Aplos is web-based accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofit organizations. The beginner-friendly solution handles classic features such as double-entry financial tracking and basic analytics. However, it also addresses industry-specific needs, such as IRS Form 990.
However, it has its limitations. Aplos markets heavily to churches, so it's unclear whether it will be a good fit for other types of nonprofits. And while it has less overall functionality than competitors like QuickBooks, it costs more. So if you have even somewhat more advanced needs or a low budget with a small team, then a competitor may be a better option.
Let's find out if Aplos is right for your organization.
quick books
Employees by company size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1000-4999), Business (5000+)
Micro (0-49 employees), small (50-249 employees), medium (250-999 employees), large (1000-4999 employees)
Micro, Small, Medium, Large
Characteristics
API, general ledger, inventory management
Acumatica Cloud ERP
Employees by company size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1000-4999), Business (5000+)
Micro (0-49 employees), small (50-249 employees), medium (250-999 employees), large (1000-4999 employees)
Micro, Small, Medium, Large
Characteristics
Accounts receivable/payable, API, departmental accounting and more
Aplos Prices
Aplos offers three pricing tiers: Lite, Core, and Advanced, a custom option. There is a 15-day free trial available on all plans.
Compare Aplos plans and prices
| Plan | Monthly price | Support the promises/ recurring donations |
Includes advanced accounting (such as tracking assets, expenses, etc.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| light | $79 | No | No |
| Center | $99 | Yeah | No |
| Advanced | Custom: from $189 | Yeah | Yeah |
Each level has a set of core features, such as fund accounting, financial reporting, client database management, and event logging support. However, only the Core and Advanced plans support recurring transactions. Therefore, you will need to move up to the second or third level if your organization has repetitive promises.
Aplos Key Features
Online and SMS donations
With Aplos, you can create online donation forms and simple websites in an instant; No coding knowledge required. You can then easily share these pages and track engagement.
It is also not necessary to visit a website to manage donations. You can set up text-based donations with no special expertise required, making it easy for people to donate.
Regardless of how people donate, the platform handles payment processing internally and automatically documents funds for tax purposes. There is no need to use a third-party tool as some competitors require.
Event planning and ticket sales.
Aplos provides tools to manage event registration and ticket sales. You can send invitations, scan tickets, and track children and adults separately. This benefit is crucial for nonprofit organizations and churches that regularly host fundraisers, workshops, and community events.
fund accounting
Aplos excels at fund accounting, a necessity for nonprofit organizations. You can easily track and report money without having to manually remember unique IRS guidelines. This feature is particularly beneficial for managing designated funds and grants, ensuring compliance and transparency in financial reporting.
Donation tracking and reporting
The platform offers robust donation tracking capabilities. These capabilities allow you to track donations by purpose, generate detailed donation statements, and manage donor information in one easy-to-use database.
And you're in luck come tax time. This is because Aplos helps you through IRS Form 990, which is essential for nonprofit tax returns.
Payroll with Taste
Aplos does not handle payroll at all. But he has a partnership with Gusto, which you can buy separately.
This collaboration allows you to trim paychecks with support for specific church and nonprofit items. For example, Gusto can handle special payroll tax exemptions for nonprofits, exemptions for pastors, and W-2 reporting of housing allowances, among other features.
Professional Aplos
- Simple and suitable for beginners.
- Robust donation tracking and reporting.
- Customizable financial reports.
- Free, personalized phone and email support included in all packages.
- Easy to use interface and dashboard.
Aplos cons
- More expensive than some competitors, such as QuickBooks.
- Limited invoice customization options.
- Minimal scalability and advanced features.
- Designed for churches and may not be suitable for other nonprofit organizations.
Alternatives to Aplos
| Applause | intact sage | quick books | xero | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price (monthly) | $79 | Habit | $30 | $15 |
| Generate IRS Form 990 | Yeah | Yeah | Yeah | No |
| Internal payment processing | Yeah | Yeah | Yeah | Yeah |
| Web-Based Donation Page Builder | Yeah | No: third party integrations available | No: third party integrations available | No: third party integrations available |
| Suitable for beginners | Yeah | No | No | Yeah |
| Free Trial | 15 days | None | 30 days | 30 days |
| Visit Apollo | Visit sage | Visit QuickBooks | Visit Xero |
intact sage
Sage Intacct is a cloud-based accounting platform aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. But religious and non-profit organizations are also well served as it offers extensive functionality.
Compared to Aplos, Sage Intacct provides a more comprehensive set of financial tools, including advanced financial reporting, cash management, and project accounting. These advantages make it suitable for nonprofit organizations seeking scalability and complex financial management capabilities.
Sage Intacct does not share pricing publicly. Expect to work with a sales agent to create a custom package.
To learn more, read our Sage review.
quick books
QuickBooks is a well-known name in the accounting field. Almost every feature imaginable is included, such as advanced analytics, donation tracking, and budgeting.
However, it lacks the same level of specialized nonprofit features as Aplos, particularly when it comes to fund accounting and donor management. Still, with add-ons and some creativity, QuickBooks can exceed expectations at any stage of your organization's growth.
To learn more, read our QuickBooks Review.
xero
Xero is another cloud-based accounting software that provides a comprehensive set of features for small and medium-sized businesses, including non-profit organizations. It offers financial reports, billing, inventory management and payroll, among others.
Compared to Aplos, Xero is more affordable, making it an attractive option for smaller nonprofits or those just starting out. However, like QuickBooks, its nonprofit functionality is not as extensive as Aplos, especially in terms of specialized fund accounting and donation tracking. Therefore, it is best suited for those who prioritize affordability and ease of use without needing advanced nonprofit-specific features.
To find out more, read our Xero review.
Review methodology
We carefully researched the value of Aplos for its cost, specific church and nonprofit features, customer feedback, and overall power. We also compare it with the competition and determine its advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, we look at title scans, IRS form support, and other factors.
