What is cloud accounting software? In simple words it is a form of accounting which is stored on the cloud. Cloud computing refers to the concepts of virtualization and services over the internet. Accounting is one of the most complex human activities. No one can deny it a fact. Commerce, trade and any business can not run without a good Accounting software in place. This is where Cloud Accounting Software comes in handy these days for Small Businesses.
As an entrepreneur, you can work hard at saving your money and investing in your future. Cloud accounting software gives you the convenience of handling your finances with just a click of a button. You can access important financial information anywhere in the world with cloud accounting software. There are many online applications available in the market that offer advanced tools for small business accounting.
The best accounting software for SMB makes it simple and easy to keep accurate financial records for expenses, profit and purposes. Having the right package is non-negotiable if you’re trying to run your own small business business, and the sooner you deploy one of the best accounting bundles the better.
While there are standalone platforms for invoicing software and tax software for small businesses, generally your accounting platforms will be more comprehensive.
While there are some very good paid-for accounting programs around, there are also a strong number of free accounting software solutions currently available, as well as bookkeeping software. While some of these are simply free tiers for paid software, others are freeware programs you can download and use without charge to help with budgeting. There are also time management apps that can integrate for consultants or freelancers who need to charge by hour.
This can be very helpful for start-ups who want to keep their accounts organized without committing to a solution, while also reducing initial costs. Other businesses might simply prefer them because they often allow for a greater control of your data, by running on your own machines rather than on third-party clouds.
The best accounting solution will also integrate with any ecommerce software you’re running, regardless of the theme installed.
Here we’ll feature the best accounting software currently available on the market, and also include further options to consider, as you can opt for specific expense tracker apps or even customer accounts.
1. Freshbooks
Best all-rounder for small businesses
TODAY’S BEST DEALSFreshBooks LiteUS$15/mthFreshBooks PlusUS$25/mthFreshBooks PremiumUS$50/mthVISIT SITEat FreshBooks
REASONS TO BUY
+User-friendly interface+Plenty of depth and features+Integrates with many popular services
REASONS TO AVOID
-Too many features for some-Complex features need time-More costs for more features
FreshBooks is a popular cloud-based accounting service designed specifically for small business owners.
The package has plenty of features – invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, a host of business reports, even an option to take credit card payments – and a straightforward interface aimed at non-accountants ensures you’ll be up-and-running right away.
Despite the simplicity, there’s real depth here. You can bill in any currency, save time by setting up recurring invoices, allow customers to pay via credit card by checking a box, and even automatically bill their credit card to keep life simple for everyone.
If you need more power, the system integrates with many other services, including PayPal, MailChimp, Basecamp, WordPress, Gusto, Zendesk and more.
Management hassles are kept to a minimum. You’re able to access and use the system from your desktop or its free iOS and Android apps, and because it’s a cloud-based system there’s no need to worry about backups.
If this sounds appealing, you can try FreshBooks for 30 days without using a credit card.
FreshBooks – Best all round accounting software for SMBs
FreshBooks comes packed with great features that allow you to get on top of all your cloud-based accounting and invoicing needs. Business owners will find it easy to use, even if you’re short on accountancy or bookkeeping skills. With an intuitive interface and competitive pricing options this accountancy package can also be used from just about any location and via any kind of device. Now with 50% off for 3 months.VIEW DEAL
2. QuickBooks
Most comprehensive accounting software for small business
TODAY’S BEST DEALSQuickbooks Simple StartUS$10/mthQuickBooks EssentialsUS$17/mthQuickBooks PlusUS$30/mthVISIT SITEat QuickBooks
REASONS TO BUY
+Even basic plan is well-featured+Lots of extras available+Free trial
REASONS TO AVOID
-Several versions-Deals change frequently-Lots to learnAdvertisement
QuickBooks is an instantly recognizable name in the world of accountancy and bookkeeping. It’s owned by Intuit, which also has other options for small business and large ones too, with a diverse portfolio that includes Turbotax, Mint and Proconnect. QuickBooks also comes in numerous different varieties, from desktop editions through to the hugely popular Online edition.
Depending on your requirements, you can choose from QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Self-Employed, QuickBooks Online Advanced, QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Premier and QuickBooks Enterprise. However, it is possible to create a custom package using the help of the QuickBooks team if you need a more bespoke option.
