Bench vs Bookkeeper360 2023 Comparison

Bench and Bookkeeper360 are virtual bookkeeping services that allow you to outsource your bookkeeping and other financial tasks, combining the best of both worlds—the automation of accounting software and the guidance of a professional bookkeeper. A key difference between the two is that Bench focuses on basic bookkeeping tasks and income tax filing for a low price, while Bookkeeper360 offers a wider range of services, such as chief financial officer (CFO) advisory, payments and lending, and inventory management.

• Bench: Best for businesses seeking basic bookkeeping and income tax support
• Bookkeeper360: Best for start-ups and growth-stage businesses looking for a full suite of CPA services

You can save thousands of dollars per year by doing your own bookkeeping. Our top recommendation for small business accounting software is QuickBooks Online.

• QuickBooks Online: Best DIY small business accounting software

Pricing Plans	Starts at $249 per month, billed annually	Starts at $399 per month
Our Overall Rubric Score	4.16 out of 5 points	3.82 out of 5 points
Accounts Receivable (A/R) & Accounts Payable (A/P) Tracking	Additional fee	Additional fee
Invoice Customers	N/A	Additional fee
Pay Bills	N/A	Additional fee
Account Reconciliation	✓	✓
Account Cleanup	✓	✓
Payroll Support	✓	✓
Tax Support	✓	✓
CFO Advisory Services	N/A	Additional fee
	Visit Bench	Visit Bookkeeper360

Who Should Use Each

Who Should Use an Alternative

• QuickBooks users: If you’re currently using QuickBooks Online to manage your books, then you’re eligible for QuickBooks Live, an affordable add-on. It gives you access to a QuickBooks ProAdvisor who will provide bookkeeping services similar to Bench on a monthly basis but doesn’t provide tax advice or filing.
• Small businesses on a budget: Offering a flat monthly fee of $190, Merritt Bookkeeping is an ideal solution for small businesses on a tight budget. Its bookkeepers will perform basic bookkeeping tasks and track income and expenses.
• Businesses that need a financial advisor: If you’re also looking for financial planning services, we recommend Bookkeeper.com. Its financial advisors can assist with issues like business expansion and investment.

Are you looking for more information about the best platforms to manage your bookkeeping? Check out our recommendations for the best small business accounting software.

Bench vs Bookkeeper360: Pricing

Bench is value priced and even includes your income tax return if you subscribe to the Premium plan for $399 per month. There’s no long-term commitment as it offers a free trial and month-to-month pricing. Catch Up and Retro bookkeeping services are also available for those who are behind on their bookkeeping, starting at $299 per month. Businesses that need to track their A/P and A/R can use Bench’s add-on service for an additional $100 per month.

Meanwhile, Bookkeeper360’s basic bookkeeping plans are higher than most of its competitors but could be worth it for businesses that take advantage of some of its more advanced offerings like CFO services, invoicing, and bill pay. While Bookkeeper360 doesn’t provide a free trial, it does offer month-to-month pricing without entering a long-term contract.

Bench vs Bookkeeper360: Features

Both Bench and Bookkeeper360 offer basic bookkeeping services by categorizing your transactions and reconciling your bank accounts every month, providing you with financial statements for review. You’ll also have your own dedicated bookkeeper with both services, but Bookkeeper360 has much more to offer in terms of add-on services.

Bench is designed to be a user-friendly service for small businesses with basic bookkeeping needs. These include access to financial statements and integrations to streamline business management processes, such as a payroll integration with Gusto and merchant accounts with Square. With the help of your dedicated bookkeeper, you can monitor your financial statements and stay on top of your books. You also receive tax support and return filing if you opt for the Premium plan.

Meanwhile, Bookkeeper360 allows you to select from a menu of services to create your own customized plan. These services are hands-on bookkeeping, payroll, and human resources (HR) solutions, tax support and filing, payments and lending, and CFO advisory services. All plans come with your own dedicated bookkeeper, who serves as your point of contact.

Bench vs Bookkeeper360: Ease of Use

Bench and Bookkeeper360 scored high with overall ease of use. Both assign you to a dedicated bookkeeper upon sign-up, but the difference is that Bench offers a free trial for one month of prior bookkeeping before you commit to the service.

Also, your Bench bookkeeper uses the company’s proprietary software to work on your books, whereas your Bookkeeper360 bookkeeper uses Xero or QuickBooks. Bench bookkeepers are also more accessible, as they’re open to calls as often as needed, while Bookkeeper360 limits your financial review meetings to a monthly basis.

Bench vs Bookkeeper360: Integrations

Bench has fewer integrations than Bookkeeper360, which gives its users access to Marketplace. One of Marketplace’s features is that it will analyze your finances and make recommendations for third-party software products that can integrate with Bookkeeper360.

• Bench integrations: Gusto, FreshBooks, Stripe, Square, Shopify, Attune, Keap, Brex, and Clio
• Bookkeeper360 integrations: QuickBooks Online, Xero, Gusto, Bill, A2X, Ramp, Divvy, Shopbop, Heartland, Brex, and Critical Financing

Bookkeeper360 has a very nice integration with QuickBooks Online and Xero, which it refers to as the Bookkeeper360 app. After establishing a connection between the Bookkeeper360 app and your QuickBooks or Xero account, you can view your financial information in a very user-friendly format that’s easy to analyze. While referred to as an App, it’s a desktop app, not a mobile app, which is included in all Bookkeeper360 plans or can be purchased separately for $19 per month.

Bench vs Bookkeeper360: Mobile App

Bench’s mobile app is available for iOS, and it gives access to real-time cash flow updates and intuitive visual reports. You can also message your Bench bookkeeping team and leave categorization notes. Meanwhile, Bookkeeper360 users can access the Xero or QuickBooks Online apps like any other users, but there isn’t any mobile app for communicating or uploading documents to Bookkeeper360.

Bench vs Bookkeeper360: Customer Support

You can book a phone or Zoom call with your Bench bookkeeper or communicate via in-app message directly through the Bench app. They can assist you with monthly calls or a tax season review and welcome calls whenever you have a question. Bench doesn’t charge a monthly support fee or extra for these calls—it’s all included with its service.

Bench Accounting status page (Source: Bench Accounting)

Your Bookkeeper360 bookkeeper is available to meet via email, live chat, and phone. Meetings are scheduled on a monthly basis to review financial reports, and your bookkeeper will grant you access to their screen so that you can view your books.

Bookkeeper360 Business Performance Page (Source: Bookkeeper360)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What software Does Bench use?

Bench uses its own proprietary software for your bookkeeping, so you don’t need to purchase any other accounting software.

What level of support does Bookkeeper360 offer?

Bookkeeper360 offers support via email, phone, and live chat.

Do Bench and Bookkeeper360 offer catch-up bookkeeping?

Yes, both Bench and Bookkeeper360 offer catch-up bookkeeping services.

Bottom Line

Whether Bench or Bookkeeper360 is the better option depends on the needs and budget of your business as well as its potential for growth. Bench offers straightforward bookkeeping and proprietary software, with the option to add tax filing and catch-up bookkeeping services. In contrast, Bookkeeper360 offers a customizable package that can be tailored to your business with additional options such as payroll and HR solutions and is available for either QuickBooks or Xero.