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Best Accounting Software For Mac Users

Our comprehensive list of accounting software programs for Macs target different business sizes, needs, and price ranges.

    Erica Seppala
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Best accounting software for Macs

While there are still locally-installed options specific to Mac or PC, most leading accounting software is now cloud-based. That means you can use the software on Mac, PC, or even mobile devices, provided you have a working internet connection.

Now, you don’t have to focus on finding software that works with your operating system and can shift your sights to finding software that works for your business. With so many programs, though, narrowing your choices down to one can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in.

In this article, we’re going to help you find the best small business accounting software for loyal Mac users. We’ve evaluated these programs based on price, usability, features, customer support, and more. We’ve done the research for you — all you have to do is keep reading and make your choice!

Learn More About Our Top Picks

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Best locally-installed software for businesses of any size.
Best locally-installed software for businesses of any size.

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Best accounting software for businesses with multiple users.
Best accounting software for businesses with multiple users.

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Best for small to medium businesses looking for strong cloud-based accounting.
Best for small to medium businesses looking for strong cloud-based accounting.

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Best for international invoicing.
Best for international invoicing.

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Best free accounting software for Macs.
Best free accounting software for Macs.

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Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

5 Best Small Business Accounting Software For Mac

Looking for accounting software that balances the books and runs like a champ on your Mac? Check out our top pics for the best Mac accounting software, including QuickBooks Online, AccountEdge, Xero, Wave, and Zoho Books.

1. AccountEdge

AccountEdge


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Best locally-installed software for businesses of any size.

Pros

  • Competitively priced
  • Advanced accounting features
  • Good mobile app

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited integrations

If you prefer locally-installed software (software that’s downloaded and installed on your Mac), look no further than AccountEdge. This software is comparable to QuickBooks Desktop but is available for Mac users. The good news is that AccountEdge boasts a robust set of features. On the downside, though, learning and navigating the software can be tricky, especially for accounting software newbies.

AccountEdge offers everything you’d expect in accounting software, including invoicing, estimates, journal entries, charts of accounts, expense tracking, job costing, and inventory tracking. Some users may be disappointed in limited invoice customizations and a serious lack of integrations (just six!). Customer support is also a bit lacking, and phone support is only available for an extra cost. However, despite these limitations and drawbacks, AccountEdge has an overall positive public reputation with Mac users. A PC version is also available, as well as a mobile app for accounting on the go.

AccountEdge Pro for Mac users is priced at $15/month for the first license and $10/month for additional licenses. Payroll, phone support, implementation, and data conversion are available at an additional cost.

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2. Xero

Xero


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Best accounting software for businesses with multiple users.

Pros

  • Supports unlimited users at no additional cost
  • Easy to use
  • 800+ integrations

Cons

  • No phone support
  • Limited mobile apps

Xero does one thing that you won’t find with most accounting software: It includes multiple users with no additional fees. For businesses with multiple users, not having to purchase additional licenses for every single user can save hundreds — or thousands! — each year.

Unlimited users aren’t all that Xero has going for it, though. This cloud-based software is compatible with Mac and comes loaded with accounting features, such as invoices, quotes, purchase orders, inventory management, and reports. Depending on the plan you select, you may also have access to project management, expense claims, and bill management.

Integrations are another area where Xero stands out, as it connects to over 800 apps and programs. Xero has a very positive public reputation, although some users have complained about the lack of phone support and mobile apps that could use some improvement.

Xero’s plans start at $11/month, although this lowest-tier plan limits your number of invoices and bills. Two additional plans are available. All three plans support unlimited users at no cost. Gusto payroll can also be added to any plan for an additional monthly fee.

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3. QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online


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Best for small to medium businesses looking for strong cloud-based accounting.

Pros

  • Numerous integrations
  • Good mobile apps
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Customer support is lacking

It’s impossible to talk about accounting software without mentioning QuickBooks. For Mac users, QuickBooks Desktop may not be an option, but there’s always QuickBooks Online. This cloud-based software is ideal for small- to medium-sized businesses, offering over 650 integrations and numerous accounting features for your Mac, PC, or mobile device. And the best part? It’s not as difficult to learn and use as QuickBooks Desktop!

QuickBooks Online has a long list of features, from what you’d expect of good accounting software to advanced features that help you better run your business. Invoicing, bank reconciliation, budgeting, inventory, time tracking, and tax support are just a few of the features you can access through QBO. While QuickBooks Online has a lot going for it, you also need to consider the drawbacks, including pricing that can get expensive and customer support that isn’t necessarily the best in the industry.

QuickBooks Online has three plans ranging from $30/month to $200/month. There are several add-ons available for an additional cost, including payroll and live bookkeeping services.

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4. Zoho Books

Zoho Books


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Best for international invoicing.

