The best accounting software for Mac is easy to use, has good customer support, and offers accounting features compatible with Macs. In addition to essential general accounting features like project accounting, inventory management, and invoicing, some of the leading software have Mac-specific tools, such as Quick Notes and lock screen widgets.
Here are my recommendations for the best Mac accounting software:
- QuickBooks Online: Best overall accounting software for Mac users
- Wave: Best free cloud-based Mac accounting software
- FreshBooks: Best for service-based businesses and freelancers
- Xero: Best Mac accounting software for businesses with many users
- Zoho Books: Best mobile accounting app for Mac users
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Quick Comparison of the Best Accounting Software for Mac
QuickBooks Online: Best overall accounting software for Mac users
Pros
- Provides access to a huge network of assistance through QuickBooks ProAdvisors
- Offers the option to sign up for QuickBooks Live for extensive bookkeeping support and guidance
- Tracks income and expenses by location and class
- Supports seamless integration with third-party apps
- Offers customizable reporting tools
- Automates recurring invoices and payments
Cons
- Lacks Mac-specific features and widgets, like those in Zoho Books
- Requires either the Plus or Advanced tier to use project accounting and inventory management
- Is a bit more expensive than most similar software
- Limits the number of users per subscription tier; no option to add more
- Has limited customer support
Monthly pricing |
Check out our QuickBooks Online plans comparison to find out which is right for you. |
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Add-ons pricing |
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Discount | 90% off for three months |
Free trial | 30 days with no credit card required; can’t be combined with the discount above |
Customer support channels | Callback (direct phone support when you upgrade to Advanced), chatbot, live chat, self-help guides, and one-on-one meetings with a QuickBooks ProAdvisor |
Average user review rating | 4.3 out of 5 |
QuickBooks Online, our best small business accounting software, seamlessly operates on Macs and includes an iOS app for on-the-go tasks. It offers essential features like invoicing, banking, bill and inventory management, and reporting on both Mac and Windows.
Each QuickBooks Online subscription comes with a free 30-day trial to QuickBooks Live? Expert Assisted, where you can get help setting up your QuickBooks and learn the basics of bookkeeping. It also has a huge network of local bookkeepers. You can easily find a QuickBooks ProAdvisor if you need professional bookkeeping support, since QuickBooks Online is popular in the US.
Standout features
- Class and location activity tracking: See which office or warehouse is the most profitable if you have multiple offices or buildings.
- Easy account imports: Get automatically matched imported transactions to pre-existing transactions; however, you can also manually import transactions from your bank accounts for reconciliation.
- Smooth mobile app: Do most accounting tasks like invoicing, receipt capture, and mileage tracking. However, it isn’t as robust as Zoho Books’ mobile app, which is one of the best I’ve seen.
- Work with a QuickBooks ProAdvisor: Get a one-on-one meeting with a QuickBooks ProAdvisor to help set up your company file at no additional charge. They will help with customizing the software to meet your specific business needs and provide guidance on best practices for using QuickBooks Online.
- Mac-optimized browser experience: Enjoy a platform that runs smoothly on all major browsers supported by macOS, including Safari and Chrome.
Use cases
- Businesses with complex accounting tasks: If you often deal with advanced workflows — such as customizing the chart of accounts, generating advanced reports, job costing, and integration — you can seek out independent QuickBooks ProAdvisors who are equipped to handle such tasks.
- Small and midsize businesses needing complete A/P and A/R management features: QuickBooks Online features an excellent A/R and A/P system that fits small business needs perfectly. You can manage invoices, convert expenses into bills, add billable items to customer invoices, and record payments.
- Real estate business owners with multiple buildings: The ability to track income and expenses by class and location makes QuickBooks Online our overall best real estate accounting software.
- Freelancers: If you’re working on a Mac, you can use the iOS or Android mobile app to send invoices, accept payments, track mileage, and more.
QuickBooks Online stands out in most areas, especially with its accounting features like banking, A/P and A/R management, reporting, and integrations. From what I’ve observed, its strong network of QuickBooks ProAdvisors is a huge plus for support. That said, I’d point out that you can’t directly call customer support unless you’re subscribed to the Advanced plan, which could be frustrating.
