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The Best Restaurant Bookkeeping Software 

The Best Restaurant Bookkeeping Software 

Picture of Denise Prichard
Denise Prichard

Bookkeeping software takes the stress out of managing finances by keeping records organized, reducing errors, and providing real-time cash flow insights. But with so many choices out there, how do you know which one is right for you? This guide breaks it all down, so you can find the best fit with confidence.

What to look for in bookkeeping software

The right bookkeeping software should make your life easier, not harder. Here’s what to keep an eye out for: 

  • Super simple to use: No need to be a numbers expert—good software makes it easy to keep track of your finances. 
  • Grows with you: As your business expands, your software should be able to handle more without skipping a beat. 
  • Gives you the full picture: Customizable reports and real-time data help you stay on top of your financial health. 
  • Protects your info: Strong security measures ensure your financial data stays safe and sound. 

With the right bookkeeping software, managing your finances can feel like a piece of cake, leaving you more time to focus on growing your business. 

Top bookkeeping software

Restaurant365

Restaurant365 is a bookkeeping solution made just for the food service industry. It simplifies restaurant management by bringing everything together—accounting, inventory, scheduling, and other back-of-house tasks—all in one place. 

Restaurant365 cost

Restaurant365 has a variety of plans to fit different needs and budgets. Check out our pricing options here or compare the plans to find the perfect fit for your business. 

Restaurant365 pros

  • Made for restaurants: With tools like food cost analysis, inventory management, and recipe costing, it’s built to tackle the unique needs of the restaurant industry. 
  • Everything in one place: It connects with your POS, payroll, and vendors, streamlining your restaurant management all in one system. 
  • Easy-to-use dashboard: Get a quick, clear view of your financials and operations, so you can make smarter decisions with ease. 

Restaurant365 cons

  • Built for the food industry: While it’s perfect for restaurants, bars, and food businesses, some features may not be as useful if you’re in a different industry. 

Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct is a cloud-based bookkeeping solution built for mid-sized businesses looking for a comprehensive approach to managing finances. It’s known for its features and scalability, making it a great fit for businesses with complex financial needs. 

Sage Intacct cost

Pricing for Sage Intacct starts at $15,000 per year, positioning it as a premium solution for businesses that need advanced functionality. 

Sage Intacct pros

  • Advanced reporting: Provides in-depth financial reporting and operational insights, with multi-dimensional analysis to help you understand your numbers. 
  • Customizable: Tailor the system to fit your unique workflows, so it works the way your business does. 
  • Scalable: Built to grow with your business, handling increasing complexities as your financial needs evolve. 

Sage Intacct cons

  • Steeper learning curve: It may take some time to get comfortable with the platform, especially if you’re new to advanced bookkeeping tools. 
  • High cost: The pricing might be out of reach for smaller businesses or startups. 
  • Limited integrations: While integration is possible, some third-party software may require extra configuration to work seamlessly. 

NetSuite

NetSuite is an all-in-one cloud-based bookkeeping solution, part of a broader enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform that handles everything from financial management to customer relations. It’s perfect for businesses looking for a comprehensive system to manage their financials, operations, and more. 

Oracle NetSuite cost

NetSuite starts at about $999 per month, with additional fees for extra users. The price can increase depending on how much customization and which modules you need. 

Oracle NetSuite pros

  • All-in-one solution: It covers everything from bookkeeping and inventory management to customer relationships and more, making it a powerful tool for growing businesses. 
  • Cloud-based flexibility: Access your financial data from anywhere, making it easy to manage your books remotely. 
  • Scalable and customizable: NetSuite can grow with your business, offering plenty of customization options to fit your unique needs. 

Oracle NetSuite cons

  • Expensive for smaller businesses: With its broad feature set, NetSuite can be pricey, which may not be necessary if you don’t need all the bells and whistles. 
  • Complex customization: Customizing the software to fit your exact needs can be a lengthy process and may require technical expertise. 
  • Long implementation time: Getting everything set up can take months, especially for larger organizations. 

