Are you looking for the best accounting software for small businesses UK? Maybe you want to learn about which accounting software is used in UK? Check out these small business accounting software and find one that is perfect for your company.
The best online accounting software for small business is the one that helps your business become more efficient and successful.The necessity of accounting software is clear. However, there are many kinds of such programs. Every company is unique, and therefore one size does not fit all when it comes to such an important decision as choosing the right accounting software solutions for your business.
Xero
Founded in 2006, New Zealand based Xero is a cloud-based online accounting software for small business. As of February 2018, Xero has over 1.8 million subscribers globally, making it as an ideal choice as best accounting software in UK and one of the best online accounting software for small business.
Why Xero is one of the best accounting software in UK
As a cloud-based online accounting software in UK, Xero can easily be accessed from all types of devices with an active internet connection. It is built on a double entry accounting framework and its robust accounting features enables small businesses to view their cash flow, transactions and account details from any location. Bank transactions are all automatically imported and coded by this online accounting software for small business.
Online bill payments help keep track of spending and stay on top of bills due, improving relationships with the suppliers that provide critical business services. It also allows businesses to manage personal expenses with a mobile review and approval process of each receipt. Xero offers unlimited user support and integration with over 600 systems through its add-on marketplace, including Curve, Receipt Bank, and Vend. It also updates its software on a regular basis.
Also, submitting CIS returns from Xero is free until 31 March 2020.
Cons
In some areas, Xero’s accounting features are limited, for example it has only two tracking categories.
For this software, business users pay a subscription amount for the most basic version. In order to access functions such as expanded time tracking and inventory tracking, businesses need to purchase add-ons on top of the subscription. Importing data is free but using payment services like Paypal or Stripe carries a cost.
Also, Payroll, Projects and Expenses are optional extras and not part of any of the pricing plans.
Pricing
The solution comes with a 30-day free trial period for product testing and feature evaluation. It provides three introductory pricing levels that kick in after a 30-day free trial. Xero Starter (£4/month as an introductory pricing, £10/month after the first three months) has monthly limits of five invoices and quotes, five bills, and reconciliation for 20 bank transactions, submitting VAT to HMRC and automatic CIS calculations and reports. The second pricing level, Xero Standard (£8.80/month till 1 August 2019, £9.60/month after 1 August and £24/month after the first three months) adds unlimited billing and invoice functionality, quotes, transaction reconciliations and submitting VAT to HMRC and automatic CIS calculations and reports. Xero Premium (£11/month till 1 August 2019, £12/month after 1 August and £30/month after the first three months) is the only version to offer multiple currency support, and on top of that offers the same capabilities as Xero Standard.
FreeAgent
FreeAgent is targeted at freelancers and small businesses, so it focuses on daily admin tasks like invoicing, time tracking, and expense management. It’s a cloud accounting software package.
You can set invoice reminders and upload pictures of your receipts. Pricing starts at £19 a month (for sole traders) with 50 per cent off for the first six months. Plus, if you’re a Simply Business customer, you can get a 15 per cent lifetime discount. Find out more.
FreeAgent say it’s ready for Making Tax Digital, and has been submitting digital VAT returns to HMRC for customers since 2010.
Quickbooks
One of the things that has bugged the conversion from desktop to SaaS for Quickbooks is the poor user experience of the interface. Whilst all the features are there it is not always obvious how to access them. Quickbooks have made quite an effort in the last few years to improve their user experience, however we feel it still has quite a way to go when compared to its main rivals.
One of the best aspects about QuickBooks is that this online accounting software continues to be updated on a regular basis. One of the most recent updates the software received was the project management feature. The online accounting software also provides users with many features that other traditional locally installed software does not provide. These features include automatic sales receipts, split transactions, scheduled invoices, and location and class categories.
Cons
Quickbooks, which is generally a feature-rich, high-quality software, does have disadvantages as the software’s several customers have flagged that the software still does not compare to its desktop counterpart and can sometimes be complicated and hard to navigate over a period.
Pricing
Quickbooks currently has three versions of accounting software for small business owners and the newly added Self-Employed plan for freelancers and independent contractors, all of which offer a 30-day free trial. The three versions are applicable for medium business owners. The first plan, Simple Start (£5 per month for six months), allows businesses to track income and expenses, track and e-File VAT to HMRC for MTD, send unlimited invoices, chase late payments, snap & store receipts, connect multiple bank accounts, run reports, manage CIS transactions, run payroll (+£1 per employee /month), free UK phone support and one user profile. Essentials (£7 per month for six months) provides all the features of the Simple Start plan and additionally provides two more user profiles, managing bills and payments, multi-currency support and tracking employee time. Plus (£11 per month for six months) enables users to create budgets and purchase orders, manage stock and Track project profitability.
The newly introduced Self-Employed (£3 per month for six months) is the most basic plan which only includes track income and expenses, track deductable mileage, send unlimited invoices, snap & store receipts, and connect multiple bank accounts. Additionally, this plan exclusively has the option of having separate business and personal transactions, estimating income tax payments and completing HMRC self-assessment.
Zoho Books
You can integrate Zoho Books with lots of apps from Zoho’s own suite, as well as third-party apps. It can help you issue invoices, sort expenses, and track inventory. Zoho Books is part of an overall suite of cloud-based software – other apps include Zoho Invoice and Zoho Expense, although there isn’t a payroll feature yet for the UK.
Zoho Books can also connect to your bank account for real-time updates on cash flow. Prices start at £10 a month, with the option to have a free trial before you buy. Zoho Books is Making Tax Digital compatible.
Bokio
Bokio, free accounting software for small businesses, sole traders and freelancers, lets you record receipts and other documents with step-by-step bookkeeping. It also offers unlimited invoicing with an invoice generator, where you can create, send, track and record them all in the same place. Bokio supports employee expenses, automated reporting, and VAT Return for Making Tax Digital is automatically calculated making it really easy to submit to HMRC.
Why Bokio is one of the best accounting software in UK?
Using Bokio means there’s no need to be an expert in accounting to get it done quickly and easily. The software is simple to use by uploading a receipt and AI helps by filling in the amounts, dates and numbers. Bokio is automated, so it reduces errors, saving time and money. Bokio is always working on new features to make the software even better. The software is secure and cloud-based, so it can be used on the go.
Cons:
Currently Bokio is developing support for payroll and live bank feeds.
Pricing:
All the features in Bokio will always be totally free if you do your accounting yourself using the software, with no limitations.
Conclusion:
There are many types of small business accounting software, but there are certain things all of them should do. You want to keep track of all your money-in and money-out, you need to know where all your business expenses are, and also see how much is coming in with sales.