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When it comes to nonprofit accounting, there are many things that can affect the bottom line. The six best applications for nonprofits in 2022 will be as follows: 1) blockchain-powered games; 2) crypto self-funded funding platforms; 3) apps for raising funds from nonparticipating donors; 4) decentralized marketplaces of goods and services produced by volunteers with no overhead costs due to shared ownership models like LETS coins or local currencies; 5) patent pools on intellectual property generated by volunteer work like Wikipedia
The “best free nonprofit accounting software” is a list of the 6 best non-profit accounting applications that are expected to be in use by 2022.
Nonprofit organizations need specialized accounting software that meets their demanding financial planning, budgeting, auditing, and reporting requirements. We’ve selected the top six nonprofit accounting applications to assist you in selecting the one that best meets your organization’s needs:
- Aplos is the best accounting software for NGOs in general.
- QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to is the best accounting software for charities that need help with bookkeeping.
- Wave: The best free nonprofit accounting software for extremely tiny charity treasurers
- Blackbaud is the best option for NGOs that depend on substantial donations for funding.
- Nonprofit+: This option is best for organizations that depend on a large number of small contributions.
- Nonprofits looking for integrated payroll should use QuickBooks Premier Plus Nonprofit.
Comparing the Best Accounting Software for Nonprofits
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Aplos is the best accounting software for NGOs in general.
Aplos
4.06 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Features | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| User-friendliness | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Features for non-profits | 3.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert opinion | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- There’s also a built-in website builder that doesn’t need any coding.
- Provides end-to-end event and donor management systems.
- Creates an infinite number of donation forms
- Bank connectors make it simple to import transactions.
- Accepts contributions through text message, which incurs a cost.
What Isn’t There
- For more than two users, there is an extra cost.
- There is no built-in payroll.
- It can’t be used to handle volunteers or funds.
- Invoices aren’t editable.
- There is no mobile app available.
Pricing for Aplos
- Aplos Lite costs $59 a month.
- Aplos Core costs $79 a month.
- Starts at $159 per month for Aplos Core + Advanced Accounting.
Aplos is available for a free 15-day trial period with no credit card needed.
Features
- Aplos can assist you with the creation of forms to receive contributions online and at fundraising events. Donors may also monitor and track their payments and amend payment information using the platform’s dedicated page.
- If some of your members give on a regular basis or via tithes, you may set up recurring contributions to make it easier to schedule payments, print statements, and amend payment information.
- Website builder: Aplos’ website builder is one of its greatest features. Nonprofit organizations who conduct fundraising events and utilize websites for registration and contributions would benefit the most from this feature.
Expert Recommendation
Aplos is our pick for the best overall accounting software for nonprofits because it includes a strong collection of general accounting functions and essential features that are specifically geared to nonprofit operations. Because it offers end-to-end solutions for managing contributors and members, we consider it a robust accounting tool for medium-sized organizations.
With capabilities like fixed asset monitoring and income and spending allocation, we suggest the Advanced Accounting package. Aplos is also a good fit for small faith-based groups. In this evaluation of the finest church accounting software, we look at how Aplos can help churches.
QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to is the best accounting software for charities that need help with bookkeeping.
QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to
3.73 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| User-friendliness | 4.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Features for non-profits | 1.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert opinion | 4.88 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- You can quickly share data with your accountant.
- Reports may be tailored to match the needs of charitable organizations.
- QuickBooks Live provides accounting help.
- App with a lot of features
What Isn’t There
- There are no tools designed specifically for nonprofits.
- Payroll requires an extra charge.
- Simple Start is only available to one person at a time.
- For NGOs with several entities, this is too expensive.
Read our QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to review
QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to Pricing
- Simple Start: $25 per month (includes one user).
- Essentials: $50 per month, including three users
- Plus, for $80 per month, you get five users.
- Advanced: $180 per month for a total of 25 users
QuickBooks is presently offering a 50% discount for the first three months, as well as a 30-day free trial without requiring a credit card.
Features
- Assisted bookkeeping option: You may hire a professional QuickBooks bookkeeper to help you manage your books, categorize transactions, and evaluate your financial results using QuickBooks Live. You’ll need someone who knows and performs nonprofit accounting since nonprofits have different accounting rules than for-profit businesses. Outside of QuickBooks Live, you may engage independent QuickBooks ProAdvisors. Learn how to locate a QuickBooks ProAdvisor in this article.
- Location and class monitoring: You may use location and class tracking to separate activities by fund and program service in your charity organization. You can also apply custom tags to transactions to help you keep track of them.
- Outstanding inventory features: If your nonprofit company sells goods, QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to can help you efficiently keep track of inventory levels and calculate your cost of goods sold, so there’s no need to get another third-party app just for inventory tracking.
Expert Recommendation
QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to, our pick for best small business accounting software, is a versatile and flexible accounting program that can accommodate nonprofit accounting. Although it’s designed primarily for for-profit organizations, it can be customized for nonprofit use. If you want QuickBooks, we highly recommend QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to Plus because of the location and class tracking features. However, QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to Advanced is also an excellent choice if you require more than five users.
