QuickBooks Online — Best Overall
$30/mo · ★★★★★ · The most comprehensive accounting platform for US small businesses
| Rank | Software | Best For | Price | Rating | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QuickBooks Online | Overall | $30/mo | ★★★★★ | Visit |
| 2 | Xero | Teams & International | $15/mo | ★★★★★ | Visit |
| 3 | FreshBooks | Freelancers & Service | $19/mo | ★★★★½ | Visit |
| 4 | Wave | Free Accounting | Free | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 5 | Zoho Books | Value | $15/mo | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 6 | Sage | Established Businesses | $10/mo | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 7 | FreeAgent | UK Freelancers | $14/mo | ★★★★☆ | Visit |
| 8 | Kashoo | Simplicity | $27/mo | ★★★½☆ | Visit |
| 9 | ZipBooks | Free Starter | Free | ★★★½☆ | Visit |
| 10 | Patriot | US Payroll + Accounting | $20/mo | ★★★½☆ | Visit |
Good accounting software is not optional for a business — it is essential. It automates invoicing, tracks expenses, reconciles bank transactions, generates tax-ready reports, and gives you a real-time picture of your financial health. We evaluated all 10 platforms from the perspective of a small business owner with no accounting degree, focusing on ease of use, automation, integrations, and total cost of ownership.
QuickBooks Online is the gold standard of small business accounting in the United States. Over 80% of US accountants are certified in QuickBooks, meaning your bookkeeper or CPA almost certainly knows the platform. Features include automated bank feeds, AI-powered transaction categorization, invoicing, bill pay, inventory tracking, and over 750 integrations. The mobile app is the best in the category, letting you invoice clients, snap receipts, and track mileage from your phone. Plans scale from Simple Start ($30/mo) to Advanced ($200/mo) with up to 25 users.
Pros
- Most comprehensive feature set in the category
- 80%+ US accountants are QuickBooks-certified
- 750+ app integrations (Stripe, Shopify, PayPal, etc.)
- AI-powered transaction categorization saves hours
- Excellent mobile app for on-the-go accounting
- Scales from solopreneur to 25-user teams
Cons
- Most expensive option starting at $30/mo
- Pricing has increased significantly in recent years
- Steeper learning curve than simpler alternatives
- Payroll is an expensive add-on ($45+/mo)
- Customer support quality has been inconsistent
- Feature gating pushes you toward higher tiers
Xero is the strongest QuickBooks alternative and the leading accounting platform in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Its standout feature is unlimited users on every plan — even the $15/mo Starter tier. Bank reconciliation is best in class, with a smart matching engine that learns from your corrections. Xero offers 1,000+ integrations, multi-currency support on all plans, and a clean, modern interface that is arguably more pleasant to use than QuickBooks. The platform is also a top choice for international businesses thanks to its global payment options and multi-currency invoicing.
Pros
- Unlimited users on all plans — no per-seat fees
- Best bank reconciliation engine in the category
- 1,000+ integrations with third-party apps
- Multi-currency support on every plan
- Clean, intuitive, modern interface
- Strongest international presence and support
Cons
- Starter plan limits invoices to 20 per month
- US payroll requires third-party Gusto integration
- Fewer US accountants certified compared to QuickBooks
- Basic inventory management capabilities
- No phone support — email and chat only
FreshBooks was built specifically for service-based businesses and freelancers, and it shows. Its invoicing is the best in the category — you can create professional, customizable invoices in seconds, set up automatic payment reminders, and accept online payments directly. Built-in time tracking and project management let you log billable hours and convert them to invoices with a click. The proposal-to-invoice workflow is seamless: send a proposal, get approval, then automatically generate the invoice. A client portal gives your customers a dashboard to view invoices, make payments, and communicate with you.
