5 Best Accounting Software Programs for Mac in 2023
Tim is a Certified QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets) Pro, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and CPA with 25 years of experience. He brings his expertise to Fit Small Business’s accounting content.
Mark has researched and reviewed accounting software at Fit Small Business since 2019 and has developed an extensive knowledge of accounting software features and how unique business needs determine the best accounting software.
This article is part of a larger series on Accounting Software.
The best accounting software for Mac is easy to use, has good customer support, and offers enhanced accounting features that are intuitive for Mac users. In addition to essential general accounting features like project accounting, inventory management, and invoicing, some of the leading software have Mac-specific features, such as Quick Notes and Lock Screen widgets.
Here are the best Mac accounting software that we recommend:
- Zoho Books: Best overall accounting software for Mac users
- QuickBooks Online: Best for extensive support network
- FreshBooks: Best for service-based freelancers
- Xero: Best for unlimited users
- Wave: Best free accounting software for Mac users
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac was a popular software for Macs but appears to have been discontinued. While the 2023 version exists, it’s extremely hard or impossible to find. It’s no longer for sale on the QuickBooks website and is out-of-stock at all the major online retailers. Read our review of QuickBooks Desktop for Mac if you’re interested in the program anyway.
At Fit Small Business our mission is to provide small business owners with the best answers to their small business questions. Whenever possible, we evaluate all of the software we recommend by conducting an in-depth case study where our experts determine the strengths and weaknesses of each software by recreating real-life bookkeeping scenarios. There are only two scenarios where we may recommend software that has not been subjected to our case study – the software is not a complete bookkeeping system or if we don’t have access to evaluate the software. We evaluate all software on the same set of criteria regardless of whether they are a partner company.
Best Accounting Software for Mac at a Glance
Software | Monthly Pricing | Number of Users | Project Accounting | Inventory Management | iOS Mobile App | Phone Support | Mac-specific Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $0 to $249 | 1 to 15 | ✓ | ✓ | Excellent | ✓ | Live Text, Quick Notes, Lock Screen widgets, etc. |
 | $30 to $200 | 1 to 25 | ✓ | ✓ | Excellent | Callback only | N/A |
 | $15 to $55 or custom priced | 1 | ✓ | ✕ | Excellent | ✓ | N/A |
 | $13 to $70 | Unlimited | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | ✕ | N/A |
 | $0 | Unlimited | ✕ | ✕ | Limited | ✕ | N/A |
Which Mac accounting software is best for you?
Zoho Books: Best Overall Accounting Software for Mac Users
Zoho Books is our overall Mac accounting software because of its robust feature set and powerful iOS mobile app that lets you perform accounting on the go. Zoho also highlights its tight integrations with Apple technologies, as the provider introduced new apps and features as part of the Zoho iOS 16 updates.
These integrations, which include Quick Notes, Live Text, and Lock Screen widgets, help improve different aspects of your business, such as workforce identity and access management, document signing, and mobile invoicing. For instance, the latest iOS app allows you to set up Lock Screen widgets, allowing you to send invoices and create timesheets without even unlocking your smartphone.
Overall Score:
4.40 / 5
Pros
- Powerful mobile app that can perform almost any accounting task
- Includes newly updated apps and features for iOS 16
- Vendor portal available with Professional plan
- Extensive list of customizable reports
- More affordable than most similar accounting software
- Integrates with several Zoho applications to automate business processes
- Track time and expenses and add them to an invoice
Cons
- Standard plan doesn’t offer inventory management and project accounting
- Doesn’t integrate with tax preparation software
- No integrated payroll available
- Unable to set up multiple companies in a single account
Plans & Pricing
- Free: $0 for businesses that make less than $50,000 in revenue per year
- Standard: $12 per organization, per month, for up to three users
- Professional: $24 per organization, per month, for up to five users
- Premium: $60 per organization, per month, for up to 10 users
- Elite: $129 per organization, per month, for up to 10 users
- Ultimate: $249 per organization, per month, for up to 15 users
Additional seats are available for $3 per additional user. You may also purchase the following add-ons:
Advanced auto-scans: $10 for 50 scans per month in all plans
Snail mails: $2 per credit in all plans
Company branches (from Premium): $12 per branch per month
Zoho Books Overview
QuickBooks Online: Best for Extensive Support Network
QuickBooks Online is a popular cloud-based accounting solution that’s available for both Windows and Mac users. It’s flexible and easy to use, and it can be customized to almost any business type, making it our overall best small business accounting software.