While the pricing for QuickBooks Online is reasonable, it’s slightly higher than Zoho Books and Xero, which offer similar features. Company setup is somewhat lengthy, but a free 30-day trial of QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted is now included with all plans to aid setup.
Wave: Best free cloud accounting software for Mac users
Pros
Cons
- Accommodates only a single user in Starter
- Won't let you connect bank accounts in Starter
- Lacks advanced features needed by large businesses, like project accounting and inventory management
- Lets you access live support only when you purchase an add-on or upgrade to Pro (paid tier)
Wave offers a great free plan, Starter, for accounting and invoicing. I like that it allows you to create and send unlimited invoices while offering a comprehensive set of accounting features. This is what makes it our top-recommended free accounting software. It provides tools usually found in paid solutions, including invoicing, expense tracking, bill payment, and financial reporting.
While I love the free tier, the $16 upgrade to Pro is worth it for most companies. You’ll get unlimited bank feeds, live customer support, free receipt scanning, unlimited users, and more.
Standout features
- Ease of setup: Easily add your business information, such as company name, address, and contact details.
- Convenient invoicing: Create recurring invoices, collect and track sales tax by jurisdictions, and accept short payments from customers.
- Unlimited seats: Enjoy unlimited users in the Pro plan; share your books as needed, including with a tax pro during tax season.
- Built-in receipt scanning via mobile app: Scan receipts with your iPhone, extracting and uploading expense data directly to Wave for easy on-the-go tracking; this integration aligns with the Mac ecosystem’s focus on streamlined workflows.
Use cases
- Freelancers and very small businesses on a tight budget: You can save money by sending invoices and tracking income and expenses for free using Wave Starter. No matter how often you use it and how many invoices you send, you don’t pay anything.
- Businesses needing simple and expense tracking: You can track income and expenses. While you can’t connect your bank accounts in the free plan, you have the option to upload transactions from a bank statement manually.
- Solopreneurs testing a business idea: If you have a side business like creative work, online sales, or consulting, Wave offers a free, low-risk way to manage finances with user-friendly invoicing and expense tracking. This makes it ideal for organizing and validating a business model with simple tools.
Wave excels in value since it is free and scores pretty high for basic accounting functions. While it performs well in A/R and tax management, it lacks key tools like inventory management and project accounting. It can only make estimates, which is just one of our eight criteria in project accounting.
Wave is easy to use, but its usability took a hit in my assessment because some functions are non-intuitive even for bookkeepers familiar with the program. Customer service is also a weak point, as live chat is unavailable without upgrading or purchasing an add on. The mobile app is also limited to sending invoices and processing online payments, lacking other essential accounting tasks.
Barring a few abstract features, Wave is simple and easy to use, but it might not be a good fit if you need complex accounting features. My best recommendation is Xero if you need inventory and projecting accounting. If you need just project accounting alone, FreshBooks might be your best bet.
FreshBooks: Best for service-based businesses & freelancers
Pros
- Can compare estimate vs actual budget costs
- Lets you easily track billable time and add to invoices
- Has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- Has automatic mileage tracking on iOS app
- Provides phone support and live chat
Cons
- Lacks Mac-specific widgets
- Supports only a single user in the base price; $11 monthly fee for each additional seat
- Lacks inventory management and cost-tracking features
- Cannot track cash balances without establishing automatic bank feeds
Monthly pricing |
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Add-ons pricing |
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Discount | 90% off for 4 months |
Free trial | 30 days |
Customer support channels | Phone support, live chat, chatbot, self-help library, and a community page |
Average user review rating | 4.5 out of 5 |
I recommend FreshBooks, cloud-based accounting software, if you have a service-based business or are a freelancer using Macs. Its key strengths lie in project accounting, particularly its built-in time tracking for easy hour monitoring and direct invoice generation. A notable feature is its ability to compare estimated versus actual project costs, a functionality limited to QuickBooks Online Advanced’s most expensive plan.
Standout features
- Project accounting: Manage project timelines, create estimates and convert them to invoices once approved, compare estimated and actual costs, and collaborate with your crew.
