Quick Overview
- 1#1: Aplos - Cloud-based accounting software built specifically for nonprofits, offering fund accounting, donor management, budgeting, and compliance reporting.
- 2#2: QuickBooks Online Nonprofit - Widely-used accounting platform customized for nonprofits with class and location tracking for funds, donations, and Form 990 support.
- 3#3: Sage Intacct - Scalable cloud financial management solution for nonprofits featuring advanced fund accounting, grant tracking, and multi-entity support.
- 4#4: Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT - Comprehensive fund accounting system integrated with fundraising CRM for mid-to-large nonprofits ensuring regulatory compliance.
- 5#5: MIP Fund Accounting - Established fund accounting software providing robust financial controls, reporting, and audit trails for nonprofits.
- 6#6: FastFund - Affordable nonprofit accounting tool with multi-fund capabilities, payroll, budgeting, and donor tracking in one platform.
- 7#7: Denali Fund - Flexible fund accounting software for nonprofits with strong customization, reporting, and grant management features.
- 8#8: NetSuite for Nonprofits - Enterprise cloud ERP tailored for nonprofits offering sophisticated fund accounting, analytics, and scalability.
- 9#9: Xero for Nonprofits - Intuitive cloud accounting software with tracking categories and bank reconciliation suitable for smaller nonprofits.
- 10#10: Wave Accounting - Free, simple bookkeeping tool for very small nonprofits handling invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting.
We ranked tools based on nonprofit-specific features, performance reliability, user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring a balanced selection for organizations of all sizes.
Comparison Table
Nonprofits face unique financial management needs, and selecting the right bookkeeping software is key to efficiency and compliance. This comparison table explores top tools like Aplos, QuickBooks Online Nonprofit, Sage Intacct, Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, MIP Fund Accounting, and more, breaking down features, usability, and suitability for diverse organizational scales. Readers will discover insights to identify software that aligns with their specific mission and financial goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aplos Cloud-based accounting software built specifically for nonprofits, offering fund accounting, donor management, budgeting, and compliance reporting. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | QuickBooks Online Nonprofit Widely-used accounting platform customized for nonprofits with class and location tracking for funds, donations, and Form 990 support. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 3 | Sage Intacct Scalable cloud financial management solution for nonprofits featuring advanced fund accounting, grant tracking, and multi-entity support. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 4 | Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT Comprehensive fund accounting system integrated with fundraising CRM for mid-to-large nonprofits ensuring regulatory compliance. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | MIP Fund Accounting Established fund accounting software providing robust financial controls, reporting, and audit trails for nonprofits. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | FastFund Affordable nonprofit accounting tool with multi-fund capabilities, payroll, budgeting, and donor tracking in one platform. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Denali Fund Flexible fund accounting software for nonprofits with strong customization, reporting, and grant management features. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 8 | NetSuite for Nonprofits Enterprise cloud ERP tailored for nonprofits offering sophisticated fund accounting, analytics, and scalability. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | Xero for Nonprofits Intuitive cloud accounting software with tracking categories and bank reconciliation suitable for smaller nonprofits. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Wave Accounting Free, simple bookkeeping tool for very small nonprofits handling invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting. | other | 6.8/10 | 5.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
Cloud-based accounting software built specifically for nonprofits, offering fund accounting, donor management, budgeting, and compliance reporting.
Widely-used accounting platform customized for nonprofits with class and location tracking for funds, donations, and Form 990 support.
Scalable cloud financial management solution for nonprofits featuring advanced fund accounting, grant tracking, and multi-entity support.
Comprehensive fund accounting system integrated with fundraising CRM for mid-to-large nonprofits ensuring regulatory compliance.
Established fund accounting software providing robust financial controls, reporting, and audit trails for nonprofits.
Affordable nonprofit accounting tool with multi-fund capabilities, payroll, budgeting, and donor tracking in one platform.
Flexible fund accounting software for nonprofits with strong customization, reporting, and grant management features.
Enterprise cloud ERP tailored for nonprofits offering sophisticated fund accounting, analytics, and scalability.
