10 alternatives to Pennylane for accounting better suited to your business
Pennylane has established itself as a modern accounting software package, appreciated for its automated management, intuitive interface and ability to connect accountants and managers on a single platform. But like any tool, it's not perfect.
Perhaps you're looking for more comprehensive software, better CRM integration, more advanced treasury functionality, or simply a solution better suited to your budget. But don't panic, there are plenty of alternatives to Pennylane today that are well worth a look.
📌 We've reviewed dozens of solutions to bring you a clear and useful comparison, based on key features, online usability, pricing, and of course, real business needs.
What is Pennylane?
Pennylane is an accounting and financial management software package designed to simplify the lives of entrepreneurs and chartered accountants. Launched in 2020, it has quickly established itself on the French market as an all-in-one solution that centralises a company's financial flows: invoicing, accounting, cash flow, automation of entries, bank synchronisation, and more.
🚀 The platform's ambition is to make collaboration between management and the accounting firm more fluid, by bringing together all financial data in a single interface, accessible online. In concrete terms, users can create an invoice, track payments in real time, send supporting documents, and let Pennylane handle the accounting entry automatically.
In terms of integration, Pennylane can be connected to a wide range of third-party tools: banks, CRM, payroll software, cash register tools, and so on. This makes it a particularly popular solution for growing VSEs and SMEs that want to increase efficiency without having to install multiple software packages.
But despite its many advantages, not everyone is happy with it. That's why it's worth exploring alternatives that are better suited to certain contexts or specific needs...
Pennylane
Why consider an alternative to Pennylane?
A more specific business need
Every company has its own requirements. A fast-growing start-up does not have the same priorities as a consultancy firm or a retailer with several sales outlets. Pennylane is aiming for a fairly broad target, but certain business needs remain poorly covered.
💡 For example, companies that need a detailed cash flow forecast, personalised financial reports, project-based budgets, or advanced payroll management will have to turn to more specialised tools.
💡 The same applies to multi-establishment structures where groups require fluid multi-company management, which Pennylane does not yet provide natively.
Functionalities considered too limited
Even though Pennylane covers the essentials of accounting management (automation of entries, bank synchronisation, invoicing, etc.), some users point to functional limitations, particularly when compared with other, more robust accounting software.
Here's what's often mentioned in customer reviews:
- fairly basic financial reporting, with no customisable dashboards ;
- few options for monitoring profitability by project or by team;
- functional but limited invoicing (no complex automatic reminders, no multi-tax quotes, etc.);
- no native modules for sales management or payroll.
Prices that rise quickly
One of the major obstacles cited by users concerns Pennylane's pricing. The package seems attractive at the outset, but can quickly become more expensive depending on :
- the number of users ;
- the volume of documents to be processed
- the options activated (banking connectors, advanced OCR, etc.);
- the collaboration with the chartered accountant (some firms impose additional costs).
For a very small business or a self-employed person, the bill can be very high.
Dependence on the chartered accountant
One of the special features of Pennylane is its collaborative approach between the entrepreneur and the accountant. This is powerful when you want to delegate some of your accounting... but restrictive if you want to manage your finances independently.
Above all, the software is designed to work in tandem with a partner firm. Without this, certain functions (such as accounting validation or certain closing operations) become inaccessible or difficult to use.
For independent accountants, freelancers or managers who want to keep a close eye on their figures, it is sometimes more appropriate to choose a solo solution.
A need for more advanced integration
A company's software ecosystem is rarely static: CRM, ERP, payroll tools, cash register, e-commerce, reporting, etc. The ability of accounting software to integrate with the rest of the information system is therefore essential.
While Pennylane offers bank connectors and some popular integrations, some tools are simply not compatible. And it is not always possible to create gateways via API without additional cost or technical development.
For companies with a high degree of operational complexity, alternative solutions offer much more advanced native or modular integration. Some alternatives even combine CRM, sales management, invoicing and accounting in a single environment, making day-to-day operations considerably simpler.