- Invoicing: Enjoy unlimited invoicing capabilities, personalize invoices by adding a logo and a personal message below the invoice, and automate late fee calculations. If you invoice clients monthly, you can set up recurring invoices to save time. Those capabilities make FreshBooks our leading invoicing software for freelancers and solopreneurs.
- Excellent customer support: Get email and phone support, which includes making a call directly to a support agent, something that is not often possible with other accounting software providers.
Use cases
- Project managers: You can compare budgeted costs with actual expenses, track billable time, and chat with your team members.
- Service-based freelancers: If you’re a freelancer who bills clients by the hour or per project, you can benefit from FreshBooks’ excellent time and project tracking features.
- Nonaccountant users: The solution is made especially for individuals without bookkeeping or accounting experience, so it’s easy to use. If you don’t want to do the bookkeeping yourself, you can invite an accountant who uses FreshBooks to do it for you.
FreshBooks excels in project accounting, A/R management, and integrations. I couldn’t award a higher value rating due to single-user plans with an $11 monthly fee for extra seats. Inventory tracking is also limited and doesn’t contain popular COGS features.
FreshBooks offers direct phone support but lacks live chat and active online communities, impacting usability. Finding bookkeeping support can be difficult due to a limited number of familiar bookkeepers. Those limitations make the platform less suitable for wider business needs.
QuickBooks Online and Xero are strong alternatives to FreshBooks, particularly for inventory tracking. Both offer established support networks through QuickBooks ProAdvisors and Xero Advisors.
Xero: Best Mac accounting software for businesses with many users
Pros
- Accommodates unlimited users
- Has strong inventory accounting features at an affordable price
- Includes iOS app for invoicing, receipt scanning, and expense tracking
- Provides access to a network of Xero Advisors
Cons
- Includes only 20 invoices and five bills in the lowest plan
- Has a limited mobile app; can't record time worked or accept payments
- Lacks telephone and live chat support
Monthly pricing |
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Add-ons pricing | ✕ |
Discount | 90% off for 3 months |
Free trial | 30 days |
Customer support channels | Email support, chatbot, self-help resources, online library, and access to a network of Xero Advisors |
Average user review rating | 4.4 out of 5 |
One of my favorite Xero features is that it allows for unlimited seats across all subscription tiers. This makes it a strong option if you have a small to midsize business that requires more than the five users permitted in QuickBooks Online Plus. Limitless users means seamless collaboration among team members, accountants, and other stakeholders without that interaction incurring extra charges.
While the platform doesn’t have Mac-specific accounting tools, as a cloud-based solution, all its features and apps run smoothly on Apple devices. Mac users can access invoicing, bill payment, project management, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
Standout features
- Inventory management: Monitor inventory items and values, adjust inventory counts, and calculate the COGS automatically.
- Fixed asset management: Track fixed asset records and automatically calculate depreciation expenses with Xero’s fixed asset manager.
- Access to Xero Advisors: Get bookkeeping support from a Xero Advisor, an experienced Xero-certified accountant who is knowledgeable about using the program. However, the Xero Advisor network doesn’t rival the expansive network of QuickBooks ProAdvisors.
Use cases
- Companies with multiple accounting users: Set up as many users as needed without any additional fee. In contrast with other software, you will need to pay a fee for each seat; for instance, with FreshBooks, each additional user costs $11 a month.
- Businesses looking for a QuickBooks alternative: Xero offers many of the same features you’ll find in QuickBooks, including income and expense tracking, project management, and inventory tracking. However, unlike QuickBooks, it is more affordable and even comes with unlimited seats.
- Ecommerce businesses: Xero’s ability to calculate COGS and track customer payments and orders makes it a great option if you have an ecommerce business.
Xero is strong in core accounting like inventory and reporting. However, I find its usability and mobile app lacking. Bookkeeping support isn’t widely available in the US, so I recommend QuickBooks if you seek a bookkeeper, as it has a better network.
Additionally, key features like expense claims are only in Xero’s pricier plan. This might not suit budget-conscious business owners. Customer support is also limited to chatbot and email, and there are no live options like phone support.
