KLARA

KLARA is cloud software for Swiss SMEs that brings bookkeeping, payroll and operational tools into one system. It suits companies that want to add sales, inventory or online services around a core administration package. The main decision is whether its Swiss focus and modular breadth justify the contract terms and separate transaction and payroll charges.

Overview

KLARA combines accounting with optional payroll, point of sale, inventory, appointment booking, website and online-shop functions. Businesses can start with administration and extend the setup as they grow, rather than assembling separate products for every function. That breadth is most useful to Swiss SMEs with varied operations; a company needing only a small ledger may pay for scope it will not use.

Key features

Accounting handles offers, delivery notes, invoices and reminders, with bank connectivity, AI-assisted receipt booking and automated reconciliation of bank transactions. Automatic reconciliation includes UBS, PostFinance, Raiffeisen and Zürcher Kantonalbank. Journal-entry automation and an audit trail support routine control and traceability, but there is no close-task management, so teams wanting workflow tracking for period close will need another process.

KLARA Lohn automates payroll calculations and electronic filings with authorities and is Swissdec ELM5 certified. It remains a separate paid module, making it a practical add-on for Swiss employers but not an included payroll entitlement in the Business plans.

The POS service combines hardware, software and payments for mobile or stationary operation. Support for multiple stores and multiple terminals per location fits retailers and hospitality businesses with more than one checkout. KLARA Payments accepts methods including TWINT and Apple Pay and charges 1.7% per transaction without subscription or additional fees. That simple structure helps occasional sellers, while high-volume merchants should model the percentage cost carefully.

The API provides 97 integration endpoints for webshops, industry software and custom applications. This gives businesses a route to connect existing systems rather than replace them. The myKLARA mobile app scans and books receipts and invoices, manages business contacts and records work time; it is included at no charge with Business Basic and Plus.

KLARA says it is ISO 27001 certified and stores application data in Switzerland. Communication-only user data may be stored abroad, a distinction relevant to organisations with strict data-location policies.

Pricing

There is no free plan, but a 30-day trial is available. The lowest core price is Business Basic at CHF 48 a month on a two-year term paid annually. It includes all accounting functions, 24/7 chat and email support and up to three admin users. The user cap suits a small owner-managed firm but can become restrictive as administrative staff multiply.

Business Basic costs CHF 55 a year with annual payment, or CHF 69 a month when paid monthly, with the same three-user limit and support. The displayed term labels and billing units should be checked when budgeting, since the two-year option carries the lower advertised rate.

Business Plus is CHF 69 a month on a two-year term paid annually, CHF 79 a year on an annual plan, or CHF 99 a month. It adds unlimited admin users, telephone support, free one-to-one online meeting support and budgeting.

Business Premium costs CHF 111 a month on a two-year term paid annually or CHF 127 a year annually. It adds on-site support, a personal account manager, free accounting migration and an eArchiv at 50% discount. Choose it when migration assistance and personal service matter; otherwise Plus covers the stated user and support upgrades at a lower price.

KLARA Lohn is CHF 4.90 a month under the Pro Lohnabrechnung price, or CHF 3.90 a month per payroll for customers on Business Basic, Plus or Premium; prices exclude VAT. Payroll therefore scales with use and sits outside the core subscription.

Platforms

KLARA runs on the web and has Android and iOS apps, alongside its API. That mix supports office administration, mobile receipt capture and integrations with external systems. Deployment is cloud-based.

Who it's for

KLARA is a strong fit for Swiss SMEs wanting accounting, payroll and optional retail or online-service modules under one provider, especially those using supported Swiss banks or needing Swissdec payroll processing. Basic suits up to three administrators; Plus is better for teams requiring unlimited admin access and direct support; Premium targets buyers planning a migration or wanting on-site assistance. It is less compelling for businesses that need close-task management, a free tier, or the lowest possible payment costs.

Pros and cons

Pros

Broad Swiss SME coverage across accounting, payroll, POS, inventory and online services.

AI receipt booking, bank reconciliation and 97 API endpoints reduce manual administration and integration work.

Swissdec ELM5 payroll certification and named Swiss bank connections support local compliance and bookkeeping.

Unlimited administrators and richer support arrive in Plus, with migration and account management in Premium.

ISO 27001 certification and Swiss storage for application data address important security requirements.

Cons

No free plan and the best core rates require a two-year term paid annually.

Basic is limited to three admin users, while phone and one-to-one support require Plus.

Payroll costs extra per payroll, and Payments adds a 1.7% transaction fee.

No close-task management is provided for teams needing structured month-end workflows.

Some communication-only user data may be stored outside Switzerland.

Alternatives

Choose Docyt instead if a free-forever accounting tier, AI categorisation, bank and card reconciliation and month-end close automation matter more than KLARA's Swiss SME modules.

AccelClose is a better starting point for a free plan supporting up to 100 records and one entity, with paid expansion for teams that need more automation or live ERP connectivity.

Pick MargBooks when India-focused GST workflows, invoice quotas and INR annual plans are the priority.

Quipu suits buyers who want scanner-based plans with stated monthly read quotas.

FINSYNC is an alternative for web-based funding-readiness and formation tools with free entry plans.

Bearbook is aimed at buyers seeking GST filing and financial statements with premium support.

Digits fits solopreneurs and early-stage businesses comparing fixed-dollar reporting plans.

Double is worth considering for internal finance teams seeking an annual, unlimited-user platform with dedicated onboarding.

For broader comparisons, see the Accounting Automation Software and Payroll Tax Software lists.

Verdict

Choose KLARA if you are a Swiss SME that wants accounting at the centre of a cloud system expandable into certified payroll, POS and online operations, with mobile access and integration options. Look elsewhere if a free plan, short commitment, structured close management or lower payment costs is more important than having these Swiss-focused modules in one package.