Bench vs. Wishup—Which Online Bookkeeping Service is Better?

Are you in the market researching for outsourcing the accounting service? If it's a case of Bench accounting vs Wishup, you've come to the right place.

In this article, I compare the pricing, features, ease of use, and customer reviews of Wishup with Bench accounting.

Wishup vs. Bench Accounting at a Glance

Let me start by introducing the two services.

First up, we have Wishup.

Wishup provides startups and small business entrepreneurs with comprehensive accounting and bookkeeping services. They work on third-party software like Quickbooks Online, Xero, Zoho, etc., making it easy to track your bookkeeping and accounting data in one place.

With subscription plans, you're connected with a certified bookkeeper virtually to help manage your company's account, maintain books, properly categorize income and expenses, and perform timely reporting.

Wishup offers a bunch of other services, like

1. Virtual Assistant
2. Executive Assistant
3. Medical Transcription
4. Phone Answering
5. Inventory Management for eCommerce
6. Article Writing
7. Project Management
8. Social Media Management

It includes everything from daily tasks to specialized services for doctors, realtors, lawyers, startup founders, business coaches, influencers, marketers, and more.

Pricing plans start from just $999 monthly, serving 80 hours, with a 3-day free trial. 

Wishup is best for small businesses that need bookkeeping services as well as those that want integrations with third-party tools.

Other Benefits

• Only 5 out of 5000 talent is selected and pre-vetted by the ex-entrepreneurs
• India and US-based virtual bookkeepers and accountants
• Onboarding in just 60 minutes
• Trained in 200+ skills and 70 no-code tools
• 98% client retention rate

Now for Bench.

Their services cover everything from bookkeeping and banking to tax preparation and advisory. They use proprietary software for bookkeeping, which isn't a DIY solution.

Bench accounting is a good option for businesses that want to upgrade from DIY bookkeeping, have some revenue momentum, and use cash-basis accounting.

But, for businesses using accrual-based accounting, Bench would not be an ideal choice for you. 

Bench offers only accounting services that include

• Bookkeeping
• Income tax filing and advisory
• Tax resolution 

Moreover, Bench's accounting team works with multiple clients simultaneously, so if you want to contact your bookkeeper, you'll have to wait 24 hours for them to respond, which isn't the case with Wishup.

At Wishup, each client works with an individual bookkeeper assigned to them for a designated 80 or 160 hours/ month, depending on their subscription plan. Plus, daily EOD report of the work done by your bookkeeper. 

Wishup vs. Bench Accounting and Bookkeeping Features

Wishup bookkeeping and accounting services include:

• Setting up of books of accounts
• Recording bank and credit card transactions
• Accounts receivable management
• Accounts payable management
• Reconciliation of accounts
• Assistance in financial statement preparation and review
• Generating monthly reports and transaction categorization
• You're assigned a dedicated bookkeeper who understands your business needs
• Unlimited communication with your bookkeeper and account manager
• Spend management via the top expenses report on Quickbooks, Freshworks/Xero, or your preferred accounting dashboard
• Unlimited access to Wishup's in-house  team, who provide expert small business advice for your questions—at no extra cost
• Backend task support team to double-check all the assigned work and avoid human errors
• Daily end-of-the-day report through the in-house employee management app
• Monthly meetings with the dedicated customer success manager
• Access to the top 0.1% of talent, pre-vetted by ex-entrepreneurs
• Certified bookkeepers with knowledge of third-party accounting software like Quickbooks, Xero, Zoho, etc

In addition, Wishup's dedicated bookkeepers verify the accuracy of the data you receive via different accounts. 

Plus, we do not charge any onboarding fee for bookkeeping and accounting services.

Plus, all of its bookkeeping is in Quickbooks Online, the most common accounting software solution preferred by its 1500+ clients. Bookkeepers are also flexible and can work on other software like Zoho, Xero, etc.

These accounting software programs are easy to use and support small, mid-sized, and large business owners, e-commerce businesses, and self-employed people.

Bench features include

• Catch-up and monthly bookkeeping
• We earlier established that they don't have a dedicated bookkeeper and work on different accounts at once
• Communication with your bookkeeper, with a maximum response time of 24 hours
• Cash management
• Offers bench accounting software
• Works in tandem with CPA firms
• Your business financial accounts linked to the Bench account
• Income tax filing and advisory support
• Year-end financial package
• Not compatible with QuickBooks or any other software
• The bookkeeper communicates on the bench platform
• Assigned Bench CPA communicates with you via email, and they have another platform to communicate about taxes

Note: A review about Bench on Trustpilot points out that you can't cancel your yearly contract until 60 days after it ends, and they won't refund your money.

