Bonsai vs Patriot Software
- ✦ Contracts & Proposals
- ✦ Accounting & Tax
- ✦ Time Tracking
- ✦ Accounting
- ✦ Payroll
- ✦ Bank Imports
Bonsai and Patriot Software are both Accounting tools. Bonsai starts at $15/mo, Patriot Software at $6/mo. Compare features, pricing, and ratings below to find the best fit for your team.
When to Choose Bonsai vs Patriot Software
The question that matters: “In what situation will I regret choosing A over B after 3 months?”
Time Tracking logs hours per client and auto-populates invoice line items, cutting prep from 45 minutes to 12 minutes for freelancers juggling 5-8 clients.
Bonsai proposals convert to invoices using the same client data and scope terms from signed contracts, removing duplicate entry and preventing term mismatches.
Expense Tracking tags out-of-pocket costs by job code and routes receipts to client invoices, recovering $200-500 per month in previously unclaimed spend.
Teams with remote staff across multiple states use Patriot's Direct Deposit feature to eliminate check printing and manual distribution delays. The setup process captures employee.
Small manufacturers and service contractors use Payroll Tax Filing to submit quarterly 941s and state unemployment returns directly from Patriot, bypassing the 2-3 week.
Pricing Comparison & PlansHigh· Verified Jul 2, 2026
Bonsai Plans
Paid plans only
Basic
$15/user/moBest for: Track time + manage occasional projects
- ✓Time tracking
- ✓task management
- ✓unlimited projects
- ✓CRM
- ✓service library
Patriot Software Plans
Paid plans only
HR Software (Add-on)
$6/mo (+ $2/employee)- ✓HR functions
- ✓Handbook creation
- ✓Policy creation
Basic Payroll
$17/mo (+ $4/worker)Best for: Small businesses
- ✓Run payroll
- ✓Handle own taxes
- ✓Free direct deposit
- ✓Free employee portal
- ✓Unlimited payrolls
Accounting Basic
$20/moBest for: Small businesses
- ✓Manage unlimited invoices
- ✓Manage unlimited contractors
- ✓Manage unlimited customers
- ✓Automate bank imports
- ✓Track expenses
Capability Breakdown
5 differences found across 16 standardized features
- •Invoicing
- •Contracts & Proposals
- •Accounting & Tax
- •Time Tracking
- •Expense Tracking
- •Client Portal
- •Forms & Questionnaires
- •Task Management
- •Scheduling
- •CRM
- •Automations
- •Payment Processing
- •Tax Preparation
- •Reports
- •Mobile App
- •Accounting
- •Payroll
- •Invoicing
- •Expense Tracking
- •Bank Imports
- •Financial Reports
- •Payroll Tax Filing
- •Direct Deposit
- •1099 Filing
- •Time & Attendance
- •HR Software
- •Employee Portal
- •Multi-state Payroll
- •W-2 Filing
- •US-focused Compliance
Strengths & Limitations
Evaluative strengths and weaknesses: not feature lists
- +Integrated client CRM, proposals, contracts, and invoicing
- +Automated expense tracking and tax estimates from bank accounts
- +Bonsai Cash: a no-fee business bank account with virtual cards
- +Built-in time tracking that converts directly to invoices
- +Legally-vetted contract and proposal templates save time
- −Accounting features are basic; not a full QuickBooks replacement
- −Mobile app has more limited functionality than the web version
- −No multi-currency support within a single client account
- −Limited integrations with third-party apps beyond Zapier/Stripe
- −Steep learning curve due to the sheer number of features
- +Dual-entry accounting and cash-basis reporting in one system
- +Full-service payroll includes year-end W-2/W-3 filing
- +No per-state fees for multi-state payroll processing
- +Free US-based expert support via phone, chat, or email
- +Transparent, low-cost pricing with no hidden setup fees
- −No mobile app for on-the-go accounting or payroll management
- −Limited third-party integrations beyond QuickBooks and Plaid
- −Does not support contractor-only payroll (requires at least one W-2 employee)
- −Lacks advanced features like inventory tracking or project costing
- −No international payroll or multi-currency support
At a Glance
Recent Price History
Bonsai removed the "Business" plan
Plan removed · May 30, 2026
Bonsai removed the "Professional" plan
Plan removed · May 30, 2026
Bonsai removed the "Starter" plan
Plan removed · May 30, 2026
Bonsai added a new "Elite" plan at $59/user/mo
Plan added · May 30, 2026
Bonsai added a new "Premium" plan at $39/user/mo
Plan added · May 30, 2026
Patriot Software added a new "Bookkeeping Service (Add-on)" plan at $100/mo
Plan added · May 28, 2026
Patriot Software added a new "HR Software (Add-on)" plan at $6/mo
Plan added · May 28, 2026
Patriot Software removed the "Full Service Payroll" plan
Plan removed · May 28, 2026
Patriot Software added a new "Full-Service Payroll" plan at $37/mo
Plan added · May 28, 2026
Patriot Software added a new "Time And Attendance (Add-on)" plan at $6/mo
Plan added · May 28, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Comparisons
Bonsaifrom $15/mo
Patriot Softwarefrom $20/moSources & Data Trail · Bonsai
- 1.Official Pricing Page·Source of verified tiers(Checked: 2026-07-02)
- 2.Official Website·Official vendor website
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Sources & Data Trail · Patriot Software
- 1.Official Pricing Page·Source of verified tiers(Checked: 2026-07-02)
- 2.Official Website·Official vendor website
- 3.G2·G2 verified reviews · 4.8/5 · 618 reviews
- 4.Capterra·Capterra verified reviews · 4.8/5
- 5.TrustRadius·TrustRadius verified reviews