Puzzle is AI-native accounting software built for startups and small businesses. It connects to your bank, cards and payment tools, categorizes 85 to 90% of transactions automatically, reconciles accounts and drafts financial statements in real time. Starter costs $24 a month billed yearly and is free for the first 2 months.
What is Puzzle?
Puzzle is a modern general ledger and accounting platform designed as an AI-first alternative to QuickBooks. It pulls in data from banks, cards, Stripe, payroll and other tools, then uses AI to categorize transactions, match receipts and keep your books up to date every day instead of once a month.
Puzzle 2.0 adds an AI suite with Chat, Cowork and Close that answers questions about your finances, helps with tasks and speeds up the month-end close. You can run the books yourself or add Puzzle’s own accounting services or a partner firm. A Puzzle API and MCP server also let you connect your books to tools like Claude and ChatGPT.
Puzzle key features
AI categorization
85–90% of transactions are categorized automatically.
Real-time books
Your general ledger stays current every day.
AI reconciliations
Match and reconcile accounts with AI (Complete plan).
Auto-drafted statements
Get income statements, balance sheets and cash flow drafted for you.
Startup metrics
Track cash, burn, runway and margins.
AI Suite
Chat, Cowork and Close to ask questions and speed up month-end.
Cash and accrual
Switch between cash and accrual accounting views.
Accounting services
Add expert-reviewed or full-service bookkeeping.
API and MCP
Connect your books to apps and AI assistants.
Puzzle pricing plans (2026)
Puzzle has four software plans. Prices below are per month billed yearly, which saves 20% compared with monthly billing. Starter is free for the first 2 months.
Starter
1 seat, 25 lifetime AI credits, AI categorization and auto-drafted financial statements.
Core
5 seats, insights on cash, burn, runway and margin, spend and revenue tracking.
Complete
Unlimited seats, 100 AI credits a month, AI reconciliations and accuracy review.
Scale
Unlimited seats, 300 AI credits a month and high-volume accounting with no limits.
Monthly billing: Starter $30, Core $72, Complete $120 and Scale $360. Accounting services cost extra. Check the latest prices on the official Puzzle pricing page.
How to use Puzzle
- 1
Go to puzzle.io and click Try for free.
- 2
Connect your bank accounts, cards and tools like Stripe.
- 3
Import history from QuickBooks or start fresh.
- 4
Review the AI categorizations and fix anything that needs it.
- 5
Use your real-time reports and close the books each month.
Who should use Puzzle?
Startup founders
Track burn and runway in real time.
Small businesses
Replace QuickBooks with AI-first books.
Accountants
Close client books faster with AI.
Finance teams
Get accurate, investor-ready statements.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Strong AI automation for bookkeeping
- Real-time startup metrics
- Free for 2 months on Starter
- Optional accounting services
Watch out for
- No permanent free plan
- AI credits are limited on lower plans
- Best suited to US businesses
- Service plans add extra cost
Best Puzzle alternatives
Puzzle is one of the best AI accounting tools for startups. Real-time books, strong automation and metrics like burn and runway make it a modern alternative to QuickBooks. Founders who do their own books can start on Starter, while growing teams will get the most from Complete.
Puzzle FAQs
Is Puzzle free?
Puzzle has no permanent free plan, but the Starter plan is free for the first 2 months.
How much does Puzzle cost?
Starter costs $24 a month, Core $58, Complete $96 and Scale $288, billed yearly.
Is Puzzle a QuickBooks alternative?
Yes. Puzzle is a full general ledger that can replace QuickBooks, and you can import your QuickBooks history.
What AI features does Puzzle have?
Puzzle has AI categorization, reconciliations, accuracy review, insights and an AI suite with Chat, Cowork and Close.
Does Puzzle offer bookkeeping services?
Yes. You can add expert-reviewed or full-service accounting on top of your subscription.
Can I connect Puzzle to Claude or ChatGPT?
Yes. Puzzle offers an API and an MCP server to connect your books to AI assistants.
