Do bloggers really need accounting software?
Back in the early 2000s, when blogging was pretty much still in its infancy, a blog was simply a place for the author to voice his/her thoughts about different aspects of life.
Even now, many people still see a blog as just a passion project – to share with the world the things that are important to them.
But, without a doubt, for many others, blogging has become a real business, making some really decent money!
And just as with any other business, you’ve got to keep accurate tabs on your blog to know if you’re actually getting anywhere or if you need to do something differently.
Anyone who has been blogging for a while knows how difficult it can be to keep track of everything.
It’s not just tracking your income and costs, but also monitoring analytics and links so you don’t lose track of things. It can be even more difficult if you are a solopreneur and have multiple accounts.
With that in mind, here are some of the best accounting software options for bloggers.
These programs are designed to help you manage your finances, track your income and expenses, analyze your earnings, and create reports to help keep you on top of your blogging business.
What is the Best Accounting Software for Bloggers?
1. Zoho Books
Zoho Books is a fully featured online accounting solution that is very user-friendly and super affordable. Track your income and expenses effortlessly with Zoho and also save loads of time by automating simple bookkeeping tasks such as recording recurring expenses and bank transactions.
Get professional, customizable invoice templates for billing clients. And you can also charge clients in their local currency and Zoho will record them in your currency.
Key Features
- Automatically imports and categorize bank transactions
- Send recurring invoices automatically
- Integrates with payment providers such as Stripe, PayPal and Square
- Automatically records payments made on invoices
- Automated payment reminders
- Bill clients in their currency and record in your currency
- Upload and attach receipts and invoices to transaction records
Pros
- Saves time by automating many tasks
- Robust mobile app
- Very reasonably priced plans
- Free plan for up tp $50,000 annual revenue
- Email, Voice & Chat Support
Cons
- Not as many accountant-users as more popular software
Price
- Free Forever
- Standard: $20.00/mo; $180 annually
- Professional: $50.00/mo; $480 annually
- Additional plans suitable for other types of small businesses
Zoho Books is a great option for bloggers who want to save time while keeping accurate financial records for their blogging business. Their robust mobile app makes it’s easy to keep tabs on your accounts while on the road. And you get a whole lot of features at a reasonable price.
2. Xero
Xero is an online accounting software that is simple to use and offers a lot of features for small businesses.
It connects to your bank account and automatically imports your transactions. You can also create invoices, track expenses, and see your profit and loss.
Xero is a great option for bloggers who want to keep track of their finances without spending a lot of time on accounting.
Key Features
- Automatic pulls and records data from bank account
- Smart bank reconciliation
- Integrates with payment providers such as Stripe, PayPal and GoCardless
- Automated financial reporting
Pros
- Very user-friendly
- Saves time by automating many tasks
Cons
- No free plan for new businesses
Price
- 30-day Free Trial
- Early: $12.00/mo
- Growing: $34.00/mo
- Established: $65.00/mo
3. Quickbooks Self-Employed
Quickbooks Self-employed is an accounting software created specifically for business owners and freelancers. It allows you to track expenses, mileage, invoices, and income all in one place.
Quickbooks also connects to your bank account so you can easily see where your money is going. The software has a free trial period and then costs $15/month after that.
Key Features
- Import expenses directly from your bank account
- Automatically matches and categorizes expenses from photos of receipts
- Track mileage automatically via your phone’s GPS and categorize trips with a swipe
Pros
- More accountant-users to choose from
- Automatically calculate taxes and gives payment reminders
- Access financials on the go with the mobile app
Cons
- Limited customer service access
Price
- Self-Employed: $15.00/mo
- Self-Employed Tax Bundle: $25.00/mo
- Self-Employed Live Tax Bundle: $35.00/mo
*** They currently have a Limited Time Offer of 50% off for 3 Months!!!
4. Freshbooks
If you’re a blogger who wants to take your business to the next level, you need to start tracking your expenses and income.
That’s where accounting software comes in.
Freshbooks is a cloud-based accounting solution that’s specifically designed for small businesses and freelancers. With Freshbooks, you can track your income and expenses, create invoices, and even accept credit card payments.
Key Features
- Snap receipt photos, email receipts to your account, and import expenses from your bank account.
- Automated Bank Reconciliation
- Great mobile app to keep tabs on your finances on the go
Pros
- Very affordable plans
- Easy to use
Cons
- Customer service is hard to reach
Price
- 30-day Free Trial
- Lite: $15.00/mo; $180 annually
- Plus: $25.00/mo; $300 annually
- Premium: $50.00/mo; $600 annually
- Custom Pricing
*** They currently have a Limited Time Offer of 70% off for 3 Months!!!
5. Zipbooks
Zipbooks is one of the most popular accounting software options for bloggers.
It offers a variety of features, including invoicing, tracking expenses, and accepting payments. Plus, it has a clean and simple interface that makes it easy to use. Zipbooks also offers a free plan, so you can try it out before you commit to a paid plan.
Key Features
- Auto categorization of transactions
- Intuitive color coding of transactions
- Intelligent data-driven insights to tweak your business
- Automated billing and auto payment reminders
- Time tracking and smart tagging
- Integrates with payment providers such as Stripe and PayPal
Pros
- Saves time by automating many tasks
- Robust mobile app
- Free forever plan
Cons
- Limited customization of invoices
Price
- Free
- Smarter: $15.00/mo (includes a 30-day free trial)
- Sophisticated: $35.00/mo (includes a 30-day free trial)
- Custom Pricing