Intuitive cloud accounting software with tracking categories and bank reconciliation suitable for smaller nonprofits.
Free, simple bookkeeping tool for very small nonprofits handling invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting.
Aplos
specializedCloud-based accounting software built specifically for nonprofits, offering fund accounting, donor management, budgeting, and compliance reporting.
Advanced fund accounting that automatically categorizes transactions across multiple funds with donor restrictions
Aplos is a cloud-based accounting software tailored specifically for nonprofits, churches, and mission organizations, offering fund accounting to track restricted and unrestricted funds seamlessly. It handles donation management, pledge tracking, budgeting, expense allocation, and compliance reporting like Form 990 preparation. The platform integrates with online giving tools and payment processors for streamlined revenue tracking and automated bank reconciliations.
Pros
- Specialized fund accounting for nonprofit compliance
- Integrated donation and online giving tools
- Comprehensive reporting and 990 form support
Cons
- Higher cost for advanced add-ons like payroll
- Limited third-party integrations compared to enterprise tools
- Steeper learning curve for complex multi-fund setups
Best For
Small to mid-sized nonprofits and churches needing tailored fund accounting without general ledger complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for core accounting (billed annually), with add-ons like payroll at $45/month + $4/employee; free trial available.
QuickBooks Online Nonprofit
specializedWidely-used accounting platform customized for nonprofits with class and location tracking for funds, donations, and Form 990 support.
Sophisticated class and location tracking enabling precise fund and program-level reporting
QuickBooks Online Nonprofit is a cloud-based accounting solution from Intuit, customized for nonprofits with features like class and location tracking for fund accounting, donation and grant management, and compliance reporting. It handles core bookkeeping tasks such as invoicing, expense tracking, payroll integration, and financial statements tailored to nonprofit needs like Form 990 support. Ideal for organizations seeking scalable, familiar software without fully specialized nonprofit ERP systems.
Pros
- Robust class and location tracking for multi-fund accounting
- Seamless integrations with donor tools, payroll, and banking
- Intuitive interface with mobile access and strong customer support
Cons
- Limited built-in donor relationship management
- Higher cost for advanced features compared to nonprofit-specific alternatives
- Customization for complex grants requires add-ons or expertise
Best For
Mid-sized nonprofits that need reliable general ledger accounting with basic fund tracking and prefer Intuit's ecosystem.
Pricing
Discounted nonprofit pricing starts at $25/month (Simple Start), $50/month (Essentials), $75/month (Plus), up to $150+/month (Advanced), billed annually.
Sage Intacct
enterpriseScalable cloud financial management solution for nonprofits featuring advanced fund accounting, grant tracking, and multi-entity support.
Multi-dimensional fund accounting that allows unlimited segmentation by fund, program, grant, and geography for unparalleled nonprofit financial granularity
Sage Intacct is a robust cloud-based financial management platform designed for nonprofits, providing advanced fund accounting, grant tracking, and multi-entity management to handle complex financial structures. It offers real-time reporting, automated workflows, and compliance tools tailored to nonprofit needs like donor-restricted funds and program budgeting. Ideal for scaling organizations, it integrates seamlessly with CRM systems and supports customizable dashboards for better financial oversight.
Pros
- Advanced fund accounting with unlimited dimensions for precise tracking of restricted funds and grants
- Strong multi-entity and multi-location support for organizations with multiple programs or chapters
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics with real-time dashboards and audit-ready compliance tools
Cons
- High cost with custom pricing that can exceed $15,000 annually plus implementation fees
- Steep learning curve and complex setup often requiring certified consultants
- Overkill for small nonprofits, lacking simple donor management features out-of-the-box
Best For
Mid-sized to large nonprofits with complex fund structures, multiple entities, and a need for enterprise-level financial controls.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing starting around $12,000-$15,000 per year, depending on modules, users, and entities; implementation costs extra.
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT
enterpriseComprehensive fund accounting system integrated with fundraising CRM for mid-to-large nonprofits ensuring regulatory compliance.