It has a robust set of features, including project accounting, inventory management, and class and location tracking tools. While it has no Mac-specific features, all of its features perform well on Apple devices, plus it has an iOS mobile app that lets you track mileage, create and send invoices, track sales and expenses, and more.
Overall Score:
4.40 / 5
Pros
- Features are easily accessible and compatible with iOS mobile devices
- Easy-to-use and intuitive interface
- Customizable reports
- Access to a network of QuickBooks Pro Advisors
- Robust mobile app with the ability to track mileage and capture receipts
- Track income and expenses by location and class
- Has an iOS mobile app to perform many accounting tasks on the go
Cons
- Limited number of users for each plan
- Unable to compare estimated to actual project costs
- More expensive than most other similar software
- Has no Mac-specific features
Pricing & Plans
- Simple Start: $30 per month for one user
- Essentials: $55 per month for three users
- Plus: $85 per month for five users
- Advanced: $200 per month for 25 users
New users can get either a 50% discount for three months or a 30-day free trial.
You can check out our QuickBooks Online version comparison to find out which is right for you.
QuickBooks Online Overview
FreshBooks: Best for Service-based Freelancers
FreshBooks supports a single user in all its plans and is great at tracking billable hours and invoicing, making it ideal for service-based freelancers. After tracking work hours, you can directly create invoices from the time entries and send them out to your clients. Other software also have these features, but FreshBooks stands out because of its ability to compare estimated costs against actual costs. It’s our best invoicing software for freelancers and has great invoicing features, such as the ability to create recurring invoices and automatically calculate late fees.
Overall Score:
3.20 / 5
Pros
- Compare estimate vs actual budget costs
- Track billable time and easily add to invoices
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- Automatic mileage tracking on iOS app
- Free 30-day trial with no credit card required
Cons
- Fee for additional users
- Mobile app lacks some browser-based features
- No inventory management or cost tracking
- No quarterly tax estimates
Plans & Pricing
- Lite: $15 per month for one user and five billable clients
- Plus: $30 per month for one user and 50 billable clients
- Premium: $55 per month for one user and unlimited billable clients
- Select: Custom priced
Additional seats can be added to any plan for $10 per user, per month.
Buy now and get 90% off for three months or get a 30-day free trial.
FreshBooks Overview
Xero: Best for Unlimited Users
Xero has almost the same features as QuickBooks Online, including project accounting, inventory management, and an iOS mobile app. However, unlike QuickBooks, it allows you to add an unlimited number of users in all its plans, making it ideal for SMBs with multiple accounting users. It doesn’t have Mac-specific accounting tools, but all of its features and apps run smoothly on Apple devices.
Overall Score:
4.00 / 5
Pros
- Allows you to add as many users as you want without paying additional fees
- Strong inventory accounting features but at a more affordable price than most competitors
- Includes an iOS mobile app for invoicing, receipt scanning, and expense tracking
- Access to a network of Xero Advisors
Cons
- Entry-level plan is limited to 20 invoices and five bills
- Limited mobile app; can’t record time worked, accept payments, etc.
- Can’t set up and manage multiple companies
- No telephone support
Plans & Pricing
- Early: $13 per month up to 20 invoices and five bills
- Growing: $37 per month for unlimited invoices and bills
- Established: $70 per month for unlimited invoices and bills plus project accounting
You can try any of the aforementioned plans for free for 30 days. Buy now and get 75% off for three months.
Xero Overview
Wave: Best Free Accounting Software for Mac Users
If you want a free option for accounting, receipt scanning, and invoicing, then you might want to give Wave a try. Despite being free, it offers an extensive list of accounting features, making it our top-recommended free accounting software. It lets you add an unlimited number of users, create and send invoices, and manage income and expenses for free. The only time you pay is when you process payroll and payments.
