StowbillA Karbon alternative for firms that face inspection
Karbon is a well-liked practice management tool for accounting firms, built around shared email and recurring work. Audit and advisory firms often need something Karbon does not centre on: proof of who prepared, reviewed and approved each piece of work.
Where Karbon is stronger
- Client email sits inside the workflow, shared across the team.
- Recurring work is scheduled and rolled forward automatically.
- Time and budgets, client payments and billing are built in.
- It has an AI assistant and mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Where Stowbill is stronger
- A partner approves each stage, and waivers need a reason on record.
- Reviewer sign-off is tied to a document version; a new version needs a new sign-off.
- Audit tools: trial balance to draft statements, lead schedules, sampling, draft reports, a 60-day file lock and an inspection pack.
- An ISQM 1 module for the firm's quality management.
- A data room and deal workflow for firms that also do transactions.
Side by side
| Karbon | Stowbill | |
|---|---|---|
| Shared email in the workflow | Yes | No |
| Recurring work rolled forward | Yes | No |
| Tasks, templates and deadlines | Yes | Yes |
| Partner-approved stages | Not its focus | Yes |
| Version-tied review sign-off | No | Yes |
| Audit working papers and trial balance | No | Yes |
| Timesheets and invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Client upload portal | Yes | Yes, with no client login |
| Mobile app | Yes | No |
Price
Karbon publishes its prices: when we checked in October 2026 the Team plan was $59 per user a month billed yearly and the Business plan $89. Check Karbon's site for current figures. Stowbill is $25 to $49 per user a month, with a minimum of five users.
An honest recommendation
If your firm's daily pain is client email and recurring compliance work, Karbon is the better fit. If it is review quality, inspection readiness or statutory audit files, Stowbill is built for that.
Stowbill does not have AI features, page-by-page viewing analytics, a mobile app, or SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification today. Single sign-on is built but not yet switched on.
Questions
Does Stowbill connect to our email?
No. You can file a saved email against a deal, but there is no inbox sync.
Is Stowbill cheaper than Karbon?
On list prices it is, but compare what each includes for your work before deciding on price.
Can accounting firms without audit clients use Stowbill?
Yes, though firms whose work is mostly recurring bookkeeping and tax will get more from a tool built around that.
Last reviewed 15 November 2026. General information, not professional or legal advice.
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