Bench Alternatives & Competitors

As a seasoned SaaS expert, I’ve spent countless hours reviewing and testing various accounting tools to help businesses streamline their financial operations.

Bench Accounting has gained market recognition, but it’s not without drawbacks. Some users report issues with high pricing, lack of certain key features, and slow customer response times. 

These concerns may have you looking for the best alternatives to Bench Accounting. Among them, my top pick is QuickBooks Live due to its robust feature set, scalability, and competitive pricing.

Let’s examine the options to help you decide what’s best for your company.

1. QuickBooks Live

Best for: QuickBooks Live is best suited for small and simple businesses that use QuickBooks Online and have filed taxes in the last calendar year.

Pricing: $200/mo

QuickBooks Live is an online bookkeeping service that provides real-time, personalized support to small businesses through QuickBooks-certified virtual bookkeepers, helping to ensure that their books are up-to-date, accurate, and ready for tax time.

Features

• Live bookkeeping assistance
• Goal setting
• Automated features to manage bills, expenses, tax deductions, etc.
• Monthly book review and close

QuickBooks Live Vs Bench

Criteria	QuickBooks Live	Bench
Best For	SMEs needing comprehensive, real-time financial management with professional assistance	Small business owners who need professional bookkeeping support
Standout Feature	Connect with QB-certified virtual bookkeepers via video chat	Powerful financial reporting with at-a-glance visuals
Pricing	$200-$400/mo + QBO subscription	$249/mo – $349/mo

See full comparison: Bench vs. QuickBooks Live

Conclusion

QuickBooks Live provides real-time access to certified bookkeepers via video chat, allowing you to discuss and better understand your finances.

Its automated features for managing bills, expenses, tax deductions, job costing, inventory, etc., offer comprehensive financial management more suitable for complex businesses than Bench.

Schedule your free QuickBooks Live consultation!

Free QuickBooks live consultation

2. Bookkeeper360

Best for: Bookkeeper360 is best for small and medium-sized businesses, particularly startups and growth-stage companies that are already using Xero, or want an QuickBooks alternative.

Pricing: $125/hr to $549/mo

Bookkeeper360 is a cloud-based accounting solution that provides comprehensive financial management to small and medium-sized businesses.

Features

• Dedicated account managers
• Real-time financial dashboard
• Payroll services
• Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero

Bookkeeper360 Vs Bench

Criteria	Bookkeeper360	Bench
Best For	SME businesses looking to outsource their bookkeeping tasks and get expert guidance	Small business owners who need professional bookkeeping support
Standout Feature	Real-time financial dashboard	Powerful financial reporting with at-a-glance visuals
Pricing	$125/hr to $549/mo	$249/mo – $349/mo

Conclusion

Consider Bookkeeper360 for your business if you value real-time, comprehensive financial insights at your fingertips.

Unlike Bench, Bookkeeper360’s Astro Boards visually represent your financial data, empowering you to make informed decisions anytime, anywhere.

Schedule a call with Bookkeeper360

Schedule a call with Bookkeeper360

3. 1-800Accountant

Best for: 1-800Accountant is best for business owners who need help with accounting, bookkeeping, and taxes.

Pricing: $139/mo – $399/mo

1-800Accountant is America’s leading virtual accounting firm, providing a full range of services, including bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, and tax filing.

Features

• Comprehensive accounting services
• Personalized tax strategy
• Business formation services
• Year-round support

1-800Accountant Vs Bench

Criteria	1-800Accountant	Bench
Best For	Business owners who need help with accounting, bookkeeping, and taxes	Small business owners who need professional bookkeeping support
Standout Feature	Additional services for business entity formation	Powerful financial reporting with at-a-glance visuals
Pricing	$139/mo – $399/mo	$249/mo – $349/mo

Conclusion

Choose 1-800Accountant over Bench if you seek comprehensive, year-round accounting services, including a personalized tax strategy, business advisory services, and audit defense.

You’ll be assigned a dedicated accountant, too.

Schedule your free call today!

Schedule a call with 1-800Accountant

4. Xendoo

Best for: Xendoo is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses that want bookkeeping support.

Pricing: $395/mo – $995/mo

Xendoo is a cloud-based fintech company providing comprehensive online bookkeeping, accounting, and tax services specifically designed to meet the needs of small businesses.