Pros

  • Competitive pricing
  • Easy to use
  • Excellent customer support

Cons

  • No payroll
  • No budgeting
  • Limited integrations

Zoho Books is an excellent choice for businesses with international clients, as it offers international invoicing — something you won’t find with most accounting software. Even if you don’t sell internationally, though, Zoho Books has ample accounting features, solid customer service, and competitive pricing that may make this the right accounting software for your business.

Zoho Books is cloud-based software that will run smoothly on your Mac. Zoho Books is comparable to QuickBooks Online with its invoicing, inventory management, expense tracking, mileage tracking, and tax support. Where Zoho Books falls short is with its lack of a budgeting feature, no payroll, and just over 30 integrations. For many users, though, the ease of use, exceptional customer support, and competitive pricing are more than enough to make this a top pick among small business owners.

Zoho Books has three pricing plans ranging from $20/month to $70/month. Signing up for the yearly plan helps cut down the price even further.

Get Started With Zoho Books

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5. Wave

Wave


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Best free accounting software for Mac.

Pros

  • Free
  • Easy to use
  • Numerous features

Cons

  • Doesn’t support multiple users
  • Limited integrations

If you want the best pricing without sacrificing quality when it comes to accounting software, give Wave a try. Wave is an industry stand-out because it’s available for the low, low price of $0. Yes, Wave is completely free with no strings attached — no annoying popup ads or outdated UIs here!

You’ll find all the basic accounting features with Wave, including invoicing, estimates, expense tracking, charts of accounts, journal entries, and even built-in lending for qualified borrowers. There’s a number of customer support outlets, although response times can be a bit delayed. Wave also lacks advanced features found with other accounting software and has very limited integrations, which could be a dealbreaker for some businesses. You also can’t add multiple users, so Wave is most suited for smaller businesses with a single user.

Wave accounting software is completely free. However, you can add payment processing or payroll for an additional cost.

Get Started With Wave

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Looking For One Of These Names?

Were you thinking about trying out accounting software but don’t see it on our list? We carefully evaluate each program to determine which brings the most overall value, and sometimes, even some of the biggest names in the industry don’t make the cut. Here’s why.

QuickBooks For Mac

It’s QuickBooks, one of the most well-known accounting programs in the world. And it’s specifically for Mac, which is why you’re here. So what gives?

While QuickBooks for Mac does offer a number of useful accounting features, there are quite a few drawbacks to the software. Very few new features have been added when compared to QuickBooks’ other software. QuickBooks for Mac lacks payment processing and doesn’t have a single integration. Finally, customer support is lacking — to even get phone support, users have to pay $299.95 per year.

Sure, QuickBooks for Mac has a few things going for it, and there are many business owners out there that are devout users. However, the drawbacks mentioned above, coupled with expensive pricing, make another program, such as QuickBooks Online, a far superior choice.

Mac Accounting Software FAQs

What is the best accounting software for Macs?

The best accounting software for Macs depends on a number of factors, as what may work for one business may not be the right fit for yours. Keep in mind the size of your business, the number of users, your must-have features, and your budget when narrowing down the software that’s best for you. Start your search with the programs on this list, and don’t forget to sign up for a few free trials to get hands-on with the accounting software.

Is there accounting software just for Macs?

There is locally-installed accounting software for Macs, such as QuickBooks for Mac. However, the choices are a bit limited if you’re looking for software exclusively for Macs. Fortunately, several great cloud-based programs are compatible with Mac, PC, and even smartphones and tablets.

Is QuickBooks for Mac discontinued?

QuickBooks for Mac was discontinued in 2016, and support ended in 2019. Fortunately for fans of this software, QuickBooks for Mac 2019 was introduced, and the software is still available today. However, many users find that the features, support, and pricing of QuickBooks Online are a better fit — and it’s compatible with Macs!

Which accounting software for Macs is easiest to use?

Today’s accounting software makes it easier than ever to track your business finances and balance your books. While there’s not just one program that’s easiest for everyone, there are a few that have received numerous positive reviews for usability, including Wave, Xero, and QuickBooks Online. Make sure to take advantage of free trials to test out the software for yourself. Also, look for software that has multiple customer support outlets and resources to help you get the most out of your software.

In Summary: 5 Best Small Business Accounting Software For Mac

  1. AccountEdge: Best locally-installed software for businesses of any size.
  2. Xero: Best accounting software for businesses with multiple users.
  3. QuickBooks Online: Best for small to medium businesses looking for strong cloud-based accounting.
  4. Zoho Books: Best for international invoicing.
  5. Wave: Best free accounting software for Macs.
Erica Seppala

Erica Seppala

Expert Analyst & Reviewer at Merchant Maverick
An expert in accounting, finance, and point of sale, Erica has been researching and writing about all things small-business since 2018. Erica's insights into personal and business finance have been cited in numerous publications, including MSN, Real Simple, and Reader's Digest. She is a graduate of Limestone College.
Erica Seppala
View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.

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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.

Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.

Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.

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