Accounting software is crucial for small businesses to track their finances and streamline accounting tasks. The best accounting software should be affordable, user-friendly, and offer features that cater to the specific needs of small businesses. In this article, I will review and rank the top accounting software options for small businesses in 2022, considering factors such as affordability, ease of use, scalability, and available features.
Key Takeaways:
- Choose accounting software that is affordable and offers features tailored to the needs of your small business.
- Consider the ease of use and scalability of the software to ensure it can grow with your business.
- Cloud-based accounting software provides convenience and accessibility from anywhere.
- Read reviews and compare different accounting software options to find the best fit for your business.
- Look for features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting to effectively manage your finances.
QuickBooks Online: The Overall Best Accounting Software
When it comes to small business accounting software, QuickBooks Online is undoubtedly the cream of the crop. With its robust features, user-friendly interface, and excellent customer support, QuickBooks Online offers everything a small business needs to streamline its financial management.
One of the standout features of QuickBooks Online is its scalability. Whether you’re a freelancer managing your own finances or a growing business with multiple employees, QuickBooks Online can accommodate your needs. It provides a comprehensive range of tools that can handle everything from basic bookkeeping to more complex accounting tasks.
QuickBooks Online also excels in compliance. It helps small businesses stay on top of accounting standards, ensuring accurate record-keeping and financial reporting. Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with top payroll and bookkeeping software, allowing for a smooth workflow across multiple platforms.
Are you worried about the affordability of accounting software? QuickBooks Online has you covered. It offers different pricing plans tailored to different business needs, making it a cost-effective solution for small businesses of all sizes.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key features that make QuickBooks Online the best accounting software for small businesses:
Thorough Record-Keeping
QuickBooks Online provides comprehensive record-keeping capabilities, allowing you to easily track income, expenses, and other financial transactions. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to input and categorize data, ensuring that your financial records are accurate and up-to-date.
Comprehensive Reporting
With QuickBooks Online, generating financial reports is a breeze. Whether you need a profit and loss statement, a balance sheet, or a cash flow statement, QuickBooks Online can generate detailed and customizable reports within seconds, giving you valuable insights into your business’s financial health.
Invoicing Capabilities
QuickBooks Online offers robust invoicing features that make billing and receiving payments seamless. You can create customized invoices, set up recurring invoices, and accept online payments directly through the software. This not only saves you time but also ensures a professional and efficient billing process.
Customer Support
With QuickBooks Online, you’re not alone in your accounting journey. The software provides excellent customer support, with options for live chat, phone support, and an extensive knowledge base. Their team of experts is always ready to assist you with any questions or issues that may arise.
To get a visual feel for QuickBooks Online, take a look at the screenshot below:
As you can see, QuickBooks Online offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it a joy to use for even the most accounting-averse individuals.
In conclusion, QuickBooks Online stands out as the overall best accounting software for small businesses. Its scalability, compliance features, affordability, and extensive range of tools make it the ideal choice for any small business owner looking to streamline their financial management processes. Whether you’re a freelancer, a small business owner, or part of a growing company, QuickBooks Online has the robust features and user-friendly interface that will help take your business to the next level.
Xero: Best Accounting Software for Payments
Xero is a leading accounting software solution that stands out for its exceptional payment management capabilities. It offers a robust set of features specifically designed to streamline payment processes and ensure efficient cash flow management. With a focus on user-friendly interfaces and customizable dashboards, Xero is an ideal choice for businesses that prioritize payment management.
One of the key advantages of Xero is its extensive range of app integrations, allowing businesses to seamlessly manage all aspects of their payments. Xero’s integration capabilities enable businesses to automate various payment tasks, such as creating and tracking invoices, accepting online payments, and automating bill payments. By automating these processes, businesses can save time and reduce the risk of human error, ensuring timely payment management.
Furthermore, Xero’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for businesses to navigate the software and access the necessary payment features. Whether it’s generating and sending invoices or reconciling payments, Xero provides an intuitive platform that simplifies payment management tasks.
