Quick Overview
- 1#1: Aplos - All-in-one cloud-based accounting, fund management, and budgeting software designed specifically for nonprofits and churches.
- 2#2: QuickBooks Nonprofit - Powerful accounting solution with nonprofit-specific budgeting, fund tracking, and financial reporting features.
- 3#3: Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT - Advanced fund accounting and budgeting platform providing real-time insights for mid-to-large nonprofits.
- 4#4: Sage Intacct Nonprofit - Cloud financial management software with robust budgeting, grant tracking, and multi-entity support for nonprofits.
- 5#5: MIP Fund Accounting - Comprehensive fund accounting system offering advanced budgeting and compliance tools for nonprofits.
- 6#6: Araize Nonprofit+ - Cloud accounting software with integrated budgeting, payroll, and fund accounting for small to mid-sized nonprofits.
- 7#7: AccuFund Accounting Suite - Nonprofit-focused accounting platform featuring multi-fund budgeting and detailed financial analysis.
- 8#8: SoftEdge - Integrated nonprofit accounting and budgeting software with grant management and reporting capabilities.
- 9#9: Xero - Cloud-based accounting tool adaptable for nonprofits with budgeting, bank feeds, and expense tracking.
- 10#10: Wave Accounting - Free accounting software for small nonprofits offering basic budgeting, invoicing, and receipt scanning.
These tools were selected based on nonprofit-specific functionality (including budgeting, fund tracking, and reporting), user experience, technical robustness, and value, with rankings reflecting a holistic assessment to ensure relevance across different organizational scales
Comparison Table
Understanding the right nonprofit budget software is critical, and this comparison table breaks down top tools including Aplos, QuickBooks Nonprofit, Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, Sage Intacct Nonprofit, and MIP Fund Accounting. Readers will discover key features, pricing structures, and usability insights to find the best match for their organization’s financial management needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aplos All-in-one cloud-based accounting, fund management, and budgeting software designed specifically for nonprofits and churches. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | QuickBooks Nonprofit Powerful accounting solution with nonprofit-specific budgeting, fund tracking, and financial reporting features. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 3 | Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT Advanced fund accounting and budgeting platform providing real-time insights for mid-to-large nonprofits. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Sage Intacct Nonprofit Cloud financial management software with robust budgeting, grant tracking, and multi-entity support for nonprofits. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | MIP Fund Accounting Comprehensive fund accounting system offering advanced budgeting and compliance tools for nonprofits. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | Araize Nonprofit+ Cloud accounting software with integrated budgeting, payroll, and fund accounting for small to mid-sized nonprofits. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | AccuFund Accounting Suite Nonprofit-focused accounting platform featuring multi-fund budgeting and detailed financial analysis. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | SoftEdge Integrated nonprofit accounting and budgeting software with grant management and reporting capabilities. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 9 | Xero Cloud-based accounting tool adaptable for nonprofits with budgeting, bank feeds, and expense tracking. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | Wave Accounting Free accounting software for small nonprofits offering basic budgeting, invoicing, and receipt scanning. | other | 6.5/10 | 5.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 |
All-in-one cloud-based accounting, fund management, and budgeting software designed specifically for nonprofits and churches.
Powerful accounting solution with nonprofit-specific budgeting, fund tracking, and financial reporting features.
Advanced fund accounting and budgeting platform providing real-time insights for mid-to-large nonprofits.
Cloud financial management software with robust budgeting, grant tracking, and multi-entity support for nonprofits.
Comprehensive fund accounting system offering advanced budgeting and compliance tools for nonprofits.
Cloud accounting software with integrated budgeting, payroll, and fund accounting for small to mid-sized nonprofits.
Nonprofit-focused accounting platform featuring multi-fund budgeting and detailed financial analysis.
Integrated nonprofit accounting and budgeting software with grant management and reporting capabilities.
Cloud-based accounting tool adaptable for nonprofits with budgeting, bank feeds, and expense tracking.
Free accounting software for small nonprofits offering basic budgeting, invoicing, and receipt scanning.
