When to Use FirstLedger - and When You Shouldn't

FirstLedger is a simple, manual ledger for tracking profit and loss. It's not accounting software. Here's when it makes sense - and when it doesn't.

Use FirstLedger If:

Manual entry is acceptable. FirstLedger doesn't sync with your bank. You enter every transaction by hand.

Your focus is profit & loss. You want to track income and expenses, see totals, and export data. That's it.

You're early-stage or small. You're a founder, freelancer, or small business owner who doesn't need complex accounting features.

You prefer one-time payment tools. FirstLedger is $19 once. No subscription, no recurring fees, no feature upsells.

Do NOT Use FirstLedger If:

Bank syncing is required. If you need transactions to import automatically, use accounting software.

You need balance sheets or capital accounts. FirstLedger only tracks income and expenses. It doesn't handle assets, liabilities, or equity.

Audit or regulatory requirements exist. FirstLedger is not designed for tax preparation, compliance, or external audits.

You have employees or payroll. FirstLedger is a ledger, not payroll software. If you're managing payroll, you need dedicated tools.

The Natural Progression

Most businesses follow a similar path:

Spreadsheet: You're just getting started. A few transactions per month. Total flexibility.

FirstLedger: Volume is growing. You want structure and reporting without learning accounting software. Manual entry is fine.

Accounting software: You need bank syncing, balance sheets, tax reports, or multi-user access. This is the right move.

Moving from FirstLedger to accounting software later is normal and healthy. FirstLedger is a bridge, not a destination for everyone.

What FirstLedger Actually Is

FirstLedger is a structured spreadsheet replacement. You enter transactions, assign categories, and see profit & loss reports.

It's designed for people who understand their finances well enough to enter data manually, but want cleaner tools than a spreadsheet.

It's not trying to be accounting software. It's intentionally simple.

When to Switch to Accounting Software

If you're spending too much time on manual entry, accounting software with bank syncing will save hours every month.

If you need tax-ready reports, balance sheets, or multi-currency support, FirstLedger won't get you there.

If you're working with an accountant who needs access to your books, they'll likely prefer dedicated accounting software.

There's no shame in outgrowing FirstLedger. It means your business is growing.