Free Accounting Software for Small Businesses. Works Offline, Easy to Use, Full-Featured & Free Forever. Download for Windows, Mac & Linux. Thisfree accounting software for Macconsists of more than 20 preconfigured reports. Pros of Express Accounts: Thisfree accounting software for Macallows direct emailing, faxing and printing of reports from the program. Recurring invoices and orders are automatically recorded. It can be easily installed and run on the computer.
Sometimes free and simple are exactly what we need. When I began my foray into graphic design and image manipulation, I wasn’t loaded and I didn’t need an overly complicated software option. I began with GIMP, a free and open-source image manipulation program that may not have been as pretty as Adobe Photoshop or InDesign, but it got the job done.
Once I learned everything I could on that program and had the resources, I moved over to Photoshop. This way, I made sure that this was a skill I wanted to learn without potentially throwing tons of money down the drain.
When you are operating the finances of a small or newly founded school, your situation is probably similar to mine. You aren’t managing the finances of a massive public school district, therefore you don’t need the top of the line accounting software.
For those who are looking to manage basic school finances without placing a massive burden on your budget, here are the top five open source and free school accounting software options.
(Software is listed in alphabetical order)
1. Adminsoft
As Adminsoft says on its page, why purchase software when you can use it for free? Adminsoft is a free accounting software program that covers all major bases. In addition to being fully loaded with useful accounting features, Adminsoft also offers an online and telephone-based support network to help you with any issues with its software.
However, it is only available for Windows, from 95 all the way up to Windows 10.
Key Features:
- Invoicing
- Payments
- Human Resources and Payroll
- Profit/Loss
- Stock Controls
- Order Processing
- Cash Book
- Double Entry
2. Apache OpenOffice Accounting Template
You don’t always need specific accounting software to manage your finances, especially if you are operating a small school with fewer transactions than your average facility.
Apache OpenOffice, an open-source office suite, consistently churns out new and improved templates of all kinds for its programs, including an accounting template for the spreadsheet program. There are tradeoffs for using such a minimal solution, such as a smaller features list as well as minimal support from the Apache community due to the nature of open-source software.
Apache OpenOffice is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Key Features:
- Double Entry
- Profit/Loss
- Balance Sheet
- Voucher Printing
3. BS1 Accounting Software
BS1 Accounting may not be the prettiest software in the world, but it gets the job done. BS1 is another free and open-source accounting software option, which as I’ve explained a few times over, sacrifices standard support features in favor of user improvements to the source code. What makes it different is the optional paid license, which opens up access to support systems and multi-user functionality.
BS1 Accounting is available on Windows and Linux.
Key Features:
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
- General Ledger
- Inventory
- Sales Orders
- Time Billing
4. FrontAccounting
FrontAccounting is yet another open-source accounting software that acts as a double-edged sword. On one end, FrontAccounting is constantly being improved by other development-savvy users since all users have access to the source code of the software. On the other, it lacks the traditional support systems that other software vendors provide due to the fact that it is free and open-source.
This option boasts plenty of features and even multi-user access, a function that is typically roped off for paying customers on other software solutions. The latest version of FrontAccounting was released February 2016 and is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Key Features:
- Allocations
- Sales Orders
- Accounts Payable
- General Ledger
- Payments
- Items and Inventory
- Budgeting
5. VT Cash Book
As you’ve noticed from the screenshot above, VT Cash Book has probably the most boring and plain website on the face of this planet. Seriously, I’ve seen early 90’s websites with basic HTML and CSS layouts that were more exciting than this one, but don’t let the website fool you. In fact, VT Cash Book has quite a few satisfied users.
Just like its website, the software isn’t much to look at, but it’ll do what you need to. Its minimalistic approach doesn’t end there, since it has narrowed down its operating system availability to “Windows 2000 or later.” (Sorry Mac and Linux users)
This software is probably best left to very small school operations.
[Additional note: This is a UK based software. Potential language tweaking may be required.]
Key Features:
- Easy Data Entry
- Profit/Loss
- Balance Sheet
- Ledger Reports
- Multiple Account Capabilities
Conclusion
Once your school graduates to bigger and better things, it may be time for a new accounting software specifically tailored to your needs. Be sure to check out our directory of the top accounting software here.
Have you used any of these free school accounting software options? What worked for you and what didn’t? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for School Accounting software? Check out Capterra's list of the best School Accounting software solutions.
Free Open Source Accounting Software For Mac Free Download
There’s no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as free accounting software.
OK, that analogy only works if you don’t think about it too hard; just like a lunch, accounting software isn’t actually free. But the fact remains that many businesses aren’t aware of the numerous free and open source accounting software options out there, or—if they are—how to navigate the market and find their ideal product.
Before splurging on a more extensive and expensive solution, businesses with limited budgets should explore free and open source accounting software that could meet their needs.
To save you some time, we did the first research step for you. Here are five of the most popular free and open source accounting options out there, based on Google search results as of August 2019.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Free accounting software:
Open source accounting software:
Why you must consider paid solutions, too
How we chose featured products
Let’s dive in.
Free Open Source Accounting Software For Mac Computer
Free accounting software
The majority of free accounting solutions out there are, in reality, limited versions of more expensive, high-end solutions—but that doesn’t mean they’re devoid of functionality. These three accounting solutions, while not as advanced as their paid counterparts, are built on a foundation of features capable of meeting the needs of your small or midsize business.
