ApprovalMax vs. QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ApprovalMax
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
ApprovalMax provides approval workflow automation for cloud accounting platforms such as Xero and QuickBooks Online. It replaces paper- and email-based approval processes with multi-step and multi-role automated approval workflows that enable automated notifications to approvers, automated audit trails, and mobile approvals. Approval workflows include: Invoice approvals / bill review and bill approval Purchase order approval, including the functionality to create…
$54
per month
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
Score 7.9 out of 10
N/A
Quickbooks Desktop for Mac is an accounting software designed for Mac users. It is designed to integrate with Apple iCloud. It provides core accounting features in line with the rest of the Quickbooks Desktop product line.N/A
Pricing
ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
Editions & Modules
ApprovalMax Standard
$54
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Advanced
$83
per month per organization
ApprovalMax Premium
$121
per month per organization
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional DetailsDiscount available for annual pricing and for management of multiple organizations.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
Features
ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
Payment Management
Comparison of Payment Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.0
1 Ratings
7% above category average
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
-
Ratings
Customizable Approval Policies9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Financial Document Management9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Payment Status Tracking9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Payment Audit Trail9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Duplicate Bill Detection4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Accounts Payable
Comparison of Accounts Payable features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
8.5
1 Ratings
19% above category average
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
-
Ratings
Automated Accounts Payable Processes9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Vendor Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
9.0
13 Ratings
17% above category average
Pay calculation00 Ratings8.511 Ratings
Benefit plan administration00 Ratings8.08 Ratings
Direct deposit files00 Ratings10.010 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management00 Ratings8.57 Ratings
Reimbursement management00 Ratings10.09 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
7.5
12 Ratings
1% below category average
API for custom integration00 Ratings7.08 Ratings
Plug-ins00 Ratings8.011 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
10.0
22 Ratings
20% above category average
Single sign-on capability00 Ratings10.022 Ratings
Role-based user permissions00 Ratings10.019 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
6.7
24 Ratings
15% below category average
Dashboards00 Ratings5.021 Ratings
Standard reports00 Ratings8.024 Ratings
Custom reports00 Ratings7.024 Ratings
General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
7.6
26 Ratings
0% above category average
Accounts payable00 Ratings8.026 Ratings
Accounts receivable00 Ratings7.625 Ratings
Cash management00 Ratings5.520 Ratings
Bank reconciliation00 Ratings9.526 Ratings
Expense management00 Ratings8.522 Ratings
Time tracking00 Ratings7.514 Ratings
Fixed asset management00 Ratings7.016 Ratings
Multi-currency support00 Ratings5.011 Ratings
Multi-division support00 Ratings6.012 Ratings
Regulations compliance00 Ratings10.011 Ratings
Electronic tax filing00 Ratings10.017 Ratings
Self-service portal00 Ratings7.615 Ratings
Global Financial Support00 Ratings5.08 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings8.515 Ratings
Intercompany Accounting00 Ratings8.016 Ratings
Localizations00 Ratings8.07 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations00 Ratings9.519 Ratings
Enterprise Accounting00 Ratings8.57 Ratings
Configurable Accounting00 Ratings6.511 Ratings
Centralized Rules Framework00 Ratings6.511 Ratings
Standardized Processes00 Ratings7.015 Ratings
Inventory Management
Comparison of Inventory Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
7.4
17 Ratings
1% above category average
Inventory tracking00 Ratings9.516 Ratings
Automatic reordering00 Ratings6.512 Ratings
Location management00 Ratings7.011 Ratings
Manufacturing module00 Ratings6.510 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
ApprovalMax
-
Ratings
QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
9.1
20 Ratings
20% above category average
Pricing00 Ratings9.019 Ratings
Order entry00 Ratings9.518 Ratings
Credit card processing00 Ratings9.019 Ratings
Cost of goods sold00 Ratings9.018 Ratings
Order Orchestration00 Ratings9.07 Ratings
End-to-end order visibility00 Ratings9.09 Ratings
Order exception Resolution00 Ratings9.08 Ratings
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User Ratings
ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(34 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(9 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
6.0
(8 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(4 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
Likelihood to Recommend
ApprovalMax
As mentioned previously - able to send invoice based on amount , program code and division code ,supplier is very useful feature ; If an invoice does not fit into approval process than it is rejected and an email is received mentioning the reason
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Intuit
If you're a freelancer or running a very small business where you do your own bookkeeping I think this is a great option, especially if you're familiar with accounting and bookkeeping in general. If you're not so familiar with bookkeeping, I would say that the learning curve is too steep and you might want to look elsewhere for a more intuitive solution
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Pros
ApprovalMax
  • choice based on Program codes / division codes - we use Xero accounting system and we have 22 program codes and 11 divison codes ; once invoice is entered in Xero depending on relevant program code and divison code, Approval max automatically send invoice to relevant person depending on approval workflow process . One manager could be handling multiple divison and program codes; if our approval work flow process is properly designed - it is accurate in sending invoice to relevant manager.
  • invoice can also send to various managers based on General ledger codes ; this flexibility makes useful when manager is handling only certain nature of expenses regardless of program codes / divisionl.
