Running a business on a Mac? Whether you’re a freelancer, a growing startup, or an established company, having the right accounting software is essential. We’ve tested and compared the top options for Mac users—including solutions that work seamlessly on both Intel and Apple Silicon (M-series) Macs—so you can find the perfect fit for your budgeting and bookkeeping needs.
Our team has evaluated Mac business software for over a decade, combining hands-on testing with in-depth research. We help you make smarter software decisions by providing clear, unbiased reviews of tools designed to work flawlessly with macOS.
Below, you’ll find a comparison of our top picks, followed by detailed reviews of each platform.
| Software | Best For | Starting Price | Key Features | Integrations |
| Xero | Unlimited users & mobile access | $1/month | Unlimited users, iOS app, custom invoices | PayPal, Stripe, Square, GoCardless |
| QuickBooks Online | Accountants & integrations | $3.50/month | Invoicing, payroll, 750+ integrations | PayPal, Shopify, Stripe, Square |
| FreshBooks | Freelancers & solopreneurs | $7.60/month | Time tracking, expense management, invoicing | Apple Pay, Stripe, Gusto |
| Zoho Books | Free accounting & Zoho users | Free / $15/month | Multi-currency, CRM sync, Wave import | Razorpay, Stripe, PayPal |
| Sage | Growing teams & enterprises | Custom quote | Cash flow tools, custom reports, 24/7 support | Stripe, PayPal, GoCardless |
| Melio | Free bill pay automation | Free | A/P automation, check mailing, unlimited users | QuickBooks, Xero |
| Patriot Software | Payroll + accounting bundles | $20/month | Double-entry, payroll, US-based support | Stripe, PayPal |
| AccountEdge | Offline accounting | $15/month | Desktop-based, payroll, time billing | Shopify, Stripe |
| Wave | Startups & freelancers on a budget | Free | Free invoicing, receipts, basic payroll | PayPal, Etsy, Stripe |
| ZipBooks | Simple invoicing & bookkeeping | Free / $15/month | Time tracking, client scoring, smart reports | Square, PayPal, Slack |
| Synder | E-commerce & AI bookkeeping | $11/month | Multi-channel sync, tax reports, smart rules | Shopify, Amazon, QuickBooks, Xero |
1. Xero – Best for Unlimited Users
Best For: Businesses that need multi-user access and strong mobile functionality.
Why We Chose It: Xero offers a clean, intuitive interface and includes unlimited users on all plans. It works beautifully on Mac and iPhone, with powerful invoicing and third-party integrations.
Key Features:
- Unlimited users
- Custom invoice templates
- iOS app (Xero Touch)
- 1000+ integrations
Integrations: PayPal, Stripe, Square, GoCardless
Pricing: From $1/month (special introductory rate)
Pros: Great UX Strong mobile support Scalable
Cons: Bank feeds can be unreliable Less popular with accountants than QuickBooks
2. QuickBooks Online – Best for Accountants
Best For: Small businesses and accounting professionals who need robust reporting and widespread third-party integration.
Why We Chose It: QuickBooks Online is an industry standard. It offers powerful tools, widespread accountant support, and a rich ecosystem of connected apps.
Key Features:
- Automatic invoicing and bank sync
- Payroll support
- 750+ integrations
- Compliant with MTD (UK)
Integrations: PayPal, Square, Stripe, Shopify
Pricing: From $3.50/month for first 3 months
Pros: Trusted platform Extensive integrations Easy collaboration
Cons: No native Mac app Payroll costs extra
3. FreshBooks – Best for Freelancers
Best For: Freelancers, creatives, and service-based solopreneurs.
Why We Chose It: FreshBooks is user-friendly, offering excellent invoicing, time-tracking, and expense management in a simple interface.
Key Features:
- Recurring invoices
- Time and expense tracking
- Project profitability reports
Integrations: Apple Pay, Stripe, Gusto
Pricing: From $7.60/month (discounts often available)
Pros: Very easy to use Great for time-based billing
Cons: Extra users cost more Lacks advanced forecasting
4. Zoho Books – Best Free Accounting Software
Best For: Small businesses already using Zoho apps or looking for a free plan.
Why We Chose It: Zoho Books offers a fully-featured free plan and scales affordably with your business. Perfect for Zoho ecosystem users.
Key Features:
- Free plan available
- Multi-currency support
- Zoho CRM, Inventory, and Projects integration
Integrations: Razorpay, Stripe, PayPal
Pricing: Free plan for small businesses; paid plans from $15/month
Pros: Free version Scales easily Clean UI
Cons: Limited non-Zoho integrations
5. Sage – Best for Enterprises
Best For: Growing teams and larger organizations needing advanced accounting and support.