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a favorite when it comes to bookkeeping, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. It’s easy to use, with an intuitive interface that makes managing finances a lot less stressful, even for those who don’t have a background in numbers. Plus, it offers a variety of plans, so you can choose what works best for your business. 

QuickBooks cost

QuickBooks starts at just $25 a month for the basic plan, making it accessible to many. For more advanced features, pricing can go up to $180 per month. 

QuickBooks pros

  • User-friendly interface: It’s designed for people who aren’t accountants, so it’s straightforward and intuitive, making financial tracking easier. 
  • Wide range of integrations: It connects smoothly with a lot of third-party apps and tools that are popular in various industries. 
  • Affordable options: With multiple plans available, you can pick one that fits your budget without compromising on essential features. 

QuickBooks cons

  • Not ideal for larger businesses: If you have a business with complex bookkeeping needs, QuickBooks might not have all the advanced features required. 
  • Syncing problems: Some users have reported issues when trying to connect to banks or third-party apps, which can be a hassle. 
  • Additional costs: To access advanced features like payroll or in-depth reporting, there are extra charges, which can add up over time. 

Guide

A Day in the Life of a Restaurant Accountant

Xero

Xero is a cloud-based bookkeeping tool designed with small businesses and startups in mind. It offers a variety of features that make managing your financial operations easy and accessible, even for those without a background in bookkeeping. 

Xero cost

Pricing starts at just $13 per month for the basic plan, with premium options going up to $70 per month, giving businesses of all sizes an affordable way to manage their finances. 

Xero pros

  • Affordable pricing: Xero offers a range of plans, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes and budgets. 
  • Mobile app: With a mobile version that mirrors most of the desktop features, you can keep an eye on your books no matter where you are. 
  • Wide integration capabilities: It works seamlessly with numerous third-party apps, giving you more functionality to suit your business’s needs. 

Xero cons

  • Limited features in the basic plan: The entry-level plan doesn’t offer some key features, like multi-currency support, which may be crucial for growing businesses. 
  • Slow customer support: Some users have experienced delays when reaching out for help, which can be frustrating when you need quick assistance. 
  • Connectivity issues with banks: There have been reports of syncing problems with bank feeds, making it harder to keep your financials up to date. 

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is made with small businesses and freelancers in mind, offering simple and effective bookkeeping tools that help you stay organized without feeling overwhelmed by numbers. It’s all about keeping things easy and efficient. 

FreshBooks cost

The Lite plan starts at just $17 per month, with additional features available in higher-tier plans that go up to $55 per month. It’s a flexible pricing structure that can grow with your business. 

FreshBooks pros

  • User-friendly interface: Perfect for those who don’t have a bookkeeping background, FreshBooks is intuitive and easy to navigate. 
  • Great for invoicing: From automated reminders to customizable templates, FreshBooks helps you create professional invoices without the hassle. 
  • Affordable for freelancers: With cost-effective plans tailored for self-employed individuals, FreshBooks makes bookkeeping a breeze for freelancers. 

FreshBooks cons

  • Limited features for larger businesses: If you’re running a medium-sized or larger business, FreshBooks might not have all the in-depth features you need. 
  • Restricted reporting capabilities: The reporting tools are useful but not as comprehensive as those in other bookkeeping software. 
  • Additional fees for advanced payment features: If you want to accept credit card payments, be aware that there are extra fees involved. 

 

Cook the books right

Choosing the right bookkeeping tool for your restaurant is all about understanding your business’s needs and finding a solution that fits. Consider factors like your budget, how the tool can grow with your business, and how easy it is to use. Whether you’re running a small café, managing a busy restaurant, or handling a larger chain, there’s a perfect bookkeeping tool out there to help simplify your financial management and support your growth. 

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Restaurant365 bridges the gap between accounting and operations by centralizing all data, helping restaurant operators to become more efficient, accurately forecast, and tackle any challenge or opportunity with speed and accuracy.