It's not easy to choose an accounting software application. There are a ton of choices out there and they're all clamoring to get your attention, but not all accounting software applications are created equal. Some excel in invoicing while coming up short on other key accounting features, while others include stellar reporting options but only offer basic accounting capability. So which one is right for you? We take a closer look at 5 of the most popular cloud accounting platforms for South African businesses. Read on and find out more.
1. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting system designed exclusively for the self employed and for those in a service-based business such as a designer, a marketing agency, a plumber, an IT professional, a lawyer, an architect or a web professional. FreshBooks pride themselves in understanding that you went into business to serve your customers and not to learn accounting.
Key Features:
- Reporting and statistics
- Activity Dashboard
- API
- Third Party Integrations
- Unlimited invoices
- Expense tracking
- Creation of estimates
- Reporting tools
Affordability:
FreshBooks offers a free 30 day trial and 3 reasonably priced payment plans thereafter, starting at $6 per month for the Lite plan for 5 billable clients, then $10 per month for the Plus plan for 10 billable clients and finally $20 for the Premium plan which allows for unlimited clients.
Available Integrations:
Freshbooks currently integrates with more than 40 3rd-party applications with app categories such as CRM, Payroll, Project Management, Tax Help, Utilities, Time Tracking, Lead Tracking, Income Importer, E-Commerce, Job Board, Bookkeeping and more.
User Friendliness: The system is easy to set up and support is offered either telephonically or by asking a question on their website.
2. Sage
Sage is one of the best-known cloud accounting providers globally with decades of providing up-to-date, user-friendly accounting programs. Sage Business Cloud Accounting is a comprehensive software for freelancers and small businesses and is one of the most easy-to-use web-based platforms available on the market. Users can manage key accounting processes like managing items, supplies and customer accounts in one centralised hub.
Key Features:
- Accounting access: invite your accountant as a user
- Bank statement imports: a time saver for reconciliations
- Dashboard: view the information you need to make decisions
- Mobile applications: log on using your device from anywhere
- Online: run your business from anywhere, anytime
- Recurring invoices: automatically invoice customers
- Report Designer: design your own formats and layouts
- Reporting: various reporting options offered
- Sales/purchases: managing your customers, suppliers and items
- Support: get unlimited support and webinars
- To do list: manage your to do's and reminders
Affordability:
Sage Business Cloud Accounting offers different pricing plans depending on your needs and a 30 day free trial for each of the packages. Pricing plans start at an affordable $10 per month for the Start plan which allows small businesses to quote, invoice and track payments. Then $25 per month for the Business Cloud Accounting plan which allows small to medium businesses perform more accounting functions excluding payroll for a maximum of five users. Finally, the Sage Business Cloud X3 plan incorporates all accounting, tax and payroll elements and is ideal for larger businesses with numerous employees at $41 per month.
Available Integrations:
Sage is a great standalone, as well as integrated product, although interoperability can vary based on which package you have. Here are just a few of the business systems that integrate with Sage Business Cloud Accounting: ServiceM8, Service Trade Commercial, Big Time and Billing, Itemize, Expensify, Expense Point, SalesSeek, PARIM, Commusoft, Synchroteam, Workato, Harmony PSA etc.
User Friendliness: In general, the Sage programs tend to be reasonably user-friendly. Upon set up, you can customise various elements, and set up tasks that you want to be automated. It is not heavy on extra features, as the tiered package structures offer these upgrades and extras. Support is offered telephonically, via email, live support and tickets.
3. QuickBooks
QuickBooks is an accounting software package developed and marketed by Intuit. First introduced in 1983, QuickBooks products are geared mainly toward small and medium-sized businesses and offer on-premises accounting applications as well as cloud-based versions that accept business payments, manage and pay bills, and payroll functions.
Key Features:
- Bill management
- Inventory
- Reporting
- A vast network of QuickBooks ProAdvisers which makes it easy to find a local bookkeeper
- Multi-language invoicing
- Recurring invoices: automatically invoice customers
- Various attractive invoice templates
- Contact management allows for very detailed customer information to be captured
Affordability:
QuickBooks offers a 30 day free trial for each of their packages. Pricing plans start at $25 per month for the Simple Start plan with 1 user. The Essentials plan is next at $50 per month for 3 users. Then Plus plan is $80 per month for 5 users and lastly, the Advanced plan is $180 per month for 25 users.
