Best Trucking Accounting Software Programs
The right trucking accounting software doesn’t just help trucking businesses manage the books and send invoices to clients. It includes features to help businesses track mileage, manage their fleet and handle other specialized bookkeeping and accounting needs.
Keep reading to discover our picks for the best trucking accounting software.
4 best trucking accounting software programs
There are dozens — if not hundreds — of accounting software options on the market, but not all software is created equal. Any reputable accounting solution can handle accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing and financial reports. Some all-in-one programs can handle dispatch and fleet management and payroll — although these solutions are usually pricey and more appropriate for larger businesses.
Small businesses in the trucking industry with less extensive fleet management needs might find it more affordable to use logistics management software that integrates with standard accounting software.
Here are a few options to suit trucking businesses of all sizes.
| Trucking accounting software | Best for | Starting price per month |
|---|---|---|
| Q7 | Overall | Not disclosed, free demo available |
| Rigbooks | Budget option | $19 |
| Axon | Larger fleets | Not disclosed, free demo available |
| QuickBooks with TruckingOffice | QuickBooks users | $20 (plus the cost of a QuickBooks subscription) |
Q7 by Frontline Software Technology: Best overall
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Wide range of trucking-specific features Cloud-based and desktop versions available Training and technical support included | Desktop version not available for Mac OS No upfront pricing information Doesn’t offer a free trial, only a demonstration |
Plans and pricing
- Pricing isn’t publicly available, so you need to contact the company to get a customized quote
Features
- Order management
- Truckload, brokerage, and less than truckload (LTL) dispatch
- Freight billing
- Pay settlement
- Fuel and mileage
- Fleet maintenance
- Safety
- Accounting
- Payroll
- Management reporting
Who it’s best for:
Q7 is the best overall trucking accounting software because it’s all-inclusive, cloud-based and fully integrates with other industry-specific tools.
Q7’s accounting functions include payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and a general ledger for small businesses. But accounting with trucking-specific considerations is only part of what this comprehensive solution offers. It also handles all trucking logistics, including dispatch and fleet management. It also incorporates mobile logistics and extensive integrations such as an electronic on-board recorder (EOBR) interface that tracks driving time and a fuel card interface.
Frontline provides training and technical support to all customers, and Q7 can be customized and enhanced to meet specific needs.
Rigbooks: Best for budget-minded businesses
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
30-day free trial available Pay-as-you-go pricing with no long-term commitment Works on any mobile device | Most expensive plan supports only five trucks, and each additional truck costs $29/month Doesn’t offer all of the features of a full-fledged accounting software, such as bank account reconciliations or fixed asset tracking |
Plans and pricing
- Basic: $19/month
- Leased Owner/Operator (O/O): $29/month
- Independent Owner/Operator: $49/month
- Small Fleet: $149/month
Features
- Expense records
- Fuel receipts and mileage reporting
- Revenue tracking
- Trip tracking
- Maintenance records
- International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA) tracking and calculation
- Business reporting
- Document storage
- Detailed load reports (Leased O/O plan and above only)
- Customer database (Leased O/O plan and above only)
- Customer invoicing (Independent O/O plan and above only)
- Driver Records (Small fleet plan only)
Who it’s best for:
Rigbooks is an affordable option for owner/operators and small trucking companies operating up to five trucks. It includes features that help drivers and trucking company owners understand their cost per mile, so they know whether they’re making or losing money on each load.
Drivers can enter expenses and snap photos of their receipts while on the road, so expenses are always up to date, and they don’t have to worry about losing receipts or their related tax deductions.
Axon: Best for larger fleets
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Integrated accounting, fleet management and dispatch software Available on the cloud, desktop, and mobile app | No upfront pricing information Doesn’t offer a free trial, only a demonstration |
Plans and pricing
- Pricing isn’t publicly available, so you need to contact the company to get a customized quote
Features
- Transportation management
- Trucking dispatch
- Ticket software
- Fleet management
- Trucking accounting
- IFTA and fuel tax
- Fleet Maintenance
- Accounts receivable and accounts payable
- Payroll
Who it’s best for:
Axon is another all-inclusive, fully integrated solution for trucking management and accounting, with payroll as an add-on. The software is made up of modules that can be combined in various ways, so it can be customized for a large variety of trucking company types and interface with an array of systems.
The company prides itself on real-time integration, which means that users need only enter information into the system once, and it will automatically update throughout dispatch, billing, driver pay, fuel management, fleet maintenance and accounting. This functionality increases efficiency and reduces errors.
QuickBooks with TruckingOffice: Best for QuickBooks users
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Trucking-specific features with the familiarity of QuickBooks Works for desktop and online versions of QuickBooks | 30-day free trial available No mobile app |
Plans and pricing
- Basic plans:
- O/O (1-2 trucks): $20/month
- Midsize (3-7 trucks): $45/month
- Fleet (8+ trucks): $75/month
- Broker (unlimited dispatches): $45/month
- Pro plans:
- O/O: $30/month
- Midsize: $65/month
- Fleet: $110/month
Customers can also add PC*Miler Premium Routing/Mileage to all plans except Broker for an additional fee.
Features
- IFTA reporting
- Dispatching
- Invoicing
- Expense tracking
- Fleet maintenance
- Routing
- Driver assignments
- Digital document storage, LTL planning, LTL dispatch (Pro plans only)
Who it’s best for:
TruckingOffice bills itself as “trucking management software,” but many of its functions are geared toward accounting for trucking companies. Still, the company found that its customers were having trouble collaborating with their bookkeepers and tax accountants because the trucking company used TruckingOffice while bookkeepers and tax accountants were familiar with QuickBooks.
Now, TruckingOffice integrates with both desktop versions of QuickBooks as well as QuickBooks Online. Trucking companies using QuickBooks for invoicing, accounts payable, accounts receivable and expense tracking can now also get trucking industry-specific features.
What to look for in trucking accounting software
Trucking accounting software should include all the elements of a basic bookkeeping solution, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing and financial reports. Ideally, it will also integrate payroll, although you can outsource payroll to a service provider as well.
A good trucking accounting solution also handles industry-specific tasks, such as:
- Dispatch management (truckload dispatch, brokerage dispatch, LTL dispatch and order management)
- Fleet management (fleet maintenance, fuel and mileage tracking, safety assurance, management reporting)
- Specialized accounting (order management, freight billing, IFTA fuel tax, equipment revenue reporting, owner/operator settlements)
- Mobile logistics and interface (EOBR interface, fuel card interface, mileage interface, shipment status notifications, electronic data interchange, email integration)
Methodology
To appear on our list of best trucking accounting software programs, we took the following factors into account: the overall cost of the program, trucking industry-specific features, integrations with other bookkeeping software programs, ease of use and additional integrations it offers, like business tax planning or payroll services.