Unlimited multi-fund and multi-organization accounting with automatic consolidations
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT is a cloud-based accounting platform tailored for nonprofits, providing fund accounting, general ledger management, budgeting, and financial reporting. It supports complex nonprofit structures with features like grant tracking, multi-entity consolidation, and compliance with standards such as FASB and GASB. The software integrates deeply with Blackbaud's ecosystem, including Raiser's Edge NXT for fundraising, enabling streamlined operations across finance and donor management.
Pros
- Robust fund accounting with unlimited funds, programs, and organizations support
- Seamless integration with Blackbaud CRM and fundraising tools
- Advanced reporting, dashboards, and audit-ready compliance features
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- High pricing that may not suit small nonprofits
- Limited third-party integrations outside the Blackbaud ecosystem
Best For
Mid-to-large nonprofits needing integrated financial management with fundraising and donor tracking.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $5,000–$10,000/month for mid-sized organizations, depending on modules and users.
MIP Fund Accounting
specializedEstablished fund accounting software providing robust financial controls, reporting, and audit trails for nonprofits.
Multi-dimensional general ledger enabling unlimited fund, program, and project segmentation for granular nonprofit financial oversight.
MIP Fund Accounting, offered by Community Brands, is a robust fund accounting software tailored for nonprofits, government agencies, and public sector organizations. It excels in managing complex fund structures, grant tracking, budgeting, and financial reporting compliant with nonprofit GAAP and FASB standards. The platform supports multi-entity consolidation, automated workflows, and customizable dashboards to streamline nonprofit financial operations.
Pros
- Powerful multi-fund accounting with unlimited segmentation for precise tracking
- Strong compliance and reporting tools including grant management and audit trails
- Scalable for multi-entity organizations with seamless integrations
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to its comprehensive and complex interface
- Higher cost structure may not suit small nonprofits
- Limited native mobile app functionality
Best For
Mid-to-large nonprofits and public sector entities needing advanced fund accounting, grant compliance, and multi-entity financial management.
Pricing
Quote-based SaaS pricing, typically starting at $5,000-$15,000 annually depending on modules, users, and organization size.
FastFund
specializedAffordable nonprofit accounting tool with multi-fund capabilities, payroll, budgeting, and donor tracking in one platform.
Advanced multi-fund accounting with automatic allocations and segment tracking tailored for nonprofit compliance
FastFund by Araize is a cloud-based nonprofit accounting software focused on fund accounting, enabling organizations to manage multiple funds, grants, and budgets with precision. It provides tools for financial reporting, donor tracking, and compliance with nonprofit standards like FASB. The platform integrates with payroll and banking systems, streamlining operations for small to mid-sized nonprofits.
Pros
- Robust fund accounting with unlimited funds and segments
- Strong grant management and allocation tracking
- Customizable dashboards and nonprofit-specific reporting
Cons
- Dated user interface requiring some training
- Limited third-party integrations compared to leaders like QuickBooks
- Pricing can escalate quickly for larger organizations
Best For
Small to mid-sized nonprofits needing specialized fund accounting and grant tracking without enterprise-level complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for basic plan (up to 3 users), scales to $299+/month for advanced features and more users; custom quotes available.
Denali Fund
specializedFlexible fund accounting software for nonprofits with strong customization, reporting, and grant management features.
Advanced encumbrance and multi-dimensional fund accounting for precise tracking of restricted grants and budgets
Denali Fund by Cougar Mountain Software is a robust, nonprofit-specific accounting solution offering fund accounting, donor management, grant tracking, and compliance tools tailored for 501(c)(3) organizations. It supports unlimited funds, encumbrance accounting, budgeting, and customizable reporting to handle complex nonprofit finances. Ideal for organizations needing detailed tracking of restricted and unrestricted funds while maintaining FASB and GAAP compliance.
Pros
- Comprehensive fund accounting with unlimited funds and segments
- Integrated donor management and grant tracking
- Powerful, customizable reporting and compliance tools
Cons
- Steeper learning curve due to depth of features
- Pricing can be high for smaller nonprofits
- Interface feels dated compared to modern cloud competitors
Best For
Mid-sized to large nonprofits with complex multi-fund accounting and grant management requirements.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; perpetual licenses start around $4,000-$10,000 plus annual maintenance (~20%), or subscription options from $300+/month.
