If you want your business to last, good accounting practices are a must. This is perhaps even more true for nonprofits, who have to adhere to strict accounting standards to maintain nonprofit status. Fortunately, modern accounting software for nonprofits makes accurate bookkeeping easier than ever.
However, some nonprofit accounting software solutions are better than others. Some are designed for large organizations, while others are simpler and less expensive. It can be difficult to choose which is right for your nonprofit.
That’s where we come in. We’ve reviewed a variety of nonprofit accounting software options so you don’t have to. Here, we’ll go over our favorites and the pros and cons of each to help you discover the perfect software solution for your needs.
The Best Accounting Software for Nonprofits
There are several important features that accounting software needs to be ideal for nonprofits. It’s not enough to have standard business functionality like tracking spending and sending invoices. It also needs to include features specifically for nonprofit accounting (like filing Form 990) and integration with popular apps used by nonprofits.
Our reviews consider several factors for what makes the best nonprofit accounting software. These include pricing, features, and integration with other tools. We’ve also looked at the target user of each app, such as small organizations versus larger organizations.
In this nonprofit accounting software guide, we’ve compared, reviewed, and ranked the 5 best accounting software for nonprofits:
- QuickBooks Enterprise Nonprofit
- Aplos
- ACCOUNTS from Software4Nonprofits
- Araize Fastfund Accounting
- MoneyMinder
There are several options available, but these five are excellent choices for most nonprofits, providing the right balance of features, cost, and ease of use.
Many of the accounting software options we have listed here offer free or low-cost trial periods, although not all do. If you’re still unsure about which one you want to use, consider trying a few different options before making a final decision.
1. QuickBooks Enterprise Nonprofit
QuickBooks Enterprise Nonprofit stands out in several ways, which is why we consider it a great accounting option for most nonprofits. It’s a robust accounting solution that does everything a nonprofit could ask for.
Most nonprofit-focused accounting software only takes care of the accounting part of your finances, leaving you to find additional solutions to problems like tracking donors and payroll. But QuickBooks Enterprise does all these things in one elegant, complete set of tools.
Pros
- Industry-leading business accounting solution
- Capable of managing donations and payroll services
- Syncs with most popular tools like Kindful
- Regular online backups for redundancy
- Multiple tiers at different price points to suit all types of organizations
Cons
- No free trial for the Enterprise edition
- Remote access costs more
Pricing
- Gold Edition: $1,830/year
2. Aplos
Aplos is another great choice for nonprofit accounting, and its pricing structure is more accessible to smaller organizations than QuickBooks Enterprise. Its entry-level package, Aplos Lite, is only $39.50 for the first 12 months ($79/month after 12 months), which is moderately priced. And it includes donor tracking, which many simpler accounting programs don’t.
If you want to add accounts payable and receivable, you can upgrade to the next tier, Aplos Core+, for $69.50/month. It also includes budgeting features.
Pros
- Moderately priced accounting solution
- Includes donor management
- Free trial
- Cloud-based and accessible anywhere
- Allows multiple users
Cons
- Price goes up after 12 months
- Top-tier plan pricing unlisted
Pricing
- Aplos Lite: $39.50/month
- Aplos Core+: $69.50/month
3. ACCOUNTS From Software4Nonprofits
ACCOUNTS was created by a small software company in Canada that wanted to create an affordable, accessible accounting solution for nonprofits. This accounting software is easy to use and does just what most nonprofits need – track income, track expenses, and create reports.
This is a basic accounting solution, but that’s typically all smaller nonprofits need. And the price is hard to beat — not only do you get a 30-day trial period, but you also get the software for just $129/year. If you want cloud access and/or need to use it on a Mac, you’ll need the OnDemand version for $199/year.
Pros
- Very affordable
- 30-day trial period
- Easy to use
- Can be used by up to five organizations
- Ideal for small organizations
Cons
- Cloud access costs more
- The desktop version only works on Windows
Pricing
- Standard: $129/year
- OnDemand: $199/year
4. Araize FastFund Accounting
If you’re searching for a completely cloud-based nonprofit accounting solution, Araize has you covered. The Araize FastFund Accounting software can be used on any device with an internet connection. It has the capabilities to handle all your accounting needs, including generating accounting reports, bank reconciliations, and generating data to complete your Form 990.
With Araize, you can also assemble a complete financial solution with its other two software solutions. FastFund Fundraising addresses all of your donor management needs, while FastFund Payroll takes care of your payroll needs.
Pros
- Moderately-priced
- Fully online, cloud-based solution
- Can be used on any device with an internet connection
- Integrates with fundraising and payroll solutions by Araize
- No contract; can cancel at anytime
Cons
- Can be hard to use if you don’t have an accounting background
- Limited report customization
Pricing
- Standard: $45/month
- Premium: $100/month
5. MoneyMinder
MoneyMinder was created by Nonprofit Central to provide volunteer-led organizations with an inexpensive, simple accounting solution. It’s very affordable at just $179/year and includes all the basics you need for a smaller nonprofit organization. Plus, you don’t need any accounting experience to use it.
MoneyMinder is accessible anywhere and has additional features beyond bookkeeping. It includes tools to manage volunteers, including tracking volunteer hours. While MoneyMinder is relatively inexpensive, keep in mind that you need to pay an additional $59/year for banking integration.
Pros
- Affordable
- No bookkeeping background necessary
- Accessible anywhere
- Includes volunteer-management tools
- Can add an online store for an additional fee
Cons
- Banking integration costs extra
- Limited donor management tools
Pricing
- $179/year
Review Methodology
The TRUiC team evaluates the top nonprofit accounting services based on the following criteria:
- Pricing: The software is priced competitively for what you get.
- Features: The accounting software must include basic nonprofit accounting tools, and ideally, it offers more than the basics, like donor management.
- User Reviews: Previous customers rated and reviewed the accounting software positively, and the company is receptive to negative reviews.
- Customer Support: The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and responsive to customers. They provide timely troubleshooting when needed and help customers understand how to use the software.
- Accessibility and Transparency: The information on the service’s website is easy for the customer to navigate and understand. The ordering process is straightforward, user-friendly, and void of hidden fees.
Overall, our main goal is to recommend nonprofit accounting software that provides the best value for our users so they can more easily handle the accounting for their organizations.