It finally happened. Your small nonprofit organization has taken off and donors are flocking to your cause.
But just like a kid growing out of their jeans, your nonprofit is growing way too fast for your free accounting software to handle. Maybe you have free software that has limitations on the number of accounts you can track. Or maybe a paid option will offer you the customer support that you need.
Whatever the reason, it’s time for your nonprofit to move over to paid nonprofit accounting software. But with so many options to choose from, which one is right for your organization?
Top-reviewed nonprofit accounting software
These six nonprofit accounting software options were chosen based on their features lists, usability ratings, and their overall reviews. They are all cloud-based software.
Many options in our fund accounting software directory are made for general accounting, but the six that made it into this piece are specifically made for nonprofit accounting.
All options chosen have a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 or higher by Capterra software reviewers.
Software options are listed in alphabetical order.
1. Aplos
Balance tracking dashboard (Source)
Aplos is cloud-based nonprofit accounting software that has most of the core features you’d expect from accounting software. At first glance, Aplos is clean and aesthetically pleasing software with a sharp user interface.
The lack of payroll capabilities is where Aplos falls short, despite its otherwise strong features list.
Aside from the lack of payroll features, Aplos has strong ratings from Capterra reviewers praising its ease of use and functionality.
RECOMMENDED FOR: This option is best for nonprofits that require an easy-to-use software option with less training required out of the gate.
Features:
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Activity tracking
- Asset management
- Bank reconciliation
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Donor management
- General ledger
Free trial: Yes
Pricing:
- Starter: $25 per month, per user
- Standard: $40 per month, per user
- Advanced: $120 per month, per user
2. Financial Edge by Blackbaud
Account listing dashboard (Source)
Blackbaud is known for their solid and diverse nonprofit software options, and Financial Edge is no exception.
Financial Edge covers all of the core functions expected of a nonprofit accounting software, such as a general ledger and budgeting. Unfortunately, its user interface with its solid grey color palette leaves much to be desired.
Similar to Aplos, it is surprising that an established brand such as Blackbaud doesn’t include payroll features with this system.
RECOMMENDED FOR: This software is well-established and is perfect for nonprofit organizations that need extensive support when onboarding a new system.
Features:
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Activity tracking
- Asset management
- Bank reconciliation
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Compliance management
- General ledger
- Partnership accounting
- Purchasing and receiving
Free trial: Yes
Pricing: Price is negotiated between the vendor and client based on the client’s needs.
3. Intacct
Income accounting dashboard (Source)
Intacct’s user interface draws you in immediately. The color scheme and simple layout makes for a straightforward and intuitive user experience. If you are new to nonprofit accounting software, Intacct also offers plenty of training (hands-on and self-paced learning modules) and quick support options (phone and email) to ensure a smooth transition onto their system.
This system offers many core accounting features but unfortunately lacks payroll management and explicit donation management features. Aside from the lack of payroll features, Intacct’s reporting and ledger system is very detail oriented and in-depth compared to other software options on this list.
RECOMMENDED FOR: Nonprofits looking for data-heavy fund accounting software.
Features:
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Activity tracking
- Asset management
- Bank reconciliation
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Compliance management
- General ledger
- Partnership accounting
- Purchasing and receiving
Free trial: Yes
Pricing: Price is negotiated between the vendor and client based on the client’s needs.
4. Intuit QuickBooks
Accounting dashboard (Source)
Not only does QuickBooks offer a sleek desktop and mobile user interface but it also offers payroll features.
Though its features list may seem short compared to others in this list, QuickBooks offers all of the core features every nonprofit accounting software would need, such as donor management and account management.
RECOMMENDED FOR: This software is best for nonprofits that need lots of customization. Intuit offers an add-on library in order to customize your experience with the software. The only catch is most of the add-ons come at a cost.
