HelloBooks
AI bookkeeping that closes your books. Reconcile 11K+ banks, code to IRS-ready ledger, generate P&L. Free plan. 95%+ accuracy.
Editor's Verdict
Key Takeaways
- AI Auto-Categorization
- Bank Reconciliation via Plaid
- IRS-Ready Ledger
- 1099-NEC & 1099-MISC Preparation
In-Depth Review: What is HelloBooks?
HelloBooks is the AI accountant for US small businesses, automating bookkeeping so you review the numbers instead of typing them. It reconciles transactions from 11,000+ banks and credit cards via Plaid, codes every transaction to an IRS-aligned chart of accounts with 95%+ accuracy, and closes the month with audit-ready financial statements. Features include 1099-NEC/MISC preparation, 50-state sales tax tracking, Stripe/Square invoicing, and bill-pay automation. Migrate from QuickBooks with full data parity. The Free Plan covers core accounting for 2 users and 2,500 AI credits – no credit card required. Save 20+ hours per month and keep your accountant in the loop with full audit trails and approval workflows.
Core Features
AI Auto-Categorization
Automatically categorizes transactions with 95%+ accuracy using AI, reducing manual data entry.
Bank Reconciliation via Plaid
Connects to 11,000+ US banks and credit cards for real-time transaction feeds and auto-matching.
IRS-Ready Ledger
Codes every transaction to an IRS-aligned chart of accounts for audit-ready financial statements.
1099-NEC & 1099-MISC Preparation
Tracks contractor payments to the $600 threshold and prepares e-file ready 1099 forms.
50-State Sales Tax Tracking
Monitors economic nexus thresholds and prepares per-state returns natively.
QuickBooks Migration
Guided import of chart of accounts, customers, vendors, and history from QuickBooks Online or Desktop.
Unlimited Users on Paid Plans
No per-user fees; all paid plans include unlimited users with role-based access.
AI-Powered Bill & Receipt OCR
Captures bills and receipts from email, inbox, or uploads and auto-enters them into the ledger.
Multi-Currency Support
Handles multiple currencies with automatic foreign exchange gain/loss calculations.
Free Plan Available
Core accounting features free for up to 2 users with 2,500 AI credits, no credit card required.
Pricing
Free
- 2,500 AI credits
- 2 users
- 1 bank account + 1 credit card connection
- Unlimited invoices, bills & quotes
- AP/AR aging reports
- P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow
- Full mobile app (iOS & Android)
- "Powered by HelloBooks" badge on invoices
Pro (Annual)
- 15,000 AI credits
- AI auto-categorization (95%+ accuracy)
- Unlimited bank connections
- Unlimited users + roles
- Multi-entity management
- API access
- AI Analysis & Comparative View on every report
- Recurring invoices, bills & approvals
- Multi-currency with auto FX
- Remove "Powered by" badge
- Priority email support
Pro (Monthly)
- 15,000 AI credits
- AI auto-categorization (95%+ accuracy)
- Unlimited bank connections
- Unlimited users + roles
- Multi-entity management
- API access
- AI Analysis & Comparative View on every report
- Recurring invoices, bills & approvals
- Multi-currency with auto FX
- Remove "Powered by" badge
- Priority email support
Business (Annual)
- 50,000 AI credits
- Everything in Pro
- Advanced inventory: lot/batch + multi-warehouse allocations
- Cohort, retention & CFO analytics
- Audit log + advanced role-based access
- Sandbox environment
- Higher API rate limits
- Priority phone support
- Dedicated success manager
Business (Monthly)
- 50,000 AI credits
- Everything in Pro
- Advanced inventory: lot/batch + multi-warehouse allocations
- Cohort, retention & CFO analytics
- Audit log + advanced role-based access
- Sandbox environment
- Higher API rate limits
- Priority phone support
- Dedicated success manager
Partner Program
- Free to join
- Resell standard Pro & Business plans to clients
- Earn wholesale discount (5%–20%)
- Partner Points: Pro client = 1 pt, Business client = 4 pts
- Unlimited clients, one practice dashboard
- HelloBooks Certified Advisor badge
- Free directory listing
- Bulk AI operations across clients
- Direct line to founder
Pros and Cons
Pros
- AI AutomationAutomates categorization, reconciliation, and reporting with 95%+ accuracy, saving 20+ hours per month.
- Unlimited UsersAll paid plans include unlimited users with no per-seat fees, unlike QuickBooks or Xero.
- Low CostPro plan starts at $9.99/month (annual), significantly cheaper than competitors with comparable features.
- QuickBooks MigrationGuided import of full company file from QuickBooks Online or Desktop in about 48 hours.
- Comprehensive Feature SetIncludes 1099 filing, sales tax tracking, multi-currency, inventory, and more natively.
Cons
- US FocusPrimarily designed for US small businesses; some features like 1099 and sales tax are US-specific.
- Limited Free PlanFree plan only includes 2 users and 2,500 AI credits; scaling requires paid plan.
- Newer PlatformCompared to QuickBooks or Xero, HelloBooks is newer and may have fewer third-party integrations.
- AI Credits SystemSome features consume credits; heavy users may need to purchase additional packs.
- Payroll LimitedPayroll is handled via HelloTime and statutory filing still requires external provider.
Use Cases & Recommended Professions
Small Business Owner→ View Toolkit
Needs automated bookkeeping to save time and ensure accurate financial records without hiring a full-time accountant.
Freelancer / Solopreneur→ View Toolkit
Requires a free or low-cost tool to manage invoices, expenses, and tax-ready reports.
Accountant / CPA→ View Toolkit
Manages multiple clients and needs a platform with AI automation, multi-entity support, and bulk operations.
Bookkeeper→ View Toolkit
Automates transaction categorization and reconciliation to reduce manual work and focus on advisory.
Startup CFO→ View Toolkit
Needs real-time financial reporting, cash flow statements, and analytics to make data-driven decisions.
E-commerce Merchant→ View Toolkit
Integrates with Stripe, PayPal, and Shopify for automated sales tracking and inventory management.
Frequently Asked Questions
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ℹ️ Curation Disclosure: The overview and features of HelloBooks were synthesized using AI and fact-checked by our curation team to ensure accuracy.
