Invoicing, Estimation and Budgeting
KashFlow is primary focused on invoicing and payments operations performing. This function is little bit hidden but invoices and payments creation is fast and simple. From estimation functions quotes creation is available which we can be used for sales estimation.
These functions are included in accounting functions which are spread across all Brightpearl functions. Estimation and budgeting are based on expected bank transactions. Invoicing is possible to perform from contacts lists of customers or suppliers.
We would go for: Brightpearl.
Working with Third Sides
KashFlow has two contacts lists. First is for customers and second is for suppliers. On these lists are bounded functions to support operations with these persons. With customers list are bounded invoices and quotes management. Suppliers list is integrated with module for purchase management.
Brightpearl provides two contacts lists with customers and suppliers. Contacts are possible to be managed by groups and this groups are available from whole applications. Brightpearl also includes elements of customer relationship functionality. Transactions are possible label with their status and it indicates general reliability of contact. On the other side there is not any application for employees management.
We would go for: Brightpearl.
Look&Feel and Application User Interface
KashFlow is very intuitive application. It is very simple to use. Features are organized well and we can quickly access key functions and common operations performing. In general, the user is not overwhelmed of large number of functions, buttons and menus.
Brightpearl has one of the most stable and practically designed user interface. Navigation across the application is simple and intuitive. Although Brightpearl is full of features, everything is available quickly. One of the most valuable features of user interface is ability to filter and group everything. For instance, purchased items are possible to group by stock status, delivery date or financial transactions management.
We would go for: Brightpearl.
Banking
KashFlow provides multiple bank accounts management and evidence of transactions on them. There is no direct integration with internet banking but it is possible to integrate KashFlow with payments automation services like PayPal Pro, Sage, WorldPay and next similar services (full list is available in article about KashFlow on Start2Cloud.com).
There is not available separated section for Banking. Features for banking operations support are hidden in Accounting section where it is possible to perform every transaction we need. Brightpearl offers evidence of transaction accounts. It means accounts for credit cards, bank accounts, and others. It is not possible to perform payments direct from the application. But Brightpearl supports integration with PayPal or special payments processing services like SecureTrading, CreditCall or SAGE Pay.
We would go for: Brightpearl.
Report Creation
In the report creation both KashFlow and Brightpearl provides rich selection of reports. From the common financial reports like profit & loss and balance sheet, over cashflow report to executive summaries. KashFlow also provides special functionalities connected with basic corporate performance overview. But Brightpearl has dashboards everywhere for everything. It is possible to find any information in real time.
We would go for: Brightpearl.
Technical Requirements and Capabilities
Both applications have not any special technical requirements for running. Everything is fully functional in simple modern browser. Both also do not have an optimized user interface for smartphones.
We would go for: Both.
Conclusion
Kashflow had very hard competitor in Brightpearl. Kashflow is under quick development and it is finding own advantage. On the other side Brightpearl is well designed in every dimension. Kashflow is not bad, it is very good but brightpearl is better.
Kashflow is suitable to smaller companies which need simple accounting evidence. Brightpearl has higher ambitions for every business area management. On the other side Brightpearl is more expensive.