Bookkeeping software is a vital part of any small business. It can help you keep track of your finances, manage your inventory, and more. But what if you don’t have the time to learn how to use the software? That’s where our best bookkeeping software for small business owners comes in. We’ve designed our platform to make it easy for you to get up and running quickly, so you can focus on your business goals.
In order to be successful as an entrepreneur, you must get your financial affairs in order. This is where a great bookkeeping software comes in handy. With the huge amount of availability of bookkeeping software, it can be difficult to decide, which one is right for you. That’s why I’ve put together this list of bookkeeping software that could make your job a lot easier.
Best Bookkeeping Software For Your Business
1. Intuit QuickBooks Online
Best for SMBs
4.5 Outstanding
Why We Selected Intuit
For many years, QuickBooks Online has been the small business accounting website to beat. It combines highly efficient accounting features with an outstanding user experience. QuickBooks Online distinguishes itself by being easily customisable, available in numerous editions with hundreds of add-on applications, and providing superior mobile access than its competitors.
Who This Is For
Intuit QuickBooks Online is costly, thus it is best suited for small enterprises with a budget for technology. It is simple enough for an unskilled bookkeeper to understand, but rich enough in advanced accounting capabilities for a more demanding user. It would appeal to a wide array of business kinds because it is so adaptable and user-friendly.
PROS
- Enhanced onboarding
- Improved dashboard
- Excellent user interface and navigation
- In-depth contact records and transaction forms
- Numerous customizable reports
- Supports projects, payroll, and many add-ons and integrations
CONS
- Expensive
- Online support could be better
Additional Information
QuickBooks Online is an accounting solution for small businesses, independent accountants, and freelancers. This cloud-based program combines all key accounting tools on a single platform to facilitate the streamlining of accounting and financial management chores for small enterprises.
In addition to automatic tax computations, other capabilities include spending tracking, invoice management, balance sheet reporting, bill management, and sales monitoring. QuickBooks Online supports many devices and is equipped with auto-syncing options, ensuring that your data is always up-to-date regardless of the device you’re using.
You may combine QuickBooks Online with other Intuit apps, including QuickBooks Payments and QuickBooks Payroll, in terms of integrations. QuickBooks integrates effortlessly with Bill.com, Jobber, Mavenlink, Method CRM, Shoeboxed, and Time Tracking by TSheets, among other third-party programs. Subscription prices for QuickBooks Online begin at $10.00 per month for one user.
2. FreshBooks
Best for Sole Proprietors and Very Small Businesses
4.0 Excellent
Why We Chose It
The appearance and simplicity of FreshBooks are misleading. The website is a full-featured, double-entry accounting website with an amazing user experience. For these reasons, it has won multiple PCMag Editors’ Choice honors. FreshBooks is one of the first accounting solutions that a very small business should explore because it is simple enough for inexperienced bookkeepers to understand, yet it includes all the features that a larger organization would want, including payroll.
Who It’s For
We recommend FreshBooks for sole owners and businesses with a small number of staff, however it can accommodate more. It could be used for basic money management tasks such as issuing invoices, monitoring bank accounts, accepting payments, and tracking income and expenses by very small firms. Companies with a higher level of complexity can add additional capabilities like as projects and bids, mileage and time monitoring, and reporting.
PROS
- Delightful user experience
- Context-sensitive settings
- Team collaboration and time tracking tools
- Inventory tracking
- Supports proposals, projects, retainers
- Automatic mileage tracking on mobile apps
CONS
- Some dashboard deficits
- Limited invoice customization
- Establishing bank connections can take time
Additional Information
FreshBooks offers the Lite, Plus, Premium, and Select plans. The Lite plan is excellent for independent contractors, while the Premium plan is ideal for small organizations. FreshBooks Lite costs $13.50 per month, Plus costs $22.50 per month, and Premium costs $45 per month. Customized price options are available from the company.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of adopting FreshBooks is that you will utilize it. Many freelancers and self-employed individuals stubbornly cling to spreadsheets for managing their business money, but FreshBooks is so simple to use that you will really use it.
FreshBooks is worth the little cost because it provides just enough functionality for small businesses without requiring you to pay for extras you’ll never use.
