The 7 Best Accounting Software for Small Businesses in 2025

The software allows you to then back up your data even daily to ensure it is safe and never lost. Finally, you can request a free copy of AccountEdge for your accountant so they always have full access to your data. 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 and organize their documents efficiently. For example, when trying to find which menu option allowed me to manage my invoices, I assumed this feature would be found under the “accounting” top menu. Having to click around to find key features added to the product’s learning curve.

Real-time insights keep you on top of cash flow, budgeting, and expenses. Instead of reacting to financial problems, you can plan and make informed decisions. This helps you avoid cash shortages and keep your business running smoothly.

How Much Does Accounting Software Cost?

• It offers features such as budgeting, cash flow, invoicing, and tax management.
• Additionally, Pilot offers a discount of $200 per month pre-revenue if you’re just starting out.
• QuickBooks Live offers three online bookkeeping plans to choose from.
• Having to click around to find key features added to the product’s learning curve.
• Want a good double-entry accounting solution that’s more robust than the options we discussed above?

Its lowest single-user plan is free to use and locally installed, offering basic core accounting tools. For small businesses, the Starter plan is only $6/user/month, with an optional payroll module for $3/employee/month. Additionally, you can modify existing reports upon request to help them fit your needs. While most accounting systems are built with out-of-the-box functionality, NolaPro is a good alternative for businesses with unique workflows or industries. Each pricing plan includes at least 70+ financial reports, all of which can be altered. For example, a retail store could alter its sales reports to add gross margin and inventory turnover.

What markets does Intuit QuickBooks Online serve?

For mid-sized and large businesses seeking to reduce AP friction and accelerate processing without compromising accuracy, Vic.ai delivers measurable results quickly. That’s why CFOs are rethinking their approach to finance by embracing AI, not to replace accountants, but to remove friction in the process. Zoho Books is just one application among Zoho’s many office and business software products. Founded in 1996 (in New Jersey), Zoho is today headquartered in Chennai, India.

It has a staff of onboarding experts to assist you in getting started and offers more than 1,000 integrations. As long as you only send 20 invoices or fewer and pay five or fewer bills each month, there is a very affordable plan for microbusinesses. Yes, many free tools like Wave and ZipBooks offer essential accounting tools like invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting. However, free options will only get you so far before it’s time to upgrade. The biggest benefit of FreshBooks is what you get included in the price. Rather than offer a limited base version of their software (such as only invoicing), their “Lite” package includes a full suite of unlimited invoices, expense entries, estimating, and time tracking.

How Xero pricing works

They also provide real-time reporting, reducing reconciliation time and improving accuracy. Accounting software comes in different pricing models, including free plans, subscription-based tiers, and one-time purchases. While free or low-cost options may seem attractive, they often come with limitations such as restricted features, transaction limits, or additional payroll and tax filing fees. Wave is best for freelancers, sole proprietors, and very small businesses that need simple invoicing, transaction management, and basic accounting tools.

• You can see real-time business insights on the go while collaborating with your teams, giving you the best of both worlds.
• I could navigate to the “invoices” menu item, then to the “sales” submenu item to view a list of all existing invoices.
• What’s more, even the best small business bookkeeping and accounting software is only as reliable as the information you enter.
• FreshBooks is a popular cloud-based accounting service designed specifically for small business owners.
• Key features offered by Zoho Books include invoicing, project time tracking, tax compliance tools and an accounting mobile app for Android and iOS devices.

This makes it a good choice if your business relies heavily on invoicing for revenue. In addition to invoicing, you also get basic reports, vendor and customer management and digital payments through Square or PayPal. Paid plans start at $15 per month, and include features, such as auto-billing, reminders, time tracking and the ability to save invoice line items. Business financial programmes encompass digital tools designed to facilitate the management of monetary transactions, reporting, and compliance for enterprises.

One of the more time-consuming aspects of managing your bookkeeping is manual data entry. It then prepares and sends the data to your accounting software in just a few seconds. NetSuite is a cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system designed to help the accounting departments of businesses run more fluidly. It does this by providing a robust set of features and functionalities that can alleviate time spent on mundane tasks (such as inventory tracking and management). FreshBooks also offers your clients the option of paying their invoices via credit or debit card. The processing fees are on par with other online payment accepting gateways.

It’s an excellent choice for businesses that don’t need a fully-fledged accounting application or invoicing software. For example, a freelancer might find more value in a bookkeeping tool that provides just a few basics, like invoicing and credit card processing. An enterprise-level company would benefit from software that offers an extensive set of powerful accounting tools that accommodate many users. Startups are usually better off with software that has the potential to keep pace as they rapidly scale in size. First, the Early plan is at an affordable price point for small businesses as long as you keep invoices to 20 a month and bills to five monthly. We also like that Xero automates many tasks, making it great for businesses that need to save time and resources.

Developers tend to focus their efforts on business bookkeeping software PCs because PCs are more common. Net Applications found that only 10% of active personal computers were Macs. PCs are considerably cheaper than Macs, which plays a big part in their popularity. Businesses also find PCs to be a more cost-effective option for running accounting software. Each plan includes features such as secure information gathering, automated reminders, and dedicated customer support.

We then gave each criterion a weighted score and landed on a final star rating out of five. When it comes to running your business, it’s all about finding the right services that help things run smoothly. The best online bookkeeping services offer reliable, feature-packed, integrated solutions at a price point that won’t break your budget. Any of these simple small business accounting software options will allow you to easily manage your business’s finances and balance the books, no matter what level of accounting experience you bring to the table. Ultimately, the decision will come down to your budget and the features your business needs.

This is helpful for freelancers who don’t have a separate bank account for their business activity. Unlike many competitors, Zoho Books offers advanced automation, multi-currency support, and detailed financial reporting. It also includes customer dashboards, allowing clients to view invoices, make or accept payments, and track transactions. QuickBooks Online is a powerful accounting tool, but manual expense tracking and reconciliation can still take up valuable time. Ramp seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks Online, automatically syncing transactions, receipts, and reimbursements. This eliminates the need for manual data entry, reducing errors and speeding up reconciliation.

Pilot is not a public accounting firm and does not provide services that would require a license to practice public accountancy. Pilot handles your bookkeeping from start to finish using powerful software and experienced bookkeepers. We’ll make sure everything is accurate, tax-ready, and delivered on time so you can focus on growing your business. If you’re still unsure or overwhelmed by all the options, you’re not alone. Many businesses find that even the best software can’t replace the time and expertise of a professional. Finding the right bookkeeping software for your business can be a challenge, especially if you’re not well-versed in bookkeeping.

Xero earns a 4.4-star rating on Capterra and a 4.3-star rating on G2. They appreciate that the software’s automations create business efficiencies. Overall, they have mixed feelings about its affordability for small businesses and the quality of its customer service.