To provide businesses with a comprehensive view of their payment status, Xero also offers customizable dashboards. These dashboards allow businesses to monitor cash flow, track overdue payments, and gain valuable insights into their financial health. By visualizing payment information in an easily digestible format, Xero empowers businesses to make informed decisions and proactively manage their cash flow.
Additionally, Xero offers competitive pricing options that cater to businesses of all sizes. Its subscription plans provide flexibility and scalability, ensuring that businesses only pay for the features and resources they need.
| Features | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Automated invoicing and payment tracking | Starting from $9/month |
| Accept online payments | Starting from $9/month |
| Automated bill payments | Starting from $9/month |
With its extensive payment management features, user-friendly interface, customizable dashboards, and flexible pricing options, Xero is undoubtedly one of the best accounting software options available for businesses looking to streamline their payment processes and manage their cash flow effectively.
Plooto: Best Accounting Software for Accounts Payable Automation
Plooto is the ultimate solution for businesses seeking efficient accounts payable automation. With its user-friendly interface and advanced features, Plooto simplifies payment processes, streamlines approvals, and enhances reconciliation, making it the go-to choice for businesses of all sizes.
One of Plooto’s standout features is its centralized platform that allows businesses to manage payments, approvals, and reconciliation in one place. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces the risk of errors, ensuring accurate and efficient accounts payable management.
Plooto’s smart approval workflows are designed to streamline the payment approval process, allowing businesses to stay organized and eliminate unnecessary delays. The software also offers secure electronic payment options, such as ACH and international payments, eliminating the need for manual check writing and reducing the associated costs.
In addition to accounts payable automation, Plooto provides automation for accounts receivable as well. The software helps businesses collect on past-due bills by automating invoice reminders and offering convenient online payment options for customers.
Plooto’s commitment to affordability is another reason why it stands out as the best accounting software for accounts payable automation. Its flexible pricing plans cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring that even small businesses with tight budgets can benefit from its powerful features.
Plooto Features:
- Centralized platform for accounts payable management
- Smart approval workflows for streamlined payment approvals
- Secure electronic payment options to eliminate manual check writing
- Automation for accounts receivable, including invoice reminders and online payment options
- Affordable pricing plans to suit businesses of all sizes
With its accounts payable automation capabilities, user-friendly interface, and affordable pricing, Plooto is undoubtedly the best accounting software for businesses looking to streamline their accounts payable processes and improve overall financial management.
FreshBooks: Best Accounting Software for Invoicing
FreshBooks is an excellent choice for businesses that prioritize efficient invoicing. With its wide range of features and user-friendly interface, FreshBooks simplifies the process of creating professional invoices, accepting online payments, and tracking expenses.
One of the standout features of FreshBooks is its customizable invoicing capabilities. Users have the ability to create branded invoices that reflect their business’s unique identity. This professional touch helps businesses maintain a polished and cohesive brand image while managing their finances.
Additionally, FreshBooks offers a full suite of accounting tools that go beyond invoicing. These tools include time tracking and project management features, allowing freelancers and small businesses to efficiently manage their finances for a business of one. FreshBooks’ time tracking feature enables users to accurately bill for their time and ensures they get paid for every minute worked.
“FreshBooks simplifies the process of creating professional invoices, accepting online payments, and tracking expenses.”
By integrating with popular payment gateways, FreshBooks enables businesses to accept online payments easily. This functionality streamlines the payment process for customers and ensures timely payments for businesses. FreshBooks also provides an expense tracking feature, allowing users to monitor their expenditures and maintain a clear view of their financial health.
With its powerful features and intuitive workflow, FreshBooks is an ideal accounting software solution for freelancers and small businesses that prioritize efficient and professional invoicing.
Now let’s take a closer look at the pricing options available for FreshBooks:
| Plan | Pricing | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $15/month | Invoicing, Expense Tracking, Time Tracking |
| Plus | $25/month | All Lite features + Proposals, Estimates |
| Premium | $50/month | All Plus features + Project Management, Team Time Tracking |
| Custom | Custom pricing | Enterprise-grade features tailored to specific business needs |
With affordable pricing options to suit various business needs, FreshBooks provides a seamless invoicing experience that helps businesses thrive in today’s competitive market.