Xero’s mobile app is also quite limited, lacking features like receipt capture and reporting. I suggest Zoho Books if you’re frequently on the go, as it offers a much better mobile experience.
Zoho Books: Best mobile accounting app for Mac users
Pros
- Features a strong mobile app
- Has exclusively designed, built-in widgets for Mac users, such as Zoho Notebook and Zoho Doc Scanner
- Is more affordable than most similar accounting software
- Integrates with several Zoho applications to automate business processes
- Offers a free plan for businesses with less than $50,000 in annual revenue
Cons
- Can't handle unlimited invoices in the free plan
- Lacks integrations with tax preparation software
- Won't let you set up multiple companies in a single account
- Requires higher plans to access advanced features like project accounting and inventory management
Monthly pricing |
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Add-ons pricing |
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Discount | Annual billing is priced lower than monthly billing |
Free trial | 14 days |
Money-back guarantee | Duration of contract period |
Customer support channels | Phone and email support, live chat, online self-help guides, like blogs and setup guides |
Average user review rating | 4.4 out of 5 |
Zoho Books is one of the best accounting software for Mac due to its excellent mobile app for Android and iOS users. It handles invoicing and payments, plus unpaid bills, bill payments, and time entries, which QuickBooks’ mobile app lacks.
Zoho Books stands out with integrated Mac-specific features like Live Text, Quick Notes, and lock screen widgets. Those tools enhance convenience and functionality. For instance, a construction business can use WeatherKit to check site conditions before sending workers.
Standout features
- Live Text: Copy details straight from web pages or documents by simply taking a photo of it.
- Lock screen widgets: Easily access apps and key stats directly from your Lock Screen.
- Quick Notes: Add notes from your smartphone and revisit them later, edit two-factor authentication (2FA) accounts, and more.
- Customer support: Call Zoho Books directly or even ask them to call you by phone. There’s also a chatbot for immediate assistance and a live chat person for personalized support; otherwise, you can email them or read self-help information on the Help & Support page.
- Online inventory tracking and integration: Integrate Zoho Books with Zoho Inventory to track purchase orders, goods on hand, and shipments; Zoho Books has an excellent inventory system comparable to QuickBooks Online.
Use cases
- Freelancers and business owners often working out of the office: Zoho Books’ mobile app, which leads our roundup of the best mobile accounting apps, is a great way to stay on top of your accounting tasks no matter where you work and whatever device you use.
- Users of other Zoho products: Zoho Books integrates with other Zoho solutions, like Zoho Inventory and Zoho Commerce.
- Businesses needing robust inventory and pricing management features: Use Zoho Books to track inventory items, adjust quantity and cost, categorize items based on product details, and customize prices for selected customers.
Zoho Books performed exceptionally well across several key areas of my evaluation, including general and project accounting, A/R, reporting, and its mobile application. Its performance in A/P management and banking was also notable.
However, the Professional plan’s pricing has a limitation: it accommodates only five users. Expanding beyond this requires an extra $3 monthly fee per additional user, which could become costly for larger teams.
Customer support is another area where it could improve. Unlike QuickBooks Online, it doesn’t have a large network of certified advisors, which makes it hard to find professional bookkeepers familiar with the platform. On the upside, Zoho Books provides direct phone support to subscribers of paid plans, which I find more convenient than QuickBooks, where you have to wait for a callback.
How I evaluated the best accounting software for Mac
I evaluated the best Mac-based accounting software using the Fit Small Business accounting software case study, which focuses on the following criteria:
5% of Overall Score
We first determined a pricing score by assessing the software’s price for one, three, and five users. We also considered whether there was a free trial, monthly pricing, and a discount for new customers. After determining the pricing score, we assigned a value score based on the pricing score and the solution’s total score across all categories except Value.
5% of Overall Score
We evaluated general features like the flexibility of the chart of accounts, the ability to add and restrict the rights of users, and how your information can be shared with an external bookkeeper. We also searched for ways to provide more granular information like class and location tracking and custom tags.
