Best Bench Alternatives After the Shutdown (2026)

Bench, the popular online bookkeeping service, shut down in December 2024. If you're a former Bench customer — or if your books fell behind during the transition — here are the best alternatives in 2026 and what to consider when choosing one.

What Happened to Bench?

Bench abruptly ceased operations in late December 2024 after years of being one of the most popular online bookkeeping services. Customers were left scrambling to export their data and find alternatives. If you were a Bench customer, your historical books are in Bench's proprietary format and may need to be migrated to QuickBooks or another platform.

The 5 Best Bench Alternatives in 2026

1. Accounting Ketchup — Best for Catch-Up Bookkeeping

If your books fell behind during the Bench transition (and many did), Accounting Ketchup is the fastest way to get current. We specialize in catch-up bookkeeping using AI + human review.

• Pricing: $69-$99/month of catch-up (flat rate)
• Turnaround: 3-7 business days
• Software: QuickBooks Online
• Best for: Getting caught up fast, budget-conscious businesses
• Subscription required: No — one-time project

2. Xendoo — Best for Full-Service Ongoing

Xendoo offers monthly bookkeeping, tax preparation, and catch-up services. They're the closest to what Bench offered in terms of bundled service.

• Pricing: Starting at $295/month
• Software: QuickBooks Online, Xero
• Best for: Businesses wanting ongoing bookkeeping + tax prep in one place
• Subscription required: Yes

3. Fincent — Best for AI + Human Hybrid (Ongoing)

Fincent uses AI-powered bookkeeping similar to Accounting Ketchup but focused on ongoing service. They support multiple accounting platforms.

• Pricing: Starting at $299/month (catch-up), $189/month (ongoing)
• Software: QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks
• Best for: Businesses wanting AI-powered ongoing bookkeeping
• Subscription required: Yes

4. Pilot — Best for Funded Startups

Pilot specializes in VC-backed startups and tech companies. They offer bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services. Premium pricing reflects the startup focus.

• Pricing: Starting at $599/month
• Software: QuickBooks Online
• Best for: Funded startups needing investor-ready financials
• Subscription required: Yes

5. QuickBooks Live — Best for DIY + Support

If you want to do most of the bookkeeping yourself with professional backup, QuickBooks Live provides access to a bookkeeper within QBO.

• Pricing: Starting at $200/month
• Software: QuickBooks Online (built-in)
• Best for: DIY-ers who want a safety net
• Subscription required: Yes (part of QBO subscription)

Pricing Comparison Table

Provider	Monthly Cost	Catch-Up Available	Subscription Required	Software
Accounting Ketchup	$69-$99/mo	Specialty	No	QBO
Xendoo	$295+/mo	Yes	Yes	QBO, Xero
Fincent	$189-$299+/mo	Yes	Yes	QBO, Xero, FreshBooks
Pilot	$599+/mo	Yes	Yes	QBO
QuickBooks Live	$200+/mo	Limited	Yes	QBO

What Bench Refugees Should Consider

1. Your Books Probably Fell Behind

The Bench shutdown created a gap in bookkeeping for thousands of businesses. If you're months behind, catching up should be priority #1. Tax penalties and missed deductions add up fast.

2. Move to QuickBooks Online

Bench used proprietary software, which is why the shutdown was so painful. QuickBooks Online is the industry standard (~80% market share) — your CPA already knows it, thousands of apps integrate with it, and you're never locked into one service provider.

3. Separate Catch-Up from Ongoing

You might need catch-up now but not ongoing monthly service later. Services like Accounting Ketchup let you catch up without a subscription commitment. Once you're current, you can decide if you want ongoing help.

4. Check Pricing Transparency

Bench's pricing was always somewhat opaque. Look for services that show exact pricing on their website. If you have to get on a sales call to learn the price, that's a red flag for future surprises.

Next Steps

If you're a former Bench customer with behind books, the fastest path forward is:

1. Set up a QuickBooks Online account (if you haven't already)
2. Connect your bank accounts
3. Get a catch-up quote from Accounting Ketchup →

We'll have your books clean in 3-7 days for a fraction of what Bench charged.