9 Best Accounting Software for Mac: Everything You Need to Know

best accounting software for Mac
best accounting software for Mac

If your business office is exclusively Mac-based, you understand how critical it is to find accounting software compatible with your operating system. 

Though accounting software for PCs remains more common, accounting solutions for Mac are becoming more prevalent.

Mac computers are high-end devices that operate differently than PCs. That is why selecting best accounting software for Mac for your business takes a unique approach.

Types of Accounting Software for Mac

Before we compare the best accounting software for Mac, let’s define the different types of Mac accounting software and the factors to consider when selecting the best one.

Cloud-based software

Cloud-based accounting software has grown dramatically. It runs flawlessly in every browser on either Mac or PC. Pricing for cloud-based services will vary depending on the features needed for your business.

Online Mac accounting software

Due to the pandemic, the majority of small business owners have opted for online accounting software. 

Your financials are available online at any time and from any location to you or your business team. Online accounting software for Mac is typically charged monthly and has an extra charge per user.

One time charge

On-premise Mac accounting systems benefit over a more extended period. Additionally, a one-time fee will help prevent regular payments and cash outflow.

Free

Small businesses mainly use free accounting software for Mac due to its restricted features and user limit. It’s beneficial to invest in high-quality paying accounting software and profit from its versatility. Appropriate accounting software would generate more revenue than it costs.

Let’s pick the 9 best Mac Accounting Software and categorize them on features and price to get a clear picture.

1. QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

QuickBooks is a well-known brand in the field of accounting. Since the 1990s, it has provided outstanding service to its customers. 

QuickBooks integrates with third-party apps, allowing for greater flexibility. Additionally, it enables automatic secure file sharing through the iOS cloud.

QuickBooks for Mac is available in two versions: QuickBooks for Mac (cloud) and QuickBooks for Mac desktop.

Benefits of QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

  • QuickBooks payroll features automatically calculate tax. When calculating the estimated 1099 taxes, this is beneficial.
  • Standard reports such as who owes you money, sales and vendors, sales tax, and employees streamline the process of tracking all your business activities.
  • Customized invoice to your requirements.
  • Banking reconciliation enables the management of all transactions.

Pricing

  • QuickBooks Desktop for Mac is available for a one-time fee of $399.99.
  • QuickBooks Mac Online pricing begins at $25 per month.

2. Sage Business Cloud Accounting

Sage accounting software rapidly gained global popularity after it was established in 1981 in England. It is the leading accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software provider in the world. 

Sage Business Cloud blends the advantages of cloud computing with the functionality of desktop accounting software. Sage cloud combines with Microsoft’s office 365 premium and small business productivity suites.

Benefits of Sage Business Cloud Accounting

  • Communicate easily with team members, customers, and vendors by using collaboration tools.
  • Easily print financial statements.
  • Create automatic reminders for unpaid invoices and bills.
  • Enable clients to view the project or plan without requiring them to log in.
  • Keep track of working hours for hourly billing.

Pricing

Sage Business Cloud accounting does offer a 30-day trial.

  • Accounting Start: Pricing begins at $10 per month.
  • Accounting: Pricing starts at $25 per month.

3. FreshBooks

Due to its affordability and adaptability, FreshBooks is very popular among small businesses. FreshBooks, headquartered in Toronto, has been in operation for 15 years. Their simple-to-use accounting software is compatible with all devices, from Smartphone to PCs and Macs.

FreshBooks mainly aims at small business owners, but it is capable of handling reasonably complex accounting books. However, rapidly growing businesses can quickly outgrow FreshBooks, as it does not cater to the needs of large organizations. FreshBooks values its clients and is well-known for its outstanding customer support.

Benefits of FreshBooks 

  • The primary advantage of FreshBooks is its intuitive and straightforward design. The interface is uncluttered, and even a beginner would have no difficulty using it. If you’ve never touched accounting before, have no fear; FreshBooks is your mate.
  • Take advantage of ACH functionality to expedite payment processing.
  • Customizable invoicing that can create in a matter of minutes;
  • My Team features allow you to invite others to use FreshBooks. It could be staff, vendors, or any customer.
  • With mobile apps ready for both iOS and Android, it’s simple to access your account from anywhere and at any time.

Pricing

  • Lite: Starts at $4.50 per month paid annually.
  • Plus: It starts at $7.50 per month paid annually.
  • Premium: Starts at $15 per month billed annually.  
  • Select: Customizable plan according to your requirements.

4. Xero 

Xero was formed in 2006 in Wellington by Road Drury and Hamish Edwards. They developed accounting management software to assist small business owners who lack accounting skills or a degree in managing their accounts. Xero products are used in over 180 countries.  

Benefits of Xero 

  • Unlike other accounting software, which only provides inventory management in their most expensive plan, Xero includes it in all of their goals.
  • Fixed asset management features such as depreciation, monitoring, and disposals are included as usual, while in other standard industry software.
  • It provides access to financial data for an infinite number of users. You are not required to pay additional fees to add as many users as you wish.
  • Interactive credit controls streamline the process of managing unpaid revenue invoices. Boost the cash flow and receive payments more quickly.

