Accounting Software Options & Payroll Tools for Businesses
There are several effective accounting software options available to support your bookkeeping. We use many of these tools ourselves and regularly recommend them to clients.
The list below is not exhaustive, but it includes software we have worked with and understand well, including their strengths and limitations.
We don’t just recommend software – we also provide setup support, advice, and training to help you use it effectively.
Accounting Programs
Xero
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software with inventory management, fixed asset tracking, and real-time dashboards. Suitable for businesses getting started and requires detailed reporting and automation.
Pro: Offers fixed asset tracking, inventory, strong reporting tools, and seamless bank and Stripe integration.
Con: Higher monthly cost and a steeper learning curve may not suit startups or solo users.
Quickbooks online
QuickBooks Online is a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for SMEs. It supports income tax, sales tax, receipt uploads, and customer service features, making it a practical tool for growing businesses.
Pro: Offers powerful cloud features, including sending invoices, bank feeds, Stripe integration, and a clean dashboard.
Con: Premium pricing can be a hurdle for startups or solo entrepreneurs.
FreeAgent
FreeAgent is a simplified accounting tool ideal for quick account preparation. While it doesn’t support ZAR currency, it remains a useful option for handling basic financial tasks efficiently.
Pro: Great for freelancers—simple interface and good income and expense management.
Con: Does not support ZAR, limiting usability for South African businesses.
WAVE
WAVE is a free accounting software provider for sole proprietors and micro-businesses. It supports receipt uploads, balance sheet creation, and basic payroll functionality.
Pro: It is an entirely free accounting tool with strong capabilities in income tracking and receipt management.
Con: Lacks support for accounts payable and VAT reporting, reducing suitability for registered businesses.
ZOHO Books
ZOHO Books is a cloud-based solution well-suited for businesses with fewer than 5,000 transactions per month. It includes inventory and time tracking but lacks fixed asset management.
Pro: It offers strong inventory and vendor tracking features with seamless integration across Zoho apps.
Con: No payroll module, which may require additional software for full compliance.
Sage Online
Sage Online is a cost-effective, South African-developed platform compliant with local tax regulations. It’s ideal for consultants and service-based businesses.
Pro: Locally built and compliant with South African income tax laws and VAT requirements.
Con: It may lack depth in automation features compared to global alternatives.
Sage Pastel
Sage Pastel is a desktop-based traditional accounting package used by Anlo for once-off accounts preparation. Ideal for non-VAT registered entities not on a monthly retainer.
Pro: Reliable for desktop users needing annual reports and balance sheets without ongoing subscription costs.
Con: No cloud or mobile features—unsuitable for remote collaboration or real-time data.
Sage Evolution
Sage Evolution is ideal for large businesses with multiple warehouses or users. Due to its complexity, it is not recommended for startups or micro-enterprises.
Pro: It is a scalable solution for large organisations with multiple warehouses and detailed inventory levels.
Con: High implementation cost and complexity make it unsuitable for small businesses.
Payroll Programs
Intercode
Intercode is desktop-based and used internally at Anlo. Offers detailed payroll reports and facilitates EMP501/IRP5 submissions. Includes HR tracking and leave management.
Pro: Excellent customer service and local support for payroll compliance and EMP501s.
Con: Not available as a cloud solution; limited to desktop use.
Sage One Payroll
Sage One Payroll is a cloud-based payroll platform popular with SMEs. It’s known for its ease of use and strong reporting functionality.
Pro: Streamlines income tax and UIF calculations with automated reminder and reporting features.
Con: Requires a steady internet connection and does not suit high-volume payroll environments.
Sage Pastel Payroll
Sage Pastel Payroll is a traditional desktop software suited to businesses with larger teams. It integrates well with Sage Pastel Accounting.
Pro: Robust HR tools ideal for growing businesses with larger teams.
Con: A desktop-only setup can reduce flexibility for remote teams.
Financial Statement Preparation Programs and Auditing Software
Hubdoc
Hubdoc is integrated with Xero subscriptions. Fetches documents and automates data entry to improve accuracy and speed.
Pro: It integrates seamlessly with Xero to import and extract data from receipts and bills.
Con: It only works in conjunction with Xero; it is not a standalone product.
Datamolino
Datamolino uses AI to automate data extraction from invoices and statements. It also remembers supplier allocations for recurring entries.
Pro: AI-driven automation of expense processing with recurring supplier memory.
Con: Subscription cost varies by usage volume, making budgeting less predictable.
AutoEntry
AutoEntry automates document capture and reduces manual data entry. It's a valuable tool for streamlining recurring admin tasks.
Pro: This is great for managing repetitive document entry and improving admin speed.
Con: Setup and learning curve may require onboarding time.
Draftworx
Draftworx is a robust tool for compiling financial statements and working papers, as it is fully compliant with South African accounting standards.
Pro: It offers fully compliant templates for IFRS-based financials and audit prep.
Con: Not cloud-enabled; requires local installation and backups
Other Programs
Futrli
Furtli integrates with QuickBooks and Xero to support budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning, which streamlines the accounting process.
Pro: Excellent for building cash flow forecasts and comparing financial scenarios.
Con: Higher price point than similar tools with fewer bundled features.
Float
Float connects to accounting platforms for real-time cash flow tracking and forecast visibility. It’s focused on simplicity and clarity.
Pro: Automatically syncs with accounting data for real-time cash flow views.
Con: It lacks more advanced forecasting or KPI-based analytics.
Why Work with Anlo?
We offer advice, onboarding, and training on the accounting software options.
Access preferential pricing and premium support.
Tailored recommendations for small and medium-sized businesses.
Let Us Help You Choose
Choosing the right accounting software options isn’t just about features—it’s about finding what fits your business needs. Whether you want to streamline payroll, accept payments, automate invoicing, or generate accurate reports, we’ll guide you toward the most suitable accounting software for your business.
Book a consultation with Anlo to ensure you get the best value and performance from your chosen tools.