Comparison table of the 10 best alternatives to Pennylane
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| Pennylane |  Agicap |  EBP Comptabilité |  Evoliz |  Fygr |  Jedox - Simplify Planning |  Odoo Accounting |  Oracle NetSuite |  Sage 50 Accounting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For companies with 1 to 250 employees | For companies with 1 to 250 employees | For companies with 1 to 250 employees | For companies with 1 to 250 employees | For companies with 2 to 250 employees | For companies with more than 50 employees | For all companies | For all companies | For companies with more than 1 employees |
| See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software |
| Learn more about Pennylane | Learn more about Agicap | Learn more about EBP Comptabilité | Learn more about Evoliz | Learn more about Fygr | Learn more about Jedox - Simplify Planning | Learn more about Odoo Accounting | Learn more about Oracle NetSuite | Learn more about Sage 50 Accounting |
Our top 10 alternatives to Pennylane
Agicap
Among the alternatives to Pennylane, Agicap is positioned on adjacent but crucial ground: real-time cash management.
🎯 This French software is aimed at executives, finance managers and CFOs who want to go beyond traditional accounting to proactively manage their cash. Unlike Pennylane, which centralises accounting and operational flows, Agicap focuses on anticipation and financial modelling.
By connecting your bank accounts and your invoicing and accounting tools, Agicap enables you to see the state of your cash flow from day to day, as well as simulating the future according to different scenarios. A formidable ally for making informed decisions, negotiating with partners and securing growth.
🛠️ Here's an overview of the features Agicap offers to help you stay on top of your cash position:
- instant visualisation of consolidated cash flow, across several accounts or entities;
- create dynamic budget scenarios based on personalised assumptions;
- automatic connection with more than 300 banking and accounting software tools;
- monitoring of incoming and outgoing payments by customer, item or project;
- customisable alerts on critical thresholds or deviations from forecasts;
- collaborative tools to involve finance teams in making adjustments.
Its interface is both clear and powerful, designed for non-technical but demanding users. Where Pennylane stops at accounting management, Agicap takes over to orchestrate your cash flow with finesse, rigour and visibility.
Agicap
Cegid Accounting
When it comes to robust, tried-and-tested accounting software, it's hard to miss Cegid.
🎯 With its Cegid Accounting solution, the French publisher offers a tool designed for structured businesses, chartered accountants and finance managers who need rigorous, compliant and sustainable accounting management.
Unlike Pennylane, which relies on simplicity and automation, Cegid is playing the card of functional power and business compliance. The tool is particularly well suited to companies operating in complex environments (multi-establishment, multi-company, specific tax obligations) or that have to meet stringent sector-specific requirements.
🛠️ Here is an overview of the features offered by Cegid Accounting to help you structure your financial management effectively:
- highly customisable general and cost accounting, with fine-tuned management of charts of accounts ;
- customisable dashboards for monitoring key financial indicators;
- exports and tax statements that comply with French legislation (VAT, tax returns, FEC, etc.);
- multi-entity management, with the option of consolidation and intercompany management;
- full traceability of entries to meet the requirements of statutory auditors;
- native integration with other Cegid modules: payroll, sales management, fixed assets, etc.
This is software designed for demanding accounting departments that want a high level of control, customisation and compliance. The interface is more technical than Pennylane's, but it offers far greater functional depth, ideal for CFOs looking for a long-term solution that is connected to a complete ecosystem.
EBP Accounting
For several years now, EBP Accounting has been an established name in the French market for accounting software for small businesses.
Designed primarily for VSEs and SMEs with fewer than 50 employees in all sectors, EBP is aimed at directors, in-house accountants and managers who want rigorous accounting without the complexity of an ERP.
One of its strengths is that it saves time on repetitive tasks, while ensuring full compliance with French regulations. The interface is classic, but the experience is effective: the software gets straight to the point by automating data entry, making accounting output more reliable and facilitating collaboration with the chartered accountant.
