Best for Comprehensive Features

Intuit QuickBooks

With its straightforward accounting software, QuickBooks is an easy favorite amongst freelancers, and not just because many of them bundle it when filing their own taxes with its tax software. It starts at $15 per month for your first three months and allows for tracking income and expenses, invoicing, accepting payments, maximizing tax deductions, running reports, capturing and organizing receipts, tracking miles, managing cash flow, tracking sales and sales tax, sending estimates and managing 1099 contractors.

For $60 per month ($30 per month for your first three months), get the Essentials plan and have up to three users, manage and pay bills and track time. With its Plus plan, it includes up to five users, and you can track inventory and project profitability for $90 per month ($45 per month for your first three months). The Advanced plan is $200 per month ($100 per month for your first three months) and includes more than five users, business analytics and insights, management of employee expenses, batch invoices and expenses, customized access by role, exclusive app integrations and automated processes and tasks.

It’s worth noting that if you sign up for a free trial, you will not be eligible for the 50% discount on your first three paid months. Instead, you’ll pay full price.

Learn more: Read our full QuickBooks review.

Who should use it:

QuickBooks is a good choice for freelancers and small businesses that need a simple way to track expenses, organize receipts and log mileage.

Best Free Accounting Software

Zoho Books

If you’re a fan of Zoho apps, then you’ll be a fan of Zoho Books. It’s one of the most comprehensive accounting software on the market. Zoho Books meets all your basic needs: send invoices, reconcile accounts, track expenses and generate reports. Where Zoho Books shines is its integrations. You can connect your bank account, payment processor, e-commerce platform and more to Zoho Books. This gives you a real-time view of your finances. The software also offers advanced features such as project accounting and time tracking.

If you have less than $50,000 per year in revenue, you can sign up for the Zoho Books Free plan. It gives one user access, enabling them to manage clients and invoices, create recurring invoices, import bank and credit card statements, and track expenses and mileage.

Its Standard plan comes with even more support options, custom fields, reporting tags and bulk updates for $15 per organization per month, billed annually. Its Professional plan costs $40 per organization per month (billed annually), and includes bills, vendor credits, purchase approval, stock tracking and price lists. The Premium plan is $60 per organization per month (billed annually) and comes with a custom domain, vendor portal, budgeting and validation rules.

Its Elite plan is $120 per organization per month, and includes forecasting and multi-currency handling. For $240 per organization per month, its Ultimate plan includes advanced analytics and 25 custom modules.

Learn more: Read our full Zoho Books review.

Who should use it:

Zoho Books is a good choice for small businesses that are already using Zoho products and services because it integrates well with other Zoho apps. It’s also a good fit for service-based businesses, such as consultants, landscapers and plumbers.

Best for Microbusinesses

Sage Business Cloud Accounting

Sage Business Cloud Accounting is a good choice for micro-businesses because it offers a variety of features and integrations, yet is still relatively affordable. The software starts at $10 per month for its Sage Accounting Start plan and includes basic features such as invoice creation, automatic bank reconciliation and you can track what you’re owed.

Its Sage Accounting plan normally costs $25 per month, but it offers 70% off your first six months, so you end up paying $7.50 per month. This comes with unlimited users, quotes, estimates, cash flow forecasts, purchase invoice management and automatically snap and post receipts for free for the first three months.

Learn more: Read our full Sage review.

Who should use it:

Sage Business Cloud Accounting is a good choice for micro-businesses and startups that need accounting software with basic features at an affordable price.

Best for Ease of Use

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is one of the easiest accounting software to use. The software is designed for small business owners who don’t have an accounting background. You can create and send invoices, track expenses, manage projects and clients, and view reports. Besides its primary plans, it also offers a custom plan with custom pricing for businesses with complex needs.

If you have five or fewer clients, you can sign up for FreshBooks’ Lite plan for $17 per month (though your first four months cost $8.50 per month). The plan includes unlimited expense tracking, unlimited estimates, accept credit cards and bank transfers, track sales, see reports and send unlimited invoices to up to five clients.

With up to 50 billable clients, pay $30 per month for its Plus plan (your first four months cost $15 per month). This comes with unlimited invoices to up to 50 clients, everything in the Lite plan, plus recurring billing and client retainers, business health reports, double-entry accounting reports, invite your accountant and track mileage via your mobile. Its Premium plan is $55 per month ($27.50 per month for your first four months) for unlimited billable clients and invoices, track bills, bill payments and vendors with Accounts Payable, track project profitability, customize email templates and email signatures and more.