Pricing

  • Early- It starts at $5.50 per month.
  • Growing- It starts at $16 per month.
  • Established- It starts at $31 per month.

5. AccountEdge

AccountEdge founded in the early 1990s. It is highly developed, scalable, and versatile Mac accounting software. AccountEdge upgrades the app daily and adds new functionality. Profitability reporting, interface updates, and pay are just a few of the new features announced. 

It retains a competitive edge in the field of online computing by offering Mac and PC software. AccountEdge also provides mobile applications that allow users to access their information from anywhere.

Even if your business is not internet-based, the Mac desktop application features a refined interface and an integrated payroll alternative uncommon in other accounting software.

Benefits of AccountEdge

  • It is a robust desktop application that works without the internet.  
  • Audit trail reports assist you to record every single financial record.
  • Customer portals to assist customers in viewing their transaction history, examining invoices, and making payments online on time!
  • General contact details records.  

Pricing

  • It needs a one-time fee of $499.99 and an additional fee for licensing.
  • AccountEdge priced at $299 per additional user, with a reduced $999 for groups of five or more.
  • AccountEdge offers a free 30-day trial.

6. ProfitBooks

ProfitBooks is cloud-based, free accounting software for Mac users. It features the most robust inventory management system available. Its straightforward interface enables you to take control of your accounting. 

ProfitBooks offers all of the functionality you need at an affordable price, from journal entry tracking to inventory management to electronic billing and invoicing.

Benefits of ProfitBooks

  • ProfitBooks enables you to quickly and easily monitor financial transactions by attaching scanned receipts to them.
  • It checks up on the stock level and notifies you of critical product changes. This function is particularly advantageous if you operate a warehouse.
  • Central dashboards that allow you to display all of your financial results and data in one place.
  • Keep track of previous and current traction for easy access.

Pricing

  • Startup– Free forever. It allows for a monthly maximum of 50 invoices. Ideal for single users or small businesses.
  • SMB– It starts at $15 per month. Small and medium-sized businesses will profit the most from this product. It allows for the development of an infinite number of users and invoices.

7. SlickPie

SlickPie is a free accounting application for the Mac that launched in 2015. It is currently used for business accounting in over 100 countries worldwide. Everyone adores SlickPie, and judging by customer feedback, SlickPie values its customers as well. 

With multiple company sponsorship, unlimited users, a free plan, and an intuitive, easy-to-use interface, it’s easy to see why SlickPie is so popular.

Benefits of SlickPie

  • Excellent security ensures less risk about data.
  • Magicbot aids save your time and make you extract data from receipts images.
  • Flexible Payment choices.
  • Generate quotes and estimates for your plan instantly and share them with your customers.

Pricing

  • Starter: The Starter package is entirely free and allows you to use all of Slickpie’s features but limits you to ten company accounts.
  • Pro – Pro includes all of the features found in Starter but adds the ability to manage up to 50 companies and provides extra phone support.

8. ZipBooks

 ZipBooks is a relatively new provider of accounting software for Mac that offers both paid and free versions. It’s primary benefit is that it requires minimal setup compared to other industry accounting software that requires specialized configurations. ZipBooks is unique in that it enables you to build a public mini-website composed entirely of graphs and data.

Benefits of ZipBooks

  • A business intelligence tool can help you determine your business’s health ranking.
  • Effortlessly manage your vendors and inventory. Be alerted when products are in need of restocking.
  • ZipBooks accepts credit cards for safe, cashless transactions.
  • Utilize the bank reconciliation function to import your bank statement.

Pricing

  • Starter: The starter plan is completely free. Provides unlimited invoices and receives digital payments.
  • Smarter: It starts at $15/month. Provides automated reminders, recurring invoices, and all included in the starter plan.
  • Sophisticated: Starts at $35/month. Includes smart tagging, customized categories, guarding complicated books, and everything included in the Smarter plan.

9. GnuCash

GnuCash is free and open-source accounting software for Mac and Windows users. It was initially established in 1997 as a competitor to Quicken. It is not a cloud-based application, and therefore must be installed on your operating system. 

GnuCash is a single-user program, which means that it cannot expand. GnuCash is an excellent choice for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners. It is robust personal and technical accounting software that is free to use. 

Benefits of GnuCash

  • The most apparent advantage of using GnuCash is that it is entirely free.
  • Most commercial accounting software is prohibitively costly and overburdens small businesses with features they do not require, but not in GnuCash.
  • The app offers regular tips to assist users in navigating.
  • Mortgage and loan repayment features allow you to create repayment schedules for business loans.

Conclusion

Financial accounting is a complicated, time-consuming process. Many small business owners cannot afford the high fees charged by a CPA or CA. Thus, accounting software for Mac relieves you significantly of these accounting activities, freeing up your time to concentrate on more essential tasks and growing your business.

Individuals can choose between paid and free accounting software for Mac. Purchase accounting and reporting software for your business today to help you manage your workload, save time, and scale your enterprise.