SlickPie
Dashboard in SlickPie (Source)
SlickPie is an expense management solution geared toward small businesses. This cloud-based software offers more than just expense-related activity, however; users have access to live bank feeds, recurring invoices, and payment processing, as well as a host of features designed with the small-business owner in mind.
The free version includes email support and access for up to 10 companies, while the pro version, priced at $39.95 per month, offers phone support and up to 50 companies. Outside of that, the free software offers all the same features as the paid version.
Other features include:
- Automated receipt data entry
- Online invoices
- Multicurrency support
- PayPal, Stripe, and credit card processing
- Late payment reminders
- Support for multiple companies
Wave
Dashboard in Wave (Source)
Designed with the small-business owner in mind, Wave prides itself on its simplicity and ease of use. Its intuitive user interface keeps the most important financial data front and center, accessible immediately after signup via any device with a web browser.
The idea here is that keeping things simple relieves much of the stress associated with accounting software. But don’t be deceived by this bare-bones approach; for a free piece of software, Wave is rich in features. This includes informative user dashboards, unlimited income and expense tracking, and customizable invoicing and sales tax processes.
Other features include:
- Fast setup
- Bulk transaction updates
- Exchange rate conversions
- PayPal, Shoeboxed, and Etsy integration
- Unlimited bank and credit card accounts
- Bill and invoice reminders
ZipBooks
Dashboard in ZipBooks (source)
Like most free accounting systems, ZipBooks offers a complimentary starter pack in addition to paid options. It does offer notable useful features for small businesses.
For no cost, users can send unlimited invoices, process digital payments, and manage as many vendors and customers as they need. This cloud-based solution also boasts integration with third-party applications such as Square, PayPal, Slack, and Gusto, giving organizations the freedom and flexibility to do business on their terms.
Other features include:
- Custom invoices, quotes, and estimates
- Ability to toggle between cash- and accrual-based reporting
- Vendor and customer detail tracking
- VAT, taxes, and invoice discounts
- 1099 payment and expense recording
- Balance sheet and profit and loss reporting
Open source accounting software
If you need an accounting system that you can modify to meet your business’ unique needs, open source software is a great option to consider. Users can download the source code—usually for little or no cost—and mold it into their ideal accounting system.
Open source systems require a certain degree of development expertise. But if you have a dedicated IT department, employ a coding expert, or are willing to hire a third-party consultant, open source software offers a viable alternative to the more monolithic—and pricey—solutions on the market.
GnuCash
Checkbook-style register in GnuCash (Source)
This on-premise accounting solution offers a robust set of features—recurring transactions, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting among them. What’s more, it’s as affordable as it gets (i.e., free) and endlessly customizable.
The GnuCash register is like a digital checkbook of sorts, with the ability to split transactions, display multiple accounts in a single window, and tailor the appearance to your liking. But the software’s signature quality is its “double entry” feature, which mandates that all transactions must debit and credit accounts in equal measure—keeping your books balanced at all times.
Other features include:
- Track individual stocks and portfolios
- Regularly updated stock and mutual fund quotes
- Check printing
- Payroll management
- Auto-fill frequent transactions
- Income and expense categorization
LedgerSMB
Invoice product selection in LedgerSMB (Source)
LedgerSMB is an on-premise, accounting-focused enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for small and midsize businesses. As a foundational software designed to integrate with other systems and processes, it’s an ideal solution for companies craving the flexibility to streamline their workflows. It also caters to a variety of industries, from retail businesses to trade organizations.
Built-in functionality includes the basics like general ledger and invoicing, but because it’s an ERP, its reach extends much further. And since it’s open source, LedgerSMB is customizable to your business’ needs, regardless of discipline.
Other features include:
- Inventory management
- Fixed-asset accounting
- Export files as PDF, HTML, CSV, or Microsoft Office documents
- Support for 45 languages
- Time tracking and billable hours invoicing
- Track purchasing processes by vendor, purchase orders, and invoices
Why you must consider paid solutions, too
While the systems outlined above might work for some organizations, they won’t work for all. In many cases—even yours, potentially—investing in a reputable paid solution will pay dividends in the long run.
Paid accounting software typically offers more substantial functionality, deeper insights, and more comprehensive technical support than free and open source options. For growing businesses in particular, dropping some cash for a more advanced system will extend the lifespan of your investment and ensure you’re not looking for a new vendor a year or two down the line.
To help guarantee that your search is sufficiently informed and thorough, we put together a list of top-rated accounting systems using our signature FrontRunners offering. Download the PDF—complete with an overview and features list for each product—at the link below.
3 Best Accounting Systems Backed by User Reviews
Download this guide to see top CRM systems based on real user reviews.
How we chose featured products
Best Free Open Source Accounting Software
To identify the systems featured here, we Googled the terms “free accounting software” and “open source accounting software” during the month of August 2019 in an incognito window with the location set to the U.S. Provided they met the following criteria, the top solutions on the first page of search results are presented/included above in alphabetical order:
Open Source Bookkeeping Software
- Offer a free, standalone version of the software (not a trial version of the software where you must purchase a product after a limited amount of time).
- Meet our accounting software definition:
Accounting software enables accounting professionals in any type of organization to manage accounts and perform various accounting and financial operations such as record keeping, financial reporting, billing, and invoicing.