3. Zoho Books
Best for Mobile Access
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
Zoho Books is the accounting component of Zoho’s suite of productivity solutions for small businesses. Your accounting data can be seamlessly integrated with a variety of associated applications and operations, such as CRM, customer care, and email. In conventional bookkeeping categories (sales and purchases, time and project tracking, and inventory management), Zoho Books’ usability, flexibility, and depth are comparable to, and in some cases transcend, those of its competitors.
Who It’s For
Zoho Books is shockingly inexpensive, despite being at least as good as a number of its top competitors. Even a free version exists. Zoho Books is best for firms that utilize other Zoho applications, but its usefulness is not restricted to these situations. Additionally, we propose it to small enterprises, emerging organizations, and established businesses who desire its adaptability, depth, and usage. However, the breadth of its capabilities may be intimidating for relatively small organizations.
PROS
- Document management
- Generous support options
- Low cost
- Superior depth in records and transaction forms, dozens of custom fields
- Multiple payment gateways
- New integration with SurePayroll
CONS
- Time tracking must be tied to projects
- Limited pool of accountant partners
- May be too complex for some small businesses
Additional Info
Zoho Books is offered in three pricing tiers. The Basic package includes 50 contacts, 2 users, 5 automated workflows, bank reconciliation, custom invoices, expense, recurring transactions, sales approval, and budgeting for $9 per month.
The Standard edition, which costs $19 a month and supports 500 contacts, 3 users, and 10 workflows, also includes bills management, vendor credits, reporting tags, purchase approval, and Twillo connection.
The Premium subscription costs $29 per month and includes sophisticated features such as purchase orders, sales orders, stock management, a custom domain, and a vendor portal. It also supports more than 500 contacts, three users, and ten workflows. Additionally, you can trial the software for 14 days.
4. Sage 50cloud Accounting
Best for Inventory Tracking
4.0 Excellent
Why We Chose It
Sage 50cloud Accounting is a robust, desktop-based accounting application for small businesses. It is the most extensive and configurable accounting tool in this set of applications, but it does more than what most small businesses require and costs more. The software connects with Microsoft 365 and includes built-in web connections that permit certain remote work. Sage 50cloud Accounting is a potent piece of software; therefore, why was it not rated higher? A antiquated user interface, lack of mobile connectivity, and the requirement to use the program extensively on a desktop computer prevent it from receiving a higher rating.
Who This Is For
Sage 50cloud Accounting is ideal for businesses that require robust inventory monitoring features. In addition, it is best suited for businesses that require more advanced accounting capabilities, customizability, and data capacity; are not opposed to desktop software; and whose remote employees have their own installations of the software so they can share company data via Sage’s Remote Data Access.
PROS
- Exceptionally sophisticated feature set
- Great customizability
- In-depth contact and item records
- Noteworthy inventory management tools
- Good support options
- Microsoft 365 integration
CONS
- Lacks comprehensive mobile app
- Windows only and resource-heavy
- Some elements of UI look dated
Sage 50cloud Accounting provides three pricing plans: Pro, Premium, and Quantum, with the Pro plan costing $340 per year. The Premium plan, which the majority of small firms would likely find advantageous, costs $510 per year, while the Quantum plan costs $842 per year.
Sage 50cloud Accounting’s three accessible subscriptions are advantageous for developing companies.
Integration with Microsoft 365 provides convenient online access, and access to POS and inventory tools making this application ideal for both brick-and-mortar businesses and those who sell things online.
5. Xero
Best for Integrated Add-Ons
4.0 Excellent
Why We Chose It
Xero offers all of the essential financial features you would expect from a double-entry accounting solution for small businesses, such as sales, purchases, bills and costs, inventory, and payroll. Xero provides outstanding reports, comprehensive analytics, and project tracking tools. It makes efficient use of artificial intelligence to automate processes and improve connectivity with related financial websites. It is now one of the top accounting applications for small businesses in terms of usability, functionality, integration options, and availability of consultants.
