Proper books for R200 a month.
StartBooks is accounting software for South African businesses that are just starting out. Send invoices, import your bank statement, and know where your money went, without paying big-name prices.
One price per business. Every feature included.
Everything a new business needs to keep its books
Built for South Africa: rands, VAT at 15%, a local chart of accounts, and bank statements from any SA bank.
- ✓Quotes, invoices and credit notesWith your logo and banking details. Turn a quote into an invoice in one click, print it or save it as a PDF.
- ✓Bank statements in, not typed inUpload the CSV or OFX file from your online banking. Repeat items like fuel or rent fill themselves in.
- ✓Know who owes youSee unpaid and overdue invoices at a glance, and send customer statements.
- ✓Bills and suppliersCapture supplier invoices and payments so you know what you owe and when.
- ✓VAT201 readyOutput and input VAT worked out by field number, with every transaction behind it.
- ✓Real financial statementsIncome statement, balance sheet and trial balance, with last year alongside.
- ✓Plain language when you want itSimple view asks "What was this for?" instead of showing account codes. VAT is applied for you.
- ✓Logins for your teamGive staff access to invoices and customers only, and keep the bank and reports private.
- ✓Works on any deviceUse it in the browser on your laptop or phone. Nothing to install.
- ✓Your data stays privateEncrypted connection, your own login, and books kept separate from every other business.
Getting started
Get in touch
Send us a WhatsApp or email with your business name. We set up your company with a South African chart of accounts.
Create your password
You get an email with a link to create your password. From then on you sign in with your email address.
Send your first invoice
Add your logo and banking details, then send an invoice or upload last month's bank statement.
Made for businesses with big plans and small budgets
Most accounting software is priced for established companies. StartBooks keeps the price low so you can keep proper records from day one. That helps when SARS asks, when a bank or funder wants financial statements, and when you want to know if you're making money.
A good fit if you are
- a new (Pty) Ltd or sole proprietor
- running a side business that's growing
- registering for VAT for the first time
- tired of keeping books in a spreadsheet
- applying for funding and need financial statements
One simple price
No setup fee and no feature tiers.
Small business
- Every feature on this page
- Owner and staff logins
- Bank import for any SA bank
- VAT201 and financial statements
- Help by WhatsApp and email
Accountants and bookkeepers
Looking after several client companies? Pay per company from R100 each, or choose a bundle of 10 or 25.
- All your clients under one login
- Give each client their own login
- Copy your chart of accounts to new clients
Rather have someone do it for you? Ask us about bookkeeping, VAT returns and CIPC annual returns, quoted separately.
Questions
Do I need to know accounting?
No. Simple view uses everyday words like "Money received" and "Fuel", and works out the VAT for you. Underneath, StartBooks keeps proper double-entry books, so your accountant gets what they need too.
Which banks does it work with?
Any South African bank that lets you download your statement as a CSV or OFX file from online banking. That includes the big banks and most smaller ones. Statements you've uploaded before are skipped automatically.
Can I use it if I'm not registered for VAT?
Yes. Switch VAT off for your company and invoices are issued without VAT. Switch it on when you register.
Can my staff use it?
Yes. Staff logins can do quotes, invoices and receipts, but can't see your bank, suppliers or reports.
Is my information safe?
You sign in with your own email and password over an encrypted connection. Each business's books are stored separately. Read our privacy policy to see how we handle your information under POPIA.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. StartBooks runs in your web browser on a phone, tablet or computer, so there's nothing to install.
I have more than one business. Do I pay twice?
Each business has its own books and its own subscription. You can switch between them with one login.
Ready to get your books in order?
Send us a message with your business name and we'll set you up.