Aplos
specializedAll-in-one cloud-based accounting, fund management, and budgeting software designed specifically for nonprofits and churches.
Multi-fund budgeting with automated variance alerts and scenario planning
Aplos is a cloud-based accounting and financial management platform tailored specifically for nonprofits, offering powerful budgeting tools that enable organizations to create detailed budgets by fund, program, or department. It provides real-time tracking of actuals versus budgeted amounts, variance analysis, and forecasting capabilities to help nonprofits maintain financial health. Integrated with donation tracking, fund accounting, and reporting, Aplos streamlines the entire financial workflow for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Pros
- Seamless fund-based budgeting with multi-dimensional tracking (funds, programs, departments)
- Real-time dashboards for budget vs. actuals and variance reporting
- Nonprofit-specific features like donation integration and compliance-ready reports
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may be costly for very small nonprofits
- Limited advanced customization options compared to enterprise tools
- Occasional learning curve for complex multi-fund setups
Best For
Mid-sized nonprofits needing an intuitive, all-in-one platform for budgeting, fund accounting, and financial reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month (Basic), $99/month (Growth), $159/month (Pro); custom enterprise pricing available with annual discounts.
QuickBooks Nonprofit
enterprisePowerful accounting solution with nonprofit-specific budgeting, fund tracking, and financial reporting features.
Class-based budgeting that allows precise tracking of multiple funds, programs, or grants in one budget
QuickBooks Nonprofit is an adapted version of Intuit's QuickBooks accounting software tailored for nonprofit organizations, providing essential budgeting tools integrated with full financial management. It enables users to create customizable budgets by fund, program, or class, track actuals versus budgeted amounts, and generate variance reports for better financial oversight. Beyond budgeting, it handles donor tracking, grant management, and nonprofit-specific reporting like Form 990, making it a versatile solution for organizations needing more than standalone budgeting.
Pros
- Robust budgeting by class/fund with variance tracking and reporting
- Seamless integration with donor management and grant tracking
- Scalable for growing nonprofits with strong customization options
Cons
- Higher cost compared to dedicated budget-only tools
- Learning curve for complex fund accounting setup
- Limited advanced forecasting without add-ons or higher tiers
Best For
Mid-sized nonprofits seeking integrated accounting and budgeting rather than standalone budget software.
Pricing
Starts at $75/month for Plus plan (nonprofit discount available); Advanced at $150/month; annual contracts offer savings.
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT
enterpriseAdvanced fund accounting and budgeting platform providing real-time insights for mid-to-large nonprofits.
Unlimited budgeting dimensions tied directly to donor and program data for precise, real-time variance analysis
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT is a cloud-based financial management platform tailored for nonprofits, offering robust budgeting capabilities integrated with fund accounting and fundraising data. It enables organizations to create multi-dimensional budgets, track variances in real-time, and generate detailed reports across programs and funds. The software excels in providing nonprofit-specific features like encumbrance accounting and grant tracking, ensuring compliance and accurate financial oversight.
Pros
- Comprehensive nonprofit fund accounting with multi-fund budgeting
- Seamless integration with Blackbaud CRM for fundraising-linked insights
- Advanced reporting and analytics with customizable dashboards
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- High implementation costs and time
- Pricing lacks transparency and can be expensive for smaller orgs
Best For
Mid-to-large nonprofits with complex multi-fund budgets and existing Blackbaud CRM integrations.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting around $10,000+ annually, scaling with organization size and modules.
Sage Intacct Nonprofit
enterpriseCloud financial management software with robust budgeting, grant tracking, and multi-entity support for nonprofits.
Unlimited custom dimensions for hyper-granular, nonprofit-specific budgeting across funds, programs, and grants
Sage Intacct Nonprofit is a comprehensive cloud-based financial management platform tailored for nonprofits, featuring advanced budgeting capabilities integrated with fund accounting, grants management, and reporting. It allows users to build multi-dimensional budgets across funds, programs, projects, and grants, with tools for scenario planning, variance analysis, and real-time collaboration. The software excels in providing nonprofits with scalable financial oversight, ensuring budgets align with mission-driven activities and compliance requirements.