Wave: The best free nonprofit accounting software for extremely tiny charity treasurers
Wave
3.26 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Features | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| User-friendliness | 4.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Features for non-profits | 0.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert opinion | 2.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- Even non-accountants will find it simple to use.
- Forever, completely free
- Ideal for small charitable groups.
- Wave Advisors can help you with your bookkeeping.
What Isn’t There
- There aren’t enough features for organizations.
- For huge NGOs, this isn’t a suitable match.
- Instead of a single full-featured program, many applications are used.
- There are no instruments for managing money that are limited.
Pricing in Waves
Accounting and invoicing are free, however credit card and bank transaction processing is charged per transaction.
Assistance with Payroll:
- Users in tax-service states pay $35 per month plus $6 per employee or independent contractor—the charge covers payroll filing and payroll tax calculation.
- For users in the other 36 states, the charge is $20 per month + $6 per employee or independent contractor—the fee solely covers the calculation of payroll taxes.
Features
- Accounting and invoicing are both free for the rest of your life with Wave. If you’re planning short-term or small nonprofit events and initiatives that need minimal revenue and cost monitoring, Wave is a good match.
- Tax filing and calculation for tax service states (Florida, New York, Georgia, Illinois, Arizona, California, Indiana, Virginia, Washington, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and Wisconsin) and payroll tax calculation for self-service states (Florida, New York, Georgia, Illinois, Arizona, California, Indiana, Virginia, Washington, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and Wisconsin).
Expert Recommendation
Just like QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to, Wave has no industry-specific features. Unlike QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to, Wave can’t separate income and expenses by classes to mimic fund or program service accounting. If you need to track activity for more than one fund or one program service, then you’ll be better off spending money on better software.
Wave is appropriate software for gathering your revenue and spending if you’re a volunteer treasurer for a small charity with one program service and one fund. Wave provides a solid collection of functions for contributions, tax receipts, and payroll accounting. Nonprofits with many locations may separate information by setting up each location as a distinct organization. Wave, on the other hand, will not be able to assist you in combining the data when it is required. Wave is simple to use, even for inexperienced accountants or treasurers, and you can get one-on-one help from a Wave Advisor.
Financial Edge NXT by Blackbaud is ideal for organizations that rely on large grants for funding.
Financial Edge NXT by Blackbaud
3.00 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Features | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| User-friendliness | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Features for non-profits | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert opinion | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- able to keep track of complex grant criteria
- Capabilities for effective budgeting
- For in-depth reporting, there are no limits on the tracking characteristics that may be used.
- Other Blackbaud software packages are compatible.
What Isn’t There
- There are no tools for managing donations.
- It’s difficult to utilize.
- There are no upfront costs.
- The majority of the modules are offered for a price.
Read our Financial Edge NXT by Blackbaud review
Pricing for Blackbaud
The business can supply you with price information or a customized quotation if you contact them.
Features
- Grant administration: Financial Edge NXT allows you to accept and monitor donations. You may administer grants depending on the grantor’s or the board’s requirements.
- Budgeting: Budgeting is the first step in managing your nonprofit’s assets. You can design infinite budgeting scenarios, department budgets, condense department budgets to an operational budget, and apply roll-over budgets with Financial Edge NXT.
- Accounting: Aside from Features for non-profits, Financial Edge NXT offers competent accounting features like creating purchase orders, invoices, and bills.
Expert Recommendation
If you’re currently relying on major foundation or government grants for funding, Financial Edge NXT by Blackbaud is comprehensive enough to track both simple and complex grant requirements. With Blackbaud, you can specify how your financial data looks on reports and break your accounting structure down to a very detailed level if required.
The program’s consolidation management feature, which enables users to integrate financial statements from several firms, makes it appropriate for enterprises that need consolidated reporting. On the flipside, Blackbaud is a little pricey and sophisticated, and getting up to speed on the basics needs a lot of training and assistance.
Nonprofit+: This option is best for organizations that depend on a large number of small contributions.
NonProfit+
3.73 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Features | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| User-friendliness | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Features for non-profits | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert opinion | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- A large number of helpful modules are available.
- Capability to handle donors effectively
- You may add as many users as you like.
- Provides tools for managing finances that are limited.
What Isn’t There
- For tiny NGOs, it’s too expensive.
- There are no built-in payroll management capabilities.
- It’s difficult to utilize.
Take a look at our NonProfit+ review.
Pricing for non-profits plus
The Acumatica website does not provide prices. To see how it works, you may join up for a free product tour.
Features
- Grant and gift management: Grants and donations sometimes come with restrictions on how they are utilized. Through a specialized module, NonProfit+ can assist you in managing these grants and gifts depending on donor-imposed criteria.
- NonProfit+ is a wonderful accounting software for merging financial accounts if you’re a nonprofit with several entities.
- NonProfit+ administrators have the ability to provide board members access to the program. This tool allows board members to see real-time grants and contributions without having to request a report.
Expert Recommendation
Acumatica’s NonProfit+ is a powerful accounting program that lets customers maintain donor connections and monitor gift sources with ease. You may monitor donor money, develop personalized reports based on activity, and send out letters to contributors using NonProfit+.
