5 Best E-Commerce Settlement Tools for Bookkeepers

What to Look For in a Settlement Tool

Choosing the right e-commerce settlement tool can save your firm hundreds of hours per year. But with several options on the market, how do you evaluate them? Here are the seven criteria that matter most for bookkeepers and accounting firms:

1. Marketplace Coverage

How many marketplaces does the tool support? If your clients sell on Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, Walmart, and eBay, you need a tool that handles all five — not just Amazon and Shopify.

2. Accounting Software Support

Does it export to your client's software? QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Xero, and Sage are the four main targets. Many tools only support QBO and Xero, leaving Desktop and Sage users out.

3. Pricing Model

Is it per-marketplace, per-client, flat monthly, or per-settlement? The pricing model determines how costs scale as you grow. Per-marketplace pricing can get expensive fast for firms managing multiple clients.

4. Customization

Can you customize how fees map to accounts? Can you change the chart of accounts mapping per client? Firms need this flexibility because every client's books are different.

5. Data Access Model

Does the tool require API access to your client's marketplace account? Some clients have data-sharing policies that prevent this. File-based tools that work with downloaded settlement reports avoid this issue entirely.

6. Multi-Client Support

Can you manage multiple clients from one account? Does the tool support saving different configurations per client? Firm-friendly tools are built for this; seller-focused tools often aren't.

7. Batch Processing

Can you process multiple files at once? When you're handling 30+ settlements per month across multiple clients, one-at-a-time processing doesn't cut it.

1. SettleBooks

Type: File-based conversion tool Website: settlebooks.com

What It Does

SettleBooks converts marketplace settlement reports into formatted journal entries for your accounting software. You upload the raw settlement file (CSV or TSV), the tool parses and categorizes it, and you export a balanced journal entry in your preferred format.

Strengths

• 5 marketplace support: Amazon (V1 and V2), Shopify, Etsy, Walmart, and eBay — all in one tool
• 4 export formats: QuickBooks Online CSV, QuickBooks Desktop IIF, Xero CSV, and Sage CSV — the widest format coverage of any settlement tool
• Sage support: One of the very few tools that exports Sage-compatible journal CSVs with Nominal Codes and DD/MM/YYYY dates
• File-based: No API access required. Works with the settlement reports you already download from each marketplace
• Custom category mappings: Remap any fee category to any account, saved per client
• Batch upload: Process up to 10 settlement files at once, download a combined ZIP
• Per-settlement pricing: Costs don't multiply per marketplace or per client
• Review before import: Every journal entry is visible for review before export — nothing goes into the books without your approval

Honest Weaknesses

• Not fully automated: You still need to download settlement reports from each marketplace manually. SettleBooks doesn't connect to marketplace APIs.
• No direct push to accounting software: You export a file and import it yourself. There's no "click to post to QuickBooks" button.
• Newer product: Less established than A2X or Link My Books, with a smaller user community.

Best For

Bookkeeping firms that manage multiple clients on different accounting software, need Sage support, process settlements from 3+ marketplaces, or have clients with data-sharing restrictions.

Pricing

Per-settlement pricing with volume tiers. No per-marketplace multiplier. Free trial available.

2. A2X

Type: API-based automation tool Website: a2xaccounting.com

What It Does

A2X connects directly to your Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, eBay, or Walmart Seller account via API, pulls settlement data automatically, and posts a summary journal entry to QuickBooks Online or Xero.

Strengths

• Full automation: Once connected, A2X pulls settlements and posts journal entries with zero manual intervention
• Direct accounting software integration: Pushes entries directly to QBO or Xero — no file download/upload step
• Good documentation: Well-established product with extensive help articles and guides
• Trusted brand: Popular with e-commerce accountants, large user community
• 5 marketplace support: Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, Walmart, and eBay

Weaknesses

• Per-marketplace pricing: Each marketplace connection is a separate subscription. An Amazon + Shopify seller needs two subscriptions. Add Etsy and eBay, and that's four subscriptions.
• No Sage support: Only exports to QuickBooks Online and Xero. Sage users are out of luck.
• No QuickBooks Desktop support: IIF format is not supported. Desktop users can't use A2X.
• Requires API access: The seller must grant A2X access to their marketplace account. Some firms and sellers have policies against this.
• Limited customization: Fee category mappings are less flexible than file-based tools. You're working within A2X's categorization framework.
• Cost at scale: 10 clients × 3 marketplaces = 30 subscriptions. At $19-79/month each, this adds up significantly.

Best For

Solo sellers or small firms wanting fully automated, hands-off settlement posting to QBO or Xero, where the number of marketplace connections is manageable.

Pricing

Starts at $19/month per marketplace connection. Higher tiers for more transaction volume. Each marketplace is a separate subscription.

3. Link My Books

Type: API-based automation tool Website: linkmybooks.com

What It Does

Similar to A2X, Link My Books connects to marketplace APIs and posts settlement summaries to QuickBooks Online or Xero automatically.

