A note before you read: ABFI is one of the alternatives here, and we wrote this page. Facts about Pilot come from Pilot's site or named, dated reviews.
Who Pilot is good for
Pilot focuses on startups and growing companies, offering bookkeeping, tax and CFO services from one provider [1]. Reviewers describe pricing tiered by monthly expenses [2]. For a venture-backed startup that wants bookkeeping and tax under one roof and a provider used to investor-ready books, it's a well-known choice.
Why businesses look for an alternative
- They aren't a startup. A contractor, agency or e-commerce business may want industry-specific work like job costing, client profitability or inventory.
- They want a different service model, such as a dedicated team with controller review or a closer relationship.
- Pricing structure. Expense-based tiers suit some businesses better than others.
- They want tax separate. Some prefer their own CPA and a bookkeeping provider that hands off to them.
The alternatives, by who they fit
| If you want... | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Another startup-focused provider with AI-assisted bookkeeping | Zeni | AI plus a finance team, with CFO add-ons [3] |
| Startup bookkeeping, tax and CFO bundled | inDinero | Outsourced accounting, tax and CFO for startups [4] |
| Bookkeeping plus add-ons for a small business | Bookkeeper360 | QuickBooks Online or Xero, payroll and advisory [5] |
| An accounting department with industry playbooks | ABFI Accounting | Reviewed close, controller oversight, CFO help available [6] |
More: Zeni alternatives, inDinero alternatives, Pilot vs Bookkeeper360, Bench vs Pilot and the full outsourced bookkeeping list.
Pilot and ABFI side by side
| Pilot | ABFI Accounting | |
|---|---|---|
| Main audience | Startups and growing companies [1] | Growing US businesses across six industry playbooks |
| Bookkeeping and monthly close | Yes [1] | Yes, locked close with controller review |
| CFO-level help | Offered [1] | Available in higher tiers |
| Tax preparation | Offered [1] | Not offered; clean handoff to your CPA |
| Industry work (job costing, inventory, client profitability) | Check with Pilot | Yes |
| Pricing | Tiered by monthly expenses, per reviewers [2] | From $850 a month [6] |
If you want bookkeeping and tax from one startup-focused provider, Pilot may suit you better. ABFI fits when you have your own CPA and want an accounting department that owns the close.
How to switch from Pilot, step by step
- Pick a switch date after a month Pilot has closed.
- Confirm where your books live. If they're in a QuickBooks Online file you own, you can invite the new provider. If not, export the general ledger, financial statements and supporting documents before ending service.
- Check your contract terms (billing period, notice) before giving notice.
- Download bank, card and payroll reports for the year directly from each provider.
- Invite the new provider safely. See how to give your bookkeeper access safely.
- Have them check the last reconciliations before they take over.
- If Pilot did your taxes, line up a CPA well before the next deadline.
More: switching bookkeepers mid-year. Startups weighing tools instead: best accounting software for startups and investor reporting for startups.
Keep reading
Sources
- Pilot, company website, pilot.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- NerdWallet, "Pilot Bookkeeping Review: Pricing, Features, Alternatives", www.nerdwallet.com/business/software/learn/pilot-bookkeeping. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Zeni, pricing page, www.zeni.ai/pricing. Checked November 6, 2026.
- inDinero, company website, www.indinero.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Bookkeeper360, company website, www.bookkeeper360.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- ABFI Accounting, Pricing, www.abfiaccounting.com/pricing. Checked November 6, 2026.
Questions owners ask
Who is Pilot best for?
Startups and growing companies that want bookkeeping, tax and CFO services from one provider.
What are the main Pilot alternatives?
Zeni and inDinero for startups, Bookkeeper360 for small businesses wanting add-ons, and ABFI for growing businesses that want an accounting department with industry depth.
Does ABFI do taxes like Pilot?
No. ABFI keeps the books and hands them to your CPA.
How do I move my books away from Pilot?
Confirm where the books live, export everything you need before service ends, get statements from your banks, and have the new provider check the last reconciliations.
Is ABFI cheaper than Pilot?
It depends on your size and Pilot's tier for you. Compare total cost, including tax and add-ons, using each provider's current pricing.
Not a typical startup?
ABFI's complimentary Business Accounting Diagnostic shows what your books need for your industry and stage.