Who This Is For
Xero is a robust accounting system. The site is best suited for small enterprises that would utilize the most of its well-integrated features and require more robust reporting choices than the majority of its competitors. It also enables for the tracking of fixed assets, an uncommon feature among small business accounting software. Though its user interface is not as cutting-edge as that of other competitors, it is nevertheless quite simple to master.
Even though Xero’s entry-level pricing would be suitable for sole entrepreneurs and independent contractors, we do not endorse the software.
PROS
- Critical business views
- Interactive quotes, Smart Lists
- Good project tracking
- Improved security
CONS
- Lacks phone and chat help
- The user interface could be more user-friendly and navigable.
Best Bookkeeping Software With Untapped Potential
6. Wave
Best for free invoice, accounting, and cash flow management
Wave is a free accounting program for individuals and businesses. The software can be used to handle accounts on a fundamental level. The tool can be used for spending tracking, cash flow management, and sales and procurement management.
Features:
- Payroll
- Purchases
- Invoice management
- Cash flow management
Cons: Lack of advanced features.
Verdict: Wave is a simple, entirely free accounting program. It meets the requirements of the vast majority of business owners and self-employed people. Since the accounting software is gratis, you won’t have much to complain about.
Price: Free.
Website: Wave
7. AccountEdge Pro
AccountEdge Pro is our highest-rated accounting software, and rightfully so.
AccountEdge Pro is an on-premises program that also provides remote access, making the complete accounting cycle straightforward for small and expanding enterprises.
AccountEdge Pro is a great fit for online shops due to its seamless interaction with Shopify and UPS Shipping.
AccountEdge Pro provides robust invoicing capabilities in addition to great time and billing functionality that can track both billable and non-billable hours. Self-service and full-service payroll options are also offered, and a robust inventory module facilitates the management of inventories. AccountEdge Pro has just implemented an automatic bank feed feature, allowing you to connect bank and credit card accounts. The use of the bank feed option requires a $5 subscription charge.
AccountEdge Pro provides superior invoicing capabilities for small and expanding organizations. Author as image source
AccountEdge Pro provides an additional Contacts feature for tracking customers, vendors, and staff within a single database.
AccountEdge Pro offers superior reporting features, such as an audit trail report. There is also a mobile application for iOS and Android smartphones.
The pricing structure of AccountEdge Pro is possibly one of its greatest advantages. Scalable, with four distinct plans, the Basic plan costs $149 one-time and the Pro plan costs $399. Payroll subscriptions and additional licenses are charged separately. Check out AccountEdge Pro Hosted if you require full online access to all features and functionalities. A subscription to AccountEdge Connect costs $25 per month for up to five users, but AccountEdge Pro Hosted costs $40 per month per user.
AccountEdge Connect will cost $25 per month if you wish to remotely access the application. Phone help will incur an additional fee.
AccountEdge Pro’s stability as an on-premise program that also provides remote access is an additional advantage of adopting this software. You will never outgrow AccountEdge Pro, as its plans are scalable from a one-person company to a large enterprise.
Bottom Line:
AccountEdge Pro is our highest-rated accounting software, and rightfully so.
AccountEdge Pro is an on-premises program that also provides remote access, making the complete accounting cycle straightforward for small and expanding enterprises.
AccountEdge Pro is a great fit for online shops due to its seamless interaction with Shopify and UPS Shipping.
AccountEdge Pro provides robust invoicing capabilities in addition to great time and billing functionality that can track both billable and non-billable hours. Self-service and full-service payroll options are also offered, and a robust inventory module facilitates the management of inventories. AccountEdge Pro has just implemented an automatic bank feed feature, allowing you to connect bank and credit card accounts. The use of the bank feed option requires a $5 subscription charge.
AccountEdge Pro provides superior invoicing capabilities for small and expanding organizations. Author as image source
AccountEdge Pro provides an additional Contacts feature for tracking customers, vendors, and staff within a single database.
AccountEdge Pro offers superior reporting features, such as an audit trail report. There is also a mobile application for iOS and Android smartphones.
The pricing structure of AccountEdge Pro is possibly one of its greatest advantages. Scalable, with four distinct plans, the Basic plan costs $149 one-time and the Pro plan costs $399. Payroll subscriptions and additional licenses are charged separately. Check out AccountEdge Pro Hosted if you require full online access to all features and functionalities. A subscription to AccountEdge Connect costs $25 per month for up to five users, but AccountEdge Pro Hosted costs $40 per month per user.
