16 Best Accounting Software For Nonprofits In 2025
Best Nonprofit Accounting Software Shortlist
Here are my top 10 nonprofit accounting software selections:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Managing the finances of a nonprofit is no small task, and without the right nonprofit accounting software, it can quickly become overwhelming. As an expert in fintech and corporate budgeting, I know how stressful it can be operating without the proper tools.
Lack of integration, limited visibility, and the sheer time it takes to manage everything manually can make running a business, let alone a nonprofit, more stressful than it needs to be. Not to mention, without a reliable accounting software, you run the risk of losing track of donations and grants, creating inaccurate financial reports, and more.
But with the right nonprofit accounting software, you can change everything. A solid tool can help you streamline your processes, save time, and ensure your finances are clear and under control.
Leveraging my knowledge of financial operations and experience in digital transformation, I put together a list of tools that can make your day-to-day work so much easier. Let’s dive in and find the one that’s right for you.
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Best Nonprofit Accounting Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top nonprofit accounting software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Xero Xero’s dashboard displays your nonprofit’s payables and receivables, as well as account balances. | Best for customization | 30-day free trial | From $1.40/month | Website |
| 2 |  Zoho Books Zoho lets you track sales, purchases, inventory, and more from a single dashboard. | Best for nonprofits using other services from Zoho | Free trial + free plan available | From $15/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 3 |  FreshBooks FreshBooks works across multiple platforms and has a simple dashboard for tracking your nonprofit’s finances. | Best for basic expense tracking | 30-day free trial | From $10/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 4 |  Xledger Xledger allows you to view all essential accounting functions and financials within a centralized dashboard. | Best for financial task automation | Free demo | Pricing upon request | Website |
| 5 |  ZipBooks ZipBooks displays essential financial information through a simple dashboard. | Best for unlimited invoicing | 30-day free trial + free plan available | From $15/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 6 |  Quicken Quicken’s dashboard comes with a spending overview feature and transaction tracking that can help you monitor your nonprofit’s spending. | Best for individually-run nonprofits | 30-day free trial | From $8.90/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 7 |  Serenic Navigator Serenic Navigator can sort data by department, award or fund, date range or more. | Best for range of features | Purchase required | Pricing upon request | Website |
| 8 |  WAVE Wave’s dashboard is simple to read, making it easy to use even for people with limited accounting experience. | Best for ease of use | Free plan available | From $16/user/month | Website |
| 9 |  Aplos Aplos offers a simple dashboard that lets you track your nonprofit’s key performance indicators. | Best for donor management | 15-day free trial | From $29.50/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 10 |  Realm Realm doesn’t have the fanciest dashboard out there, but it comes with a unique focus on churches that can make it a great fit for those organizations. | Best for church leaders | Free demo available | From $29 per month | Website |
Best Nonprofit Accounting Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best nonprofit accounting software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer an in-depth look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small and medium-sized businesses, providing tools for invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
Why I picked Xero: Xero offers real-time financial tracking and cloud-based accessibility, enabling nonprofits to manage finances efficiently from anywhere. With its fund tracking and customizable reporting features, you can easily allocate resources effectively and maintain transparency with stakeholders. Similarly, Xero integrates with various donor management and fundraising tools, providing an advanced solution for nonprofit financial management.
Xero Standout features and integrations:
Standout features include the ability to build custom reports to track the exact financial data that you need or to generate forecasts. Xero also offers key financial services like payment acceptance and the ability to connect to external banks. Plus, you can use it for payroll services and file storage if you want more functionality.
Integrations include third-party banks, Gusto Payroll, Shopify, Microsoft Outlook, Stripe, Mailchimp, and more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- 24/7 support
- File storage for receipts, customer data, etc.
- No limit to the number of users on one account
- Reporting tools
Cons:
- Some services, like payroll, come at an additional charge
- Many features require an advanced subscription
Zoho Books is an online accounting software designed for small businesses, providing features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
Why I picked Zoho Books: Zoho Books seamlessly integrates with Zoho’s ecosystem, including Zoho CRM, Zoho Desk, and Zoho Projects. This integration enables nonprofits to manage finances, donor relationships, and operational workflows within a unified platform. Additionally, its automation features simplify recurring transactions and reporting, allowing nonprofits to focus more on their mission and less on administrative tasks.
Zoho Books Standout features and integrations:
Standout features include detailed fund tracking and financial reporting, enabling nonprofits to maintain transparency and accountability in managing their finances. The software also offers automated workflows and recurring transaction features to save time, helping nonprofits focus on their mission rather than manual accounting processes.
