In this post we will be looking at the pick of the current crop of small business accounting and inventory software. Here’s an overview of some gteat solutions for smll business owners.
Small business accounting and inventory software packages make it easy to track your business’s finances and inventory. They can be used by companies or organizations of any size that need to keep track of expenses, income and inventory. While there are several different types of small business accounting and inventory software available, most provide customizable and advanced reporting features and access to multiple users.
Sage: Best for Freelancers/Self-Employed
SageSage lets you create and send invoices, track payments, and automatically reconcile bank entries.It offers 24/7 support via live Q&A chats with experts at Sage, as well as one-on-one sessions with an accounting expert.The software integrates with only one POS system.COMPARE QUOTES
Freelancers and self-employed people need an affordable accounting program that can help them send invoices and get paid. Sage Business Cloud Accounting offers that and much more, making it our pick for the best accounting software for freelancers and the self-employed.
Editor’s score: 7.5/10
Sage Business Cloud Accounting is inexpensive accounting software that packs a lot of punch. With the entry-level plan, you can create and send invoices, track payments and automatically reconcile bank entries.
Sage has another plan that costs $25 a month for unlimited users. With it, you can send invoices, quotes and estimates; run reports and conduct analysis to forecast cash flow; manage purchase invoices; and automatically snap and post receipts. Sage makes that service free for the first three months, and the company is currently running a promotion that gives business users 50% off the higher-tier plan for six months.
We also like that Sage offers a free 30-day trial. Sage also makes it easy to cancel; there isn’t a long-term contract that costs extra to break, but you do have to give the company advance notice of cancellation. Another reason we chose Sage for freelancers and self-employed people is that it is easy to set up and navigate. The software automates a lot of the accounting processes that are typically manual, such as posting expenses and payments and sending invoices and reminders about past-due bills. Thanks to its integrations and apps, Sage is easily expandable as your business grows. The company operates an online app marketplace and integrates with a slew of apps, including AutoEntry, Draycir, Avalara and Credit Hound.
Sage’s customer service is very accessible, which is good news for freelancers and self-employed people who don’t have accounting expertise. If you have questions or need help, you can access customer support 24/7 by chat and live Q&A sessions. Sage also offers one-on-one help through online sessions with Sage accounting experts.
For self-employed and freelance workers, it’s essential to be able to quickly and easily send invoices and track payments. With Sage Business Cloud Accounting, you get an affordable way to keep cash flowing, making it a great accounting program for freelancers and self-employed individuals.
Zoho Books
Best accounting software with an automated edge
TODAY’S BEST DEALSZoho Books BasicUS$9/mthZoho Books StandardUS$19/mthZoho Books ProfessionalUS$29/mthVISIT SITEat Zoho
REASONS TO BUY
+Easy to use+Many features and functions
REASONS TO AVOID
-Lack of payroll-Basic plan limited
Zoho Books is just one small part of a much greater business concern based in India that offers all manner of solutions for anyone and everyone. With its clean and simple cloud-based interface Zoho Books makes a great cost-effective option if you’re a freelancer, sole trader or someone running a small business.
While the desktop route is a solid one Zoho Books also has an impressive app presence, making it a good mobile bet too. The basic plan offers a limited number of contacts (as in the maximum amount of customers or vendors you can create transactions for), 2 users (as in yourself and your accountant) and 5 automated workflows.
The most popular package is Standard, which comes with up to 500 contacts, 3 users and 10 automated workflows. Professional, meanwhile, is a full bells-and-whistles experience that offers 500 contacts, 10 users and 10 automated workflows.
Incidentally, sign up for a yearly package and you get 2 months off. Zoho does offer additional add-ons, more about which you can glean from its website. There’s also a free 14-day trial available.
QuickBooks Online
» Why You Should Buy This:
As an entrepreneur, you need a reliable, stable software system to handle your accounts, and QuickBooks Online fits this definition perfectly. It is one of the few accounting software for small businesses that have been around for years. It is loaded with premium accounting functions with an easy to use interface, encouraging you to take the reigns in your hands. And if you hire a seasoned accountant, QuickBooks Online makes the process all the more simpler.
Wondering what if you get stuck in the middle? There is a proactive team of experts to resolve your doubts and problems. In fact, you can also watch from its plenty of demo videos on YouTube to navigate smoothly.
» Who Is It For:
QuickBooks Online is an ideal choice for new businesses, nonprofits and small businesses that require a premium business accounting system. It also works well for online sellers, in-store sellers, wholesalers and independent professionals, such as architects and wedding planners. Besides, this accounting software is a boon for businesses requiring anytime, anywhere access with multi-device compatibility. If you want an effective on-the-go version, it is available as an app on both the Play Store and App Store.
If you have previously used its desktop version, moving to the online one is a great option.
» Why We Picked It:
We ranked QuickBooks Online on the top of our “Best Accounting Software for Small Businesses List” due to its trustworthy market position and efficient functionality.
The features this solution packs in, right from income and expense tracking to tax deductions to cash flow management to report generation, takes the hassles out of the otherwise complex accounting process. Also, QuickBooks Online offers uncomplicated integrations with many renowned business software and apps that you may be using already. Thus, in a way, the system only streamlines operations for you, empowering you to run your business more competently.
» Pricing Details:
QuickBooks Online is available in four pricing plans for small businesses:
› Simple Start plan at $25 per month
› Essentials plan at $50 per month
› Plus plan at $80 per month
› Advanced plan at $180 per month
If you are unsure of making an instant investment, you can try the software for free for 30 days and then decide to upgrade to a premium plan.
» Pros and Cons:
Pros:
› Offers accurate books with its elaborate set of features
› Integrates with a plethora of leading business solutions
› Provides on-the-go, anytime, anywhere access across devices through its cloud accounting software and mobile apps
› Offers ease and familiarity to those already using its desktop version
› Includes expert support in all of its plans
› Caters to an extensive clientele of about 7 million small businesses
Cons:
› The add-on features it offers can be expensive, shooting up your overall budget a bit.
» Reviews & Ratings:
Reading a few reviews about QuickBooks Online would give you an idea of its popularity and efficiency. It scores praises for its ease of use, flexibility, accessibility, and accountant-friendly functions the most.
To help you make an unbiased judgement, here’s a collation of reviews and ratings about this solution from diverse, known sources.
» Capterra: 4.2/5 » G2crowd: 4.0/5 » GetApp: 4.2/5
» Reviews & ratings:
QuickBooks Online has enhanced its accounting platform over the years as per the changing market dynamics and user demands. It serves a variety of user brackets with its precise accounting capabilities in the most hassle-free way possible. The best part is, the improvement efforts never stop to surpass user expectations to live up to its full-service bookkeeping solution reputation.
“I personally like the functions of QuickBooks Online and the advanced accounting nature for solving all the financial reporting issues. The automation of all the accounting operations makes this product unique and the best. It is not a complicated item to use. I see it as the best accounting tool.””
– John C.
Conclusion
Getting a business off the ground is a lot of work, which can be made a lot easier when you have the right tools. Even when it comes to getting your accounting in order. Whether you’re about to secure funding for a new business or managing a team in a small office in a big city, there are a number of applications that make the whole process a bit smoother. Now, accounting and inventory software isn’t going to be what gets your business off the ground in the first place, but once it has been launched, these tools will help with drive that growth even further.