Pros
- Multi-dimensional budgeting supports granular tracking by fund, program, grant, and location
- Seamless integration with core accounting for real-time variance reporting and forecasting
- Robust collaboration tools enable team-based budget creation and approvals
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup requiring professional services
- High pricing makes it less accessible for small nonprofits
- Customization can be time-intensive without developer support
Best For
Mid-sized to large nonprofits requiring integrated ERP-level budgeting with fund accounting.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing starting at around $15,000-$25,000 annually for base plans, scaling with users, entities, and modules.
MIP Fund Accounting
enterpriseComprehensive fund accounting system offering advanced budgeting and compliance tools for nonprofits.
Multi-dimensional budgeting that allocates across funds, programs, projects, and grants in a single interface
MIP Fund Accounting, offered by Community Brands, is a robust financial management platform tailored for nonprofits, featuring advanced budgeting tools integrated with fund accounting capabilities. It enables organizations to create multi-fund budgets, perform variance analysis, and support grant-specific tracking for precise financial oversight. The software facilitates collaborative budgeting workflows and delivers customizable reports to meet nonprofit compliance and reporting needs.
Pros
- Comprehensive fund accounting with nonprofit-specific budgeting and grant management
- Powerful reporting and analytics for variance tracking and forecasting
- Scalable integration with HR, payroll, and CRM modules
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complexity
- Dated user interface compared to modern SaaS tools
- High implementation and customization costs
Best For
Mid-sized to large nonprofits requiring integrated fund accounting and detailed multi-fund budgeting.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; typically starts at $10,000+ annually for cloud/SaaS, with perpetual license options and add-on modules.
Araize Nonprofit+
specializedCloud accounting software with integrated budgeting, payroll, and fund accounting for small to mid-sized nonprofits.
Driver-based budgeting that links expenses to programmatic activities and grants for precise, automated forecasting.
Araize Nonprofit+ is a cloud-based financial management platform designed specifically for nonprofits, integrating budgeting with fund accounting, grant tracking, and reporting. It allows users to create multi-entity budgets, allocate funds by program or grant, monitor variances in real-time via dashboards, and perform what-if scenario planning. The software streamlines nonprofit financial workflows, ensuring compliance with standards like FASB and supporting scalable growth for organizations with multiple locations or funds.
Pros
- Robust nonprofit-specific budgeting with fund and grant allocations
- Real-time dashboards for variance tracking and forecasting
- Multi-entity support for complex organizational structures
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with additional users or entities
- Limited native integrations with popular CRM or payroll systems
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced budgeting features
Best For
Small to mid-sized nonprofits needing integrated budgeting, accounting, and grant management without enterprise-level complexity.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $99/month for basic single-entity plans, with Pro tiers at $199+/month and custom enterprise quotes.
AccuFund Accounting Suite
specializedNonprofit-focused accounting platform featuring multi-fund budgeting and detailed financial analysis.
Advanced encumbrance accounting that automatically tracks commitments against budgets in real-time
AccuFund Accounting Suite is a robust fund accounting software tailored for nonprofits, governments, and public sector organizations, offering specialized tools for budgeting, financial reporting, and grant management. It supports multi-fund tracking, encumbrance accounting, and compliance with GAAP and FASB standards essential for nonprofit budgeting. The suite integrates budgeting with general ledger functions, enabling detailed budget forecasting, variance analysis, and automated allocations.
Pros
- Specialized nonprofit fund accounting with strong budgeting and encumbrance features
- Excellent compliance tools for grants and multi-entity reporting
- Flexible customization for complex nonprofit financial structures
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to traditional interface
- Primarily on-premise with SaaS option less feature-rich initially
- Quote-based pricing can be opaque and higher for smaller orgs
Best For
Mid-sized nonprofits with complex fund accounting and budgeting needs requiring GAAP compliance.
Pricing
Quote-based; perpetual licenses start around $10,000+ with annual maintenance, or AccuFund+ SaaS subscriptions from $500/month depending on users and modules.
