Patriot Software is a popular choice among small and midsize businesses for affordable accounting and payroll solutions. Its straightforward plans, transparent per-worker pricing, and limited but useful add-ons make it a go-to platform for business owners who want ease of use without enterprise-level complexity.
With a 30-day free trial and an introductory 50% discount for the first 3 months, Patriot positions itself as one of the most cost-effective payroll and accounting solutions in the market today. But before we dive deep, let’s look at our shortlist of top accounting software:
Table of Contents
What is Patriot Software?
Patriot Software is a cloud-based platform that provides payroll and accounting solutions primarily designed for small and midsize businesses in the US.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Core Offerings
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Accounting Software
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Bookkeeping, invoicing, and expense tracking
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Bank imports and account reconciliation
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Premium tier adds features like recurring invoices, payment reminders, and user permissions
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Add-ons
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HR Software: Basic employee management and document storage
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Time & Attendance: Employee time-tracking integration
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Bookkeeping Services: Outsourced bookkeeping handled by Patriot’s experts
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Who It’s For
Patriot is built for startups, freelancers, and SMBs that want affordable, easy-to-use software to handle payroll and accounting without paying for complex enterprise features.
Key Differentiators
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Transparent and low-cost pricing (with a per-worker model for payroll)
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30-day free trial and 50% off for 3 months promotions
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Focus on US-based support with a reputation for customer service
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Recognized for ease of use and value on platforms like G2 and Capterra
In short, Patriot Software is an all-in-one payroll and accounting solution tailored for small businesses that value simplicity, affordability, and reliable support.
Patriot Accounting Pricing
Patriot offers two core accounting plans:
1. Accounting Basic
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Price: $20/month ($10/month with discount)
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Best for: Small businesses looking for essential bookkeeping and invoicing.
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Key Features:
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Unlimited customers, invoices, vendors, and payments
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Automatic bank imports
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Income and expense tracking
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Credit card payment acceptance
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Financial reporting
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Account reconciliation
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2. Accounting Premium
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Price: $30/month ($15/month with discount)
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Best for: Businesses that need more advanced billing and control.
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Everything in Basic, plus:
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Estimates creation and sending
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User-based permissions
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Recurring invoices
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Automated invoice payment reminders
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Receipt and document management
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Add-on: Bookkeeping Service
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Price: Starts at $100/month + one-time onboarding fee (not eligible for discounts).
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Best for: Companies that want Patriot experts to manage books end-to-end.
Accountant Partner Program
Patriot also provides discounted pricing for accountants and bookkeepers through its Partner Program. Partners gain access to specialized rates, multi-client dashboards, and additional resources for managing multiple businesses.
Patriot Pricing Highlights
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Free trial: 30 days
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Introductory discount: 50% off for the first 3 months
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Transparent pricing: Flat monthly fees plus a clear per-worker cost
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Scalability: Add-ons like Time & Attendance and HR can be bundled as your needs grow
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Recognition: Patriot Payroll has won multiple G2 and Capterra awards for ease of use, customer support, and value
Comparison: Patriot Accounting vs Other Popular Accounting Tools
| Tool | Strengths Compared to Patriot | Weaknesses / What Others Do Better |
|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online | • Extremely comprehensive accounting features (inventory, job costing, project tracking). • Deep integrations with banks, payment processors, and third-party apps. • Familiar interface for accountants and bookkeepers. |
• More expensive, especially for advanced plans. • Can feel bloated for very small businesses that only need basic bookkeeping. • Steeper learning curve. |
| Xero | • Strong multi-currency and international support. • Better for growing SMBs with distributed teams. • Flexible integrations with a wide ecosystem of apps. |
• Pricing is higher for comparable features. • Some users find the UI less intuitive than Patriot. • Limited phone support compared to Patriot. |
| Wave | • Free core accounting software for small businesses. • Easy to use for freelancers or solo entrepreneurs. • Clean, simple invoicing and expense tracking. |
• Lacks advanced reporting and customization. • Limited customer support. • May not scale well as the business grows. |
| Zoho Books | • Strong automation tools and customizable workflows. • Affordable compared to QuickBooks/Xero for similar depth. • Works well if you’re already using other Zoho apps (CRM, Inventory, etc.). |
• Free plan capped at very small revenue. • Some users report difficulty with integrations outside the Zoho ecosystem. • Learning curve can be steeper than Patriot. |
Expert Insights
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Value vs Price: Patriot Accounting is praised for being cost-effective and easy to adopt, especially for small teams that don’t need advanced modules like inventory or multi-entity accounting. It delivers excellent value for money compared to bigger suites.
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Feature Depth: If your business needs advanced financial management (like project accounting, multi-currency, or integrations with ERP/CRM tools), solutions like QuickBooks Online or Xero are stronger choices. Patriot’s simplicity is its biggest advantage and also its limitation.
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Ease of Use: Many small business owners find Patriot’s UI more intuitive than heavier platforms, making it a good fit for non-accountants.
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Scalability: Patriot works best if you expect to stay small to midsize. For rapid growth or international expansion, Zoho, Xero, or QuickBooks will handle complexity better.
What Redditors Think
Here’s what users are saying more informally—good, bad, and what to watch out for.
Positive feedback
Criticisms / Caution areas
Some users report errors or delays in tax or state filings or deposits. For example, a few clients in California had payroll taxes withdrawn but not properly remitted, triggering notices. Reddit
The customer service is generally good, but occasional complaints about “canned responses” or limited hours or slower resolution in more complex cases. Reddit+1
Some users say the software for bookkeeping is not as polished as bigger names; integration or ecosystem (third-party apps, timekeeping integration) can be weaker or more manual. Reddit+1
Comparisons from users
When Patriot Accounting Is the Right Choice vs When You Might Want Something Else
Pick Patriot if:
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You run a small business with under ~20 employees or mostly contractors and don’t need advanced HR, benefits, or performance management.
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Cost efficiency matters most, and you prefer transparent, predictable pricing.
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You want a simple, clean UI, straightforward bookkeeping, and essential compliance tools without extra complexity.
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You already use other tools for things like time tracking or benefits and just need core accounting features.
Consider other tools if:
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You expect to scale quickly and need advanced accounting functions like inventory management, job costing, or multi-entity support.
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You require deep integrations with tools like QuickBooks or Xero and want them to be seamless.
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You operate in a regulated industry where high assurance on compliance and audit readiness is critical.
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Rich dashboards, employee/department-level reporting, or advanced automation are a top priority.
SaaSworthy Expert Take
Patriot Accounting is a strong choice for startups and small businesses that want affordable, no-frills bookkeeping software. Its straightforward design makes it easy for business owners without accounting backgrounds to manage invoices, expenses, and financial reports.
Where Patriot really shines is its transparent pricing model and optional add-ons like Time & Attendance or HR, which allow businesses to expand functionality without committing to an enterprise suite.
For SMBs looking for simplicity, cost savings, and accountant-friendly tools, Patriot Accounting delivers a solid balance of usability and value.
FAQs
Do I need to buy all Patriot products?
No, you can subscribe only to Accounting if that’s all you need.
Is there a limit on invoices or transactions?
No, Patriot Accounting allows unlimited invoices and transactions.
What if I don’t have accounting experience?
Patriot is designed for non-accountants, with simple workflows and easy-to-understand reporting.
Does it integrate with other accounting tools?
Integrations are limited compared to QuickBooks or Xero, so businesses with heavy integration needs may want to look elsewhere.