Strengths

• Full automation: Same automatic pull-and-post workflow as A2X
• Competitive pricing: Generally positioned slightly below A2X on price
• Good Amazon support: Strong feature set for Amazon-specific fee categorization
• Multi-marketplace: Supports Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, and eBay
• Accrual basis option: Can post on an accrual basis (recognizing revenue at order date rather than payout date)

Weaknesses

• Same limitations as A2X: Per-marketplace pricing, no Sage support, no Desktop QuickBooks, requires API access
• Walmart support is limited: Walmart was added later and may have fewer features than Amazon/Shopify
• Smaller community: Less well-known than A2X, fewer third-party resources and tutorials

Best For

An alternative to A2X for sellers or small firms wanting API-based automation at a slightly lower price point.

Pricing

Starts at approximately $15/month per marketplace connection. Pricing varies by volume.

4. Webgility

Type: Full e-commerce accounting automation platform Website: webgility.com

What It Does

Webgility is a broader e-commerce automation platform that handles not just settlements but also order syncing, inventory management, and multi-channel accounting. It connects to marketplaces, shopping carts, and accounting software.

Strengths

• Comprehensive: Goes beyond settlements to handle orders, inventory, and shipping
• QuickBooks Desktop support: One of the few tools that works well with QuickBooks Desktop
• Multi-channel: Connects to most major marketplaces and shopping platforms
• Deep automation: Can automate everything from order import to bank reconciliation

Weaknesses

• Overkill for settlement-only needs: If you just need to convert settlement reports to journal entries, Webgility's full platform is more complexity and cost than you need
• Expensive: Pricing starts higher than settlement-specific tools, and scales with volume
• Complex setup: The breadth of features means a longer implementation timeline
• Requires API access: Like A2X and Link My Books, needs marketplace API connections
• No Sage support: Focused on QuickBooks and Xero ecosystems

Best For

Firms that need full e-commerce automation beyond just settlements — order syncing, inventory tracking, and multi-channel management — and are willing to invest in a comprehensive platform.

Pricing

Starts at approximately $59/month. Enterprise plans available for high volume.

5. Manual Reconciliation (Excel/Google Sheets)

Type: DIY approach Cost: Free

What It Does

You download settlement reports, open them in Excel or Google Sheets, manually categorize transactions, build a journal entry, and enter it into your accounting software.

Strengths

• Free: No software cost
• Complete control: You decide exactly how everything is categorized
• Deep understanding: Working through settlements manually builds expertise in marketplace fee structures
• Works with any accounting software: You're building the journal entry yourself, so it works with anything

Weaknesses

• Time-consuming: 30-60 minutes per settlement, even with templates
• Error-prone: Manual data entry introduces copy-paste errors, formula mistakes, and missed categories
• Doesn't scale: Manageable for 1-3 settlements per month. Unsustainable at 20+.
• No validation: You have to verify the balance manually. Automated tools catch errors for you.
• Format knowledge required: You need to understand every marketplace's report format, fee types, and quirks

Best For

Bookkeepers just getting started with e-commerce clients, handling very low volume (1-3 settlements per month), or wanting to understand the fundamentals before adopting a tool.

Comparison Table

Feature	SettleBooks	A2X	Link My Books	Webgility	Manual
Amazon	✓ (V1 + V2)	✓	✓	✓	✓
Shopify	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Etsy	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Walmart	✓	✓	Limited	✓	✓
eBay	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
QuickBooks Online	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
QuickBooks Desktop	✓ (IIF)	✗	✗	✓	✓
Xero	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Sage	✓	✗	✗	✗	✓
API required	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Full automation	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Batch upload	✓ (10 files)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Custom mappings	✓	Limited	Limited	✓	✓
Review before import	✓	Optional	Optional	Optional	✓
Pricing model	Per-settlement	Per-marketplace/mo	Per-marketplace/mo	Monthly	Free

Which Tool Should You Choose?

If you're a solo seller on one marketplace...

Start with manual reconciliation to understand the process, then move to A2X or Link My Books for automation once the volume justifies the cost.

If you're a bookkeeper with 1-5 clients on QBO or Xero...

A2X is the most established option for fully automated settlement posting. The per-marketplace cost is manageable at this scale.

If you're a firm with 5+ clients on different accounting software...

SettleBooks offers the best combination of marketplace coverage, format flexibility, and cost efficiency. Sage support and per-settlement pricing make it particularly attractive for firms with diverse client bases.

If you need full e-commerce automation beyond settlements...

Webgility provides the most comprehensive platform, but only if you need the order syncing and inventory features in addition to settlement accounting.

If cost is the primary concern...

Manual reconciliation is free but time-intensive. Consider the value of your time — if a settlement tool saves you 30 minutes per settlement and you process 20 settlements per month, that's 10 hours saved.

Our Recommendation for Multi-Client Firms

For bookkeeping firms serving multiple e-commerce clients, we recommend evaluating tools based on your specific client mix:

Use A2X or Link My Books for clients who: - Want zero-touch automation - Use QBO or Xero exclusively - Are comfortable with API access - Sell on 1-2 marketplaces

Use SettleBooks for clients who: - Use Sage Accounting - Use QuickBooks Desktop - Sell on 3+ marketplaces - Have data-sharing restrictions - Need custom fee-to-account mappings

Many firms use both. A2X for clients who want full automation on QBO/Xero, and SettleBooks for everything else. The right tool depends on the client, not a one-size-fits-all decision.

Ready to try SettleBooks? Upload your first settlement file for free →