Learn more: Read our full FreshBooks review.

Who should use it:

FreshBooks is a good choice for small business owners who want easy-to-use accounting software. The software is also a good fit for service-based businesses, such as consultants, web designers and photographers.

Best for Advanced Features

Xero

Xero is one of the most popular accounting software for small businesses. The Early plan costs $13 per month and includes basic features such as bank account reconciliation, bill and receipt capturing and short-term cash flow and business snapshot.

For $37 per month, get the Growing plan. This plan doesn’t limit the number of invoices and quotes you can send, nor the number of bills you can enter. This plan offers bulk transaction reconciliation. Its $70 per month Established plan comes with everything in the Growing plan, but also lets you track projects, use multiple currencies, claim expenses and view in-depth data analytics.

Beyond its core accounting capabilities, Xero offers an elevated experience for businesses striving for efficiency and precision. With tools such as location-based time tracking, businesses can gain an acute understanding of how time is expended, making cost allocation more accurate. The integration capabilities with platforms such as QuickBooks, TurboTax and Mailchimp optimize the financial and outreach processes, ensuring no system works in isolation. What sets Xero apart is its adaptability: whether you need to capture data effortlessly through Hubdoc, maintain updated inventory records or manage international transactions with its multi-currency feature.

Learn more: Read our full Xero review.

Who should use it:

Xero is a good choice for small businesses that are looking for an accounting software with payroll capabilities. The software is also a good fit for businesses that are growing quickly and need to track projects.

Best for Inventory Management

AccountEdge Pro

AccountEdge Pro provides a meticulously crafted suite tailored to small businesses. Grounded on the desktop, it offers a suite of command centers addressing various facets of your business, from sales and invoicing to payroll and inventory. Its commitment to the evolving demands of modern businesses is evident through the optional cloud app, AccountEdge Connect. This app provides remote accounting capabilities without compromising the foundational features of the desktop software. In addition, the AccountEdge Hosted option provides remote access from any device, offering flexibility to businesses.

One particularly notable feature is the Company Data Auditor. This tool ensures that your business data remains accurate and safeguarded. It verifies, backs up and reviews your company data to maintain its integrity. Additionally, the capability to track company mileage and quickly add journal entries shows the platform’s attention to the details that matter to business owners.

Who should use it:

Small businesses seeking a detailed desktop-based system with optional cloud flexibility.

Best for Automation

NetSuite

NetSuite’s accounting software is all about automation, which can be a huge time-saver (and stress-reducer) for businesses. Automation features include things such as creating journal entries and statement reconciliation.

The software also offers tools for businesses requiring financial compliance such as GAAP, ASC 606 and SOX. Access insights all from a single dashboard. These insights include profitability ratios, cash positions, liabilities, fixed assets and taxes. NetSuite’s pricing is custom, so you’ll need to speak with a sales team member for a quote.

It offers cloud-based solutions, ensuring that businesses have access to their financial data wherever they are. Integrating financial management with inventory, HR, customer management and e-commerce, it consolidates disparate systems into one unified platform. By doing so, businesses can shift their focus from managing multiple software solutions to driving growth and innovation. This cohesive approach ensures that as business complexities arise, NetSuite can adapt, providing a foundation that supports not just accounting needs but a company’s holistic operational demands.

Read more: Read our full NetSuite review.

Who should use it:

NetSuite’s accounting software is a good choice for businesses that need help with financial compliance and those that want to automate as many accounting tasks as possible.

Best for Scaling

OneUp

Scaling businesses often face the challenge of expanding operations without escalating costs or complexities. OneUp addresses this challenge head-on. Its impressive 95% automation rate means businesses can handle larger volumes of accounting entries without proportionately increasing administrative strain. This efficiency translates to tangible savings, with the potential to cut monthly client management costs significantly.

Beyond automation, OneUp showcases flexibility in its approach to client management. It offers two distinct operational modes—”Do-It-For-Me” and “I-Do-It-Myself”—allowing businesses to choose the level of control they wish to exert. This adaptability ensures businesses can navigate growth phases while maintaining financial oversight. Notably, OneUp is replete with features such as dashboards, invoicing, CRM and more, offering businesses an expansive toolkit to navigate their financial landscape. The platform’s commitment to consistency across devices ensures that as businesses grow, their accounting access remains unhindered, whether they’re at the office desk or on the move.