AccountEdge Connect will cost $25 per month if you wish to remotely access the application. Phone help will incur an additional fee.
AccountEdge Pro’s stability as an on-premise program that also provides remote access is an additional advantage of adopting this software. You will never outgrow AccountEdge Pro, as its plans are scalable from a one-person company to a large enterprise.
8. NetSuite ERP
NetSuite ERP is primarily a customer relationship management (CRM) system, although it may also be used for sales and marketing automation, order administration, and customer support. It provides a plethora of tools and features that make financial management straightforward.
Standard features include user-customizable dashboards that have been preconfigured for their individual requirements. NetSuite ERP also includes extensive automation and scalability capabilities. It is scalable and can automate processes including financial management, order management, revenue management, fixed assets, inventory management, and billing.
The vendor provides a wonderful demonstration of the product that will introduce you to all of its key features.
NetSuite ERP’s reporting capabilities are also exceptional. To begin with, users can easily personalize their view of key performance indicators and generate role-specific reports. They can also track vendor performance and inventory levels, enabling them to enhance the consumer experience further.
9. Bill.com
Best Ideal for intelligent AP and AR automation and innovative bill payment features.
Bill.com provides a system for automating Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable in the cloud. It contains new features for paying bills. It provides an integrated platform that allows you to connect your payment accounts and accounting software to automate payments from start to end.
Features:
- It logs the payment-related activity.
- It provides features to set up approval workflows and custom roles.
- Bill.com offers smart features like automatic data entry.
- It can detect duplicate invoices.
- It supports new payment options like ACH, virtual cards, international wire transfers.
Cons:
- As per the reviews, the reports features need improvement.
Verdict: This cloud-based software is ideal for small and medium-sized enterprises. It will facilitate international transactions. It can automate payments from beginning to end. It will enhance productivity and provide you with greater control.
Price: Bill.com provides four price levels for businesses: Essentials ($39 per user per month), Team ($49 per user per month), Corporate ($69 per user per month), and Enterprise ($149 per user per month) (Get a quote). The solution for Accounting Firms is offered for $49 per month. The software is available for free trial.
10. Tipalti Approve
Tipalti Approve is a cloud-based payment automation and administration system that facilitates huge global payments. Thus, the program is ideal for global corporations. Notably, you may accept payments in over 190 countries, utilize 120 currency alternatives, and rely on six payment methods, including PayPal, wire transfer, local bank transfer, and debit cards. In addition, the program streamlines the everyday chore of ensuring that your business’s financial data and processes are timely, accurate, and easy to comprehend.
The program assists companies in avoiding late payments, noncompliance, and an overburdened accounting department. In addition, it provides payment reconciliation, accounts payable (AP), and financial reporting capabilities that are compatible with a variety of payment gateways and ERP systems.
Through its free trial, the company also provides an alluring opportunity to evaluate all program features.
With it, you can minimize, if not eliminate, downstream difficulties and human error by enabling suppliers to immediately enter tax data on the Supplier Management site. A Remittance Validation Engine, which checks more than 26,000 national and international standards, ensures the accuracy of supplier data.
11. AccountingSuite
AccountingSuite provides the features that small businesses have grown to expect from software applications, such as cloud accessibility and robust accounting capabilities. In addition to bank connectivity, AccountingSuite can connect to over 9,000 financial institutions.
You may manage your billing through the Sales module, and process and pay your bills through the Purchases module. The application has both project and time tracking capabilities, allowing you to track projects and profitability, while the time tracking tool allows you to record the amount of time spent on each project.
In addition, AccountingSuite provides a number of exceptional features that are not often present in small business accounting software.
AccountingSuite is an amazing accounting software tool that is ideally suited for small companies seeking inventory management capabilities.
Conclusion
Bookkeeping software can be a great tool for small businesses and large businesses. By using the different types of bookkeeping software, you can keep your books accurate, track your profits and losses, and make necessary adjustments to your business operations. With bookkeeping software, you can run a successful business.