🛠️ Where EBP excels is in its ability to offer practical, useful and well-established functions:
- assisted accounting entry, with journal management, automatic lettering and simplified coding ;
- bank integration for importing flows and facilitating reconciliations;
- clear cash-flow monitoring, with schedules, balances and basic forecasting;
- automatic generation of accounting reports: VAT, tax returns, FEC, etc;
- accounting exports compatible with all accounting firms, or online collaborative access;
- summary dashboards to keep track of your business without getting lost in the shuffle.
EBP is not, however, designed for companies with more than 50 employees, or for those looking for a highly customisable environment or one that can be connected to other business bricks. But for a very small business looking for a fast, clear and reliable way to keep track of its accounts, EBP is a reliable alternative to Pennylane. It's easy to learn, durable and designed for everyday use.
EBP Comptabilité
Evoliz
Evoliz is a software package that puts the user at the centre and gives them the keys to managing their invoicing, cash flow and accounting obligations smoothly, without unnecessary jargon.
🎯 This tool has been designed from the outset for very small businesses, self-employed entrepreneurs, craftspeople and freelancers who want to manage their accounts without relying on a chartered accountant.
Evoliz's approach is deliberately simple, but not simplistic: Its interface is clear and well thought-out, and allows you to monitor all the administrative activities of a small business, from creating quotes to issuing VAT returns, as well as tracking payments and automatic lettering.
🛠️ Here are just some of the features offered by Evoliz to support managers in their day-to-day management:
- creation and sending of personalised quotes and invoices, with management of customer reminders ;
- real-time monitoring of cash receipts, with simplified cash flow dashboards;
- automatic bank reconciliation and import of flows via connectors;
- VAT preparation, FEC generation, compatible accounting exports;
- management of expense claims, supplier purchases and expenses;
- possible integration with payroll software, CRM or banking solutions.
The tool enables entrepreneurs and very small businesses to save precious time on administrative management, without sacrificing accounting compliance. It doesn't have the ambition of an ERP or an advanced accounting platform, but it delivers what it promises: an efficient, accessible, online tool that covers all the essential management needs of a small business.
Evoliz
Fygr
Fygr is not accounting software as such, but a SaaS solution for automated cash management.
Fygr targets very small businesses, start-ups and the self-employed. Where Pennylane centralises accounting and invoicing, Fygr gets straight to the point to help you monitor, anticipate and optimise your cash flow on a daily basis.
This positioning makes it a strategic alternative or complement to Pennylane, particularly for those who find the latter too focused on traditional accounting logic, and not sufficiently geared towards operational financial management. Fygr offers a highly visual interface, allowing you to model your flows, simulate scenarios and keep a close eye on your cash inflows and outflows.
🛠️ Here's what Fygr has to offer to help companies regain control of their cash:
- automatic bank synchronisation, multi-account and multi-bank ;
- simple but powerful cash-flow forecasting dashboards;
- intelligent transaction categorisation with machine learning;
- creation of financial scenarios to anticipate the impact of an investment, late payment or drop in activity;
- view net flows by period, customer, supplier or project;
- export data to your accounting firm or your main tool.
Fygr is an agile, affordable and highly intuitive ally for businesses that want to anticipate their cash flow needs, manage their cash receipts rigorously, or prepare to raise funds. It's a great alternative for those who want a cash vision without the red tape of accounting.
Fygr
Jedox
Where Pennylane centralises accounting data and automates operational flows, Jedox intervenes downstream to transform this data into decision-making performance indicators. This is a strategic management approach that goes far beyond simple day-to-day management.
Jedox is not accounting software in the traditional sense of the term, but an EPM (Enterprise Performance Management) platform designed for finance departments, management controllers and multi-site companies looking to structure their budgeting, forecasting and reporting processes.
The tool integrates easily with ERP, accounting software or databases to automate the collection, processing and analysis of financial data. It enables companies to create customised budget models, build multi-hypothesis scenarios, and collaborate effectively between departments via powerful workflows.
🛠️ Here are some of Jedox's key features for improving financial performance:
- tailor-made budget and forecast modelling (sales, HR, CAPEX, etc.) ;
- dynamic dashboards with real-time display of indicators;
- creation of 'what-if' scenarios to anticipate variations in income or costs;
- automated consolidated or entity-based financial reporting;
- inter-departmental collaboration with budget validation workflow;
- integration with Excel, SAP, Oracle, Odoo, Sage, Power BI, etc.
