Plus: $25/month for one user and 50 clients billable
• Premium: $50/month for one user with unlimited billable clients
• Select: Custom pricing, for two users, with a dedicated FreshBooks account manger, and custom onboarding assistance

Any plan can be extended to include additional users for $10 per month. No credit card is required to sign up for the free 30-day trial.

Check out our FreshBooks Review

 

Our Expert Opinion

FreshBooks is an intuitive, attractive, and well-rounded accounting software that can support invoices, estimates, expense tracking, time tracking, projects, and more. The iOS app tracks your driving and allows you to track trips for personal or business purposes. This feature is rare as many mobile apps do not connect to your GPS, but instead allow you to manually record your mileage. FreshBooks is able to anticipate the needs of small businesses and provides inventory management tools that are affordable and easy-to-use.

Wave: Best Free Accounting Software For Mac Users

Wave is a great option if you are looking for the most affordable accounting software, without compromising quality. Wave is a market leader because it provides free software without any strings attached. Wave includes all the essential accounting features such as invoicing, expense tracking and expense tracking. You can also find charts of accounts, journal entry, lending options, and even invoicing for qualified buyers.

Wave was acquired by H&R Block in 2019. Since then, Wave has been updated with new tools, including improved bank reconciliation, an overhauled onboarding process and customer statements. It also offers cash basis reporting. Wave is one of the most intuitive and user-friendly online accounting software available.

 

What We Like

• Payroll and payments are completely free
• Outstanding transaction and invoice management
• Multicurrency support
• Small businesses have a strong selection of features
• Zapier allows integration with over 1,500 apps
• Get instant payout with expedited payments

What’s missing?

• No time tracking tool
• No comprehensive mobile app
• Payroll features are not as flexible as other solutions
• Templates for customers and vendors, products, services, and other areas lack detail
• Incapable to track inventory costs per unit or stock levels
• Limited reports available

Plans & Pricing

Accounting, receipt scanning, and invoicing are all completely free.

Check out our Wave Review

 

Our Expert Opinion

Wave’s user-friendly interface and smart selection of features will suit sole proprietors and freelancers as well as small businesses that need an online accounting solution that offers growth potential. You don’t have to pay for any of the core accounting tools, no matter how frequently you use them. Wave’s inability to provide a time tracking tool or a mobile app may be a problem for freelancers working as service providers. They might prefer the more advanced and richer-featured QuickBooks Online. Wave is a great choice for small businesses that don’t require time tracking or mobile access.

How we evaluated accounting practice management software

• Mac compatibility. Desktop applications must be run directly on Mac OS X, whereas cloud-based solutions offer more flexibility.
• Price: We compared the price of the software to its features and whether there is a free trial.
• User-friendliness: We prioritized an intuitive, user-friendly interface that does not require any learning curve when evaluating each software.
• InvoicesInvoicing is a common accounting task for small businesses owners. We considered how complex this function could be, such as whether invoices can customized and embedded payment links.
• iOS app availability This feature is important for businesses who are constantly on the move. We checked whether or not a mobile app was available and, if it is, what features are specifically for Mac users.
• Bill tracking & payments: We placed emphasis on the accuracy of the accounting software’s ability to track unpaid bills as well as the possibility of making online payments.
• Reporting We examined the customizability and quantity of reports available beyond the income statement or balance sheet. It is preferable to filter reports by project and class.
• Payroll –Accounting software which integrates with a payroll system and can automate accounting entries after every payday is especially preferred.
• Advanced features Many of these accounting software solutions offer time-saving features like receipt scanning, time tracking and GPS mileage tracking.

Bottom line

It is rare to find an accounting program that is specifically designed for Macs. Online accounting software options are available, with some being customizable for Mac users. There are many options. QuickBooks for Mac was the only desktop-based solution we tested. However, cloud-based options like Zoho Books or FreshBooks have specific features designed for Mac users. The best accounting software is one that offers the most features at a reasonable price and that is easy to use.