Integrations include other Zoho tools, along with PayPal, Stripe, and WePay.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Free for organizations with annual revenues less than $50,000
- Free for small nonprofits
- Highly intuitive and easy to use with no experience
- Try the service out using a test account before you sign up
Cons:
- Few customization options
- Limited support
FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses and self-employed professionals, offering features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and time tracking.
Why I picked FreshBooks: With its user-friendly interface and automation capabilities, FreshBooks helps users manage their finances efficiently without the need for extensive accounting knowledge. The platform is known for its intuitive design, mobile accessibility, and robust reporting, making it a valuable solution for businesses looking to streamline their accounting processes and focus on growth.
FreshBooks Standout features and integrations:
Standout features include tracking restricted funds to ensure you don’t spend your nonprofit’s donations improperly. It also offers services like expense tracking, reporting tools, and time tracking to help manage your nonprofit. You can also use its invoicing tools and payment acceptance service to get paid if you provide work or a service for someone else.
Integrations include Hubspot, Gusto, Fundbox, Zapier, and more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Track restricted funds
- Long trial period
- Low cost
Cons:
- Monthly fee for each additional user
- Fewer features aimed specifically at nonprofits
Xledger is a cloud-based financial software that provides comprehensive solutions for finance, HR, and payroll management, aimed at streamlining business processes for organizations. It's designed to support various industries, including nonprofits, and is particularly noted for its real-time financial reporting, analytics capabilities, and scalability.
Why I picked Xledger: Xledger's automation accounting and financial tasks address the specific challenges faced by nonprofits, like limited resources. As a cloud-based system, Xledger allows nonprofit staff and volunteers to access financial data and tools from any location and on any device, with access to real-time insights to enhance transparency and accountability and build donor trust.
Xledger Standout features and integrations:
Standout features include automated fund accounting tailored for nonprofits, providing real-time financial insights and streamlined reporting. Its cloud-based platform also ensures secure access and scalability, facilitating efficient financial management for organizations of all sizes. Additionally, Xledger’s integrated budgeting and expense tracking features enable nonprofits to maintain financial transparency and compliance with ease.
Integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Magento, GoldFinch, Harvest, JPMorgan Chase Bank, and Chase Credit Card.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Donor management tools
- Real-time reporting
- Automation of day-to-day operations
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Learning curve for new users
ZipBooks is an accounting software tailored to meet the unique needs of nonprofits, providing robust financial management tools to help organizations track donations, grants, and expenses effectively.
Why I picked ZipBooks: ZipBooks enables nonprofits to maintain accurate financial records and demonstrate transparency to stakeholders. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, cloud-based accessibility, and affordability, making it a valuable solution for nonprofits seeking to manage their finances efficiently and focus on their mission.
ZipBooks Standout features and integrations:
Standout features include unlimited invoicing, enabling nonprofits to efficiently manage donor contributions and fundraising efforts. Its expense tracking and categorization features help organizations monitor spending and maintain financial transparency. Additionally, ZipBooks provides real-time financial reporting, allowing nonprofits to generate up-to-date balance sheets and income statements for informed decision-making.
Integrations include Google Drive, Square, PayPal, Zoho Flow, Gusto, Slack, and Asana.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy payment acceptance
- Higher levels of service are low cost
- Free service is suitable for many smaller nonprofits
Cons:
- Few integrations
- Limited support
Quicken is a personal finance management software developed by Intuit, offering tools for budgeting, expense tracking, and investment management.
Why I picked Quicken: Quicken is a low-cost service that is designed largely for individuals tracking their finances, but it does offer a small business service that works well for small nonprofits with just one or two people involved. It provides expense tracking and donation management features that help small-scale organizations maintain transparency and control over their finances. Additionally, its affordability and ability to generate detailed reports make it a practical solution for managing nonprofit finances on a smaller scale.
Quicken Standout features and integrations:
Standout features include easy-to-use budgeting tools that allow nonprofits to track expenses and allocate funds effectively. Its multi-account tracking feature enables organizations to manage multiple financial accounts in one place, simplifying overall financial oversight. Furthermore, Quicken provides mobile app access, allowing nonprofit leaders to monitor finances and updates on-the-go for added convenience and flexibility.