This is not a direct alternative to Pennylane, but a natural extension for companies that already have a solid accounting base and want to professionalise their financial management. If you're a CFO or management controller, juggling unreliable Excel files and endless budget meetings, Jedox can literally transform your daily life.
Jedox - Simplify Planning
macompta.fr
Unlike Pennylane, which is based on a collaborative ecosystem with the chartered accountant, macompta.fr is aimed at those who want to manage their accounting independently, without sacrificing rigour.
🎯 macompta.fr is online accounting software designed for small businesses, craftspeople, the self-employed and associations who want to keep their accounts themselves, simply, clearly and 100% in line with French tax requirements.
The interface isn't the sexiest on the market, but it more than makes up for it in accessibility, functional completeness and very attractive pricing. The tool guides its users step by step, whether it's for entering accounts, generating returns or exporting to the authorities (or an external firm, if required).
🛠️ Here's an overview of the features macompta.fr offers for stress-free online bookkeeping:
- guided accounting entry with pre-configured plans for each activity ;
- automatic generation of tax returns, FEC, VAT and other obligations;
- integrated invoicing module, with quotes, order forms, reminders, etc. ;
- bank monitoring, import of flows and semi-automatic reconciliation;
- simplified cash management, with a view of balances and due dates;
- the option of working with a chartered accountant for reading or editing.
What we really like about macompta.fr is its philosophy, which is focused on teaching and mastery. Users are guided every step of the way, without unnecessary jargon, but with features that are sufficiently comprehensive to ensure tax compliance and proper bookkeeping.
Odoo
Odoo is not just accounting software, it's a modular open source ERP that can do almost anything. From accounting management to invoicing, via CRM, sales, cash management, stock management, HR, and even website creation... Odoo offers an all-in-one platform that adapts to your business needs, function by function.
The tool is just as suited to a traditional SME as it is to a manufacturing company or an e-tailer.
Where Pennylane focuses on collaborative accounting, Odoo offers a much broader vision, ideal for businesses that want to centralise all their management in a single tool. You can start small (with invoicing, for example) and gradually activate the other modules as your business grows.
🛠️ Here's an overview of the features available with Odoo's accounting module, and beyond:
- full general and cost accounting, with automated entries ;
- recurring invoicing, management of subscriptions, quotes, purchase orders ;
- automatic bank reconciliation, collection/invoice management;
- native integration with CRM, sales management, inventory and cash management;
- customisable reports for monitoring margins, profitability and performance;
- an app marketplace for adding specific modules (payroll, tax, etc.).
The interface is modern, the workflows are customisable, and the possibilities for integration between modules save considerable time on all management processes. For companies that find Pennylane too limited or compartmentalised, Odoo represents a powerful, scalable and resolutely business-focused alternative.
Odoo Accounting
Oracle NetSuite
When financial management becomes strategic, Oracle NetSuite sets the global standard.
This cloud ERP software is designed for fast-growing companies, international groups and demanding finance departments that need a global accounting and analytical vision that goes far beyond the basic functionality offered by Pennylane.
NetSuite integrates all the key processes: accounting, budget management, invoicing, financial reporting, multi-company management and much more. Where Pennylane aims for simplicity for French SMEs, NetSuite is in the league of international solutions, with a modular and highly customisable architecture.
🛠️ Here's an overview of the features NetSuite offers to help you manage your business with finesse and precision:
- multi-currency, multi-entity and multi-standard accounting (IFRS, GAAP, etc.) ;
- budget management , forecasting and closing with advanced automation;
- complex invoicing, subscriptions, contracts and deferred income management;
- customisable financial dashboards for CFOs, CEOs and management controllers;
- native integration with CRM, logistics, HR and e-commerce modules ;
- real-time reporting tools for detailed performance analysis.