Pros
- Best invoicing experience in the category
- Built-in time tracking and project management
- Seamless proposal-to-invoice workflow
- Client portal for transparent communication
- Easiest to learn of the top three platforms
- Excellent mobile app for field work
Cons
- Not designed for product-based businesses
- Lite plan limited to 5 billable clients
- Fewer integrations than QuickBooks or Xero
- Basic financial reporting compared to competitors
- No built-in payroll functionality
- Less suitable for businesses past 10 employees
Quick Reviews: #4 – #10
#4 Wave (Free) — The best free accounting software, period. Wave offers invoicing, expense tracking, bank connections, and financial reporting at zero cost. Revenue comes from optional paid services like payment processing (2.9% + $0.60) and payroll ($40/mo + $6/employee). The interface is clean, the feature set covers the basics well, and there is no catch. Best for solopreneurs and very small businesses that need solid accounting without paying a monthly fee.
#5 Zoho Books ($15/mo) — The best value accounting software for businesses in the Zoho ecosystem. Zoho Books offers invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, project accounting, and inventory management at competitive prices. Its deep integration with other Zoho apps (CRM, Projects, Inventory) creates a unified business platform. The free plan supports up to $50K in annual revenue. Best for businesses already using Zoho products or wanting an all-in-one ecosystem.
#6 Sage ($10/mo) — A well-established accounting platform with a strong reputation among small to mid-sized businesses. Sage offers invoicing, cash flow management, expense tracking, and compliance features. Its AI-powered auto-categorization and smart invoicing save time. The $10/mo entry point is competitive, though features scale quickly into higher tiers. Best for established businesses that want a mature, reliable platform with strong compliance tools.
#7 FreeAgent ($14/mo) — A favorite among UK freelancers and micro-businesses, FreeAgent offers time tracking, invoicing, expense management, and Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliance built in. It is free for NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland customers. The interface is friendly and the self-assessment tax features are excellent for UK-based sole traders. Best for UK freelancers and contractors who need MTD compliance and self-assessment support.
#8 Kashoo ($27/mo) — A deliberately simple accounting platform for small business owners who find QuickBooks and Xero overwhelming. Kashoo focuses on the essentials: income and expense tracking, invoicing, receipt capture, and tax-ready reports. Its AI-powered auto-categorization (Kashoo Intelligence) is surprisingly accurate. The flat $27/mo pricing includes unlimited users. Best for non-technical business owners who want the simplest possible accounting experience.
#9 ZipBooks (Free) — A free accounting platform with a clean, modern interface. ZipBooks offers invoicing, time tracking, bank connections, and basic reporting at no cost. Paid plans ($15–$35/mo) add features like recurring invoices, project billing, and priority support. The platform also provides an "intelligence" score that benchmarks your invoicing and payment collection performance. Best for freelancers and micro-businesses looking for a free alternative to FreshBooks.
#10 Patriot ($20/mo) — A US-focused accounting platform that stands out for its affordable integrated payroll. Patriot's accounting and payroll work seamlessly together, with payroll starting at just $17/mo + $4/employee. The accounting module covers invoicing, expenses, bank imports, and basic reporting. The interface is straightforward but less polished than competitors. Best for US small businesses that want affordable accounting and payroll in a single platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free accounting software?
Wave is the best free accounting software. It provides invoicing, expense tracking, bank connections, and financial reports at zero cost with no user limits. ZipBooks is a solid free alternative with a more modern interface, though its free tier is more limited. Both are genuine free products, not time-limited trials.
QuickBooks vs Xero — which is better?
QuickBooks is better for US-based businesses that want the most comprehensive features, the widest CPA support, and the largest app marketplace. Xero is better for teams (unlimited users on all plans), international businesses (stronger multi-currency and global support), and anyone who prefers a cleaner interface. Both are excellent — the best choice depends on your location and team size.
Do I really need accounting software?
Yes, if you have any business income at all. Even a side hustle benefits from proper expense tracking and invoicing. Accounting software automates bank reconciliation, generates tax-ready reports, and provides a real-time view of profitability. The free options (Wave, ZipBooks) mean there is no financial reason to rely on spreadsheets in 2026.
Can I switch accounting software later?
Yes, most platforms support data export via CSV or direct migration tools. QuickBooks and Xero both offer import wizards. However, switching mid-year can complicate your bookkeeping, so it is best to migrate at the start of a fiscal year. Make sure to export all historical data before closing your old account.