NetSuite for Nonprofits
enterpriseEnterprise cloud ERP tailored for nonprofits offering sophisticated fund accounting, analytics, and scalability.
Multi-book fund accounting for precise tracking of restricted, unrestricted, and temporarily restricted funds
NetSuite for Nonprofits is a cloud-based ERP platform from Oracle, specifically adapted for nonprofit organizations with robust bookkeeping, fund accounting, and financial management capabilities. It excels in tracking grants, managing donor relationships, and ensuring compliance with standards like FASB and GAAP through multi-entity and multi-book accounting. The solution integrates seamlessly with CRM, inventory, and project management modules for a holistic operational view.
Pros
- Comprehensive fund accounting with restriction tracking and allocations
- Advanced grant and award management throughout the lifecycle
- Scalable integrations and customizable reporting for enterprise needs
Cons
- High implementation costs and timeline
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Overkill and expensive for small nonprofits
Best For
Mid-sized to large nonprofits needing scalable, integrated ERP for complex financial operations and compliance.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $10,000+ annually with per-user fees around $99+/month; nonprofit discounts available.
Xero for Nonprofits
specializedIntuitive cloud accounting software with tracking categories and bank reconciliation suitable for smaller nonprofits.
Tracking categories for effortless multi-fund and grant allocation without complex setups
Xero for Nonprofits is a cloud-based accounting software adapted for nonprofit organizations, offering tools for tracking donations, grants, expenses, and multiple funds through tracking categories and custom reports. It automates bank reconciliations, invoicing, and payroll while integrating with donor management apps like Bloomerang and Kindful. Ideal for nonprofits needing scalable bookkeeping without heavy customization, it provides real-time financial visibility and multi-user collaboration.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with minimal learning curve
- Unlimited users and strong app marketplace for nonprofit integrations
- Automated bank feeds and real-time reporting for quick insights
Cons
- Lacks native fund accounting depth, requiring workarounds or add-ons
- Nonprofit-specific features are adaptations rather than built-in
- Higher costs for advanced plans without nonprofit discounts for all sizes
Best For
Small to mid-sized nonprofits wanting user-friendly, cloud-based bookkeeping with easy integrations to donor CRMs.
Pricing
Nonprofit discounts offer up to 75% off standard plans starting at $15/mo (Early), $42/mo (Growing), $78/mo (Established), billed annually; small orgs may qualify for free access.
Wave Accounting
otherFree, simple bookkeeping tool for very small nonprofits handling invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting.
100% free core accounting software with no user or transaction limits
Wave Accounting is a cloud-based platform offering free invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning for small businesses and organizations. For nonprofits, it provides basic bookkeeping tools like income/expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and simple financial reports. However, it lacks specialized nonprofit features such as fund accounting, donor management, or Form 990 support, making it best for very small operations with straightforward finances.
Pros
- Completely free core accounting and unlimited invoicing
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface with mobile app support
- Seamless bank integrations and automated transaction categorization
Cons
- No fund accounting or grant/donor tracking for nonprofits
- Limited reporting and customization for nonprofit compliance needs
- Transaction fees for payments (2.9% + 60¢) and payroll add-ons
Best For
Very small nonprofits or volunteer-run groups with basic bookkeeping needs and tight budgets seeking a no-cost entry-level solution.
Pricing
Free for accounting, invoicing, and reports; payments start at 2.9% + 60¢ per transaction; payroll from $20/month + per-employee fees.
Conclusion
Selecting the best nonprofit bookkeeping software hinges on unique needs, but Aplos rightfully leads as the top choice, boasting specialized features for nonprofit operations. QuickBooks Online Nonprofit follows, offering broad accessibility and Form 990 support, while Sage Intacct stands out for its scalability and advanced fund management, catering to larger organizations. Each of these top three tools demonstrates the diversity of solutions available to enhance financial health in the nonprofit sector.
Take the next step toward efficient, compliant bookkeeping—try Aplos to leverage its tailored tools and elevate your organization's financial management.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
