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Top accounting software comparison
QuickBooks Online: Best overall accounting software
QuickBooks Online is my overall best accounting software because it’s one of the most versatile options for small and midsize businesses. Whether you’re managing a retail shop, nonprofit, or service-based company, its customizable features make it a great fit across industries.
Another key reason is its widespread use, especially in the US, where it’s easy to find bookkeepers, accountants, or CPAs experienced with the platform. This makes hiring financial help simple, whether you need full-time support or occasional assistance.
Additionally, QuickBooks Online has a moderate learning curve, meaning small business owners can handle bookkeeping without extensive training. For those who want more automation, it integrates with over 800 third-party apps, allowing seamless connections to payroll, e-commerce, and other essential tools. Overall, it’s one of the best business accounting software options for businesses that need flexibility, expert support, and powerful integrations.
Pricing
Simple Start: $35 for one user
Essentials: $65 for up to three users
Plus: $99 for up to five users
Advanced: $235 for up to 25 users
Features
- Fully automated billing, invoicing, expense tracking, and income tracking
- Class and location tracking
- Useful expense categorization for easier business tax filing
- User-friendly mobile app with mileage tracking, receipt scanning, and on-the-go invoicing
- Sales and sales tax tracking
- Up to 25 users included with the highest-tier plan
- Contractor management
- Advanced features like automated workflows, Excel data syncing, and employee expense management
Pros and cons
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Read our QuickBooks Online review
FreshBooks: Best for project accounting
FreshBooks is the best accounting software for managing projects efficiently. Its project management and time-tracking features make it easy to log billable hours, track expenses, and generate invoices—all within a streamlined platform. This is especially useful for businesses that bill clients based on time worked or project milestones.
Another standout feature is its project-specific estimating tool, which lets you compare projected costs with actual expenses. This helps keep budgets on track and ensures financial transparency. Unlike QuickBooks Online or Wave, FreshBooks is built with project-based businesses in mind, making it a strong choice for those who need to track work progress alongside financials.
However, if you require inventory or COGS tracking, I recommend QuickBooks Online, one of the best business accounting software options for small teams, or Xero for larger operations.
Pricing
- Lite: $21; up to five billable clients
- Plus: $38; up to 50 billable clients
- Premium: $65; unlimited billable clients
- Select: Custom; unlimited billable clients and specialized features
Features
- Unlimited invoices with a rich library of fully customizable invoice templates
- Basic income and expense tracking
- Integration with Gusto payroll and over 100 other third-party business apps
- Unlimited users (additional monthly fee)
- Client collaboration portal
- Built-in time tracking and project tracking
Pros and cons
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Xero: Best for large teams
Xero is QuickBooks Online’s toughest competitor. Regardless of that fact, I picked Xero because it offers a powerful alternative for businesses that need a robust, cloud-based solution. One of its biggest advantages is unlimited users, making it a great fit for large teams that require shared access to financial data without extra fees.
Another standout feature is fixed asset tracking, something no other cloud-based software on this list offers. This makes Xero an excellent choice for businesses that need to monitor and manage long-term assets while maintaining accurate financial records. With its scalability and advanced automation, Xero is one of the best business accounting software options for growing companies.
Pricing
- Early: $20; comes with 20 invoices and five bills
- Growing: $47; offers unlimited bills and invoices
- Established: $80; includes project accounting
Features
- Automatic bank reconciliation
- Invoices and quotes (limited to 20 per month with the cheapest plan)
- Fixed asset tracking
- Cash flow tracking
- Unlimited users for easier collaboration
- Built-in inventory management with all three plans
Pros and cons
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Wave Accounting: Best free plan
I chose Wave because it’s one of the best accounting software for businesses, offering a completely free plan with double-entry accounting, bookkeeping, invoicing, and expense tracking. While the free plan is limited to one user, it still provides the core functionality found in many paid alternatives, making it a top accounting software choice for freelancers and sole proprietors.
For growing businesses, upgrading to Wave Pro unlocks unlimited users, making collaboration easier. It also automates financial management with bank transaction imports and expense categorization, reducing manual work. As a cost-effective alternative to QuickBooks Self-Employed, Wave delivers essential accounting tools without the high price tag.
Pricing
- Wave Starter: Free for one user
- Wave Pro: $16 per month for unlimited users
Features
- Automated income tracking, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation
- Mobile accounting app with receipt scanner (free with Pro plan only)
- Chart of accounts and general ledger
- Integration with Wave Payroll
- Billing, invoicing, and payment acceptance
- Optional add-on bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll coaching
Wave Accounting’s pros and cons
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Read our Wave Accounting review
Zoho Books: Most scalable pick
I chose Zoho Books because it’s one of the best accounting software options for freelancers and small businesses, thanks to its feature-rich free plan. While the free tier is limited to businesses earning under $50K per year, it still provides essential tools without extra costs, making it a top accounting software choice for early-stage entrepreneurs.
As businesses grow, Zoho Books makes upgrading seamless with gradual plan increases, so you can scale without jumping to the highest tiers too soon. It also integrates smoothly with other Zoho products, creating a unified ecosystem for finance and business management. Plus, its flexible user policy allows additional users beyond plan limits, preventing unnecessary upgrades just to accommodate more team members.