Due to the sheer expanse of QuickBooks-based products it’s best to check out the website in order to get the latest update on pricing, versions available and also any deals that Intuit has on this vast range of accounting solutions.Image
QuickBooks – Best accounting software for all SMB needs
QuickBooks benefits from having the muscle of Intuit behind it, a large software company that has helped it become one of the leading lights in the world of accountancy software. While there’s cloud-based convenience there are also variations on the theme, depending on what kind of business accounting needs you have. Small and medium-sized businesses will find it comes bristling with lots of features and there’s also 50% off for 3 months.VIEW DEAL
3. Xero
Best small business accounting software for extra features
TODAY’S BEST DEALSXero StarterUS$9/mthXero StandardUS$30/mthXero Premium 10US$70/mthVISIT SITEat Xero
REASONS TO BUY
+Temptingly cheap Starter plan+Excellent mobile apps+Fully expandable
REASONS TO AVOID
-Basic plan has limitations-Costs start to add up-Some limitationsAdvertisement
Xero might grab your attention with its low-cost Early plan account but look closely and limitations soon become apparent – like being restricted to sending a maximum of five invoices, entering five bills, or reconciling only 20 bank transactions.
Still, if you can live with those restrictions there are some pluses here. The service offers smart expense tracking and management, optionally on your mobile with Xero’s excellent app for Android and iOS. There are dozens of configurable reports, simple budgeting, and no limits at all on additional users or the accountants you might want to access the data.
If the invoice, bank or billing issues are a problem then the Xero Growing plan looks like a better deal. It’s a lot more money, but you can issue as many invoices and enter as many bills as you like.
Xero offers plenty of functionality for any small business, including a handy “convert your QuickBooks files” service to help you get started, and it’s certainly easy to use. But if you don’t quite need all that power, there’s better value to be had elsewhere.
Xero – Best SMB accounting software for extra features
Xero has built up its cloud-accounting services substantially in recent years and how has an easy to use package that can be tailored to suit the needs of small business owners, accountants and bookkeepers alike. Central to its universal appeal is a simplistic dashboard design that lets multiple users makes use of its many and varied features and functions. The accountancy package is additional appealing thanks to several extra features that include expense and project tracking. Start a 30-day free trial.VIEW DEAL
4. Sage Accounting
Best small business accounting solution for multiple users
TODAY’S BEST DEALSSAVE 40%Sage Business Cloud AccountingUS$10AccountingUS$25VISIT SITEat Sage
REASONS TO BUY
+Good value proposition+Neatly presented and easy-to-use+Impressive customer support
REASONS TO AVOID
-Basic options quite limited-Paid for means more to learn-Steepish learning curveAdvertisement
Sage Accounting makes a good first impression with its clear and gimmick-free pricing. The top Sage Accounting plan offers decent value and there is also a 30-day free trial.
For this, you get modules to manage quotes, invoices, handle and submit VAT online, smart bank feeds and reconciliation, cash flow forecasting, some detailed reports, multiple currency support, project tracking and more, all available from your desktop or via a mobile app.
All this is well presented and generally easy-to-use. If you run into trouble, detailed web help and video tutorials are only a click or two away, with the offer of “free unlimited 24/7 telephone and email support” that should help make any newbie comfortable.
Sage also has a more basic offering called Accounting Start. This doesn’t include support for quotes, estimates or vendor bills, and has no cash flow forecasts, but it could be enough for start-ups as well as small businesses.
Sage – Best SMB accounting solution for multiple users
Sage delivers a slick but simple to use accountancy package that will appeal to small businesses. The British company has been for 40 years or so, and as a result has evolved its software to suit the needs of a very diverse portfolio of customers. The great thing about this package is its flexibility and can be configured so that multiple users can make use of its many and varied accounting tools. Buy now and save 70%.VIEW DEAL
5. Kashoo
Best hassle-free accounting software for small business users
TODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Multi-currency support+Neatly designed dashboard
REASONS TO AVOID
-No Android mobile app-Basic in some areasAdvertisement
Choosing an accounting package often involves browsing a complicated comparison table, looking for hidden catches and trying to figure out which is the best product for you. Kashoo avoids all that and delivers just about everything you’re likely to need.
Kashoo shines when it comes to multi-currency support, an important feature for today’s global economy. It also supports credit card transactions for all the major carriers such as Amex, Visa and Mastercard – at a competitive fee.
You also benefit from unlimited invoices and connections to over 5,000 financial institutions to reconcile accounts online. We liked the uncluttered interface of this product, and the dashboard that provides a good summary of your current financial situation at a glance.
Kashoo also offers customer support across the gamut of email, phone, live chat and social media – this company will even respond to an old-fashioned letter! One current shortcoming to note, however, is that there is only a mobile app for iOS, leaving Android users out in the cold for the time being. Kashoo offers a 14-day trial for those looking to test the service out.
Kashoo – Best hassle-free accounting software
Kashoo is aimed squarely at small and medium-sized businesses and, while it’s certainly easy to use, this is a cloud-based accounting package that has plenty of muscle. It’s also useful if you’re dealing with a global customer base as there’s multi currency support. So, alongside all of the usual accounting tools you’ll get the ability to handle more complex issues. Get advanced accounting for just $30 per month.
VIEW DEA
Conclusions
There are so many different cloud accounting software. Which one is the best for a small business? Cloud Accounting Software for Small Business – understand how to use small business finances done right.