SoftEdge
specializedIntegrated nonprofit accounting and budgeting software with grant management and reporting capabilities.
Patented spreadsheet engine blending Excel flexibility with enterprise database security and audit trails
SoftEdge is a specialized budgeting and planning software tailored for nonprofits, offering an Excel-like interface for creating complex, multi-year budgets with support for fund accounting, grants, and allocations. It enables collaborative forecasting, scenario modeling, and seamless integration with ERP and accounting systems like MIP or QuickBooks. Designed for compliance with nonprofit standards, it helps organizations manage restricted funds and generate detailed reports efficiently.
Pros
- Familiar Excel-based interface reduces learning curve for spreadsheet users
- Robust tools for grant tracking, fund accounting, and multi-entity budgeting
- Strong integrations with nonprofit accounting systems for data accuracy
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small nonprofits
- Advanced features require training despite intuitive base
- Limited built-in visualization and mobile access compared to modern SaaS tools
Best For
Mid-sized nonprofits with complex budgeting needs involving multiple funds, grants, and departmental collaboration.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; annual licenses typically start at $10,000+ based on users, entities, and modules.
Xero
enterpriseCloud-based accounting tool adaptable for nonprofits with budgeting, bank feeds, and expense tracking.
Budget vs. actuals tracking with visual dashboards for quick variance analysis
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software that provides budgeting tools for nonprofits, allowing users to create budgets by department, track variances between actuals and budgets, and generate financial reports. It excels in general bookkeeping with features like bank reconciliation, invoicing, and multi-currency support, making it adaptable for smaller nonprofits. While not purpose-built for nonprofits, it integrates with apps like Aplos or DonorPerfect for enhanced fund accounting and grant tracking.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with mobile app access
- Unlimited users and real-time bank feeds for accurate tracking
- Strong integrations with nonprofit-specific tools
Cons
- Lacks native fund accounting and grant management
- Budgeting module is basic for complex nonprofit structures
- Reporting customization requires add-ons or expertise
Best For
Small nonprofits with straightforward budgeting needs who want an easy, scalable accounting platform without heavy customization.
Pricing
Starts at $20/month (Early plan) billed annually; nonprofit discounts available up to 75% off; higher tiers at $37-$70/month for advanced features.
Wave Accounting
otherFree accounting software for small nonprofits offering basic budgeting, invoicing, and receipt scanning.
Unlimited free invoicing and accounting with no transaction limits or subscription costs for core features
Wave Accounting is a free cloud-based platform offering invoicing, bookkeeping, receipt scanning, and basic financial reporting primarily for small businesses and freelancers. For nonprofits, it enables tracking of income, expenses, and simple budgets through customizable reports and bank integrations. However, it falls short on specialized nonprofit tools like fund accounting, grant tracking, or donor management, making it suitable only for basic needs.
Pros
- Completely free core accounting and unlimited invoicing
- Intuitive interface with mobile app for easy receipt scanning
- Automatic bank reconciliation and basic profitability reports
Cons
- Lacks nonprofit-specific features like fund accounting or Form 990 support
- Limited advanced budgeting tools and customization for complex finances
- Transaction fees for payments and payroll reduce overall cost savings
Best For
Small nonprofits or startups with straightforward budgeting and minimal donor tracking requirements seeking a no-cost entry-level solution.
Pricing
Free for accounting, invoicing, and reports; 2.9% + 30¢ per credit card transaction, payroll starts at $20/month + per employee fees.
Conclusion
After evaluating the best nonprofit budget tools, Aplos leads as the top choice, offering all-in-one functionality perfectly tailored to the unique demands of nonprofits. QuickBooks Nonprofit stands out as a strong alternative with its powerful accounting and specialized budgeting features, ideal for those seeking familiar workflows, while Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT excels for mid-to-large organizations needing real-time insights and advanced fund management. Each tool delivers distinct value, ensuring there’s a solution that fits diverse organizational needs and goals.
Don’t miss out on transforming your nonprofit’s budgeting process—explore Aplos today to unlock its integrated, user-friendly features and take control of your financial planning.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison