Alison review

Alison is the cheapest way into bookkeeping because its courses are free to study. The bookkeeping page lists 41 free courses and reports 1,251,395 learners and 160,069 certificates and diplomas earned. Alison names the Diploma in Effective Bookkeeping and Payroll, Payroll Computation and Bookkeeping, and QuickBooks: Bookkeeping Software for Freelancers and Sole Proprietors among its popular options, covering special journals, subsidiary ledgers, cash flow and payroll. A CPD accredited Alison Certificate is available if you want something to show an employer, but certificates and diplomas are paid, and Alison Premium removes ads. The courses are lighter than Coursera's Intuit program or Penn Foster's diploma, and the certificate is not an exam-based bookkeeper credential. For a first look at the work, or a payroll refresher, it costs nothing to try.

Who it is for

learners who want to start free

Price

Courses free to study; certificates and diplomas are paid extras.

41 Free Courses
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• 41 free bookkeeping courses
• Diploma in Effective Bookkeeping and Payroll
• Payroll Computation and Bookkeeping course
• QuickBooks: Bookkeeping Software for Freelancers and Sole Proprietors
• CPD accredited Alison Certificate available

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Courses cost nothing to study
• Strength: Alison reports 1,251,395 learners on its bookkeeping courses
• Strength: Includes a QuickBooks course for freelancers
• Weakness: Certificates and diplomas cost extra
• Weakness: Premium is needed for ad-free learning
• Weakness: Not a tested bookkeeper credential

Key facts

• Bookkeeping courses: 41 free
• Learners: 1,251,395
• Certificates and diplomas earned: 160,069
• Certificate: CPD accredited, paid

Where it ranks

Alison is No. 6 in our Best Online Bookkeeping Courses verdict.