This is clearly not a 'lightweight' alternative to Pennylane, but a transformational solution for ambitious companies ready to take their financial management seriously. Its rich functionality, scalability and automation capabilities make it a particularly popular tool for multi-activity groups, hyper-growth start-ups and international SMEs.
Oracle NetSuite
Sage 50
Sage 50 (formerly Sage 50cloud Ciel) is a great classic of accounting software.
🎯 It's a mature solution, with years of field feedback behind it, ideal for structured SMEs that want a serious, customisable and compliant tool. Unlike Pennylane, which focuses on simplicity and automation, Sage 50 is aimed at more seasoned users, particularly those who want total control over their accounting entries, while maintaining a strong link with operational management: invoicing, purchasing, sales, cash flow.
It's a particularly popular tool for companies that want to keep their accounting in-house or work closely with their accountancy firm, without having to rely on a 100% automated cloud platform. Sage 50 can be installed locally or used in connected mode, offering flexibility of use that is rare in this segment.
🛠️ Here are the main features offered by Sage 50 to cover all your accounting and financial needs:
- complete general, auxiliary and analytical accounting, in compliance with French legislation ;
- monitoring of customers, suppliers, payments and bank reconciliations;
- management of invoicing, quotes, reminders and payment schedules;
- personalised financial reporting, with dashboards by activity or cost centre;
- management of fixed assets, depreciation and automatic entries;
- integration with Sage payroll, HR, sales management and inventory tools.
Less cloud-native than Pennylane, but much more configurable, Sage 50 is a solid alternative for companies that want to keep control of their accounting without sacrificing sales management.
Sage 50 Accounting
How do you choose the right Pennylane alternative for you?
Summary table of the best alternatives to Pennylane
| Software | Primary target | Key features | Entry price |
| Agicap | SMEs, CFOs, scale-ups | Cash flow forecasts, scenarios, alerts | On quotation |
| Cegid Accounting | Structured SMEs, chartered accountants | General, tax and multi-company accounting | Free offer |
| EBP Accounting | Very small businesses (-50 employees), all sectors | Data entry, cash management, tax reports | From €31.50 / month |
| Evoliz | Self-employed, tradespeople, very small businesses | Invoicing, cash flow, VAT | From €16/month |
| Fygr | Freelancers, start-ups, very small businesses | Automatic cash management, scenarios, synchronisation | From €99/month |
| Jedox | CFOs, management controllers | Budgets, forecasts, automated reporting | On quotation |
| macompta.fr | VSEs, craftsmen, associations | Accounting, invoicing, cash flow | From €6.67 / month |
| Odoo | SMEs, scale-ups, industry | Modular ERP (accounting, CRM, management, e-com...) | Free offer |
| Oracle NetSuite | SMEs, groups, international companies | Complete ERP, multi-standard, financial analysis | By quotation |
| Sage 50 | SME with in-house accounting department | Accounting, invoicing, sales management | From €18 / month |
Criteria for selecting an alternative to Pennylane
Before choosing software to replace Pennylane, here are the essential criteria to consider:
- the size of your business :
Very small or self-employed : macompta.fr, Evoliz Structured SME : Cegid Accounting, Sage 50, Odoo ETI or a group : Oracle NetSuite, Jedox - Autonomy required :
Do everything yourself : EBP Accounting, macompta.fr To work with a chartered accountant : Cegid Accounting - Key features :
Pure accounting : EBP Accounting, Sage 50, Cegid Treasury and cash management : Agicap, Fygr Global business management : Odoo Budgeting and advanced reporting : Jedox - Compatibility with your tools :
Need native integrations (CRM, payroll, ERP): Odoo, NetSuite Isolated management or simple export : Evoliz, EBP Accounting
Which alternative to Pennylane will you choose?
Pennylane has established itself as an innovative solution in the accounting software landscape.
But as we have seen, there is not one but several excellent alternatives, often better suited to specific needs: more cash flow, more control, more flexibility, or simply better value for money.
👉 There's a tool for every need. All you have to do is define your priorities: simplicity? power? budget? And test the demos to make an informed choice. ..
Article translated from French