Features:
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Billing and invoicing
- Cash management
- Collections
- Donation management
- Fixed asset management
- Payroll
Free trial: Yes
Pricing:
- Self-employed: $10 per month
- Simple start: $15 per month
- Essentials: $30 per month
- Plus: $40 per month
5. NonProfitPlus Accounting Suite
Grant summary page (Source)
Not only does NonProfitPlus offer a long list of standard accounting features such as accounts payable and receivable and a general funds ledger, but it also offers a few non-standard features including volunteer tracking and board management (reports, scheduling, etc.)
Its user interface is less visually appealing than other options, but all functions are clearly labeled in a setup similar to most Microsoft Office products.
The one drawback to this software option is the lack of a free trial. Instead the company offers a demonstration for prospective software buyers. However, a free trial might be made available if requested.
RECOMMENDED FOR: This software option is great for nonprofits looking to consolidate their software-based functions, given the extensive range of features it offers.
Features:
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Activity tracking
- Asset management
- Bank reconciliation
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Compliance management
- Donor management
- General ledger
- Partnership accounting
- Purchasing and receiving
Free trial: No
Pricing: Price is negotiated between the vendor and client based on the client’s needs.
6. Xero for Nonprofits
Volunteer management dashboard (Source)
Out of the six nonprofit accounting software options in this list, Xero has the most extensive number of features.
Xero has the capability to integrate with over 500+ tools, including Google Suite and different payment tools such as Square and Stripe.
One last highlight for Xero is its pricing model. Not only are its prices affordable for most nonprofits, but Xero also offers exclusive discounts on its software for nonprofit organizations.
RECOMMENDED FOR: Xero is best for nonprofits looking to save a little money.
Features:
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Bank reconciliation
- Billing and invoicing
- Cash management
- CPA firms
- Expense tracking
- Fixed asset management
- General ledger
- Multi currency
- Payroll
- Purchasing
- Revenue recognition
- Tax management
- Trust accounting
Free trial: Yes
Pricing:
- Starter: $6.30 per month for first six months, and $9 per month after
- Standard: $21 per month for first six months, and $30 per month after
- Premium: $49 per month for first six months, and $70 per month after
Is your nonprofit looking for more upgrades?
Free accounting software isn’t the only thing nonprofits grow out of as they scale. Luckily, Capterra’s nonprofit technology blog is a fantastic resource for finding the latest software and tech upgrades your organization will need.
- 5 Affordable Auction Software Options for Nonprofits
- 6 Social Media Management Software Tools for Outspoken Nonprofits
- The Top 5 Blackbaud Alternatives You Should Consider
- The Top 5 Free and Affordable Grant Management Software Products
Do you have any experience with the software tools listed above? Be sure to leave a review on our page so we can offer the valuable insights to other potential buyers!
Looking for Nonprofit software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Nonprofit software solutions.
Comments
Comment by Bonnie S on
Aplos is changing their pricing packages and moving from a tiered system to a per item package. Thought I’d mention it since the prices will go up significantly
Comment by Alice Walden Kenyon on
Do any of the above have features that will facilitate non-profit accounting requirements to prepare form 990, track restricted vs. non-restricted donations/net assets, and the Statement of Functional Expenses broken out by program, admin and fundraising.
Comment by Michael Blanton on
Hi Nick:
Great article and thanks for referencing Blackbaud and Financial Edge NXT. I’d love to catch up with you anytime to talk about our solution and fundaccounting in general. one thing I think would be valuable to your members is additional conversation around what real fund accounting tools do vs. those that are only fund accounting in name. Have you ever considered doing an article like this for mid-to-large nonprofit organizations? If not, would love to help if that’s of interest. While this list is full of very solid solutions across the board, I would say that most mid-sized organizations would not be able to reasonably use Quickbooks, Aplos, or Xero for their reporting needs — whereas FENXT and Intacct are regularly sold to organizations with large staffs and revenue streams.
Let me know if you’d like to connect!
Michael Blanton
Product Marketing — Blackbaud
843-654-2175
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