Accounting software for small nonprofits
4 tools compared · Checked on 11/05/2026
| Tool | Starting priceFund accountingForm 990 supportDonor tools | Score | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
US, nonprofit-only accounting, English |
|
Visit Araize FastFund | ||
 |
US, cloud accounting, English |
|
Visit QuickBooks Online | |
 |
US nonprofits and churches |
|
Visit Aplos | |
US, general cloud accounting |
|
Visit Zoho Books | ||
The short version
We compared 4 products. 2 offer a free plan, and the published paid starting prices begin at $50 a month. Not every general accounting product says how it handles funds or Form 990, so features marked not stated need a direct question to the vendor.
Rules that shape your choice
- Smaller groups can file the short Form 990-EZ only if gross receipts are under $200,000 and year-end total assets are under $500,000. source
- Reaching either limit, $200,000 in receipts or $500,000 in assets, puts an organization into the full Form 990. source
- Organizations whose annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less can submit the electronic Form 990-N notice instead of a full return. source
- Under FASB ASU 2016-14, a nonprofit's balance sheet shows two classes of net assets, with and without donor restrictions, instead of the old three. source
- The ASU 2016-14 rules apply to annual statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, so current software should report the two-class format. source
How to choose
- Decide whether you need true fund accounting, or whether tracking each fund with classes or tags is enough for your size.
- Check which Form 990 you file. It affects how much reporting detail you need.
- Ask your accountant which net asset reports they expect before you commit.