Patriot Accounting offers a Simple plan at $20 per month, making it stand out among accounting software competitors. QuickBooks Online starts at $99, showing a significant price difference.
The software boasts an impressive 4.9 out of 5 Trustpilot rating that speaks volumes about its quality. Users get unlimited invoicing, payment tracking, and 21 different accounting reports as core features. The Simple version doesn’t include advanced capabilities like time tracking and inventory management.
Our detailed review will get into Patriot Software’s pricing structure, core features, and ground performance. This comprehensive analysis will help you decide if this budget-friendly option fits your business needs perfectly.
Understanding Patriot Accounting Software Pricing Structure
Let’s get into Patriot’s pricing structure to see what your money actually buys. The software has two distinct tiers: Basic Accounting at $20 per month and Premium Accounting at $30 per month. Both tiers let you add unlimited users.
Base Package Costs Breakdown
The Basic package has simple features like unlimited customer invoicing, vendor payments, and automatic bank imports. You’ll also get strong financial reporting and account reconciliation capabilities with the entry-level tier. The Premium tier adds some great features to the mix – user-based permissions, recurring invoices, and custom invoice templates.
Hidden Fees and Add-on Expenses
The base pricing looks simple, but you should think about some extra costs. Patriot’s optional Bookkeeping Service starts at $100 per month plus a one-time onboarding fee. E-filing 1099s will cost you $20 for the first five forms, and each additional form up to 35 costs $2.
Total Cost of Ownership Analysis
Patriot’s pricing is nowhere near as expensive as its competitors. To name just one example, see QuickBooks Online Plus at $99 per month for five users, while Xero Established runs $80 per month. The software gives you great value, and you get free expert support without any setup fees.
Patriot stands out as an economical solution because:
- Free account setup assistance
- No long-term contracts required
- Complimentary 401(k) integration
- Free workers’ comp integration
Notwithstanding that, you’ll need to factor in possible add-on costs for specific needs. The HR software integration costs an extra $6 per month plus $2 per employee.
Core Features and Limitations Assessment
Let’s look at what Patriot’s software delivers after analyzing its pricing structure. Our analysis shows that Patriot accounting software sticks to simple accounting needs instead of trying to be a jack-of-all-trades solution.
Essential Accounting Capabilities
Patriot excels at simple accounting functions. The software lets you create unlimited customer invoices and vendor payments. The Chart of Accounts system helps you manage assets, liabilities, equity, income, and expense accounts well.
The core strengths include:
- Bank transaction imports through Plaid integration
- Unlimited user access at no extra cost
- Customizable department tracking for expenses and income
- Cash-to-accrual basis toggle for financial reports
Missing Features vs Competitors
Industry leaders offer features that Patriot lacks. The software doesn’t have electronic bill payments like QuickBooks Online. Reports are limited to 21 simple options, and you won’t find many customization choices compared to alternatives.
Integration Limitations
Patriot’s integration options are quite limited. Right now, Patriot works with:
- Stripe for payment processing
- QuickBooks Online and Desktop
- QuickBooks Time
Teams needing lots of third-party integrations might struggle with these limitations. The lack of a dedicated mobile app stands out, though you can use the software through mobile browsers. Teams that work mainly on smartphones or tablets might find this affects their productivity.
Real User Experience Analysis
We wanted to see how user-friendly Patriot Accounting is in real life, so we got into its implementation process and daily operations. Our hands-on experience taught us quite a bit about this budget-friendly accounting solution.
Implementation and Learning Curve
The software’s setup process impressed us with its no-nonsense approach. A guided setup wizard takes new users through each configuration step. Users can pick between standard pre-selected settings or customize their chart of accounts based on their needs. The software lets you import existing data, including charts of accounts, vendors, and trial balances – a feature that’s without doubt convenient.
Daily Usage Challenges
Our daily operations revealed several strengths and limitations. The software comes with these key features:
- Automatic invoice reminders for past-due accounts
- Unlimited user access for team collaboration
- Simple vendor and customer management capabilities
All the same, we ran into some limitations during daily use. The dashboard doesn’t have visual elements like charts and graphs that other competitors offer. It also lacks electronic bill payments, which means you’ll need to enter bills and record payments manually.
Customer Support Quality
Patriot’s support system stands out as one of its strongest features. Support comes through multiple channels:
| Support Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Phone/Chat/Email | 9am-7pm EST, Mon-Fri |
| Online Resources | 24/7 Access to Help Articles |
| Training Materials | Video Tutorials & Guides |
Their support team’s effectiveness shows in their impressive satisfaction metrics. Their Net Promoter Score has managed to keep above 81% for 10 out of 12 months, putting them in the 100th percentile by industry measures. Their Customer Satisfaction Score has stayed above 84% throughout the year.
Value Comparison: Patriot vs QuickBooks
Our analysis reveals key differences between Patriot Accounting and QuickBooks Online that will affect your choice. Here’s how these platforms match up against each other.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
QuickBooks Online comes with a more complete feature set. Both platforms handle simple accounting tasks well, but QuickBooks has many capabilities that Patriot doesn’t offer:
| Feature | Patriot | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Currencies | No | <citation index=”12″ link=”https://switchonbusiness.com/accounting-software/quickbooks-online-vs-patriot-software/” similar_text=”Features |
| Mileage Tracking | No | Yes |
| Inventory Management | No | Yes [184] |
| Time Management | Limited | Yes [184] |
Pricing Structure Differences
The pricing models show a clear distinction between these platforms. Patriot keeps it simple with two plans:
- Basic Accounting at $20 monthly
- Premium Accounting at $30 monthly
QuickBooks Online’s prices start higher:
- Simple Start: $35 monthly (1 user)
- Essentials: $65 monthly (3 users)
- Plus: $99 monthly (5 users)
- Advanced: $235 monthly (25 users)
Target User Analysis
These platforms serve different business segments effectively. Patriot works best for small businesses that need straightforward accounting solutions with unlimited users. The software shines for companies that:
- Need simple accounting features
- Want excellent customer support
- Have limited integration requirements
QuickBooks Online fits a wider range of businesses that need:
- Advanced inventory management
- Extensive third-party integrations
- Sophisticated reporting capabilities
Our tests show Patriot Accounting offers excellent value for small businesses that need simple accounting solutions. The software doesn’t have advanced features like inventory management and electronic bill payments. However, its $20 monthly starting price is substantially cheaper than QuickBooks Online’s $99 base plan.
The platform excels with unlimited user access, reliable customer support, and core accounting features. Small businesses should think over their needs before selecting Patriot. The software’s limitations might challenge companies that need extensive third-party integrations or advanced reporting.
Patriot Accounting works best for small businesses that want economical solutions and simple accounting functions. Its affordable pricing, easy-to-use interface, and quality support make it a great alternative to expensive competitors, even with its feature limitations.
