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4 Mobile Accounting Apps Users Love
Check out the four accounting apps that users rate the highest to manage your books on the go.
Efficient financial management is the backbone of every successful business. Having invoices, expense reports, and cash flow statements at your fingertips enables accounting managers to access, update, and analyze crucial data on the go. With the flexibility of mobile accounting apps, making informed financial decisions becomes second nature, fostering effective business operations.
While these apps offer convenience, it is essential to thoroughly assess the various business accounting apps available in the market per your needs.
To help you pick the right mobile accounting app, we looked at 2M+ unique user reviews to see what users had to say and highlighted the top four mobile accounting apps based on sentiment analysis of reviews, arranged in order of percentage of positive reviews. Read more about our methodology at the end of this article.
All of the listed mobile accounting apps offer core accounting features, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting.
1. FreshBooks
FreshBooks mobile accounting app helps handle various accounting-related tasks, including invoicing, expense tracking, and financial records management. It has time-tracking capabilities that allow you to record work hours using the automatic timer or manual hour-logging functionality. The app can convert time data into billable hours and integrate it with financial records. FreshBooks keeps the desktop and mobile data in sync so that you access up-to-date information irrespective of the device you are active on.
Customer support: Knowledge base, chat, emails, and phone support.
Mobile starting price: Free to download
Who should consider FreshBooks mobile app?
Self-employed accountants can benefit from the FreshBooks mobile app as it allows them to manage financial records, keep track of their work hours, and add data to clients’ invoices. FreshBooks also helps track time against a particular client or project, helping you bill accurately.
Example of a review excerpt from users who have used FreshBooks’ mobile app:
“I would highly recommend this app to anyone with an accounting business! I love FreshBooks. I've been using it for year and it's been a lifesaver for managing my small business. It's so easy to use, and I can keep track of all my invoices, expenses, estimates, and sales tax. The best part is that it's always accessible on my phone. I can take a quick glance at how the day is going anytime I want! No cons to speak of at this time, I am so happy with FreshBooks!”
Read all FreshBooks reviews here.
2. QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online accounting app allows you to use your mobile devices to enter financial transactions, record expenses, and generate invoices on the go. It gives you a quick overview of financial reports, including profit and loss statements and balance sheets, in the form of charts and graphs. The app also has multi-currency support, allowing your customers to pay in their local currency while the app records the transactions in your base currency.
Customer support: Knowledge base, community support, video tutorials, and inquiry via online form.
Mobile starting price: Available with the paid plan, starting at $30 per month.
Who should consider QuickBooks mobile app?
Accountants looking for software to monitor their bank and business transactions can invest in QuickBooks Online. With a bank and credit card feed, the tool’s mobile app displays updated transactions. Users can reconcile any incorrect or missing transactions directly through the app, offering a convenient solution for managing finances while on the go.
Example of a review excerpt from a user who has used QuickBooks’ mobile app:
“QuickBooks online has been a life changer, I don't have to be at a meeting to provide reports as authorized users can make changes. Everyone gets reports as is. Best reports on profit and loss, stock quantities, payroll processing. The app has fitted very well especially with having to work virtually, and you can refer at whatever location you are. Authorised users can make changes, and you get instant notification and identity of the editor Integrating my local payroll with the online QB payroll”
Read all Quickbooks reviews here.
Pro tip
Opt for a mobile accounting app that allows you to ensign invoices, contracts, and other financial documents. This will reduce paperwork and accelerate approval processes, simplifying document workflows.
3. Xero
Xero bookkeeping and accounting mobile app allows you to generate and send out invoices, monitor due payments, and see the movement of cash and profit and loss statements on a dashboard which provides updated snapshots in the form of graphs, tables, and charts. It supports bank reconciliation, allowing you to match your books with bank transactions and fix inaccurate or missed entries. Xero app also allows you to sync your app with your financial institutions, eliminating the need for manual reconciliation.
Customer support: Knowledge base, chat, email, and phone support.
Mobile starting price: Available with the paid plan, starting at $25 per month.
Who should consider Xero mobile app?
Accountants and bookkeepers managing financial records linked with multiple banks can consider investing in Xero, as this app can be linked with various financial institutions. Xero also has document management capabilities that allow accountants to securely organize and store bank-related documents, contracts, and bills within the app.
Example of a review excerpt from a user who has used Xero’s mobile app:
“Makes expense reporting and payroll tracking feel seamless. The app features are very practical and easy to use. Very self-explanatory to troubleshoot if one is uncertain what to do next. I do not have any negative input to add at this time.”
4. Wave Accounting
Wave Accounting mobile app comes with a dashboard that gives you an overview of your business's finances anytime. It notifies you via instant push notifications about invoices viewed, due payments, and new transactions, helping you stay on top of your finances. You can also automate the app to send payment reminders to your clients and connect with them in advance.
Customer support: Knowledge base, emails, chats, and support via online chatbot.