Overall Score:
2.60 / 5
Pros
- Has many accounting features despite being free
- Can be accessed by an unlimited number of users
- Includes a free mobile app for iPhone and iPad devices
- Can send unlimited invoices and quotes
- Uses optical character recognition (OCR) technology for receipt scanning
Cons
- Not a good fit for large businesses
- Lacks inventory management features
- Has no project accounting features
- Limited mobile app; can’t track time worked and view financial reports
Plans & Pricing
- Wave is free for accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning.
- Credit card payments: 2.9% + 60 cents per transaction or 3.4% + 60 cents per AMEX transaction.
- Bank payments: 1% per transaction but a minimum of $1 fee
- Wave Payroll: $35 for tax service states or $20 for self-service states, plus $6 per month per active employee
- Wave Advisor: $149 per month for bookkeeping support
- Accounting and payroll coaching: $329 per coaching session and email support
Wave Overview
How We Evaluated Accounting Software for Mac
Each accounting application in this article has been evaluated using our internally developed case study. We put each accounting program to the test across several key areas that are important in accounting software used by small businesses. Furthermore, we used what we learned in the case study to find the most suitable use of each accounting software for Mac users.
In our evaluation, we used the following criteria:
5%
Pricing
40%
General Features
10%
Inventory
10%
Project Accounting
30%
Ease of Use
5%
Mobile App
5% of Overall Score
We looked at the cost of the software compared to the available features and whether it offers a free trial or introductory discount. However, we gave price a small weight because we don’t believe it should be a major factor in your choice. All of the software in this article is very affordable, and it’s much more important to choose software that fits your needs than to save a few dollars per month on the cost.
40% of Overall Score
The most important general feature we considered was Mac compatibility. However, most of the software in this list is web-based, so we instead applied our case study to break this down into several sub-criteria:
- General accounting features (20%)
- Banking (20%)
- Accounts payable (20%)
- Accounts receivable (20%)
- Tax (10%)
- Reporting (10%)
10% of Overall Score
Inventory accounting is an important feature for merchandising and manufacturing companies. We considered the software’s ability to track inventory units, details, and cost. Moreover, we put major emphasis on the software’s ability to compute cost of goods sold and determine the cost of ending inventory.
10% of Overall Score
Since some small businesses are service-based or a mix of products and services, we also considered project accounting in our evaluation. We prioritized cost estimation, project cost allocation, and project management. However, we put heavy emphasis on the software’s ability to compare actual project costs with estimated costs.
30% of Overall Score
An accounting software application must be easy to use and intuitive for small business or do-it-yourself (DIY) accounting. For ease of use, we evaluated navigation flows, interface design, and subjective ease of use to assess if users can use the accounting software with or without accounting experience.
5% of Overall Score
The mobile app adds flexibility and enhances the productivity of users. With the ability to manage the books through smartphones and tablets, users who are mostly using mobile devices must be able to conduct basic to advanced functions without worry. Moreover, we considered whether or not the app has additional iOS-only features, like Apple Watch integration.
*Percentages of overall score
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I look for in Mac accounting software?
You must choose a software that’s easy to use and accessible and has good customer support. It should have essential accounting tools like income and expense tracking and invoicing, and if possible, look for a program with Mac-specific features, like iCloud document sharing.
What is the best Mac accounting software?
The best Mac accounting software depends on your needs. If you work remotely and need a program that’s 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.
Are free Mac accounting software worth it?
Yes, especially if you only have simple accounting needs, like invoicing and income and expense tracking.
Bottom Line
The best accounting software for your business is the one that’s easy to use and provides the features that you need at a price you can afford. If budget isn’t a concern and you need a comprehensive accounting software program, you can choose from premium accounting programs like QuickBooks Online, Zoho Books, Xero, and FreshBooks. If you’re a solopreneur or just starting a business, Wave can help you handle your invoice and income and expense tracking needs for free.
