Today there are 96 different SaaS accounting software. We spent 81 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to manage the finances of your SaaS company.
What is the Best SaaS Accounting Software?
- Sage Intacct — best of the best
- QuickBooks — best for B2C SaaS
- FreshBooks — best for small B2B SaaS
- Maxio — best for subscription management
- Wave Accounting — best free alternative
- Xero — best for midsize and enterprise SaaS
- Zoho Books — best for bootstrappers
1. Sage Intacct
Our Verdict — Best Of The Best
Price: Custom
Sage Intacct is the most comprehensive accounting solution for SaaS businesses. We think it’s the best because of its seamless subscription billing, customizable dashboards, and robust revenue recognition.
The Best Part:
Customizable dashboards. Sage Intacct allows you to seamlessly navigate your financial data with custom views of your metrics, forecasts, and statistics.
The Worst Part:
Custom pricing. Sage Intacct keeps their prices behind a curtain, which isn’t as transparent and flexible as competitors offering tiered pricing.
Get it if you need a comprehensive accounting solution to streamline to create a single source of truth for your SaaS company.
I recommend you book a call with Sage Intacct’s team.
(book a call)
Best For
Sage Intacct is best for all SaaS businesses that need an advanced accounting solution to generate in-depth reports and automate complex financial processes.
Top Features
- Efficient SaaS accounting. Manage transactions, AP/AR, and complex financial processes in your SaaS using Sage Intacct’s comprehensive tools.
- SaaS-specific KPIs. Identify key SaaS metrics and get real-time reports on your performance with KPIs such as churn, MRR, ARR, and LTV.
- Robust revenue recognition. Have Sage Intacct recognize non-refundable revenue right when your money-back guarantees expire.
- Automated subscription billing. Manage customer subscriptions, specialized contracts, and recurring billing like a boss.
- Spend management. Monitor your purchases, payable processes, and expenses to keep them within your company’s budget limits.
Pricing
Sage Intacct offers a single pricing plan:
Custom pricing: Custom price, for growing SaaS businesses that need an advanced accounting solution with powerful automation, billing management, and accounting features.
Try Sage Intacct today with a free demo.
Our Verdict — Best For B2C SaaS
Price: Starts at $15/month
QuickBooks Online is a user-friendly accounting solution for B2C SaaS companies. We think it’s the best for B2C because of its seamless integrations, easy-to-use interface, and the fact it has no customer limits.
The Best Part:
No limits on customers. QuickBooks Online lets you manage unlimited customers for your SaaS company, regardless of your subscription plan.
The Worst Part:
Potential extra costs. Some advanced features, such as payroll and other add-ons, will cost additional fees on top of your subscription.
Get it if you want a user-friendly accounting solution to manage unlimited customers for your B2C SaaS business.
I recommend you sign up for the Advanced plan at $100/month.
(30-day free trial)
Best For
QuickBooks Online is best for B2C SaaS companies that need a user-friendly and powerful accounting tool to streamline their finances.
Top Features
- Seamless software integrations. Automate data entry, sync transactions, and create a single source of truth for your SaaS using QuickBooks’ seamless integrations.
- Detailed expense tracking. Automatically categorize your expenses by customer type, sales rep, or product type, and easily import expenses from your credit card and bank accounts.
- Optimized invoicing and payments. Create custom invoices, set up recurring billing for subscriptions, and process your SaaS payments.
- It’s easily scalable. Manage your expanding customer base without ever outgrowing your accounting software nor having to upgrade to a pricier plan.
- Customizable financial reports. Tailor your QuickBooks reports to your business’ unique needs and stay on top of your key metrics such as burn rate, revenue, and churn.
Pricing
QuickBooks Online offers four pricing plans:
- Simple Start: $15/month for the first three months, then $30/month for B2C SaaS businesses that need basic accounting features to track revenue, calculate expenses, and manage sales tax, for only one user.
- Essentials: $27.50/month for the first three months, then $55/month for B2C SaaS businesses that need a comprehensive accounting solution with billing and automation features, for up to three users.
