Having payroll on your Mac is like having an all-in-one toolbox for running your business. You can do anything you need to with Employer Payroll, Employee Payroll, Time Recording, Auto-enrollment of new hires, Benefits administration, iCalendar synchronization, Direct Deposit through many financial institutions, 1099’s and pretty much everything else you’d possibly need!
Here are a few softwares to consider..
Intuit Quickbooks Online & Mac 2021
Intuit QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based accounting software that provides online tools which aim to simplify your invoicing, bookkeeping and billing to help you run your small business. As the software is cloud-based, your secure data can be accessed anytime on a range of compatible devices, including Mac laptops, tablets and phones.
The Quickbooks online app is free to download to your Apple device or can be accessed via a web browser, however you will need a Quickbooks subscription to utilise the software. A basic Self-Employed subscription will set you back $10.50 each month and includes:
- Track income and expenses
- Send custom invoices and quotes
- Track kilometres automatically with your phone’s GPS
- Connect your bank account
- Track GST and lodge your BAS online
- View business insights and reports
- Manage payroll for up to four people
If online accounting is not feasible, QuickBooks also has a program that is available to download to your desktop and is designed specifically for the Mac platform – the Quickbooks Mac 2021. The software can be used offline as the internet is generally only required for downloading and installing the program and for software updates. For a one-time payment of $399.99, the Quickbooks Mac 2021 software offers the following:
- Maximise tax deductions with organised expenses
- Track business performance
- Simple setup and easy to use tools
- Create invoices and record expenses with step-by-step instructions
- Receive electronic payments for online invoices and statements
- Download your bank transactions
Xero
Xero is an online accounting software platform for small businesses that can be used on your Apple computer or other devices. A Xero Accounting mobile app is also available to download from the App store for your Apple devices so that you can access your account using both a mobile app and a web app in an online browser. The mobile and web apps sync seamlessly so that you can make changes while on the go.
While the app is free to download, a Xero account requires a monthly subscription fee which varies depending on the features you require and the package that you choose. For $27 a month, you can sign up to a Xero Starter package, which allows you to:
- Send 20 invoices and quotes
- Enter five bills
- Reconcile bank transactions
- Manage payroll for one person
- Store bills and receipts with HubDoc
- Add optional extras (for an added monthly fee)
FreshBooks Accounting
Our pick for: Best Apple Pay-friendly option
Price:
- Lite: $15 per month.
- Plus: $25 per month.
- Premium: $50 per month.
- Select: Quote only.
FreshBooks’ mobile app is intuitive and feature-rich, making it a great choice for entrepreneurs who spend more time on the phone than at a desk. Aside from general accounting functions, the mobile app also allows you to respond to clients’ questions and get notified when they view or pay invoices or when invoices are overdue. With FreshBooks’ relatively recent addition of double-entry accounting, it’s also now a candidate for a larger spectrum of companies, getting generally strong industry reviews for its intuitive, easy-to-use interface. Entirely cloud-based, it covers the basics and includes some attractive automated features and reports. If you need to have more than one person access the system, be sure you factor that into the price.
MYOB Essentials
While the MYOB desktop program may be a Windows exclusive, MYOB also offers a cloud-based service that can be accessed online in a web browser. MYOB allows you to manage your business at any time, with the option to also log on via the mobile app, with a number of plans to choose from. The cheapest MYOB plan is the Lite option – which costs $24 per month – includes the below features:
- Able to connect up to two bank accounts
- Unlimited bank feed transactions
- Scan and store receipts
- Manage bills and expenses
- Track and prepare your BAS and GST
- Unlimited quotes and expenses
- Insights and reporting
- Phone support
 | Business LiteFor businesses getting started with accounting softwareTrack income and expensesCreate and send invoices and quotesManage tax and basic reportsConnect up to 2 bank accountsOptional Payroll: $1.50/mth per employee. Pay up to 2 employees30-day free trial available50% off for first 3 months. New customers only. T&Cs Apply. | from $12.00/month min. cost | Go to site |
| Business ProFor growing business taking the next step and employing more peopleTrack income and expensesCreate and send invoices and quotesManage tax and advanced reportsConnect unlimited bank accountsOptional Payroll: $1.50/mth per employee. Pay unlimited employees30-day free trial available50% off for first 3 months. New customers only. T&Cs Apply. | from $25.00/month min. cost | Go to site |
| Business AccountRight PlusOnline or offline accounting software with job tracking and inventoryTrack income and expensesCreate and send invoices and quotesManage tax and advanced reportsConnect unlimited bank accountsTrack jobs with budgetsManage inventory and bill by time*Included Payroll: No additional cost. Pay unlimited employees30-day free trial available50% off for first 3 months. New customers only. T&Cs Apply. | from $60.00/month min. cost | Go to site |
ReckonOne
Reckon provides a range of finance tools for businesses, accountants and bookkeepers. ReckonOne is designed for small businesses and offers a number of subscription plans to suit your need, although, unfortunately, the desktop version is not yet available to download for Mac computers in Australia. However, its online accounting software is cloud based and can be accessed from a range of devices and is iOS compatible, and can be synced across multiple Apple products to help you on the move. A ReckonOne basics plan starts at $8, and includes the following:
- Enter payments and expenses
- Track and report GST for BAS
- Bank reconciliation
- See cash flow in real-time
- Create budgets
- Access business reports and insights
- Share your data with an accountant or bookkeeper
Wave Accounting
Our pick for: Best free option
Unlike some “freemium” software products, Wave doesn’t put out a bare-bones free product as bait, then load it down with costly upgrades. Even the free version has things like the ability to add unlimited collaborators, along with unlimited bank and credit card connections. Its separate invoicing product (also free) adds unlimited invoices and automated invoice reminders. The company, which was purchased by H&R Block in 2019, makes money through payment processing, a service you can add (starting at 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction). It’s also among the best accounting software for payroll, as it offers a payroll add-on that starts at $20 per month ($35 in tax service states).
» MORE: NerdWallet’s best point-of-sale systems
Accounting software features that Mac users should consider before buying
Consider the following when choosing the best small-business accounting software for your Mac-based business:
- Accessibility: Most new accounting software is cloud-based, meaning you can access it from any device with an internet connection, through either a browser or app for your iOS-enabled device. If wide accessibility, collaboration and integrations are important to your business, then a cloud-based option may be your priority. However, if you prefer your accounting software to be locally hosted, QuickBooks for Mac may be your best option. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to access it from other devices and your integrations will be limited.
- Collaboration: If you plan to work with an outside accountant or bookkeeper, choosing a software they can work in is paramount. While QuickBooks is one of the most ubiquitous options on the market, QuickBooks for Mac is much more niche and, as a result, may not provide easy collaboration.
- Scalability: Your accounting software should be able to grow with your business. That means looking at whether you can upgrade your accounting software when you need to and whether there are limits on the use of certain features.
- Feature set: Beyond the standard accounting features, what else does your business need to run most efficiently? You may also find inventory management, built-in payment processing, multicurrency capabilities, integrations and more in today’s accounting products. Be sure the one you choose has everything you need. On the flip side, don’t pay for “extras” you won’t use.
- Cost: Price probably isn’t the only deciding factor in your accounting software choice, but it’s important to know what to expect. Monthly and annual subscription fees vary a lot, and add-ons could raise the price.
Conclusion
I’m sure the thought of getting the most recent payroll software for Mac hasn’t skipped your mind even once. Exactly why, are you still using that old, boring, outdated-looking payroll software? There are plenty of great alternatives to Microsoft Office on the market with all sorts of new features, plus they cost half as much.