Accounting Methods

While Bench doesn't offer accrual accounting services, ‍Wishup specializes in cash and accrual accounting. 

Whether you're a small business owner or a big enterprise, you can trust us to handle your business' accounting. 

Free Trial?

Yes, Wishup offers a 3-day free trial of bookkeeping services and affordable monthly plans. During this trial, you can ask the bookkeeper to create financial statements, scan receipts, record transactions in bookkeeping software, etc.

While Bench doesn't offer a free trial of its bookkeeping and tax services, it does provide a free personalized demo that you can schedule at a time that works for you. 

Pain Points with Bench Accounting

Frequent Bookkeeper Turnover

"The team changed often, and I would have to reacquaint with a new bookkeeper."

Bench's high turnover rate leaves businesses constantly adjusting to new team members, often leading to inconsistencies in service quality.

Missed Deadlines and Delays

"Books were never completed on time... months late."

Bench customers frequently report late books, even when deadlines are crucial for tax filings and financial decision-making.

Poor Communication and Lack of Transparency

"I have to send out multiple emails just to get a response."

"Their communication is awful, and you may receive different information verbally and in writing that contradicts themselves."

Many users cite unresponsive teams, contradictory instructions, and frustration in trying to resolve simple queries.

Inaccurate and Misclassified Books

"My records remain incomplete, and the work done so far contains hundreds of miscategorized transactions."

This consistent feedback undermines confidence in Bench's ability to deliver accurate, tax-ready books.

Over-Promising and Under-Delivering

"They constantly over-promised tax filing dates, and miscommunication between bookkeeping and tax departments caused weeks of delays."

Customers are often left disappointed by unmet promises, from inaccurate data to delayed results.

The Wishup Difference

At Wishup, we understand these frustrations and have built our services to solve them. 

Here's how Wishup stands apart:

Dedicated and Consistent Bookkeeping Support

Unlike Bench, where high turnover disrupts continuity, Wishup assigns each business owner a dedicated virtual bookkeeper.

This professional becomes familiar with your operations and maintains consistency over the long term.

Timely and Accurate Financial Records

Wishup's bookkeepers are highly skilled in using platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, and Zoho, ensuring:

1. Accurate categorization of transactions
2. Timely monthly books
3. Tax-ready reports prepared ahead of deadlines

Customized Service to Fit Your Business

Every business is unique, and our bookkeepers take the time to understand your specific needs. We focus on personalized financial management rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Transparent Communication

Our streamlined processes mean you'll have direct, responsive communication with your bookkeeper via the Wishup office app or your preferred communication channel. There will be no mixed messages or delays.

Cost-Effective Solutions Without Compromise

Bench customers often feel they don't get the value they pay for. Wishup's pricing is transparent and affordable, starting at $9.99/hour, with no hidden fees or forced annual commitments.

Flexibility and Control

Wishup's bookkeepers adapt to your preferred tools and processes, unlike Bench, which locks you into their proprietary platform.

All-in-One Services Beyond Bookkeeping

Beyond financial management, Wishup virtual assistants can handle administrative tasks, inbox management, content creation management, and other operational needs, giving you comprehensive support in one place.

Pricing

Wishup costs less than hiring a traditional bookkeeper, and each client is assigned a dedicated bookkeeper. Plus, there are no hidden fees, so you can budget accurately and find a plan that works for your financial situation without worrying about paying for extras.

Our bookkeeping services start at just $9.99/hr. Check out our pricing page for more information.

Bench offers two pricing plans starting at $349 and $699, as well as a bookkeeping team that works with multiple clients and responds to messages or queries within 24 hours.

However, some users have noted that additional services or features can lead to unexpected charges. It's not compatible with QuickBooks or any other software, so you're stuck on their platform.

How Wishup Stacks Up

Is Wishup Bookkeeping Right for You or Your Business?

While Bench Accounting has been a popular choice for online bookkeeping, the recurring issues of delayed books, poor communication, and inaccuracy highlight significant drawbacks. 

Wishup, on the other hand, is a great choice for small and mid-size business owners and solopreneurs. We offer a superior alternative with personalized, timely, and reliable bookkeeping services, making us the best fit to meet your business needs.

Schedule a free consultation with a bookkeeping expert and onboard a bookkeeper in 60 minutes.

Say goodbye to frustration and missed deadlines. Choose Wishup for bookkeeping done right.