  • Approval process can also be designed based on level of amount ; and level of amount is derived from our Delegation policy. it makes audit of application of delegation policy easy ; we give copy of delegation policy and print of approval work flow process to auditor.
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Intuit
  • The program is very easy to learn, the interface is incredibly user-friendly and there are tons of free resources and tutorials available
  • It makes managing payroll really easy for the employee and accountant on staff. No more lost time sheets or late paychecks!
  • Managing bills and paying them has become streamlined and it's great having everything in one place so we don't lose track of things.
Read full review
Cons
ApprovalMax
  • date and time of change in approval process ; for example if Mr. A was responsible for all expenses above $1000 in Oct 23 and from Nov 23 it is changed to $5000 . in Dec 23 if it is checked - it will show approval limit of $5000 ; but will not show from which date limit was changed. Auditor always asks this question when the limit was changed in approval max - we cannot prove it.
  • If there is audit trail of who made the changes , when and what changes were made ; will be good.
  • when we are in main page of seeing invoices awaiting approval - there are hundreds of invoices - searching for one invoice from particular supplier is very cumbersome job - we have to go by each and every invoice in order to find that invoice ; it will be good if we have search function on main page itself ; in current scenario we have to go to report section - input all filters and than search for that particular invoice.
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Intuit
  • The #1 complaint is that setting it up right is a challenge. People waste time trying to figure it out only to realize that they don't know accounting so of course they don't know how an accounting program should be set up. Like any time you are in over your head, reach out to your network and find someone who can log onto your computer and walk you through it.
  • If you need to track the cost of wages to jobs you can't do it with the online payroll, but check for yourself because it's a function that landscaping companies and construction businesses usually need, so maybe they have added it by now. That would really help!
  • It's premise-based software and that means you take on the role of hardware admin, and it's a lot of work for what is increasingly becoming a smaller gap in the functionality between QuickBooks for Mac and QuickBooks Online.
  • QuickBooks for Mac 2015 has been updated consistently over the last 3 years and continues to provide for the bookkeeping needs of small companies using Macs in their offices. However, it has limited job costing functionality. It is similar in functionality to the 2010 version of QuickBooksPro which runs on Windows.
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Likelihood to Renew
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Intuit
I haven't spent that much time with the newer versions of QuickBooks for Mac, but I think I'm seeing it make the much-needed improvements. For example, something as simple as undoing the previous reconciliation was a terrible chore, and I'm glad that feature has been included in the newer versions of QuickBooks for Mac
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Usability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Intuit
The Mac version is OK overall. I find the Windows versions to be much more robust but Mac is quite good for Mac users. Though I think die hard Mac users should consider QuickBooks Online instead as there is a new QB for Mac app that makes using QBO much better!
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Reliability and Availability
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Intuit
I've been using the QuickBooks online version for a little over 6 months now (upgraded from Mac desktop) and I haven't had any access issues. There have been times when it was down for service/upgrade however there is always plenty of notification time given by the Quick Books Online Support team. These upgrade maintenance time frames are always over night hours and on the weekends so everything can be worked around very easily.
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Support Rating
ApprovalMax
No answers on this topic
Intuit
Fortunately, I haven't had to reach out much for support.
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Alternatives Considered
ApprovalMax
Read full review
Intuit
I love using Quickbooks compared to other software we've tried. QuickBooks Online and TSheets interface. Customer service and problem resolution are generally excellent, with well-trained and proficient agents taking calls or on chat. Ease of use and accessibility via the mobile app. Great courses were available to help with learning the basics and some advanced accounting background. I love learning! Online accessibility - it can work anywhere with an internet connection. Linking to bank and credit card accounts is handy.
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Return on Investment
ApprovalMax
  • It has certainly made a positive impact ; it is definately worth its value ; when we are processing hundreds of invoices every fortnight ; getting approval of invoices in timely manner for all invoices is of paramount importance . as approval max has its own app - approval can be done on mobile phone also ; this is particularly helpful when staff is travelling .
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Intuit
  • It has allowed us to offer multiple bookkeeping softwares for clients that do not want to change from what they have been using.
  • Payroll filing has given us ease of mind because we can physically make the filings rather than waiting on payroll software to make them for us.
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ScreenShots

ApprovalMax Screenshots

Screenshot of where approval processes are set up  – no matter how simple or complex.Screenshot of the interface to build approval steps that follow any business rules – whether approvals happen one after another, all at once, or only in certain cases. The user can also control who approves based on things like amount, supplier, account code, or category.Screenshot of where to approve bills and purchase orders the way that works best.Screenshot of the interface that matches bills to approved purchase orders from the same supplier to keep coding accurate and control spending. Unmatched bills can also be stopped from being approved.Screenshot of where to mention others in comments to bring them in or get their input – even if they’re not part of the original approval. If they don’t have access, a prompt to add them as a Watcher is sent. Mentions work on web and mobile, sending notifications as soon as access is granted.Screenshot of where to raise purchase orders, approve requests, and extract key details from bills and purchase orders – all on the go with the ApprovalMax mobile app for iOS and Android.