Table of Contents
Introduction
In this article, we will provide in-depth reviews of various accounting software options available in the market. We will explore the features, pricing, and customer support of each software to help you make an informed decision. Whether you are a small business owner or a freelancer, finding the right accounting software can streamline your financial processes and improve your overall efficiency.
Patriot Accounting
Patriot Accounting is an accounting software that focuses on ease of use and affordability. While it may not have the most extensive set of features or integrations, it is known for its excellent customer service reputation. One of the standout features of Patriot is that it allows unlimited users, regardless of the plan you choose.
Pricing and Plans
Patriot offers two plan options: Accounting Basic and Accounting Premium. The Basic plan starts at $20 per month and provides essential accounting tools such as double-entry accounting, invoicing, credit card payments, and sales tax tracking. However, it lacks features like bank account reconciliation and basic invoice customization. Considering the missing features, the Basic plan may be relatively expensive compared to other accounting software options.
On the other hand, the Premium plan costs $30 per month and offers more features overall. It includes bank account reconciliation, invoice customization, subaccounts, user permissions, estimate creation, recurring invoices, and receipt management. However, time and attendance tracking is not included in the Premium plan and requires an additional $6 per month, plus $2 per employee.
Key Features
Unlimited Invoicing
Both Patriot plans allow unlimited invoicing to unlimited customers. This is a valuable feature for businesses that need to send a large number of invoices each month.
Unlimited Users
Unlike many other accounting software options, Patriot allows unlimited users on all plans. This means you can add every team member, your accountant, and anyone else you want without any additional cost.
Excellent Customer Support
Patriot is known for its excellent customer service reputation. The customer support team is responsive, knowledgeable, and provides quick solutions to any issues or questions you may have. Phone support is available, in addition to email and chat support.
Pros and Cons of Patriot Accounting
Pros
- Positive customer reviews and excellent customer service reputation.
- Free professional setup.
- Unlimited users on all plans.
- Clean and usable interface.
- Free 30-day trial and easily accessed demo.
- Integration with Patriot payroll software.
Cons
- Limited scalability with just two plans.
- No cash flow report or other cash flow tracking.
- No software integrations, except for Patriot Payroll.
- No mileage tracking.
- Separate product (and fee) for time tracking.
- No mobile app.
- Basic plan lacks common accounting tools.
Alternatives to Patriot Accounting
While Patriot Accounting may work well for some businesses, it may not be the ideal choice for everyone. There are several alternatives in the market that offer more affordability, scalability, or powerful features. Here are a few alternatives worth considering:
FreshBooks
FreshBooks offers a better invoicing experience than Patriot at an affordable price. While some FreshBooks plans limit the number of clients you can invoice per month, its premium plans provide unlimited clients. FreshBooks also offers more invoice customization options compared to Patriot. Additionally, FreshBooks includes time tracking, which is available as a paid add-on in Patriot. The ability to sync time data with invoices and a client portal for estimates, invoices, and payments are additional features offered by FreshBooks.
Intuit QuickBooks
Intuit QuickBooks is a highly scalable accounting software that can grow with your business. It offers various plans, from basic accounting tools to advanced features like field service management and forecasting. QuickBooks is widely used and trusted by businesses of all sizes. It provides comprehensive accounting solutions and is considered one of the industry leaders in the accounting software market.
Wave
Wave offers completely free accounting and invoicing software, making it a more affordable alternative to Patriot. While Wave may not have the most extensive set of features, it still provides essential accounting tools such as expense tracking, bank connections, and accounting reports. Like Patriot, Wave allows unlimited users. Note that Wave offers paid add-ons for receipt capture, payroll, and credit card payments.
Conclusion
Choosing the right accounting software is crucial for the financial management of your business. While Patriot Accounting offers unlimited invoicing and users, along with excellent customer service, it may not have the most competitive pricing or extensive set of features compared to other options in the market. Considering the alternatives mentioned in this article, it is important to evaluate your specific business needs and choose the software that best fits your requirements.