Mobile starting price: Free
Who should consider Wave Accounting mobile app?
Small business finance managers looking for advanced invoicing features can pick Wave Accounting mobile app. Unlike the complex payment processes of generic invoices, Wave Accounting invoices ensure seamless payments with its "Pay Now" button feature. The tool can be an affordable option for businesses operating on a budget since it offers all the accounting for free.
Example of a review excerpt from a user who has used Wave Accounting’s mobile app:
“Wave is a great software. And I like the fact that it also have an android application that can be pinned to my phone's home screen. The invoicing feature is top notch. You can send estimates, and invoices directly to your customers email from the software.”
Read all Wave Accounting reviews here.
Pro tip
Consider an app that allows you to organize and track interactions with clients and suppliers. This will facilitate easy access to client or vendor information and allow you to manage relationships with them.
Mobile features of interest*
Here are some common features that you can expect in mobile accounting apps.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Invoicing | Enables you to create and send professional invoices on the go. It includes customizable templates for branding, tracks invoice status, and supports online payment options. You can quickly bill clients, monitor payment status, and simplify the billing process. |
| Payment reminders | Automatically remind the customers and clients about their outstanding invoices. You can schedule and customize reminder messages and delivery times, reducing late payments and minimizing manual follow-ups. |
| Document management | Allows you to capture, store, and organize financial documents and receipts digitally. It facilitates record-keeping, eliminates paper clutter, and simplifies tax compliance. You can conveniently snap pictures of invoices, receipts, and other documents using your mobile device's camera, ensuring easy access and secure storage of financial records. |
| Customer management | Facilitates the organization and tracking, and management of client information. It allows you to access customer profiles, view transaction history, and create customer-specific invoices, helping build and maintain strong relationships with clients, enhancing customer service, and ensuring accurate billing. |
| Dashboard | Displays key metrics, such as income, expenses, account balances, and overdue invoices, in tables, charts, and graphs format. This feature in business accounting apps allows for quick decision-making by offering real-time insights, helping you stay informed about your business’s financial health. |
What are the benefits of a mobile accounting app over a desktop version?
Mobile apps have become increasingly popular because they offer several advantages over the desktop version. Here is why you should consider a mobile app for your accounting needs.
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Provides real-time updates | Leveraging the instant push notifications ability of mobile devices, the mobile accounting app informs you about new transactions in real time. It also syncs data across all devices, including the desktop app, ensuring you can always access updated data. |
| Facilitates document capture | Mobile accounting apps utilize a mobile device’s camera and allow you to capture photos of receipts, invoices, and other financial documents. These images are then integrated into the app and linked to relevant transactions or expense entries. This feature simplifies expense tracking and record-keeping. |
| Enhances collaboration | Mobile accounting apps allow multiple users to access and work on financial data simultaneously, regardless of location. This facilitates real-time collaboration, enabling efficient communication, instant updates, and the ability to manage financial tasks jointly. |
| Supports timely expense tracking | You get multiple options to record and monitor expenses in real time in a mobile accounting app. The app lets you capture receipts to make an entry and provides real-time transaction updates. This ensures that all the expenses are documented and you are informed about them. |
Frequently asked questions when selecting mobile accounting apps
Here are some common questions you can ask your vendors while looking for the best mobile accounting app.
Does the app help control user access and permissions?
User access and permissions allow you to regulate who can view and edit data files or system settings. Having the ability to control these access permissions through the mobile app allows you to grant or revoke user access even when you’re on the go. You also get notified when unauthorized users try to access confidential data.
Does the app let users track project activity?
Project activity tracking via a mobile accounting app informs you about all activities in real time. It allows you to monitor project expenses, revenue, and timelines, facilitating accurate cost tracking and client billing. It enhances project management, ensures transparency, and supports informed decision-making.
What type of security features does the app have?
Robust security measures, such as encryption, secure logins, and multi-factor authentication, help safeguard against unauthorized access and data breaches. Verifying their availability will ensure that the app complies with industry standards and regulations. It will also help maintain confidentiality and integrity of financial information, preventing potential risks and vulnerabilities.
Methodology
To be considered for this list, products had to:
Have at least 20 unique product reviews published within the past two years that mention mobile-specific capabilities (based on text analysis), with an average rating of 3.0 or higher as of September 28, 2023.
Meet our definition for accounting software: “Accounting software automates an organization's financial functions and transactions with modules including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, billing, and general ledger.”
Have the highest percentage of positive sentiment (versus neutral or negative sentiment). We calculated the sentiment score by identifying the positive and negative user sentiment specifically around mobile app usage.
Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score.
Excerpts represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar.
We select and rank products based on an objective methodology developed by our research team. While some vendors may pay us when they receive web traffic or leads, this has no influence on our methodology.
*Mobile features of interest were identified from vendor websites. Our research team selected the features considering what we know users expect or find important in a mobile experience.
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