- Plus: $42.50/month for the first three months, then $85/month for B2C SaaS businesses that need a robust accounting solution with m advanced features need profits and inventory tracking, for up to five users.
- Advanced: $100/month for the first three months, then $200/month for B2C SaaS businesses that need a full-fledged accounting solution with batch invoices, batch expense management, a dedicated account rep, and advanced workflow automation, for five or more users.
Try QuickBooks Online today with a free 30-day trial.
3. FreshBooks
Our Verdict — Best For Small B2B SaaS
Price: Starts at $6.80/month
FreshBooks is a straightforward, no BS accounting solution. We think it’s the best for small B2B SaaS businesses because of its flexible pricing plans, proposal templates, and comprehensive expense tracking capabilities.
The Best Part:
Tier-based pricing. FreshBooks allows you to pay for managing as little as five B2B clients for your SaaS on the Lite plan, for just $6.80/month.
The Worst Part:
Feature limitations on the entry plan. FreshBooks’ Lite plan lacks key features such as reporting, accountant access, and double-entry accounting.
Get it if you want a straightforward accounting solution that can adapt as you grow your B2B SaaS business.
I recommend you start with the 30-day free trial, then sign up for the Premium plan, at $22/month.
(30-day free trial)
Best For
FreshBooks is best for B2B SaaS companies that need a straightforward accounting solution to streamline their accounting efforts.
Top Features
- Professional invoicing. Create and send customizable invoices in a snap using your logo, colors, and branding, with the included fill-in-the-blank templates.
- Profitability tracking. Keep tabs on your SaaS’ revenue, expenses, and profits, and generate custom reports from your data in real-time.
- Automatic payment reminders. FreshBooks sends friendly reminders to clients when invoices are due or overdue, saving you the hassle of manually chasing late payments.
- Customizable sales proposals. Create professional estimates and proposals to wow prospects and help you make a great impression.
- Automated expense management. Connect FreshBooks with your bank accounts and payment processors, then let it automatically log and categorize all of your finances.
Pricing
FreshBooks offers four pricing plans:
- Lite: $6.80/month for the first six months, then $17/month for B2B SaaS businesses that need basic accounting features such as invoicing, estimate generation, and tax management, for up to five B2B customers.
- Plus: $12/month for the first six months, then $30/month for B2B SaaS businesses that need a complete accounting solution with reporting, accountant access, and mileage tracking features, for up to 50 B2B customers.
- Premium: $22/month for the first six months, then $55/month for B2B SaaS businesses that need a robust accounting solution with billing, profitability tracking, and email management tools, for unlimited B2B customers.
- Select: Custom pricing, for B2B SaaS businesses that need a white-label accounting solution with a dedicated account rep, for unlimited B2B customers.
Annual plans provide a 10% discount.
Try FreshBooks today with a free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Our Top Three Picks
Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:
- Sage Intacct — best of the best
- QuickBooks Online — best for B2C SaaS
- FreshBooks — best for small B2B SaaS
Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:
Tool | Entry Offer | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
Sage Intacct | Free demo | Custom |
QuickBooks Online | 30-day free trial | Starts at $15/mo |
FreshBooks | 30-day free trial | Starts at $6.80/mo |
Maxio | Free demo | Starts at $7,188/yr |
Wave Accounting | None | Free forever |
Xero | 30-day free trial | Starts at $25/mo |
Zoho Books | 14-day free trial | Starts at $20/mo |
Here are the top 50 SaaS accounting software we considered in this review:
- Sage Intacct
- QuickBooks Online
- FreshBooks
- Maxio
- Wave Accounting
- Xero
- Zoho Books
- Gusto
- HDPOS
- Stampli
- Quaderno
- Keka
- Kashoo
- Melio
- ZarMoney
- Sufio
- OneUp
- Sush.io
- DEAR Systems
- Fondo
- AccountEdge
- AccountingSeed
- Bill
- Bench
- Dext
- Oracle Netsuite Cloud Accounting
- FreeAgent
- Brightpearl
- Inv24
- Happay
- Delirious Profit
- Adminsoft
- Tally Solutions
- GnuCash
- Invoice Experts
- GoCardless
- AccountEdge
- ProfitBooks
- ZipBooks
- Harvest
- CloudBooks
- OpenOffice
- Nummus Pay
- Printout Designer
- BlackLine
- Inveezy
- Avalara
- TurboCASH
- Lendio
- Avaza
What is SaaS accounting software?
