Neat Accounting Software: Smart Scanning & Bookkeeping

Neat Company at a Glance

Founded in 2002 in Philadelphia, Neat began as a pioneer in receipt digitization, becoming the first company to pair scanners with expense management software. Over time, they shifted away from hardware and, by 2017, focused fully on cloud and mobile bookkeeping tools. In 2021, the company expanded further with products like NeatBooks and NeatInvoices, adding invoicing and broader accounting features.

Neat’s goal is to simplify bookkeeping for freelancers and small businesses overwhelmed by paper receipts and manual tracking. Their cloud platform centralizes financial documents and uses patented OCR technology to extract receipt data with high accuracy. All records are stored securely with bank-level encryption, helping protect documents from loss while keeping them accessible at any time.

What sets them apart is a combination of practical features and usability. They offer unlimited document storage with human-verified data capture, direct integrations with QuickBooks and major tax software, as well as mobile and web apps for on-the-go access. An optional VIP service provides personalized training and priority support, making the platform more accessible to users without accounting experience.

Neat has built a solid reputation over more than two decades, serving over two million businesses and currently supporting more than 100,000 active users. While they are not accredited, they do hold an A+ BBB rating. While they remain a specialized provider, the company has successfully evolved from a receipt-scanning tool into a dependable bookkeeping solution for small businesses.

Neat Accounting Software Features & Solutions

• Multichannel receipt capture and OCR: Neat lets you upload receipts through the mobile app, via email forwarding, with compatible scanners, or simply by dragging and dropping. Their patented OCR extracts key details, such as dates, vendors, and amounts, with high accuracy, and this is backed by human verification. Turning paper receipts into usable data is one of the platform’s strongest capabilities
• Digital filing cabinet and search: Documents are stored in a cloud-based system with unlimited storage and organized by folders, vendors, projects, or tax categories. Advanced search and filtering tools enable quick location of receipts or invoices, supporting IRS-compliant digital record-keeping
• Expense tracking and categorization: As receipts are added, expenses can be categorized manually or automatically using smart categorization. This keeps business and personal expenses clearly separated, making it easy to generate category-based reports for tax preparation
• Bank synchronization and transaction matching: With the Automated Insights add-on, Neat connects to thousands of financial institutions to import bank and credit card transactions. Transactions are matched with receipts to simplify reconciliation and provide a clearer, near-real-time view of cash flow
• Invoicing and online payments: Automated Insights also enables the creation and delivery of invoices directly from within the platform. Invoices can be customized and paid online via card or bank transfer, with payments automatically recorded. While basic, these tools meet the essential billing needs of freelancers and small businesses
• Accounting reports and dashboards: Neat generates real-time financial reports, including profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, and transaction summaries. Visual dashboards highlight key metrics, such as cash balances, sales, and top expense categories, enabling users to monitor performance without exporting data elsewhere
• Integration with QuickBooks and tax software: Neat integrates directly with QuickBooks Online, allowing expense data and receipt images to sync seamlessly. It also supports exports to TurboTax, H&R Block, and Quicken, as well as contact syncing through tools like Outlook and Mailchimp. However, integrations with platforms like Xero or FreshBooks are not supported
• Mobile app and anywhere access: The cloud-based platform is accessible through web and mobile apps for iOS and Android. The mobile app functions as a pocket scanner, allowing users to organize documents, review expenses, and reconcile transactions from anywhere
• Collaboration and multi-user access: Their platform supports multiple users per account, with role-based permissions for team members or external accountants. File sharing, comments, and secure access reduce the need for password sharing, simplifying collaboration
• Security and privacy: Neat utilizes bank-level encryption to safeguard data and boasts a long-standing track record with no major security breaches. Documents are protected from physical loss, remain user-owned, and can be exported at any time. Support for TWAIN-compliant scanners ensures flexibility without locking users into proprietary hardware

Plans & Pricing

Neat utilizes a straightforward annual pricing model, featuring a single base plan and optional add-ons. The core subscription costs $200 per year and includes receipt scanning with OCR and human verification, unlimited document storage, expense tracking, search tools, integrations with QuickBooks and tax software, as well as standard email and live chat support. There is no monthly billing option.

