Guide to Prices of Arabic and International Accounting Software

There are numerous global and local accounting software programs, with significant variations in the level of service and quality offered by each. This guide explores the pricing of the most prominent programs, clarifying the general pricing methods used for accounting software. This will help you determine which program best suits your company.   Below, we present the prices of Arabic and international accounting software to help you choose the one that fits your needs and budget.  

What Are the Prices of Accounting Software?

The prices of accounting software vary based on several factors, which include:  

1. Company Size and Requirements

The cost of accounting software depends on the size of the company and the nature of its operations. Small and medium-sized businesses typically seek affordable and cost-effective accounting software solutions that cover their basic needs. Large companies, on the other hand, often look for comprehensive accounting solutions with advanced features, even if the prices are relatively higher

2. Features and Functions Provided by the Accounting Software

The prices of accounting software vary according to the services and tasks these programs perform, such as managing sales and invoices, tracking expenses and costs, preparing financial reports, and providing features to protect sensitive financial data like backups, encryption, and access control.

3. Software Operation Mechanism

The prices of accounting software also depend on its operation mechanism and hosting method, whether it is offered through a monthly or annual subscription or can be installed with a permanent license.

4. Customization and Integration

The prices of accounting software vary depending on the program's flexibility and ability to be customized according to the business's needs and requirements. The more customizable features, such as invoice templates, quotations, and other options, the higher the cost of the accounting software.

Additionally, the price is influenced by the extent to which the accounting system can integrate with other systems used to manage enterprise resources, such as inventory management software, customer relationship management software, and human resources management software.

5. Number of Users

The cost of accounting software depends on the number of users that can be added to the program. Naturally, the price decreases when the number of users is limited, while it increases for programs that allow unlimited users.

6. Type of Accounting Software

The price of accounting software is certainly determined by its type. This includes whether it is free or open-source software, a comprehensive cloud-based solution, an electronic accounting program, or specialized software tailored to specific sectors or industries.  

Comparison of Accounting Software Prices

Below is a table showcasing the prices of Arabic and international accounting software to help you choose the one that fits your needs and budget:  

1- Daftra

All subscription plans of Daftra include most of the programs available in the system, such as:  

• Sales management.
• Customer relationship management (CRM).
• Inventory and purchases management.
• Accounts management.
• Human resources management.
• Operations management.

However, each of the three subscription plans differs in the level of features provided. For instance, you can issue professional, certified invoices with all plans, but the number of invoices you are allowed to issue monthly depends on your subscription plan.

In addition to the general features available within Daftra, the system can be customized using editable templates and configurable features tailored to your needs. You can do this yourself by referring to the system's tutorial

Alternatively, for more complex customization requests, you can reach out to the Custom Modifications Department, where Daftra's team will handle the required adjustments for you.  

Daftra Pricing

Read Also: What is the best accounting software in Saudi Arabia  

2- Al-Ameen

The Al-Ameen program offers only two packages:  

• Standard Package: Suitable for small and medium-sized businesses, providing sufficient accounting features necessary for managing your operations.
• Extended Package: Primarily designed for medium and large companies, offering more advanced features and tailored options to meet the specific needs of various business sectors.

Al-Ameen Pricing

3- Wafi Al-Qimma

The pricing strategy for Wafi Al-Qimma distinguishes significantly between its packages. For example, the Basic Package is quite limited and lacks essential features such as:  

• Inventory movement tracking.
• Journal entries and cost centers.

This often pushes users to opt for higher-tier packages, which reflects on the program’s pricing being considered relatively high, as users are compelled to subscribe to the more expensive plans.  

Wafi Al-Qimma Pricing

4- Sawan

Sawan offers a clear distinction between annual and monthly payments, with annual subscriptions being approximately 25% more cost-effective than monthly payments for the same package with identical features.   Both packages are simple and basic, making them unsuitable for large companies. The Advanced Package stands out from the Basic Package with additional inventory management features, such as:  

• Inventory management.
• Multi-warehouse support.
• Inventory transfers.
• Automatic inventory valuation.
• Inventory auditing.

Sawan Pricing

5- Arqami

Arqami specializes in managing restaurants and point-of-sale (POS) systems, with the features of its three packages tailored to serve this sector. The Basic Package is quite limited in terms of restaurant management, lacking essential features such as:

• Table management.
• Delivery zones.
• Promotional offers and gift cards.

The higher-tier packages offer better features but require contacting customer service to activate certain functionalities, which often incurs additional fees.   From a price comparison perspective, Arqami’s prices are relatively high, but its core strength lies in its specialization in the restaurant sector. However, it is advisable to explore other programs like Daftra, which may offer similar features—such as table management, promotional offers, and CRM systems—at much lower prices.  

Arqami Pricing

6- QuickBooks

QuickBooks offers both monthly and annual subscriptions, with four packages that vary in price and features. There are clear differences in the capabilities provided by each package.

The Simple Start package is sufficient for basic needs, such as issuing invoices, tracking income and expenses, calculating taxes, and generating financial reports. Additional features, such as payment management, employee time tracking, and project profitability tracking, are included in higher-tier packages.

Carefully reviewing the features of each package is crucial for selecting the one that best suits your business needs.

QuickBooks Pricing

7- ERPNext

ERPNext offers a Small Business package with very limited features, suitable for companies with fewer than 50 employees. For larger businesses, the Enterprise package is recommended, which is tailored to your specific needs. The pricing for the Enterprise package is not fixed and depends on the features you request, which requires contacting customer service for a custom quote.

ERPNext Pricing

8- Katana

Katana’s pricing is considered very high, making it unsuitable for companies in Arab countries. There are more competitive alternatives with much lower prices that offer essential accounting features. The features provided by Katana do not justify the significant cost, especially for businesses looking for core accounting functions.

Katana Pricing

9- Sage

Sage offers three main pricing packages, along with over 50 custom plans based on factors such as the number of employees, system users, and the required level of accounting management. For a tailored plan that suits your company’s specific needs, you can visit their pricing page.

In general, Sage’s prices are slightly higher compared to other programs mentioned in this guide.

Sage Pricing

What Determines the Pricing of Accounting Software?

Cloud-based accounting software approved by the ZATCA operates under the Software as a Service (SaaS) model. These systems rely on the cloud and require monthly or annual subscriptions to continue providing the service to users.

Typically, these programs offer multiple packages with varying prices depending on the features included in each package. Some features often require a separate monthly subscription, such as additional tools like human resource management software, which may not be included in the basic packages. Similarly, this applies to other features like inventory or purchasing systems. Additional subscriptions may also be required for features such as the number of branches that can be added or the number of users allowed access to the system.

How to Choose the Right Software and Pricing for Your Business?

When selecting the appropriate accounting software, don’t focus solely on the price as an isolated factor. Instead, compare the features offered and evaluate their benefits in relation to your business's needs and the price. Additionally, calculate any extra costs you may incur if you need to add complementary features to the package.

At first glance, software (A) may appear cheaper than software (B). However, when comparing the value provided for the price, you may find that software (B) is more cost-effective, especially if it offers essential features and benefits that are beneficial to your business.

When comparing features between the packages of two systems, don’t just look at the quantity of features, but rather their quality and actual usefulness. Some programs may list basic, standard features (common across most software) to create an impression of offering more, while other systems may focus on showcasing unique, valuable features that are more impactful for your business.