Bench
Human bookkeepers + software, so you never touch the books.
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Bench pairs you with a real bookkeeper who handles your monthly books. Each month, your bookkeeper categorizes transactions and reconciles your accounts. You get a simple dashboard to review your financials. Add-on: Bench Tax for full year-end filing. Best for freelancers who want to outsource bookkeeping entirely.
Our Scores
4.7
Ease of Use
4.4
Features
4.2
Value
4.8
Support
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Real human bookkeeper — no DIY required
- ✓Clean, simple dashboard to review financials
- ✓Tax filing add-on (Bench Tax) covers full year-end
- ✓Catch-up bookkeeping available for prior years
- ✓Dedicated support via messaging
Cons
- ✗Expensive vs DIY software ($299+/mo)
- ✗Tax filing costs extra beyond base plan
- ✗Not ideal if you want to understand your books
- ✗No payroll or invoicing features
Best For
- →Freelancers who hate bookkeeping
- →Solopreneurs with $50k+ annual revenue
- →Anyone who needs clean books for taxes
- →Business owners wanting tax filing add-on
Not Ideal For
- ✗Budget-conscious freelancers under $50k/year
- ✗Freelancers who want to DIY their books
- ✗Businesses needing payroll management
Pricing Plans
Essential
$299/month
- ✓Monthly bookkeeping
- ✓Year-end financial statements
- ✓Dedicated bookkeeper
- ✓Simple dashboard
Premium
$499/month
- ✓Everything in Essential
- ✓Tax filing included
- ✓Priority support
- ✓Catch-up bookkeeping
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bench worth it for freelancers?
Bench is worth it if your time is worth more than the cost and you hate bookkeeping. At $299/month, it makes sense once you're billing $50k+/year and want clean books without the headache.
Does Bench do taxes?
Bench offers tax filing as an add-on called Bench Tax. It covers year-end filing (Schedule C, 1040) but not quarterly estimated tax payments — you still need to make those yourself.
How does Bench compare to doing it yourself?
DIY with Wave or QuickBooks costs $0–$15/month but requires 2–5 hours monthly. Bench costs $299+/month but requires near-zero time. The right choice depends on your hourly rate and how much you dislike bookkeeping.
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Tax Information Notice
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently. Always consult a qualified CPA or Enrolled Agent for your specific situation.