Budgeting may not be the most glamorous task associated with running a business, but it’s certainly one of the most important ones. A good budget accounts for all the “little” pictures – utilities, purchases, payroll, employee expenses, invoices, etc. – and packages them up into a big picture, helping you see where you came from, how you got there, and how you can, or should, move forward.
Luckily, today’s booming digital world provides new and existing business owners with a number of apps that make budgeting an easy and manageable task that can be performed from anywhere on any device. Here are a few that are sure to make you a better business budgeter.
Before we dive in, let me just say that there A LOT of budgeting apps out there, and though many come with their own set of perks, to make this list, the app had to be available on multiple devices (i.e., desktop, mobile, etc.), having the ability to sync or import bank and credit card data, and be budget friendly (seriously…no need to break the bank to get your finances in order).
With that in mind, there are two routes a business owner may want to go. If a comprehensive business suite is really what you have in mind or need (i.e., established or consistently growing businesses with more than 9 employees), then you’ll like want an app like QuickBooks or Wave, which offer multiple financial services, but at a cost. If, however, your goal is strictly budgeting, or if you’re a fairly small company or freelancer, then general budgeting apps, like GoodBudget, Toshl, and Mint may be just the app you need.
1. QuickBooks
When it comes to business finances, QuickBooks is a veteran to the game, and its consistent popularity should speak for user satisfaction. Why does it continue to be a favorite? The app, though not free, is pretty affordable. Plans start as low as $10 for those who are self-employed, and $15 for those who want to take advantage of single user account with many of the basic bells and whistles (income and expense tracking, financial reports, invoicing capabilities, etc.).
For many, the “Simple Start” plan offers all the necessary resource required to not only practice diligent budgeting, but to manage many of the other accounting duties associated with business ownership. Additionally, should those that want a more comprehensive finance management solution down the road will find that QuickBooks offers scalability while maintaining affordability, with the top tier service plans (i.e., time tracking, inventory tracking, etc.) coming in at only $35 to $50 a month.
Aside from mixing affordability with function, the app is easy to use and offers an intuitive dashboard that allows users to quickly and easily obtain high-level overviews of their financial health or dig deeper into specifics.
2. Wave
Marketed specifically as a small business financial app, and recently the PC Magazine’s Editors’ Choice, Wave has been, well…making waves, in the finance world. There are several reasons for Wave’s growing popularity, but perhaps the most influential one is the price, which is free, for the most part.
Basic Wave membership entitled users to accounting software (income and expense tracking), invoicing software, and receipt scanning capabilities. So, if you’re just looking for an app that could take the guess work out of high-level financial reports while providing the basic tools for budgeting, then this may be the app for you. And, since the basic tools are free, then there are few reasons why you shouldn’t just sign up and test the waters.
You likely noted the “for the most part” piece of the “free” statement above, and that’s because Wave does offer paid services, specifically for online payments (2.9% +$.030 per transaction), bank payment processing (1% per transaction), and payroll services ($20 to $35 base fee, depending on location).
Though the features and scalability may not match other financial apps, Wave represents a great option if you’re just getting started, are a relatively small company, or if you’re a freelancer that wants a professional tool and basic budgeting resources.
3. Goodbudget
Though Goodbudget is marketed towards personal and home budgeting, it’s envelope-based budgeting system has been hailed as equally efficient for small businesses and freelancers alike. As a free service, Goodbudget does come with basic functionality, but to really maximize your efforts, you can sign up for the $6 per month service, which allows for unlimited envelopes and accounts (great for sharing with partners), five years of financial history, and email support.
As mentioned above, Goodbudget may be best for freelancers or those trying to get a business started; this is largely because the app’s envelope feature makes it easy to get a picture of your personal and business financials, which is important for those who are still have finances mingling in both worlds.
The downside, of course, is that the scalability and major business perks (payroll, invoicing, etc.) are not available, and bank info must be imported, though some users find comfort in apps that don’t require a link between the two.
4. Toshl
“User friendly,” “simplicity,” and “fun” aren’t always words associated with budgeting, but according to many of Toshl’s users, that’s just what this budgeting app brings to the table. Though also originally marketed as a personal budgeting app, small business owners will love the enterprise-esque services for a fraction of the cost of other budgeting apps. For only $3.33 a month, users can cash in on unlimited financial accounts, unlimited budgets, planning graphs, repeat expense, income, and transfer capabilities, and receipt photo uploads.
With so many business-friendly features at such a low price, it’s easy to see why it’s become a favorite among small business owners who want a simple, easy to use app to help budget. Plus, with the opportunity to implement unlimited budgets, it’s easy to keep track of personal and business budgets or budgets for various departments or divisions.
5. Mint
Intuit seems to always have their finger on the pulse of financial need. Commonly assumed to be reserved for personal use, like Toshl and Goodbudget, Mint can be used to manage your small business finances, which is great news for those who want a free service
Mint is free to use, and aside from simple budgeting, users will also be able to track bills, credit a free credit score, set up alerts, categorize spending, and track investments. Together, these features can provide a solid overview of your financial health and allow you to plan for the future with your spending patterns and needs in mind.
Again, if comprehensive budgeting is really your end goal, then Mint can be a great app; however, keep in mind that it does not offer the ability to manage contacts, create invoices, or track inventory, which means the opportunity to scale it as your business grows, like Quickbooks or Wave, isn’t an option. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great option to keep budgeting on track.
If you own or trying to start a business, budgeting is a must, and with so many apps available to help, taking control of your finances is much easier than you think. Before you jump into an app, be sure to identify available features, read up on reviews, and consider what functions you need and/or want and how many can or are willing to spend to get budgeting efforts underway.
This article was originally written on June 12, 2018 and updated on July 14, 2021.
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