Available Integrations:
QuickBooks is highly flexible when it comes to interoperability. The program is compatible with over 600 apps and programs.
User Friendliness:
All packages come with mobile apps, tech support, customisable reports and secure cloud storage. QuickBooks is known for being pretty user-friendly, with a few small improvements that could be made to its layout and ease of finding certain features. Unlimited free support is offered telephonically or by asking a question on their website.
4 Zoho Books
Zoho Books is an online accounting software that manages your finances, automates business workflows and helps you work collectively across departments. It's a comprehensive smart accounting software solution designed for small businesses to better manage their finances and control their cash flow more efficiently. Since its introduction to the world in 2011, Zoho Books has become one of the top players in the accounting market. The huge number of satisfied clients around the globe is a tribute to how Zoho Books grows with its clients and their businesses.
Key Features:
- Automated workflows
- Bank reconciliation
- Custom invoices
- Expense tracking
- Projects and timesheets
- Recurring transactions
- Sales approval
Affordability:
Zoho Books offers a 14 day free trial and three pricing plans as well as a free pricing plan for businesses with a turnover of < $50K / per annum. Thereafter, pricing plans start at $20 per month for the Standard Plan, $50 per month for the Professional plan and $70 per month for their Premium Plan.
Available Integrations:
Zoho Books integrates seamlessly with 40+ Zoho apps and a host of 3rd party apps including major online payment gateways such as Paypal, Stripe, Authorize.net, Forte, Worldpay, Braintree and 2 Checkout to name a few.
User Friendliness:
Zoho Books is extremely user-friendly with a clean design yet robust set of features that helps users generate actionable, data-based insights. As far as support is concerned, Zoho Books offers live telephone and chat support on all paid packages, while the free plan only includes email support. In addition, it also has the following resources: Zoho Help Database: A comprehensive help guide that includes basic navigation instructions, keyboard shortcuts, and step-by-step instructions in banking, contacts, invoices, client portal, expenses, and items. Zoho Video Tutorials/Webinar: In the help database, you’ll also find video tutorials and a webinar on using Zoho Books. You can also join the Zoho Books user community to ask or answer questions, register for an upcoming webinar, and review the Welcome Guide.
5 Xero
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software that is transforming the way businesses are managing their finances. It's a comparative newcomer to the market, having launched in 2006. That, however, hasn’t stopped it from racing to the top to join the ranks of leading accounting programs.
Key Features:
- Pay bills
- Claim expenses
- Bank connections
- Accept payments
- Track projects
- Bank reconciliation
- Manage contacts
- Capture data
Affordability:
Xero offers a 30 day free trial and three levels of cloud-based accounting. Pricing plans start at a fair $22 per month for the Starter Plan, which is quite limited, allowing you to send just 5 quotes and invoices and reconcile 20 bank transactions. The Standard Plan, $35 per month drops those limits and allows for unlimited basic accounting, while the Premium Plan at $47 per month includes the ability to handle multiple currencies.
Available Integrations:
The system is easily integrated with over 1000 3rd party apps.
User Friendliness:
Getting to grips with Xero can take some time, but once you’re familiar with it, it is simple to use. There is also easily accessible help functionality, making navigation and use easier.
Our top pick for South African businesses
After analysing all the above popular Cloud Accounting Software Platforms, it is clear that Zoho Books is the best suited one to South African businesses for many reasons, the top one being the free plan for businesses with revenue <1 Million ZAR per annum, amounting to massive cost savings to businesses.
The next reason we love Zoho Books and the entire Zoho Suite as a whole, is that the price is fixed in Rands, so you won't be caught out by nasty exchange rate fluctuations ever again. Click here to sign up for your free trial.
And talking about saving money, Zoho One gives you one integrated system to transform your business' disparate activities into a more connected and agile organisation. With Zoho One, Zoho has put together all the applications a company needs to acquire and serve its customers (marketing, sales and support apps); run its operations (finance, recruiting, and HR apps); and provide all the tools for its employees to work collaboratively and get their work done (office suite, mail, personal productivity, and collaboration apps). All these apps for only R450 per user per month.
What's more is that DSL Telecom is a Zoho Premium Partner in South Africa which means we have a team of skilled software specialists that can answer all your Zoho-related queries and guide you in the right direction, based on your business's software requirements. Reach out to one of our specialists today:
