Top Bench Alternatives & Competitors For 2024

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Looking for alternatives to Bench? Many users crave user-friendly and feature-rich solutions for tasks like Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Banking and Cash Management. Leveraging crowdsourced data from over 1,000 real Accounting Software selection projects based on 400+ capabilities, we present a comparison of Bench to leading industry alternatives like Freshbooks, Sage Intacct, NetSuite Accounting, and Xero.

Bench Software Tool
NetSuite Accounting Software Tool

Product Basics

Bench automates bookkeeping and provides financial assistance to small business owners. It automatically connects all transaction data from the business accounts each month. Users can take advantage of the subscription to cloud-based modules and or in-house professional consultants. Access it through the iPhone app to track cash flow and financial health with income statements, intuitive expense reports and more.
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Freshbooks is a cloud-based accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses. Its core features include invoicing, expense tracking, online payments, project management, and basic reporting. It's user-friendly and integrates with popular tools like Stripe and PayPal. Freshbooks shines for solopreneurs and small teams seeking a simple, affordable solution to manage basic accounting tasks. Its intuitive interface and mobile app make it accessible even for non-accountants. Users appreciate its automated features like recurring invoices and expense categorization, saving them time and effort. Compared to some competitors, Freshbooks may lack advanced accounting functionalities like inventory management or double-entry bookkeeping. However, its focus on simplicity and ease of use makes it a popular choice for those starting out or needing a lightweight accounting solution. Pricing starts at a reasonable monthly fee and scales based on the number of clients and features needed. This pay-as-you-go model ensures users pay only for what they use, making it a cost-effective option for small businesses.

Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Mobile app access
  • Automated invoicing
  • Online payments
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Limited features
  • No double-entry
  • Price increases with clients
  • Basic reporting
  • Not for large businesses
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Sage Intacct is a cloud-based accounting software designed for growing businesses with complex needs. It centralizes financial data, automates tasks, and offers real-time insights, streamlining financial operations. Ideal for mid-sized organizations with multi-entity structures and diverse accounting requirements, Intacct scales with your growth and seamlessly integrates with other business systems. Users praise its intuitive interface, customizable dashboards, and robust reporting capabilities. Automation features like purchase order approvals and multi-currency transactions save time and reduce errors. Additionally, Intacct's strong security and compliance features provide peace of mind. While pricing varies based on individual needs and usage, Intacct typically falls within the mid-range for enterprise-level accounting software. Costs are subscription-based, with monthly or annual payment options. Compared to similar products, Intacct users highlight its scalability, flexibility, and user-friendliness as key differentiators.

To learn more about Sage, visit our Sage company page.

Pros
  • Cloud-based & scalable
  • Automates tasks & saves time
  • Real-time insights & reporting
  • Flexible & customizable
  • Strong security & compliance
Cons
  • Higher cost than basic software
  • Steeper learning curve
  • Limited mobile functionality
  • Customization can be complex
  • Fewer integrations than some competitors
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Netsuite Accounting assists financial leaders in designing and modifying operations by pairing bookkeeping with robust compliance management to increase business performance and close proficiency. Immediate access to information offers users full visibility to study all the nooks and crannies and expeditiously fix issues. This visibility enables users to draft thorough statements and disclosures that conform to ASC 606, GAAP, SOX and other compliance requirements.

Its key accessories include tax management, general ledger, accounts receivable and payable and cash management.
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Xero is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses. It streamlines bookkeeping tasks like invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and payroll, all accessible from any device. Xero boasts user-friendly interfaces and automated features, saving time and simplifying financial management. Popular features include online invoicing with reminders, bank feeds for automatic transaction import, and customizable reports for insights into cash flow and profitability. While Xero caters well to various industries, its strengths lie in freelancer/contractor work, startups, and service-based businesses. Pricing scales with business size and complexity, starting at a monthly subscription for basic accounting needs and increasing with additional features and users. Compared to some competitors, Xero offers a robust mobile app, strong integrations with third-party tools, and a focus on user experience. However, it may lack advanced inventory management or complex accounting functions suited for larger enterprises. Ultimately, Xero's value proposition lies in its ease of use, automation, and scalability, making it a popular choice for small businesses seeking a streamlined and efficient accounting solution.

Pros:
  • Cloud-based access anywhere
  • Easy invoicing and expense tracking
  • Automated bank reconciliation
  • User-friendly interface
  • Mobile app for on-the-go use
Cons:
  • Learning curve for new users
  • Limited inventory management
  • No built-in payroll (separate fee)
  • Higher cost for advanced features
  • Limited phone support
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$249
$4.50
$10,000
Undisclosed
$15
Monthly
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Annually, Quote-based
Monthly
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Small
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Chromebook
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Chromebook
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On-Premise
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Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
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Cloud
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Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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Product Ranking

#52

among all
Accounting Software

#2

among all
Accounting Software

#9

among all
Accounting Software

#5

among all
Accounting Software

#3

among all
Accounting Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

we're gathering data
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77
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Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Banking and Cash Management
Budget and Expense Management
Deployment Options
Platform Security
Project Accounting
Tax Management
Financial Statements and Revenue Management
Journal Entries
Financial Statements and Revenue Management
General Ledger and Chart of Accounts
Inventory Management
Journal Entries
Project Accounting
Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Banking and Cash Management
Budget and Expense Management
Deployment Options
Banking and Cash Management
General Ledger and Chart of Accounts
Integration and Extensibility
Journal Entries
Mobile Support

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Banking and Cash Management Budget and Expense Management Financial Statements and Revenue Management General Ledger and Chart of Accounts Integration and Extensibility Inventory Management Journal Entries Mobile Support Multi-company Accounting and Asset Management Platform Capabilities Project Accounting Reporting and Analytics Tax Management 94 94 73 86 98 75 88 81 97 97 49 89 100 92 100 96 77 91 92 100 100 96 100 100 30 96 79 100 96 100 93 97 100 89 89 100 100 83 100 100 79 89 100 90 92 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 385 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 4096 reviews
Great User Sentiment 2342 reviews
Good User Sentiment 2235 reviews
Great User Sentiment 4652 reviews
89%
of users recommend this product

Bench has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 89% when considering 385 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

90%
of users recommend this product

Freshbooks has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 4096 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

86%
of users recommend this product

Sage Intacct has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 2342 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

78%
of users recommend this product

NetSuite Accounting has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 78% when considering 2235 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

86%
of users recommend this product

Xero has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 4652 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.8 (28)
5.0 (20)
4.9 (19)
4.4 (17)
4.2 (77)
4.6 (586)
4.3 (1018)
3.9 (1127)
4.3 (339)
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4.33 (2132)
4.5 (308)
4.5 (3332)
4.2 (288)
4.1 (715)
4.3 (1877)
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4.5 (79)
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4.0 (150)
4.3 (937)
3.5 (374)
4.3 (287)

Awards

No awards.
User Favorite Award
Inventory Management Award
Reporting and Analytics Award
No awards.
Integration and Extensibility Award
Mobile Support Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive Interface: Many users find Bench's platform easy to navigate, simplifying tasks like categorizing transactions and generating financial reports.
Automated Bookkeeping: Bench automates many bookkeeping tasks, such as importing bank statements and categorizing transactions, saving users time and effort.
Dedicated Bookkeeper Support: Users appreciate having access to a dedicated bookkeeper who can answer questions and provide personalized support.
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Customer Support: Approximately 89% of users that mentioned it in their review said customer support is supportive, helpful and quick to respond to issues.
Appliances: Precisely 58% of users that discussed the system functionalities enjoyed this program's appliances because they can create clean reports, set up repeating invoices, and add and manage credit cards.
Simple and intuitive interface: Freshbooks' clean layout and straightforward navigation make it easy for even non-accountants to manage their finances.
Time-saving features: Automated invoicing, expense categorization, and online payments let users save time and effort on routine accounting tasks.
Mobile app for on-the-go management: Access invoices, track expenses, and manage clients from smartphones or tablets, ensuring flexibility and productivity.
Affordable plans for growing businesses: Choose a plan that scales with your needs and budget, with options starting at an accessible price point.
Seamless integrations with popular tools: Streamline workflows by connecting Freshbooks with tools like Stripe, PayPal, and Google Workspace, centralizing financial data.
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Intuitive User Interface: Precisely 65% of users stated it has an intuitive and user-friendly interface with a manageable learning curve.
Configurable: Approximately 90% of users conveyed that the product is customizable to fit their organization's needs.
Competent Performance: The quality, scalability and overall performance are favorable to 94% of users.
An Assortment of Features: According to 54% of users, the product has a wide range of features including accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliation, time tracking, 1099 forms and more.
Ideal Integrations: Merges with various third-party systems such as Salesforce, Nexonia, Expensify, Bill.com and more, as stated by 94% of users.
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Overall Performance: Of the users who discussed the performance of this solution, 58% said it was outstanding because it has automatic updates, simplifies accounting tasks and provides accurate data.
Customizable: Precisely 68% of users who addressed this program's customization said it is easy to configure to their business needs.
Accessories: Of the users who mentioned this application's accessories, 52% said they are effective, praising specifically the customizable dashboard, search engine that saves searches and customizable accounting reports.
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Affordable: Of all the reviews that mentioned price, over 70% felt it was well within their price range and felt satisfied.
Good Customer Service: Over 70% of reviews that mentioned the customer support said they received excellent service, especially from their reps.
Excellent Functionality: In more than 50% of all reviews that mentioned features, users were happy with its capabilities. They especially like the integrations, reconciliation process, invoices and accounting functions.
Simple and intuitive interface: Xero's clean layout and straightforward navigation make it easy for users of all skill levels to manage their finances. In over 80% of reviews that mentioned the UI, users said it was easy to navigate.
Automated tasks: Xero automates repetitive tasks like invoicing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation, saving users valuable time and reducing errors.
Mobile app for on-the-go access: Manage your finances and stay up-to-date on your business performance anytime, anywhere with Xero's mobile app.
Customizable reports and dashboards: Gain valuable insights into your cash flow, profitability, and other key financial metrics with Xero's customizable reports and dashboards.
Multi-user access and permissions: Collaborate with team members and advisors seamlessly with Xero's secure multi-user access and permission controls.
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Limited Features for Accountants: Some users have expressed that Bench lacks robust features specifically designed for accounting professionals, such as advanced reporting capabilities or complex inventory management.
Customer Support Concerns: A few users have reported experiencing delays or difficulties in getting timely support from Bench's customer service team.
Pricing Structure: While Bench offers transparent pricing, some users have found it to be relatively expensive compared to alternative bookkeeping solutions, especially for businesses with higher transaction volumes.
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Limited features for complex accounting: Freshbooks may not handle advanced accounting needs like inventory management, double-entry bookkeeping, or fixed assets.
Not ideal for large businesses: As businesses grow, Freshbooks' scalability and feature set might become insufficient for complex financial operations.
Price increases with client base: The cost of Freshbooks can rise significantly as you add more clients, potentially exceeding initial budget expectations.
Basic reporting and analytics: Freshbooks' reporting capabilities may be insufficient for businesses requiring in-depth financial analysis and data insights.
Limited customer support for free plans: Free trial and Lite plan users might have limited access to customer support, potentially hindering troubleshooting and issue resolution.
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Dawdling Customer Support: Of the users who discussed customer support, roughly 64% said it was lagging in resources and took a long time to get in touch with them.
Lagging Search Tool: Approximately 45% of users said the search and reporting tools aren't as effective as some of the software's other idiosyncrasies.
High Cost: Subscription-based pricing, often exceeding the budgets of smaller businesses or those with simpler accounting needs.
Steep Learning Curve: Feature-rich interface can feel overwhelming for beginners, requiring initial training and time investment.
Limited Mobile Functionality: Mobile app lacks access to many core features, hindering on-the-go workflow for some users.
Customization Complexity: Advanced customization options often require technical expertise or paid consultations.
Integration Gaps: While offering major integrations, it may lack connections to specific niche software used by some businesses.
No Built-in Payroll: Requires integrating a separate payroll solution, adding complexity and additional costs.
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System Performance: Approximately 41% of the users who mentioned this program's overall performance said it was slow and experienced crashes.
Functionality: Of the users who discussed this solution's functionality, roughly 47% said it was lacking features including budget forecasting, fixed assets and support for .xlsx and .xls files.
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Limited inventory management: Xero lacks advanced inventory tracking features, making it less suitable for businesses with complex inventory needs.
Learning curve for complex features: While basic tasks are easy, some advanced features like multi-currency accounting can be challenging for non-accountants to navigate. Though the system was widely popular after implementation, users said it was old-fashioned and had a steep learning curve in 20% of reviews that mentioned the UI.
Higher cost for advanced features: Access to advanced features like payroll processing and multi-currency comes at a higher price point, potentially exceeding budgets for smaller businesses.
Limited phone support: Xero primarily relies on email and live chat for support, which may not be ideal for users seeking immediate assistance with critical issues.
Integration limitations: While offering many integrations, some key business tools may not have seamless integration with Xero, requiring workarounds or data duplication.
Invoices: While around 60% of users felt that the invoicing system worked well, around 40% said they had trouble making changes to them once they were saved.
Downgrading Issues: Around 20% of reviews that mentioned price said they had issues while trying to go to a lower pricing tier and often ended up paying a month or more at a higher rate.
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Is Bench the right software to help your business come out on top? Bench is a cloud-based accounting software that aims to simplify financial management for small businesses. User reviews highlight its user-friendliness as a major strength, making it ideal for those without extensive accounting experience. Features like invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll streamline financial tasks, saving users time and effort. However, pricing emerges as a significant drawback, potentially deterring budget-conscious businesses. Bench differentiates itself through its dedicated team of bookkeepers who provide personalized support and ensure tax readiness. This hands-on approach sets it apart from competitors like Xero and QuickBooks Online, which primarily offer software tools without the same level of human assistance. This is particularly valuable for businesses seeking expert guidance and peace of mind regarding their financial records. Overall, Bench is best suited for small business owners who prioritize ease of use and personalized bookkeeping support, even if it comes at a higher cost. Those comfortable handling their own accounting or seeking more budget-friendly options might find other software more suitable.

