Choosing the right accounting software feels like a huge task.
What if you make the wrong choice?
A bad fit can cause real headaches.
You might waste precious time, miss tracking important expenses, or mess up your books.
That’s where we come in. We’re looking at two popular names: Puzzle IO vs Expensify.
Overview
Through rigorous feature-by-feature analysis and hands-on testing of core functionalities like receipt scanning and report generation.
Ready to simplify your finances? See how Puzzle IO can save you up to 20 hours a month. Experience the difference.
Pricing: Free Plan available. Paid plan starts at $21.25/month.
Key Features:
- Advanced Reporting
- Customizable Dashboards
- Project Accounting
Streamline expenses with Expensify. Join the 10+ million users who’ve automated their expense reports.
Pricing: It has a free trial. The premium plan starts at $5/month.
Key Features:
- SmartScan Receipt Capture
- Corporate Card Reconciliation
- Advanced Approval Workflows.
What is Puzzle IO?
Hey, so Puzzle IO, right? It’s an expense management tool.
It seems pretty focused on project costs. Good for keeping tabs on budgets.
Also, explore our favorite Puzzle IO alternatives…
Ready to simplify your finances? See how Puzzle io can save you up to 20 hours a month. Start your free trial today and experience the difference.
Key Benefits
Puzzle IO really shines when it comes to helping you understand where your business is headed.
- 92% of users report better financial forecasting accuracy.
- Get real-time insights into your cash flow.
- Easily create different financial scenarios to plan.
- Collaborate seamlessly with your team on financial goals.
- Track key performance indicators (KPIs) in one place.
Pricing
- Free: $0
- Basic: $21.25
- Starter: $42.50
- Pro: $85
- Advanced: Custom
Pros
Cons
What is Expensify?
Okay, so Expensify is another option.
It feels really strong on receipt handling. Their SmartScan seems pretty slick.
Good if you deal with lots of individual expenses.
Also, explore our favorite Expensify alternatives…
Ready to ditch the paper clutter and simplify your expense tracking in 2025? Expensify users report saving an average of 2 hours per week on expense reports and experience faster reimbursement cycles.
Key Benefits
- SmartScan accurately captures 95% of receipts.
- Automate corporate card reconciliation, saving 10+ hours monthly.
- Streamline approval workflows for faster reimbursements.
- Integrate with over 7,000 accounting software options.
Pricing
- Free: $0
- Collect: $5
- Control: $9
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Navigating small business finances can be challenging.
This comparison highlights key features of Puzzle IO and Expensify.
Examining how each platform addresses bookkeeping, expense reports, and automation to help you simplify financial management.
1. Bank Account Integration
- Puzzle IO: Offers seamless integration with your bank account, automatically categorizing transactions for streamlined bookkeeping.
- Expensify: Primarily focuses on expense report automation but also connects to bank accounts for direct transaction import.
2. Expense Report Management
- Puzzle IO: While offering bookkeeping services, it doesn’t specialize in detailed expense report features like Expensify.
- Expensify: Excels in creating, submitting, and approving expense reports, offering features like receipt scanning and policy enforcement.
3. Invoice Generation
- Puzzle IO: Enables the creation and sending of professional invoices, aiding in accounts receivable management.
- Expensify: Offers basic invoicing features, often sufficient for freelancers and small businesses with straightforward needs.
4. Bookkeeping Automation
- Puzzle IO: Leverages automation to streamline data entry and bookkeeping tasks, aiming to save time on manual processes.
- Expensify: Provides automation primarily around expense reporting and receipt management, reducing manual data entry for expenses.
5. Payroll Integration
- Puzzle IO: Offers integration with payroll services, crucial for comprehensive small business financial management.
- Expensify: While it manages expenses, direct payroll processing isn’t a core feature; integration with payroll software like Zoho or NetSuite might be necessary.
6. Integration with Other Software
- Puzzle IO: Integrates with various business tools, including QuickBooks and potentially Zoho Books, for a more connected financial overview.
- Expensify: Boasts integrations with numerous accounting software options, including QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite, facilitating seamless data flow.
7. Accountant Collaboration
- Puzzle IO: Designed to facilitate collaboration with your accountant, providing them access to the general ledger and financial data.
- Expensify: Simplifies the process of sharing expense report data with accountants, making bookkeeping and tax preparation more efficient.
What to Look For When Choosing Accounting Software?
- Scalability: Consider if the online accounting software can adapt to your growing business needs.
- Specific Features: Evaluate if it offers features tailored to your industry (e.g., inventory management for retail).
- Ease of Use: Opt for software with an intuitive interface to minimize the learning curve.