SaaS accounting software refers to cloud-based accounting software solutions that are provided as a service over the internet. This type of software allows business owners to access a wide range of accounting tools and functionality without needing to install or maintain software on their own computers.
This model enables users to manage their financial reporting, financial statements, and other aspects of accounting efficiently through a subscription management platform. The cloud accounting software can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, such as computers or mobile apps, making it convenient for managing business financial transactions and cash flow management. Some popular SaaS accounting software options include Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Online, and FreshBooks.
Do companies still use QuickBooks?
Yes, many companies, including SaaS businesses, continue to use QuickBooks as their preferred accounting software solution.
QuickBooks offers a comprehensive range of features for managing financial transactions, financial statements, and financial reporting. Its user-friendly interface and scalability make it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes, from sole proprietors to bigger businesses.
QuickBooks offers various pricing models, including Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced plans, catering to the unique needs and budgets of different businesses. QuickBooks also provides robust customer service and resources for users to enhance their accounting knowledge and skills.
What is the best CRM for SaaS?
The best CRM for SaaS companies depends on the specific needs and requirements of the business.
Some popular CRM choices for SaaS businesses include Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho CRM. Salesforce, based in San Francisco, is a widely-used and powerful CRM that offers a variety of features, such as lead management, opportunity tracking, customer lifetime value analysis, and robust integrations with other software.
HubSpot provides an all-in-one inbound marketing, sales, and customer service platform that is easy to use and offers excellent customer support. Zoho CRM offers a more affordable option with a comprehensive feature set and seamless integration with other Zoho products.
What's the best accounting software for a SaaS startup?
For SaaS startups, there are several accounting software options to consider:
- Sage Intacct: This advanced accounting software offers a wide range of features specifically designed for SaaS businesses, including subscription management, revenue recognition, and financial planning. Sage Intacct provides a scalable solution to support startups as they grow and is known for its robust financial reporting capabilities.
- QuickBooks Online: Best suited for B2C SaaS startups, QuickBooks Online offers core accounting functionality, bank reconciliation, and financial statement generation. Its user-friendly interface and integration capabilities make it a popular choice for startups looking for a reliable and cost-effective solution.
- FreshBooks: Best for B2B SaaS startups, FreshBooks offers features such as invoicing, time tracking, and expense management. Its subscription management platform and customizable reports make it an ideal choice for managing the unique financial needs of B2B SaaS businesses.
What's the best ERP system for SaaS companies, NetSuite or Intacct?
Both NetSuite and Intacct are powerful ERP systems designed to cater to the needs of SaaS companies, but choosing the best one depends on a company's specific requirements, size, and budget.
NetSuite, a comprehensive cloud-based ERP solution, offers a wide range of features, including accounting, CRM, e-commerce, and supply chain management. It is known for its scalability and customization options, making it a popular choice for growing SaaS businesses.
Intacct's business model, on the other hand, focuses primarily on advanced financial management and accounting. It provides features such as subscription management, revenue recognition, and financial planning tailored to the needs of SaaS businesses. Intacct is known for its robust financial reporting capabilities and seamless integration with other business tools, making it an ideal choice for companies that require a specialized financial management solution.
When choosing between NetSuite and Intacct, SaaS companies should consider factors such as the level of customization required, the complexity of their financial management needs, and their budget. Both solutions offer scalable and feature-rich options to support SaaS businesses as they grow, but the best choice will ultimately depend on the company's specific requirements and priorities.
The Bottom Line
To recap, here are the best SaaS accounting software to try this year:
- Sage Intacct — best of the best
- QuickBooks Online — best for B2C SaaS
- FreshBooks — best for small B2B SaaS
- Maxio — best for subscription management
- Wave Accounting — best free alternative
- Xero — best for midsize and enterprise SaaS
- Zoho Books — best for bootstrappers