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Freshbooks emerges from user reviews as a reliable and user-friendly accounting solution for solopreneurs and small businesses. Its intuitive interface, mobile app access, and automated features like invoicing and online payments are consistently praised for saving time and streamlining workflows. Compared to competitors like QuickBooks, users appreciate Freshbooks' ease of use for non-accountants, while acknowledging its limitations in advanced functionalities like double-entry bookkeeping or inventory management. This makes it ideal for those starting out or needing a lightweight accounting solution, but potentially less suitable for complex financial needs as businesses grow. Another key differentiator for Freshbooks is its affordability, with tiered plans starting at an attractive price point. However, user reviews also highlight a potential drawback: as client bases expand, so does the cost, which can become a concern for some users. Additionally, while basic reporting and analytics are included, users seeking in-depth data analysis may find Freshbooks' capabilities limited compared to more robust competitors. Overall, user reviews paint a picture of Freshbooks as a user-friendly and affordable accounting solution for solopreneurs and small businesses seeking to simplify their financial management. Its strengths lie in ease of use, automation, and mobile access, while its limitations emerge in advanced features and scalability for larger businesses. Ultimately, the decision to choose Freshbooks hinges on individual needs and priorities, with users emphasizing the importance of weighing its strengths against its limitations to ensure a perfect fit.

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Sage Intacct user reviews paint a picture of a powerful, customizable accounting software ideal for mid-sized, growing businesses. Users praise its real-time reporting, cloud-based accessibility, and ability to handle complex financial structures. Compared to competitors, Intacct shines in scalability and customization, effortlessly adapting to multi-entity operations and unique accounting needs. This agility is crucial for dynamic businesses operating in diverse markets. However, its strengths come with caveats. Intacct's feature-rich nature can be daunting for beginners, requiring dedicated training and technical know-how. Additionally, its subscription-based pricing can be prohibitive for smaller companies or those with simpler accounting requirements. The limited mobile functionality and lack of built-in payroll are also shortcomings some users find frustrating. Overall, Sage Intacct earns its positive reviews by empowering businesses with robust functionalities and seamless scalability. However, its complexity and premium cost may leave smaller players or those needing basic accounting solutions searching for a more accessible, budget-friendly alternative.

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Netsuite Accounting is a thorough accounting ERP that superintends all bookkeeping tasks. Users are most fond of its performance with automatic updates, potent workflows and precise data collection as well as its string of features-including, tax management, general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, CRM, multicurrency and more-to boost productivity. It's also adjustable, so users may tailor it to meet their company needs. Although some users were disappointed with the system's sluggishness, occasional crashes and lack of budget estimating, fixed assets and support for .xlsx and .xls files, the majority find it an adequate bookkeeping software.

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Xero’s users say it’s easy to use and has good accounting and bookkeeping capabilities. Most found the price to be acceptable, with some complaints about issues they ran into while trying to switch to a lower pricing tier. More than 70% loved the customer service and felt their representatives were extremely helpful. It has a range of features including band feeds, invoice creation, integrations and reconciliation processes. The reconciliation was particularly popular with over 80% of reviewers who mentioned it describing positive experiences. One issue with the system came in making updates to invoices after they’d been saved. Some users said they were sent prematurely to clients or claimed to have difficulties changing the data at a later date. Many also felt that the implementation process for the new platform was difficult, but that once they learned where things were they felt comfortable. This may be a good choice for small and medium businesses. Larger companies should consider a system that’s able to handle a higher volume.

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