Pricing
- Free: For businesses making less than $50,000 in annual revenue; includes one user plus one accountant and up to 1,000 invoices per year
- Standard: $20 per month; limited to three users and 5,000 invoices
- Professional: $50 per month; limited to five users with unlimited invoices
- Premium: $70 per month; limited to 10 users
- Elite: $150 per month; limited to 10 users and has advanced inventory
- Ultimate: $275 per month; limited to 15 users
- Additional seats: $3 per user, per month
Features
- Automatic recurring invoices with multi-language support
- Chart of accounts and journal entries (manual entries with the cheapest plan, automatic with all other plans)
- Mileage, expense, and income tracking
- Multiple payment gateways, including Stripe and PayPal
- Seamless integration with Zoho apps like Zoho Expense, Zoho Invoice, and Zoho CRM
Pros and cons
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Sage Intacct: Best for midsize businesses
I picked Sage Intacct for midsize businesses because it’s one of the best accounting software options for handling complex financial operations. With real-time reporting, AI-powered transaction processing, and advanced general ledger capabilities, it delivers deep financial insights that go beyond standard bookkeeping. It supports business combinations, foreign currency transactions, and financial consolidations.
This makes Sage Intacct particularly well-suited for midsize nonprofits with dedicated finance teams, venture capitalists managing multiple entities, and publicly traded companies needing compliance-ready accounting. Its global consolidation module streamlines financial reporting across multiple locations, currencies, and subsidiaries, ensuring scalability for businesses with complex financial structures.
Pricing
Sage Intacct is custom priced.
Features
- AI-powered intelligent general ledger
- Business combinations and intercompany consolidations
- Customizable, in-depth reporting
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Built-in integration with over 350 third-party software options
Pros and cons
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NetSuite: Best ERP
I picked NetSuite as the best accounting software for enterprises because it combines advanced financial management with ERP capabilities, making it a top accounting software choice for businesses with complex financial needs. Unlike QuickBooks Online or Xero, which cater to smaller businesses, NetSuite offers automated accounting, inventory tracking, warehouse management, and in-depth analytics, ensuring a seamless financial workflow for large-scale operations.
With its customizable ERP system, NetSuite adapts to industry-specific needs in advertising, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and wholesale distribution. Businesses handling high-volume transactions and multi-entity consolidations benefit from its scalability and automation, making it one of the best business accounting software solutions for enterprises managing large-scale financial data.
Pricing
ERPs like NetSuite are customized depending on the needs of your business.
Features
- Automated journal entries, account reconciliation, invoicing, and payment processing
- Automated processes for accounts payable and accounts receivable
- Customizable general ledger
- Extensive reports with real-time cash flow insights
- Built-in integrations with hundreds of inventory, expense, reporting, and tax compliance apps
- API framework for custom integrations
Pros and cons
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Methodology
To help tech buyers find the best accounting software for their needs, I evaluated over a dozen of the most popular platforms and narrowed down my top picks based on the features that matter most to growing, tech-forward businesses. Here’s what I focused on during the review process:
- Pricing and flexibility: I looked at each brand’s full pricing structure — from entry-level to enterprise tiers — while factoring in potential costs for add-ons, integrations, and extra users. I also considered the availability of free trials and demos, which are essential for tech buyers who want to test usability before making a commitment.
- Core accounting functionality: I prioritized software that delivers reliable accounting software solutions, including features like expense and income tracking, invoicing, billing, journal entries, and true double-entry accounting. These basics are non-negotiable for maintaining accurate and professional financial records.
- Advanced capabilities for scaling: For businesses planning to grow, I looked for tools typically found in the best software for accountants, such as inventory tracking, custom reporting, unlimited users, and features for managing bills and vendors. These are especially important when transitioning from basic bookkeeping to more advanced workflows.
- Scalability and integrations: I evaluated how well each platform supports business growth through flexible plan tiers and integration options. Whether you’re looking for the top accounting software for startups or need something that can scale into a full ERP, I made sure to include software that grows with you.
How do I choose the best accounting software for my business?
In choosing an accounting software for your business, you need to consider the following:
- Set a budget: Before committing to a solution, determine how much you’re willing to spend on the best accounting software.
- Identify key features: Consider which accounting tools are essential for your business. Do you need basic bookkeeping, invoicing, and expense tracking, or do you require advanced reporting, inventory management, and multi-entity consolidation? Choosing top accounting software that aligns with your financial goals ensures efficiency and scalability.
- Plan for scalability: If your business is in its early stages, selecting the best business accounting software with multiple upgrade options can save you from switching systems later. Look for tiered plans to accommodate growth. Alternatively, if you’re comfortable switching software as you scale, a simpler solution might work for now.
- Consider bookkeeping support: Some accounting software solutions have a vast network of certified accountants and CPAs who can provide support. If you prefer DIY accounting, ensure the software is intuitive and offers strong self-help resources. Otherwise, you may need to hire an independent bookkeeper to manage your finances.
- Take advantage of free trials: Many small-business top accounting software programs offer free trials, letting you test usability and features before committing. However, signing up for a trial may waive certain promotional discounts, so weigh the benefits before proceeding. Trying multiple software options can help you find the best software for accountants that fits your workflow.
- Request demos for enterprise plans: Higher-tier and enterprise solutions, such as NetSuite and Sage Intacct, don’t typically offer free trials but do provide demos and product walkthroughs. Use this opportunity to ask questions about common customer pain points, pricing transparency, and future software updates to ensure the solution aligns with your long-term business needs.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What software do most accountants use?
Most accountants use QuickBooks, particularly QuickBooks Online, due to its strong feature set, wide adoption, and seamless collaboration between clients and accounting professionals. Other popular tools include Xero, Sage Intacct, and FreshBooks, depending on the size and needs of the business.
What is the simplest and easiest accounting software?
Wave is widely considered one of the simplest and easiest accounting software options, especially for freelancers and small businesses. It offers a user-friendly interface, essential features like invoicing and expense tracking, and it’s free for core accounting functions.
