The Puzzle Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Puzzle in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Puzzle
The Insider’s Guide
AI-driven accounting software for startups and small businesses
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among accounting and invoicing tools, read from Puzzle’s own pages.
Made by Puzzle · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Puzzle’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Puzzle’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.0
GPA, above 11 of the 65 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade
Puzzle is web-based accounting software that categorizes transactions with AI, reconciles bank accounts and drafts financial statements, in cash and accrual books. It targets startups and small companies and also sells bookkeeping services that run on top of a subscription. An AI suite and an MCP connection for Claude and ChatGPT are listed.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Puzzle, taken from its own pages and our grades.
You connect banks and payment tools and review what the AI books.
- 1
Best for AI-run books for startups
Puzzle is AI-driven accounting for startups and small businesses, from $25 a month on annual billing, with cash and accrual books.
- 2
Paid plans start at $25 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $25 per month, billed annually ($30 billed monthly).
- 3
You can try it first
Free trial offered; length not stated on the pricing page
- 4
It runs on Web
Web.
- 5
AI categorization and close
Categorizes most transactions automatically, reconciles accounts and drafts financial statements; an AI suite adds chat, cowork and close tools.
- 6
Cash and accrual books
Keeps both bases, with accrual automation for prepaid expenses and fixed assets and revenue recognition on Complete.
- 7
Startup metrics
Cash, burn, runway and margin insights plus spend and revenue tracking, from the Core plan.
- 8
A 2.0 GPA, above 11 of 65
That is against the other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Puzzle you would be making live feeds from your bank, which take an agreement with each bank or a service that has them. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Puzzle at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $25 per month, billed annually ($30 billed monthly)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- Free trial offered; length not stated on the pricing page
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Puzzle
- Category
- Accounting & Invoicing
- Our grade
- 2.0 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for AI-run books for startups
Puzzle is AI-driven accounting for startups and small businesses, from $25 a month on annual billing, with cash and accrual books. AI credits are capped (25 for life on Starter and Core), Starter has 1 seat and Core 5, and bookkeeping services start at $171 a month.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | $25 a month on annual billing ($30 monthly) for Starter and $60 for Core, close to this category's $26 middle. |
| Free plan and trial | D | A free trial is offered, but the pricing page doesn't say how long it lasts. No free plan. |
| Features | C | AI categorization and close, cash and accrual books, startup metrics, an API and MCP. Multi-entity and variance analysis need Core, and AI credits are limited. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. You connect banks and payment tools and review what the AI books. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web only, with Stripe, Mercury, Ramp, Brex, Gusto, QuickBooks, Claude and ChatGPT, plus an API and MCP. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Puzzle is for
- Fits if you're a startup that wants AI to categorize transactions
- Works for founders who link Stripe, Mercury or Ramp
Who it is not for
- Tight if you lean on the AI: 25 lifetime credits on Starter and Core, 100 a month on Complete
- Skip it if you're a team: Starter has 1 seat and Core 5, with unlimited from Complete at $100
- Pricey if you want bookkeeping done for you: from $171 a month with Core, and it needs a subscription
- Watch out: a QuickBooks migration costs $149 one-time unless you add catch-up bookkeeping or Full Service
Good to know
Good for
- Startups that want runway and burn figures from their books
- Founders replacing QuickBooks with a self-serve ledger
- Companies that want a bookkeeper to close the books each month
Worth knowing
- Starter allows one seat and Core five; unlimited seats start at Complete.
- AI credits are limited: 25 for the lifetime of Starter and Core, 100 a month on Complete.
- Bookkeeping services start at $171 a month with Core, for up to $10K in monthly expenses, and need an active subscription.
- A QuickBooks migration costs $149 one-time unless catch-up bookkeeping or Full Service is added.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$25
A month to start
Puzzle is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $25 per month, billed annually ($30 billed monthly).
A free trial is offered, but the pricing page doesn't say how long it lasts.
Starter
$25
per month, billed annually ($30 billed monthly)
1 seat; 85 to 90% of transactions categorized automatically, cash and accrual books, 25 lifetime AI credits.
Core
$60
per month, billed annually ($72 billed monthly)
5 seats; adds cash, burn and runway insights, variance analysis, custom chart of accounts and multi-entity.
Complete
$100
per month, billed annually ($120 billed monthly)
Unlimited seats; adds AI accuracy review and reconciliations, revenue recognition, priority support; 100 AI credits a month.
Scale
$300
per month, billed annually ($360 billed monthly)
High-volume accounting with subledgers, no transaction or integration limits, backup and restore; 300 AI credits a month.
Trying it first
Free trial offered; length not stated on the pricing page
Read from puzzle.io on Nov 12, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
12 months for the price of 10
The pricing page's yearly option charges for 10 months of the monthly price, which is $25 against $30 on Starter.
Stated on puzzle.io
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
AI-driven accounting software for startups and small businesses. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: public API, AI features, invoicing, reports, bookkeeping, expense tracking.
AI categorization and close, cash and accrual books, startup metrics, an API and MCP.
- AI categorization and close
- Categorizes most transactions automatically, reconciles accounts and drafts financial statements; an AI suite adds chat, cowork and close tools.
- Cash and accrual books
- Keeps both bases, with accrual automation for prepaid expenses and fixed assets and revenue recognition on Complete.
- Startup metrics
- Cash, burn, runway and margin insights plus spend and revenue tracking, from the Core plan.
- Integrations
- Connects to Stripe, Mercury, Ramp, Brex, Gusto and other finance tools through live API links.
- Accounting services
- Expert Reviewed and Full Service bookkeeping, priced by monthly expenses and sold only alongside a subscription.
- API and MCP
- An API and MCP server let you connect the books to Claude and ChatGPT.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
- Stripe
- Mercury
- Ramp
- Brex
- Gusto
- QuickBooks
- Claude
- ChatGPT
Puzzle is made by Puzzle.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
11/65
Other accounting and invoicing tools it is graded above
Puzzle's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 11 of the 65 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on platforms and integrations (B, above 13 of 65) and worst on free plan and trial (D, above 11).
Its paid plans start at $25 a month, against a middle price of $18.09 for the category: 33 of the 54 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. 9 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 66 accounting and invoicing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Puzzle’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 13 of 65
- DFree plan and trialAbove 11 of 65
- CFeaturesAbove 4 of 65
- CEase of useAbove 1 of 65
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 13 of 65
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 58 accounting and invoicing tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Puzzle is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Puzzle you would be making live feeds from your bank, which take an agreement with each bank or a service that has them. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 44 of the 65 other accounting and invoicing tools grade higher. It costs $300 a year.
What you could make
- Reports, invoicing and expense tracking: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Live feeds from your bank, which take an agreement with each bank or a service that has them.
- It plugs into other products, Stripe, Mercury and Ramp among them, and has an API.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
What this rests on. Puzzle’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
QuickBooks Online, Xero, Digits, Bench and Pennylane
The 5 tools Puzzle is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
QuickBooks Online
Free plan · from $38/mo
Cloud accounting from Intuit, from a free plan to 25-user Advanced.
- QuickBooks Online has a free plan. Puzzle does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only QuickBooks Online lists iOS and Android apps.
- QuickBooks Online also covers payroll.
- 2.6GPA
Xero
Free trial · from $27/mo
Cloud accounting for small businesses, with unlimited users.
- Only Xero lists iOS and Android apps.
- Xero also covers payroll.
- 2.2GPA
Digits
Free trial · from $65/mo
AI-native general ledger with bookkeeping, bill pay and invoicing.
- Only Digits lists an iOS app.
- Puzzle also covers expense tracking.
- Digits also covers bill pay and dashboards.
- 1.6GPA
Bench
From $199/mo
Bookkeeping done by an assigned bookkeeper, with optional tax filing.
- Puzzle also covers invoicing and expense tracking.
- 2.0GPA
Pennylane
Free trial · from €7/mo
French accounting, invoicing and business account in one app.
- Only Pennylane lists iOS and Android apps.
- Pennylane also covers bill pay and company cards.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Puzzle free?
No, Puzzle is a paid product, but you can try it first. Free trial offered; length not stated on the pricing page.
How much does Puzzle cost?
Puzzle lists 4 plans. Starter: $25 per month, billed annually ($30 billed monthly).
What platforms does Puzzle work on?
Puzzle is available on Web.
Does Puzzle offer any discounts?
Puzzle publicly lists the following: 12 months for the price of 10.
Does Puzzle have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Puzzle is listed for Web.
Does Puzzle have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Puzzle is listed for Web.
Is Puzzle open source?
Puzzle is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Does Puzzle have an API?
Yes. Puzzle offers a public API, according to its own site.
What does Puzzle integrate with?
Puzzle's listing names Stripe, Mercury, Ramp, Brex, Gusto, QuickBooks, Claude and ChatGPT.
Who makes Puzzle?
Puzzle is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to Puzzle?
The closest alternatives to Puzzle in our directory are QuickBooks Online, Xero, Digits, Bench and Pennylane.
How does Puzzle compare with other accounting and invoicing tools?
Puzzle's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 11 of the 65 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, and level with 10.
Is Puzzle good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Puzzle C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $25 a month, against a middle price of $18.09 for the category: 33 of the 54 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Puzzle?
To replace Puzzle you would be making live feeds from your bank, which take an agreement with each bank or a service that has them.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Puzzle’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Puzzle's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Puzzle. Prices change, so check puzzle.io before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Puzzle, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/puzzle
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Puzzle: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/puzzle
Know someone choosing between accounting and invoicing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/puzzle/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded accounting and invoicing tools after Puzzle, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Accounting & Invoicing Insider's GuideEvery one of the 67 accounting and invoicing tools we grade, compared
- Zoho Invoice Insider's GuideFree invoicing app from Zoho for freelancers and small businesses3.6 GPA
- Zoho Books Insider's GuideOnline accounting from Zoho, with a free plan and six paid tiers3.4 GPA
- Odoo Insider's GuideBusiness app suite whose Accounting app is free when used on its own3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Puzzle’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Puzzle is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Puzzle. Prices and plans change: check puzzle.io before you buy.