Integrations include PayPal, Zillow, Quicken LifeHub, and more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Cash flow reporting
- Low price, even for most advanced tiers
Cons:
- No product demo or free trial offering
- Limited features
Serenic Navigator is an integrated cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution designed for nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
Why I picked Serenic Navigator: Serenic Navigator offers advanced financial management, grant management, and budgeting tools tailored to the unique needs of nonprofit organizations. Its integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central enhances usability and ensures seamless data flow across platforms. Additionally, Serenic Navigator provides advanced reporting and compliance tracking features, enabling nonprofits to maintain transparency and adhere to regulatory standards effectively.
Serenic Navigator Standout features and integrations:
Standout features include precise tracking and management of multiple funds to ensure financial transparency. Its advanced fund accounting capabilities allow nonprofits to manage multiple funds with ease. Plus, the software offers built-in compliance tracking to ensure adherence to regulatory standards, enhancing organizational credibility.
Integrations include Sylogist’s other services, including IT management, web portals, and business apps.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Financial tracking and budgeting tools
- Wide variety of add-on services
- Designed specifically for nonprofits
Cons:
- Works best if you buy multiple services, not just accounting
- Pricing is not transparent
Wave is a free accounting software designed to meet the needs of small businesses, including freelancers, consultants, and startups.
Why I picked Wave: Wave helps businesses manage their finances efficiently without the need for extensive accounting knowledge. It provides free tools for managing income, expenses, and invoicing, making it an affordable solution for small nonprofits. Along with these features, Wave's intuitive interface simplifies financial tracking and reporting, allowing organizations to maintain transparency and control over their finances.
Wave Standout features and integrations:
Standout features include connecting your account to an unlimited number of bank accounts and credit cards, invoicing, revenue and expense tracking, and financial reporting. If you have multiple nonprofits, Wave also makes it easy to manage multiple organizations with a single account.
Integrations include anything you can link with Zapier, although that may be somewhat more advanced.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Free reporting and expense tracking
- Custom invoicing
- Completely free if you don’t use add-on services
Cons:
- Limited free support
- Restricted funds have to be tracked manually
Aplos is an accounting software specifically designed for nonprofit organizations, offering comprehensive financial management tools to help nonprofits track donations, manage grants, and maintain compliance.
Why I picked Aplos: Aplos empowers nonprofits to streamline their financial processes and demonstrate transparency to stakeholders. The platform offers built-in tools designed specifically for nonprofits, such as donor profiles, contribution tracking, and fundraising campaign management. Its donation tracking also integrates seamlessly with fund accounting, ensuring contributions are allocated correctly and transparently.
Aplos Standout features and integrations:
Standout features include CRM tools that let you create donor profiles, track your communication and relationship history with them, make tailored appeals for donations, and track the pledges donors offer. The service also comes with true fund accounting that allows nonprofits to easily track and report financials by designated funds, ensuring transparency and compliance.
Integrations include Gusto, WePay, Church Community Builder, Bloomerang, PayPal, Sage Payroll, and more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Many integrations
- Intuitive and easy to use without sacrificing functionality
- Donor management tools
Cons:
- Some basic services require higher level of subscription
- High price
Realm is a mobile database and synchronization platform designed to help developers build real-time, collaborative applications.
Why I picked Realm: Realm streamlines administrative tasks, enhances congregant engagement, and facilitates effective communication, enabling church leaders to focus more on ministry. The software integrates seamlessly with giving tools, enabling automatic posting of contributions into the general ledger, which streamlines financial processes and reduces manual data entry. It also offers fund accounting capabilities, allowing users to manage finances by fund, ensuring transparency and compliance with accounting standards.
Realm Standout features and integrations:
Standout features include Realm’s app for pastors and congregants to help people stay connected to their church, register for events, volunteer, and donate, making this a uniquely helpful tool for churches. On the financial side, it offers financial dashboards, donor tracking and management, and donation acceptance tools.