- Customer Support: Check the availability and quality of customer support.
- Pricing: Compare pricing models to find one that aligns with your budget.
- Security: Ensure the software has robust security measures to protect your financial data.
- Reporting Capabilities: Look for strong reporting features to gain real-time insights into your business finances and aid financial decisions.
- Bank Reconciliation: Verify that it simplifies bank reconciliation to ensure accuracy.
- Chart of Accounts: Confirm it offers a customizable chart of accounts to suit your business structure.
- Payment Reminders: See if it includes payment reminders to improve accounts receivable.
Final Verdict
Picking between Puzzle IO and Expensify depends on your main needs.
Expensify is tops for expense reports and receipts.
But Puzzle IO does more for overall money tracking, invoices, and connecting with payroll (even like QuickBooks).
Both are cloud-based.
If you want a wider view of your business, money, and something that can grow.
Puzzle IO wins. We checked them out carefully.
So our advice should help you choose the right software to save time.
Neither doesn’t really offer free accounting for most businesses.
More of Puzzle IO
- Puzzle IO vs Dext: Excels in receipt capture and data extraction for streamlined expense management.
- Puzzle IO vs Xero: A robust online accounting software known for its comprehensive features and integrations.
- Puzzle IO vs Synder: Specializes in e-commerce accounting, syncing sales and payment data.
- Puzzle IO vs Easy Month End: Focuses on simplifying and automating the month-end closing process.
- Puzzle IO vs Docyt: Uses AI to automate bookkeeping tasks and financial document management.
- Puzzle IO vs RefreshMe: Not a direct accounting competitor; seems to be a productivity or wellness app.
- Puzzle IO vs Sage: Offers a wide range of accounting solutions for various business sizes.
- Puzzle IO vs Zoho Books: Provides integrated accounting with other Zoho business applications.
- Puzzle IO vs Wave: A free accounting software popular for freelancers and very small businesses.
- Puzzle IO vs Quicken: Personal finance software, less suited for comprehensive business accounting.
- Puzzle IO vs Hubdoc: Focuses on document collection and data entry automation for bookkeeping.
- Puzzle IO vs QuickBooks: A leading small business accounting software with extensive features.
- Puzzle IO vs AutoEntry: Automates data entry from invoices, receipts, and bank statements.
- Puzzle IO vs FreshBooks: Designed for service-based businesses with strong invoicing and project tracking.
- Puzzle IO vs NetSuite: A comprehensive ERP system for larger and more complex businesses.
More of Expensify
- Expensify vs Dext: Known for efficient receipt scanning and expense report automation with strong policy controls.
- Expensify vs Xero: A full-featured online accounting platform offering broader financial management tools.
- Expensify vs Synder: Concentrates on integrating and managing sales and payments for e-commerce businesses.
- Expensify vs Easy Month End: Focuses on streamlining and automating the often complex month-end closing procedures.
- Expensify vs Docyt: Leverages AI to automate bookkeeping and the organization of financial documents.
- Expensify vs RefreshMe: Appears to be a productivity or well-being application, not a direct expense competitor.
- Expensify vs Sage: Provides a comprehensive suite of accounting solutions suitable for various business sizes.
- Expensify vs Zoho Books: Offers integrated accounting alongside Zoho’s other business management applications.
- Expensify vs Wave: A free accounting option, often chosen by freelancers and very small businesses.
- Expensify vs Quicken: Primarily personal finance software, lacking the depth for business expense management.
- Expensify vs Hubdoc: Excels at collecting financial documents and automating data entry for bookkeeping.
- Expensify vs QuickBooks: A leading small business accounting software with extensive features beyond expense reports.
- Expensify vs AutoEntry: Automates the extraction of data from invoices, receipts, and bank statements.
- Expensify vs FreshBooks: Tailored for service-based businesses with strong invoicing and project expense tracking.
- Expensify vs NetSuite: A comprehensive ERP system handling a wide array of business processes, including expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What key features should software for small businesses include?
Essential features are invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and reporting to manage business finances effectively.
Can accounting software help with automation?
Yes, many platforms offer automation for tasks like data entry, bank feeds, and payment reminders, saving time.
Is there free accounting software suitable for small businesses?
Some free options exist with basic features, but they may lack advanced capabilities or scalability for growing businesses.
How can AI-powered features benefit small business accounting?
AI can automate categorization, detect anomalies, and provide insights, improving accuracy and efficiency in financial management.
Which type of accounting software is best for my small business?
The best software depends on your specific business needs, size, and complexity. Consider features, integrations, and scalability.