Why We Chose It: Sage provides powerful tools for accounting, inventory, and compliance, along with dedicated customer support and training.
Key Features:
- Custom financial reports
- Cash flow forecasting
- 24/7 support and training
Integrations: Stripe, PayPal, GoCardless
Pricing: Custom pricing upon request
Pros: Strong support Enterprise-ready
Cons: Not transparent about pricing No Mac app
6. Melio – Best for Bill Pay Automation
Best For: Businesses looking for free accounts payable automation.
Why We Chose It: Melio simplifies bill payments—even to vendors who only accept checks—and works seamlessly with QuickBooks or Xero.
Key Features:
- Free A/P automation
- Pay by card or ACH
- Mail checks to vendors
- Unlimited users
Integrations: QuickBooks, Xero
Pricing: Free (card payments incur a fee)
Pros: Free A/P Easy to use
Cons: Not full accounting software Few integrations
7. Patriot Software – Best for Payroll & Accounting Bundles
Best For: US-based small businesses that need both accounting and payroll.
Why We Chose It: Patriot offers an affordable accounting and payroll bundle with straightforward pricing and good support.
Key Features:
- Double-entry accounting
- Integrated payroll
- US-based support
- Bank reconciliation
Integrations: Stripe, PayPal
Pricing: Accounting from $20/month; Payroll from $17/month
Pros: Good value Easy to use
Cons: US-only No mobile app
8. AccountEdge – Best Offline Accounting App
Best For: Users who prefer desktop accounting software and offline access.
Why We Chose It: AccountEdge is one of the few remaining full-featured desktop accounting apps for Mac (Intel only).
Key Features:
- Offline access
- Payroll and time billing
- One-time purchase option
Integrations: Shopify, Stripe
Pricing: From $15/month or $499 one-time
Pros: One-time purchase Full desktop features
Cons: Not optimized for Apple Silicon Outdated design
9. Wave – Best for Startups
Best For: Freelancers and small businesses wanting 100% free accounting software.
Why We Chose It: Wave is free and includes invoicing, receipt scanning, and basic reporting.
Key Features:
- Free accounting & invoicing
- Receipt scanning
- Payroll (US & Canada only)
Integrations: PayPal, Etsy, Stripe
Pricing: Free (fees for payments & payroll)
Pros: Totally free Simple interface
Cons: Limited support No longer supports UK banks
10. ZipBooks – Best for Unlimited Invoicing
Best For: Freelancers and small service businesses that do a lot of invoicing.
Why We Chose It: ZipBooks offers a free plan with unlimited invoicing and intuitive client management tools.
Key Features:
- Unlimited invoicing on free plan
- Time tracking
- Client health scoring
Integrations: Square, PayPal, Slack
Pricing: Free plan available; paid from $15/month
Pros: Free invoicing Clean interface
Cons: Limited integrations Advanced features require upgrade
11. Synder – Best for E-commerce & AI Bookkeeping
Best For: E-commerce sellers using multiple platforms like Shopify, Amazon, or Etsy.
Why We Chose It: Synder automates transaction syncing and reconciliation across sales channels and accounting platforms.
Key Features:
- Multi-channel sales sync
- AI-driven reconciliation
- Tax and financial reports
- Works with QuickBooks and Xero
Integrations: Shopify, Amazon, Stripe, WooCommerce
Pricing: From $11/month (annual billing)
Pros: Great for e-commerce Accurate sync
Cons: Add-on to QuickBooks/Xero Costly for low volume
Other Options to Consider
- KashFlow: UK-focused with VAT support
- FreeAgent: Great for freelancers and contractors
- NetSuite: Enterprise-level ERP solution
- GnuCash: Free, open-source alternative
- Manager.io: Free desktop accounting
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best accounting software for Mac?
It depends on your needs. Xero is great for teams, QuickBooks for accountants, FreshBooks for freelancers, and Wave for free invoicing.
Do these work on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. All listed software is compatible with both Intel and M-series Macs.
Is there completely free accounting software for Mac?
Yes. Wave, Zoho Books, Melio, and ZipBooks all offer free plans.
Which is best for invoicing?
FreshBooks, Xero, and ZipBooks are all excellent for invoicing.
Can I use these outside the US?
Many offer international support. Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho, and FreshBooks have country-specific versions.
Is cloud accounting safe?
Reputable providers use encryption and two-factor authentication. Always review their security policies.
How do I choose the right software?
Consider your business size, must-have features (e.g., payroll, inventory), budget, and preferred platform (cloud vs. desktop).
Final Thoughts
The best accounting software for your Mac depends on your specific business needs, budget, and workflow. Thankfully, there are plenty of powerful options—both free and paid—that work beautifully on macOS. Want to try before you buy? Most paid apps offer free trials, so you can test which one fits your business best.
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