Getting Started
Create a free Anchor account and start invoicing, reconciling banks, and preparing VAT reports for a South African small business. No card required.
Anchor is free double-entry accounting for South African small businesses. There is no paid plan — sign up and use the product in the browser.
Create an account
Open the app
Go to https://anchorapp.co.za/sign-up and register with your email, or use Google or Apple.
Verify your email
If you registered with an email and password, we email you a Verify your email link. Click it to continue — until then Anchor only shows the Verify your email page. The link works once and expires after 24 hours; use Send a new link if it has expired or did not arrive (check spam). Signing up with Google or Apple, or from an invitation emailed to you and accepting it, verifies your address without the link.
Complete onboarding
Create your organisation (business name, South Africa, ZAR). You can create additional organisations later if you run more than one business.
Invite your team (optional)
Under Settings → Members, invite colleagues. There is no seat limit on the free product.
First tasks
- Chart of accounts — Accounting → Accounts. Review or customise default accounts.
- Opening balances — If you are moving from another system, enter your balances as at your start date under Accounting → Opening Balances and import outstanding invoices and bills. See Opening balances.
- Contacts — Add customers and suppliers under Contacts, or import them (see Import & export).
- Email — Connect Microsoft 365 or SMTP under Settings → Email so invoices and reminders come from your own address. See Email.
- Sales — Create quotes and invoices; send PDFs by email when ready.
- Purchases — Record bills and expense claims.
- Banking — Import bank statements (CSV, OFX and other files, or PDF statements from supported banks), or forward bank emails to your Anchor address, then categorise and reconcile. See Banking.
- VAT — Use Tax → VAT Report for period figures relative to posted ledger VAT.
What is included
- Double-entry general ledger and trial balance
- Invoicing, bills, credit notes, and purchase orders
- Bank reconciliation and multi-currency
- Financial reports and ZA VAT report
- API access and MCP tools for integrations
- Unlimited users and organisations
Payroll is not offered for South Africa in this product.
Need help?
Email [email protected] or call 084-288-9240.