Who should use it:

Growing businesses seeking an accounting solution that scales efficiently with their expanding operations.

Best for Customization

ZarMoney

ZarMoney isn’t just another accounting software; it’s a customizable powerhouse built for businesses that need flexibility and precision. At its core, it offers dynamic invoicing capabilities allowing businesses to generate bespoke online invoices tailored to their specific requirements. This adaptability extends to bank connections, seamlessly integrating with over 9,600 financial institutions across the U.S. and Canada. This ensures that businesses have an unparalleled view of their finances, with the ability to review, edit and reconcile records efficiently.

Tax calculations, a typically complex endeavor, are made simple with ZarMoney. The software takes the lead by automatically determining the right taxes but also offers businesses the flexibility to manually adjust, ensuring absolute control. The dynamic statements feature allows businesses to craft balance sheets, cash flow statements and custom earnings reports that mirror their unique financial health.

Who should use it:

Businesses seeking a highly adaptable accounting solution that offers a precise and detailed overview of their finances.

Best for Self-Employed

Neat

Neat is popular with self-employed entrepreneurs because it’s so easy to use. Filter transactions, match receipts with expenses on the go, customize invoices, make payments and view trends and insights about your business. Plus, get automatic accounting reports, receive guided workflows and set it up in five minutes.

You’ll pay $200 per year to use Neat. For VIP Service, it’s an additional $50 per year and comes with one-to-one training, a dedicated support team and early access to new features. For an additional $150 per year, Automated Insights come with the ability to import your bank transactions, get accounting reports, access real-time insights, receipt pairing and custom invoices.

Neat offers document management specifically tailored for those who want an organized and streamlined method without the complications of traditional software. With its capability to store unlimited files, coupled with data capture verified by humans, it ensures accuracy and organization are at the forefront. The software’s unique feature of data line itemization allows users to dissect receipts in detail, ensuring every transaction is categorized and accounted for. Self-employed professionals can focus more on their core business activities and less on the tedious task of document and financial management.

Learn more: Read our full Neat review.

Who should use it:

Neat is a good choice for self-employed entrepreneurs who need an easy-to-use accounting software to manage their business finances.

Featured Partner

Intuit QuickBooks: Best suited for businesses seeking comprehensive features, QuickBooks offers an all-encompassing financial solution that covers everything from invoicing to advanced reporting.
Zoho Books: As the best free accounting software, Zoho Books is ideal for startups or businesses on a budget, providing essential financial tools without a price tag.
Sage Business Cloud Accounting: Specifically designed for micro-businesses, Sage Business Cloud Accounting offers a streamlined approach to accounting, making it efficient for smaller operations to manage their finances effectively.

FreshBooks offers a straightforward approach to managing finances, making it exceptionally accessible for beginners and established businesses alike. With a clear interface and features such as easy invoicing, expense tracking and timekeeping, users can navigate their financial tasks without a steep learning curve. The platform prioritizes simplicity, ensuring that even those with minimal accounting experience can maintain accurate and organized records.

Today’s leading accounting platforms offer standard security features such as data encryption, secure credential tokenization and more. While human error will always play some role in security breaches, you can be confident in your accounting platform when it comes to keeping your information safe.

If you want to save time and money, then yes. Accounting software can automate many of the tedious tasks associated with bookkeeping, such as invoicing, tracking payments and preparing reports. This frees up your time so you can focus on running your business. Plus, software can help keep your books in compliance.

There are many free accounting software to choose from. These include NCH, Zoho Books, Kashoo, ZipBooks, Sunrise, GnuCash, TrulySmall Invoices and Wave Accounting.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software includes all the features of accounting software, plus additional features such as CRM, inventory management and project management. ERP software is typically used by larger businesses while accounting software is more suited for small businesses.

Accounting software can improve productivity by automating time-consuming tasks, such as invoicing and tracking payments. This frees up your time so you can focus on running your business. Plus, software can help keep your books in compliance, which can save you time and money in the long run.

Most accounting software providers offer free trials, so you can try out the software before you commit to it. Many also offer free tutorials and support, so you can get help when you need it. Finally, there are many online resources, such as accounting forums and blogs, that can teach you how to use accounting software.