Integrations: Realm is sold as an all-in-one platform.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- 24/7 support
- Easy to use
- Donor management and tracking capabilities
- Designed specifically for churches and worship organizations
Cons:
- Not applicable to all nonprofits
- Opaque pricing
- Limited features
Other Nonprofit Accounting Software
If you don’t feel any options on my list are the right fit for your organization, here are a few other nonprofit accounting tools to consider:
- NetSuite
For enterprise and international nonprofits
- Sage Intacct
For global nonprofits
- QuickBooks Online
For tracking cash flow by project
- UncommonGood
For fundraising
- AccuFund
For government agencies
- NonprofitCore
For donor outreach
Nonprofit Accounting Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best nonprofit accounting software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like budget constraints and ease of financial reporting. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Manage fund accounting
- Handle donation tracking
- Create financial statements
- Track grants and restricted funds
- Generate expense reports
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Integrate with donor management systems
- Provide mobile accessibility
- Offer advanced budgeting tools
- Include automated compliance checks
- Support multi-currency transactions
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Offer intuitive navigation
- Provide a clean interface
- Include customizable dashboards
- Minimize complexity of features
- Ensure quick access to key functions
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Offer comprehensive training videos
- Provide step-by-step product tours
- Include templates for quick setup
- Offer live webinars for guidance
- Ensure availability of chat support
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- Offer 24/7 support availability
- Provide multiple support channels
- Include a comprehensive knowledge base
- Ensure quick response times
- Provide personalized support options
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Offer competitive pricing
- Provide transparent pricing models
- Include essential features in basic plans
- Offer scalable pricing options
- Ensure cost-effectiveness for nonprofits
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Discuss overall satisfaction with features
- Highlight ease of use
- Mention reliability and stability
- Praise customer support quality
- Note the software’s adaptability
How to Choose Nonprofit Accounting Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Ensure the software can grow with your organization, handling more users and transactions without a hitch as your needs expand. |
| Integrations | Check for compatibility with existing tools your team uses, like CRM or donor management systems, to streamline data flow and reduce manual entry. |
| Customizability | Look for software that allows you to tailor reports and dashboards to fit your specific nonprofit requirements and financial reporting standards. |
| Ease of Use | Choose a solution your team can learn quickly, minimizing training time and maximizing productivity with an intuitive interface and helpful resources. |
| Budget | Consider both upfront costs and ongoing fees, ensuring it aligns with your financial constraints without sacrificing essential features. |
| Security Safeguards | Prioritize software with robust data protection measures, such as encryption and regular backups, to keep sensitive donor and financial data safe. |
| Reporting | Opt for tools that offer comprehensive financial reporting capabilities tailored for nonprofits, including grant tracking and fund accounting. |
| Support | Assess the availability of customer support services, ensuring your team has reliable assistance when navigating technical challenges or questions. |
Trends in Nonprofit Accounting Software
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different nonprofit accounting software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:
- Automated Financial Reporting: Automation is highly valued among nonprofits for providing real-time data access and better donation tracking. It allows organizations to streamline their reporting processes, making financial management more efficient.
- AI and Machine Learning: These technologies are becoming crucial in financial management for nonprofits. They help in tracking metrics, consolidating data, and providing better insights into financial health, allowing for more informed decision-making.
- Data Analytics: There's a growing emphasis on using data analytics to evaluate financial performance. Nonprofits are breaking down financial data into metrics like donor retention and fundraising efficiency to enhance decision-making.
- Cloud Computing: This technology is increasingly adopted for its ability to improve collaboration by allowing remote data access, reduce costs, and enhance data security. It supports multiple users accessing accounting information from anywhere.
- Digital Media Engagement: Nonprofits are utilizing digital media, including social media and storytelling, to engage donors more effectively. This trend helps in increasing their online presence and attracting more support through visual and narrative content.
What is Nonprofit Accounting Software?
Nonprofit accounting software is a specialized financial management tool that encompasses tools and features that cater to fund accounting principles, donor management, and compliance reporting, allowing nonprofits to effectively manage their finances and demonstrate accountability.
The tool helps maintain accurate financial records, demonstrate transparency, and comply with accounting standards specific to the nonprofit sector.
Features of Nonprofit Accounting Software
When selecting nonprofit accounting software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Fund Accounting: Allows organizations to track and manage multiple funds or grants, ensuring financial accountability and compliance with donor restrictions.
- Budget Management: Enables the creation and monitoring of budgets to ensure that the organization stays within its financial limits and meets its financial goals.
- Donation Tracking: Facilitates the tracking of donations and pledges, ensuring accurate reporting and acknowledgment to donors.
- Grant Management: Supports the management and reporting of grants, helping organizations comply with grantor requirements and track funding sources.
- Financial Reporting: Provides tools for generating standard and custom financial reports, aiding in transparency and informed decision-making.
- Compliance Features: Ensures adherence to regulatory requirements specific to nonprofits, reducing the risk of penalties and fines.
- Integration Capabilities: Enables seamless connectivity with other systems and applications, such as CRM or payroll software, to streamline operations.
- User Access Controls: Allows for the assignment of different access levels to users, ensuring data security and integrity.