Users who want more advanced bookkeeping features can add Automated Insights for $150 per year, which enables bank syncing, transaction matching, financial reports, dashboards, and invoicing. An optional VIP Service add-on costs $50 per year and adds priority phone support, remote assistance, and one-on-one training sessions. With all features included, Neat totals $400 per year.

Neat offers a 14-day free trial, which requires a credit card, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Pricing is transparent, with no limits on storage or scans, and no extra fees for additional users, making it a straightforward option for small businesses that are comfortable with an annual commitment.

Advantages

Effortless receipt capture and organization: Simplifies expense tracking by turning receipt photos into organized records using high-accuracy OCR. This eliminates manual data entry, reduces paper clutter, and makes receipts easy to find when deductions are most important.

All-in-one document management and bookkeeping: The platform combines document storage and basic accounting in one place, reducing the need to switch between multiple tools. Receipts, expenses, invoices, and reports remain connected and updated in real-time.

Automated bookkeeping with real-time insights: Neat syncs bank transactions, matches them to receipts, and auto-categorizes expenses. Financial dashboards and reports offer a real-time view of cash flow and spending, eliminating the need for constant manual effort.

Seamless QuickBooks and tax software integration: Expenses and receipt images can be sent directly to QuickBooks, while exports to TurboTax and H&R Block simplify tax preparation. This enables Neat to seamlessly integrate into existing accounting workflows.

Unlimited secure cloud storage: Neat offers unlimited encrypted storage for financial documents, protecting records from loss while keeping years of data easily accessible for compliance and audits.

User-friendly interface and search tools: A clean layout and strong search functionality make it easy to locate receipts or transactions by keyword, date, or category, even for users with limited accounting experience.

Reliable customer support with VIP option: Standard plans include email and live chat support, while an optional VIP tier adds priority phone access and one-on-one training, reducing downtime and confusion.

Established track record and stability: With over two decades in the industry and an A+ BBB rating, Neat offers long-term reliability backed by a large, experienced user base.

Drawbacks

Annual-only subscription: Neat requires a full year upfront, with no monthly billing option. This limits flexibility for businesses that prefer lower upfront costs or short-term use, especially compared to competitors offering monthly or free plans.

Key features locked behind add-ons: While the base plan covers core document management, essential tools like bank syncing, invoicing, and financial reports require the Automated Insights add-on. This raises the effective cost and may be perceived as restrictive for users who expect full bookkeeping at the base price.

Lack of advanced accounting tools: Neat does not support payroll, inventory management, time tracking, or complex accounting workflows. Businesses with growing or multi-faceted operations will likely need additional software.

Limited integrations: Direct integrations are mainly limited to QuickBooks and select tax and contact tools. They do not support platforms like Xero or FreshBooks, and they also do not offer a public API for custom integrations.

Credit card required for trial: The 14-day free trial requires payment details and auto-renews if not canceled, which may deter users who prefer risk-free trials.

Cancellation and legacy transition concerns: Some users have reported frustration with auto-renewals, data access after cancellation, and the transition away from their legacy desktop software. While support responds, these issues highlight potential friction during account changes.

Not built for larger businesses: Neat is best suited for freelancers and small businesses with straightforward needs. Larger or more complex organizations may outgrow the platform and face challenges migrating data to more robust systems.

Neat Accounting Software Customer Experience

On Trustpilot, The Neat Company holds an Excellent rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on over 2,300 reviews. Notably, approximately 81% of reviewers rated it 5 stars, indicating a high level of satisfaction. Similarly, on G2, they have a rating of 4.4/5 (although from a smaller sample of 11 reviews). Capterra also reflects mostly positive reviews in the 4-5 star range. These scores suggest that the average customer finds Neat to deliver on its promises. The company’s A+ BBB rating, despite not being accredited, further indicates good business practices and a responsive approach to complaints.