10% of Overall Score
This assessed the ability to print checks, establish live bank feeds, and import bank transactions from a file. We also looked closely at the bank reconciliation feature. We wanted to see the ability to reconcile bank accounts with or without imported bank transactions and a list of book transactions that have not yet cleared the bank.
10% of Overall Score
In addition to the basics of issuing invoices and collecting customer payments, we evaluated the software’s ability to create customized invoices. We also assessed whether it could handle non-routine transactions like short payments, credit memos, and the refund of credit balances in customer accounts.
10% of Overall Score
The A/P score consisted of the basics like tracking unpaid bills, recording vendor credits, and short-paying invoices, but it also included some more advanced features—such as paying bills electronically, creating recurring expenses, and working with purchase orders. Receipt capture and the ability to automatically generate bills from captured receipts were also part of our A/P evaluation.
10% of Overall Score
10% of Overall Score
At the very least, we looked for software that could create multiple projects and separately assign income and expenses to those projects. We also searched for the ability to create estimates and assign those estimates to projects. Ideally, the program would then compare the actual expenses to the costs on the original estimate.
5% of Overall Score
Software should be able to track sales tax for multiple jurisdictions with varying tax rates. It’s helpful to have a function to easily record the remittance of the sales tax by jurisdiction. The very best tool will also help determine which jurisdictions sales are taxable to based on the address of the customer or delivery.
10% of Overall Score
I evaluated basic financial reports (such as a balance sheet, income statement, and general ledger) and common management reports (like A/R and A/P aging).
5% of Overall Score
Ideally, a mobile app should have all the same features as the computer platform, including the ability to capture receipts, send invoices, receive payments, enter and pay bills, and view reports.
5% of Overall Score
While it’s nice to have as many integrations as possible, we focused our evaluation on the four integrations we believe are most critical for small businesses: payroll, online payment collection, sales tax filing, and time tracking.
10% of Overall Score
The largest component of usability is the ability to find bookkeeping assistance when users have questions. This could be in the form of a bookkeeping service directly from the software provider or from independent bookkeepers familiar with the program. Other components of usability include customer service and ease of use.
5% of Overall Score
Our user review score is the average user review score reported by Capterra and G2. Other review sites might be used if a score from Capterra or G2 is unavailable.
Key features to look for in Mac accounting software
When choosing accounting software for Mac, look for features that align with macOS’s user-friendly design and performance. Software that works well in Safari or Chrome helps reduce the likelihood of technical hiccups. Cloud-based platforms are especially helpful.
- Bank account connections that automatically import and categorize transactions
- Customizable invoicing with recurring billing and payment tracking
- Expense tracking tools with receipt scanning and clear categorization
- User permissions that let you safely share your books with accountants or team members
- Compatibility with Apple tools like Calendar, Contacts, and Apple Pay
Also, think about how well the software can grow with your business. If you’re a freelancer, you may need only basic features, but if you have an expanding business, then you might look for options like payroll, inventory tracking, or multi-currency support. A flexible, cloud-based solution will make it easier to adapt as your needs change, without compromising the smooth experience Mac users expect.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yes, most cloud-based accounting platforms like QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Zoho Books support standard Mac keyboard shortcuts (like ⌘C for copy or ⌘F for find) within their browser-based interfaces. Some software, such as Zoho Books, also integrates with Mac-specific features like Quick Notes and Live Text, which allow quick copying and storing of data within the Mac operating system.
No, as direct voice commands through Siri aren’t currently supported for managing accounting tasks on these platforms. However, Mac power users can use macOS automation tools like Shortcuts or AppleScript to trigger certain web-based actions or workflows, such as opening specific reports or URLs. However, most of these require technical setup and are limited in scope.
You must choose software that is easy to use and accessible and has good customer support. It should have essential accounting tools like income and expense tracking and invoicing. If possible, look for a program with Mac-specific features, like lock screen widgets and Quick Notes.
The best Mac accounting software depends on your needs. If you work remotely and need a program that is easy to use and has great features, like class and location tracking, then choose QuickBooks Online. If mobile accounting is a priority, choose Zoho Books.
We reviewed Mac accounting software that ranges from $0 (free) to over $200 per month.