- Multi-Currency Support: Facilitates transactions and reporting in different currencies, beneficial for organizations dealing with international donations or operations.
- Audit Trail: Maintains a record of all financial transactions and changes, providing transparency and aiding in audits.
- Project Management: Helps streamline workflows and balance your budget.
Benefits of Nonprofit Accounting Software
Implementing nonprofit accounting software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved Financial Accuracy: Automation features reduce the risk of human errors in financial records, ensuring more accurate reporting.
- Time Savings: Automated processes and integrations with other tools save time on manual data entry and reconciliations. This is especially beneficial if you have several nonprofit organizations.
- Better Financial Insights: Real-time reporting and analytics tools provide valuable insights into financial health and donor contributions.
- Enhanced Compliance: Built-in compliance checks help ensure adherence to regulatory requirements specific to nonprofits.
- Efficient Fundraising Management: Tools for tracking donations and generating donor reports make managing fundraising activities easier.
- Budget Tracking: Features for budget creation and monitoring help keep finances aligned with organizational goals.
- Donor Relationship Management: Integration with CRM systems allows for better communication and relationship building with donors. This is beneficial for all nonprofits, but even moreso if you're a startup.
Costs and Pricing of Nonprofit Accounting Software
Selecting nonprofit accounting software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in nonprofit accounting software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Nonprofit Accounting Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic accounting, limited user access, and essential reporting. |
| Personal Plan | $10-$30/user/month | Customizable dashboards, user support, and basic integrations. |
| Business Plan | $50-$100/user/month | Advanced reporting, multi-user access, custom integrations, and enhanced security. |
| Enterprise Plan | Custom pricing | Full feature set, dedicated support, unlimited users, and advanced customization. |
Nonprofit Accounting Software FAQS
Here are some answers to common questions about nonprofit accounting software:
How does nonprofit accounting software handle restricted funds?
Nonprofit accounting software is designed to help you track and manage restricted funds efficiently. These tools allow you to set up specific accounts for different types of restricted funds, making it easy to ensure that these funds are used according to donor specifications. Your team can generate reports that show the allocation and usage of restricted funds, ensuring transparency and compliance with donor requirements.
Can nonprofit accounting software integrate with donor management systems?
Yes, many nonprofit accounting software solutions offer integration capabilities with donor management systems. This integration allows you to sync donor data and financial transactions across platforms, providing a comprehensive view of your organization’s finances. By integrating these systems, you can streamline your financial processes and maintain accurate records without manual data entry.
Is it possible to automate grant tracking with nonprofit accounting software?
Nonprofit accounting software often includes features for automating grant tracking. You can set up automated alerts for grant application deadlines and reporting requirements, ensuring that your team stays on top of crucial tasks. Additionally, the software can help you track grant expenditures and generate reports needed for grant compliance, saving you time and reducing the risk of errors.
Can we customize the chart of accounts in nonprofit accounting software?
Yes, most nonprofit accounting software allows you to customize the chart of accounts to fit your organization’s specific needs. You can create new accounts, modify existing ones, and organize them in a way that reflects your financial structure. This flexibility helps you align your accounting practices with your operational goals and reporting requirements.
Is accounting software secure?
Whenever you’re working with important data, such as financial information or donor contact info, it’s important to consider security. You don’t want malicious actors to steal financial or personal information.Before deciding on a software provider, check to make sure that the vendor is reputable and that it uses proper security measures. Also, be sure to take some steps of your own, such as using a unique, complex password.
Other Accounting Software Options
If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for here, check out these other tools that we’ve tested and evaluated:
- Accounting Software For Midsize Businesses
- Accounting Software for PC
- Engineering Accounting Software
- Accounting Software for Teams
- Accounting Software With CRM
- Real Estate Accounting Software
- Accounting Software With Client Portals
- Multi-Company Accounting Software
- Legal Accounting Software
- Accounting Software for Startups
- AI Accounting Software
- Accounting Workflow Management Software
- Accounting Software With Payroll For Small Businesses
- Accounting Software For Service Companies
- Accounting Software For Rental Properties
- Accounting Software For Advertising Agencies
- Accounting Software For The Self-Employed
- Accounting Software For Large Business
- Accounting Software For Consultants
- Accounting Software for Mac
- Accounting Software For Accountants
- Cloud-Based Accounting Software
- Lease Accounting Software
- Small Business Accounting Software
- Property Management Accounting Software
- Construction Accounting Software
- Online Accounting Software
- Business Accounting Software