Features

• Dedicated accountant
• Monthly financial statements
• Accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and filing services
• Gusto partnership for payroll

Xendoo Vs Bench

Criteria	Xendoo	Bench
Best For	Small to medium-sized businesses who need help with bookkeeping	Small business owners who need professional bookkeeping support
Standout Feature	Dedicated bookkeeper	Powerful financial reporting with at-a-glance visuals
Pricing	$395/mo – $995/mo	$249/mo – $349/mo

See full comparison: Bench vs. Xendoo

Conclusion

Consider Xendoo over Bench for its more personalized service, including a dedicated accountant and CPA consultation, coupled with real-time access to financial data and reports.

5. Pilot

Best for: Pilot is best for startups that need help with bookkeeping and accounting until they can hire an in-house team.

Pricing: Starts at $499/mo

Pilot is an accounting service designed for startups and small businesses offering bookkeeping, tax preparation, and CFO services, all managed by experienced accountants powered by proprietary software.

Features

• Fractional CFO services
• Bookkeeping and tax support
• Dedicated accountant assigned to your account
• Tools to help grow your business – burn rate calculator, etc.

Pilot Vs Bench

Criteria	Pilot	Bench
Best For	Startups looking for help with bookkeeping and accounting until they can hire their own in-house team	Small business owners who need professional bookkeeping support
Standout Feature	Support for both cash and accrual basis accounting	Powerful financial reporting with at-a-glance visuals
Pricing	Starts at $499/mo	$249/mo – $349/mo

Conclusion

For businesses that require accrual basis accounting, Pilot offers an advanced platform to support growth.

It is costly compared to Bench but can be useful for those who also need CFO services.

6. Wave Accounting

Best for: Wave is the best option for freelancers, contractors, and small service-based businesses that need free and simple accounting with invoicing.

Pricing: Free – $149/mo

Wave Accounting is a free financial software that provides small businesses with a comprehensive bookkeeping, accounting, and invoicing solution, complete with features like direct bank data imports, expense tracking, and a mobile app for on-the-go management.

Features

• Double-entry accounting
• Direct bank data imports
• Can provide invoicing and payroll services through Wave Payments
• Easily generate financial statements and reports

Wave Accounting Vs Bench

Criteria	Wave Accounting	Bench
Best For	Contractors, Freelancers, and small service-based businesses requiring free and simple accounting and invoicing	Small business owners who need professional bookkeeping support
Standout Feature	Free to use	Powerful financial reporting with at-a-glance visuals
Pricing	Free – $149/mo	$249/mo – $349/mo

Conclusion

Though Wave doesn’t provide tax support, it is a great option for freelancers and small businesses that want a quality free accounting solution.

7. LessAccounting

Best for: It is designed for solopreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses.

Pricing: $24/mo – $350/mo

LessAccounting is a simple and efficient accounting software that offers features like invoicing, mileage tracking, expense tracking, contact management, and financial reporting.

Features

• Invoicing
• Expense and mileage tracking
• Bank integration
• Contact management

LessAccounting Vs Bench

Criteria	LessAccounting	Bench
Best For	Freelancers, solopreneurs, and small business owners	Small business owners who need professional bookkeeping support
Standout Feature	Simplistic design that makes it easier to use	Powerful financial reporting with at-a-glance visuals
Pricing	$24/mo – $350/mo	$249/mo – $349/mo

Conclusion

If you’re a small business owner looking for a user-friendly and intuitive accounting software that offers a variety of features, consider LessAccounting over Bench.

If you need more advanced bookkeeping and tax planning, prep, and filing services, then you may find LessAccounting lacking.

Which Bench alternative should I use?

While Bench Accounting offers a comprehensive bookkeeping service with a blend of intuitive software and professional assistance, there are several noteworthy alternatives depending on your business needs.

QuickBooks Live and Bookkeeper360 both offer real-time accounting support and a variety of powerful features. 

1-800 Accountant provides a more personalized service with dedicated accountants for each client. Wave and Xendoo are great choices for businesses on a budget, offering essential bookkeeping services at competitive prices.

If you’re looking for a tech-forward solution, Pilot offers advanced integrations and automation. LessAccounting stands out for its user-friendly platform and hands-on financial management tools.

Each alternative has unique strengths, so the best choice depends on your preferences and specific requirements.

Recap of the Bench alternatives

1. QuickBooks Live
2. Bookkeeper360
3. 1-800Accountant
4. Xendoo
5. Pilot
6. Wave Accounting
7. LessAccounting