Bench in 2026: Plans, Prices and What to Compare
Bench told customers in December 2024 its platform would close, then Employer.com acquired it. See its current plans and what to compare in any bookkeeping service.
| Feature | Bench |
|---|---|
| Entry Plan Price | Bookkeeping Light at $199/mo for businesses doing $250K a year or less in revenue (pricing page checked October 25, 2026) |
| Standard Bookkeeping Price | Bookkeeping at $399/mo |
| Bookkeeping Plus Tax | Bookkeeping + Tax at $649/mo |
| Tax Filing Only | Full-service tax at $300/mo |
| Hourly Option | Fractional bookkeeper at $55/hr plus $1,200 one-time onboarding |
| Returning Customer Plan | $1,200/yr |
| Business Status | Operating under Employer.com ownership after a December 2024 closure notice |
Last reviewed October 25, 2026.
Bench lists plans from $199 to $649 a month. Employer.com owns it. This page covers the plans, what changed in December 2024 and what to compare in any bookkeeping service.
What Changed in December 2024
On December 27, 2024, Bench told customers its platform would no longer be accessible. On December 30, 2024, TechCrunch reported that Employer.com would acquire Bench for an undisclosed price. Bench’s about page states: “Bench is owned by Employer.com, which acquired Bench in December 2024”.
Former Bench customers should check that they still have their records.
What Bench Offers Now
Bench’s pricing page, checked October 25, 2026, lists these plans:
- Bookkeeping Light: $199/month, the entry plan, for “businesses doing $250K a year or less in revenue” (pricing page footnote)
- Bookkeeping: $399/month
- Bookkeeping + Tax: $649/month
- Full-service tax: $300/month
- Fractional bookkeeper: $55/hour plus a $1,200 one-time onboarding fee
- Returning Customer: $1,200/year
Prices may change. Check the Bench pricing page for current prices and for exactly what each plan includes.
The bookkeeper cost calculator helps you set any monthly price against other ways of getting the work done.
What Former Bench Customers Should Check
Export Your Records
Download your profit and loss statements, balance sheets, transaction exports and year-end summaries. Store copies somewhere you control. Bank and credit card statements are a starting point for rebuilding when you cannot get in. They can miss cash activity, unpaid invoices and bills, payroll detail and tax records.
Confirm Plan Terms
Confirm the plan, price and billing terms in writing before you return or stay. Check what each plan includes on the pricing page. Ask about anything unclear.
Find Any Gaps
Work out which months have no finished books. Your bank and credit card statements for those months are a starting point for catch-up work. You can do it yourself or hire help.
Review With Your Accountant
Review your financial position with your accountant or bookkeeper after the records are in place.
What to Compare in Any Bookkeeping Service
Price and Inclusions
Compare the monthly price against what the plan covers. Ask what is extra. Check whether annual billing is prepaid.
Catch-Up Bookkeeping
Ask how work on prior months is priced before you commit. Get the quote in writing.
Tax Filing
Check whether tax filing is included, sold as an add-on, or handled by someone else.
Data Export
Make sure you can download reports, transaction history and your chart of accounts whenever you want, in standard formats such as PDF and CSV.
Human Bookkeeper or Software
Some services assign a person. Others rely on software. Ask who reviews your transactions and how errors get fixed.
Accountant Access
Confirm your accountant can view or receive reports without you acting as the go-between. The monthly bookkeeping checklist lists the month-end outputs your accountant will usually want.
Owners new to professional bookkeeping can start with the guide on how to do bookkeeping for a small business to see what they are buying.
The Verdict
Bench operates under Employer.com ownership and lists several plans on its pricing page. Prices and plan contents can change. Check the pricing page before you decide. Whether you are a current, former or prospective customer, compare any bookkeeping service on price and inclusions, catch-up bookkeeping, tax filing, data export, human bookkeeper versus software, and accountant access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Bench in December 2024?
Bench told customers on December 27, 2024 that its platform would close. TechCrunch reported on December 30, 2024 that Employer.com would acquire it.
Is Bench still operating?
Bench lists purchasable plans on its pricing page, checked October 25, 2026. Bench's about page says Bench is fully operational and owned by Employer.com. Check bench.co for current status and terms.
How much does Bench cost?
As of October 25, 2026, Bench's pricing page lists Bookkeeping Light at $199 a month, Bookkeeping at $399 a month and Bookkeeping + Tax at $649 a month. Prices may change. Check the pricing page.
Can I get my data out of Bench?
Export your financial statements and transaction history if you have access. Without access, ask Bench support how to get your records. Your bank statements and any reports you downloaded earlier are a starting point for rebuilding your books.
What should I compare in a bookkeeping service?
Compare price and what each plan includes, how catch-up bookkeeping is billed, whether tax filing is included, whether you can export your data, whether a human bookkeeper or software does the work, and whether your accountant can access the books.
Put your own numbers on it
Two free resources for comparing options on your own figures.