Positive feedback

Customers often praise Neat for its convenience and time-saving approach to bookkeeping. Reviews frequently mention how easy it is to scan receipts, eliminate paper clutter, and quickly find stored documents in the cloud. Ease of use stands out, with many users noting that the interface is intuitive and accessible, even for those without accounting experience. Solo business owners in particular say Neat helps them stay organized year-round and simplifies tax preparation.

Customer support is another strong point. Reviews highlight responsive live chat, patient support agents, and clear guidance during setup or data migration. Some users also value the optional one-on-one training offered through the VIP service, which helps them get more comfortable with the platform. Overall, positive feedback suggests Neat effectively reduces bookkeeping stress while backing the software with reliable support, leading many customers to remain long-term users.

Critical feedback

Some users have raised concerns, particularly around Neat’s transition from its legacy desktop software to the current cloud platform, which was fully discontinued in late 2024. Longtime customers with years of stored data felt caught off guard by the forced migration and found the process to be disruptive, even with the tools provided to assist with the move.

Other criticism centers on subscriptions and data access. A small number of users report difficulty accessing documents after canceling or when subscriptions lapse, which can feel restrictive if data is not backed up beforehand. There are also occasional complaints about cancellation timing or unexpected renewals, though Neat typically responds and encourages affected users to contact support for resolution.

Additional feedback reflects their limited scope. Some users note the absence of features such as payroll, inventory management, or broader integrations beyond QuickBooks, making it less suitable as businesses expand. A few also mention minor performance issues or a desire for more advanced sorting tools, though these critiques appear far less frequently than positive reviews.

'Neat is generally proactive in responding to customer feedback, particularly on public platforms. On Trustpilot, they respond to negative reviews promptly and consistently, often within a day, with responses that focus on resolving the issue rather than deflecting it. When concerns involve data access, billing, or pricing, Neat typically asks for more details and directs users to dedicated support channels.

The company shows a similar approach on the BBB, where replies tend to be professional and solution-oriented. Neat often uses these exchanges to clarify policies or explain product changes, such as the move away from legacy software. This visible engagement helps reinforce trust, as users can see that concerns are acknowledged and addressed rather than ignored.

Customer Support

Neat offers strong customer support for a small-business-focused platform, combining responsive assistance with extensive self-service resources. All users receive unlimited email and live chat support during weekday business hours, with responses typically arriving within one business day. For those who require more hands-on assistance, the optional VIP Service provides priority phone support, extended hours, remote assistance, and monthly one-on-one training sessions, making it easier to get up and running or resolve more complex issues.

Beyond direct support, Neat maintains a comprehensive online Help Center that features step-by-step guides, FAQs, webinars, and video tutorials, all of which are available 24/7. Overall, Neat’s layered support approach gives both self-guided users and those who prefer personal assistance reliable ways to get help when needed.

Conclusion

Neat fills a clear niche by combining high-accuracy receipt scanning with simple bookkeeping tools. It is especially useful for freelancers and small business owners who want to go paperless without having to deal with complex accounting software. Their OCR technology and easy capture options transform receipts into searchable, organized records, while features like bank syncing and automated reports enable users to easily understand their cash flow and expenses.

The platform works well across different use cases, from freelancers tracking deductions to small teams sharing records with an accountant. Collaboration tools and cloud access make it easy to stay organized, with an overall focus on reducing manual work and maintaining accurate financial records. Neat’s biggest strengths lie in simplicity, time savings, and support, which make bookkeeping far less intimidating for non-accountants.

That said, Neat is not designed for businesses with advanced needs. The lack of payroll, inventory tools, and monthly billing may limit its appeal for growing or complex operations. Still, for small businesses focused on expense management and basic financial tracking, Neat provides a practical and user-friendly solution. To explore how it compares with other options, readers can review additional providers on our Accounting Software category page or use our comparison tool to find the best fit.