Is Kontuly cloud software? Where are my books kept?
Kontuly is desktop software, not cloud software: each business's books are a file on your own computer, and nothing about your transactions, contacts or receipts is uploaded. It works offline for everything except a few things you choose to do online.
What does go online?
- Email you ask it to send: invoices, statements and overdue reminders, sent through your own email account.
- Updates: Kontuly checks for a new version when it starts. Downloading and installing only happen when you click.
- Your licence: starting the trial, and a check-in at least every 60 days. See Does Kontuly work offline?
- Exchange rates, only if you use other currencies. Just currency codes and dates are sent.
Receipt photos are read on your computer too.
Who keeps the backups?
You do, with the app's help. Kontuly backs up every business automatically each day you use it and keeps the last 14. Because those backups are on the same computer, also set up off-site copies: once a day the app copies your books to a USB drive, network drive or a folder of your choosing. Nothing is sent to us.
What does this mean in practice?
- Your books open without an internet connection.
- One person works on the books at a time, on one computer. To move the books, or give them to your bookkeeper, you send a backup file.
- Protect the computer itself: use a login password and turn on disk encryption (FileVault on a Mac, BitLocker or Device encryption on Windows). See Is Kontuly secure?
To find the files on your computer, see Where does Kontuly store my books? More detail is on Your data and privacy.
Related questions
- Where does Kontuly store my books on my computer?Kontuly keeps each business as a file in its data folder on your Mac, Windows or Linux computer. The folder paths, and why to use the backup buttons instead.
- Does Kontuly work offline?Kontuly works offline. It needs the internet to start the trial, activate a licence, check in every 60 days, send email and download updates.
- How do I keep a copy of my Kontuly books off the computer?Set up off-site copies in Kontuly and it copies every business each day to a USB drive, network drive (NAS) or other folder you choose. Nothing is sent online.
More about getting started
- What is Kontuly?Kontuly is desktop double-entry accounting software for Australian small businesses, sole traders and bookkeepers, with your books kept on your own computer.
- Who is Kontuly for, and is it right for my business?Kontuly suits Australian sole traders, small businesses and bookkeepers who do the books on one computer. Here's what it doesn't do yet.
- Does Kontuly run on Mac, Windows and Linux? How do I install it?Kontuly runs on macOS (Apple silicon and Intel), 64-bit Windows and Linux. How to install it on each, and what happens the first time it opens.
- Is Kontuly in beta? How do I join?Kontuly is in beta (version 0.2). Licences aren't on sale yet; Australian testers sign up at kontuly.com/beta and are emailed a download link and a licence key.
- Does Kontuly do my BAS?Kontuly prepares your BAS figures (GST, PAYG withholding and instalments) and TPAR figures from your books. It doesn't lodge them with the ATO.