NonProfit+ is also a terrific choice for nonprofits that receive restricted funds. It has a restricted fund management module that allows you to define and restrict the uses of restricted donations. Despite having the most comprehensive Features for non-profits on our list, many small nonprofits may need to consider an alternative as it’s expensive and a bit complicated.
Nonprofits looking for integrated payroll should use Nonprofit Edition of QuickBooks Premier Plus.
Nonprofit Edition of QuickBooks Premier Plus
3.30 OUT OF 5 OUT OF 5 OUT OF 5 OUT OF 5 OUT OF 5 OUT OF
| CRITERIA FOR RATING | Pricing | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Features | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| User-friendliness | 2.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Features for non-profits | 1.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert opinion | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
What We Enjoy
- Payroll integration is offered for a cost.
- Support, feature updates, and security fixes are all included.
- Form 990 or Form 990EZ is supported.
- Produces receipts and keeps track of commitments.
- Tracking of classes by program
What Isn’t There
- Desktop software needs installation and configuration.
- There are only five people who can utilize it.
- It is missing functionality for nonprofit management.
- It’s difficult to share with a third-party accountant.
Read our QuickBooks Premier Nonprofit review for more information.
Pricing for QuickBooks Premier Nonprofit Edition
For one user, QuickBooks Premier Plus 2022 costs $549.99 per year. For $1,749.99, it can connect up to five individuals.
Features
- Nonprofit chart of accounts: Unlike QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to, QuickBooks Enterprise Nonprofit gives you, by default, a nonprofit chart of accounts. These accounts are compliant with nonprofit accounting standards for classifying assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and equity.
- Nonprofit reports and financial statements may be generated with this edition of QuickBooks, including the statement of activities, statement of financial position, statement of functional expenses, and statement of cash flows. Special reports, such as a donor list summary, a donation report, and sophisticated reporting tools, are also available.
- Limitless customer support and product updates: QuickBooks Premier customers now have access to unlimited support and product updates as part of a new subscription-based offering.
Expert Recommendation
QuickBooks Premier Plus Nonprofit is desktop software tailored to nonprofits. This version of QuickBooks Desktop can help nonprofit organizations manage donations, grants, and encumbrances. It can also help you compute taxes that you’ll need to report on IRS Form 990. However, QuickBooks Premier Nonprofit is installable desktop software. If you’re looking for web-based software, we recommend choosing QuickBooks Online is a software program that allows you to or Aplos.
How We Assessed Accounting Software for Nonprofits
In evaluating the nonprofit accounting software on this list, we developed five criteria to determine the applicability of the accounting software to nonprofit accounting. Each criterion has an assigned weight and sub-criteria to further break down the software’s capability to handle the specific accounting and Features for non-profits that we like to see.
30%
Features of Nonprofit Accounting
20% of the overall score
Accounting software programs for nonprofits come at different price points. That’s why we considered giving price a significant weight to give more credit to account software programs that deliver great Features of Nonprofit Accounting at an affordable price.
30% of the overall score
Basic accounting functions included in for-profit accounting software are among these capabilities. The software’s ability to provide the accounting services required to maintain nonprofit records and transactions structured and correctly reported was taken into consideration. These are the following:
- Payments made over the internet
- Payroll
- Accounting with two entries
- Accounting and receivables management
- Functionality of mobile apps
30% of the overall score
We looked for elements that would assist organizations in managing their operations and complying with reporting requirements. We also searched for specialized modules and features that are solely available to charity organizations, such as:
- Accounting for funds
- Grant administration
- Donation management and tracking
- Management of the budget
- Management of volunteers
10% of the overall score
Our first consideration is the ease with which the nonprofit accounting software may be used. Accounting software solutions that are simple to grasp, especially for non-bookkeepers or CPAs, received excellent marks. Aside from that, we added customer assistance, aided accounting choices, payroll connection, and online payment integration to the app. Furthermore, the fact that it is cloud-based is a significant advantage in our book.
10% of the overall score
We looked at the overall functionality of the accounting software as well as the quality of the user experience. We also took into account the software’s popularity among charitable groups, since this will have a big influence on your capacity to get help if difficulties emerge.
*Percentages based on total score
Breakdown:
- 20 percent discount
- General characteristics: 30%
- Features of Nonprofit Accounting: 30%
- User-friendliness: 10%
- Expert opinion: 10%
Conclusion
Aplos is our pick for overall best nonprofit accounting software because of its versatility and flexibility in offering nonprofit-specific and accounting-specific features. However, QuickBooks Premier Plus 2022 Nonprofit is our recommendation if you prefer desktop-based software with Features of Nonprofit Accounting. For small nonprofits that don’t need detailed accounting, Wave is our recommendation. It’s free, and it’s the best choice for simple invoicing and accounting. If you’re looking for more nonprofit-focused software, Financial Edge NXT by Blackbaud and NonProfit+ are our best recommendations.
The “nonprofit treasurer software free” is a category of application that will be popular in the future. These applications are designed for nonprofit organizations, and can be used by them to manage their finances.
Related Tags
- best accounting software for nonprofit organizations
- best accounting software for small nonprofits
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- accounting for small nonprofits