Oracle NetSuite: Best Accounting Software for Advanced Features
I am excited to present Oracle NetSuite as the best accounting software for businesses with advanced accounting needs. With its powerful features and seamless integration capabilities, NetSuite offers a comprehensive solution that ensures efficient financial management.
NetSuite stands out for its ability to integrate with other business applications, such as CRM and e-commerce platforms. This integration allows for a seamless workflow, enabling businesses to streamline their operations and make informed decisions.
One of the main advantages of NetSuite is its cloud-based financial management solution. This feature allows businesses to track their financial data in real-time and automate accounting functions, ensuring accuracy and saving valuable time.
Moreover, NetSuite offers powerful reporting and analysis capabilities. With customizable reporting features, businesses can gain insights into their financial data and make data-driven decisions to drive growth.
Although NetSuite may have a higher price point compared to other options, its advanced features make it an excellent choice for midsize and growing businesses. By investing in NetSuite, businesses can optimize their accounting processes and have the necessary tools to scale effectively.
To summarize, Oracle NetSuite is the best accounting software for businesses that require advanced features and seamless integration capabilities. Despite its higher price, the powerful capabilities of NetSuite make it a worthwhile investment for midsize and growing businesses. Take your financial management to the next level with NetSuite’s comprehensive solution.
Key Features of Oracle NetSuite:
- Cloud-based financial management
- Integration with CRM and e-commerce platforms
- Real-time tracking of financial data
- Automation of accounting functions
- Powerful reporting and analysis capabilities
Now that we have explored the best accounting software for advanced features, let’s move on to the next section to discover the ideal accounting software for microbusinesses.
Zoho Books: Best Accounting Software for Microbusinesses
Zoho Books is the ideal accounting software solution for microbusinesses. Designed specifically to cater to the unique needs of small businesses, Zoho Books offers a range of features that simplify accounting processes and improve financial management.
With Zoho Books, microbusiness owners can easily create professional invoices, track expenses, and accept online payments. The invoicing tools provided by Zoho Books are user-friendly, allowing businesses to generate detailed invoices quickly and efficiently.
In addition to invoicing, Zoho Books also offers expense tracking capabilities. Businesses can easily record and categorize their expenses, ensuring accurate financial reporting and making tax time a breeze.
One of the standout features of Zoho Books is its mobile app, which allows microbusiness owners to manage their finances on the go. Whether it’s sending an invoice, tracking expenses, or checking financial reports, Zoho Books provides the flexibility and convenience that microbusinesses need.
Furthermore, Zoho Books offers a customizable dashboard, giving businesses a comprehensive view of their financial data. This allows for better decision-making and helps microbusinesses stay on top of their financial health.
When it comes to pricing, Zoho Books is both affordable and flexible. With different pricing plans available, businesses can choose the option that best suits their needs and budget.
Overall, Zoho Books is the best accounting software for microbusinesses, offering a feature-rich solution that is both easy to use and cost-effective.
Key Features of Zoho Books:
- Easy-to-use invoicing tools
- Expense tracking capabilities
- Mobile app for on-the-go financial management
- Customizable dashboard for a comprehensive view of finances
- Affordable pricing plans
Wave Financial: Best Free Accounting Software
When it comes to finding the best accounting software that won’t break the bank, Wave Financial is a top choice. With its impressive range of features and the unbeatable price of free, Wave Financial stands out among the competition.
Wave Financial offers essential accounting tools such as invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting, allowing small businesses to efficiently manage their finances without spending a dime. This free accounting software is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from freelancers to small enterprises.
One of the key advantages of Wave Financial is its cloud-based platform, which provides easy access to financial data from any device with an internet connection. Whether you’re working from your office desktop or checking your financials on the go using your mobile phone, Wave Financial ensures that you always have your financial information at your fingertips.
Although Wave Financial may not have the advanced features found in some paid accounting software, its solid feature set covers the basics and empowers businesses to track their income and expenses accurately. The intuitive user interface makes it easy to navigate and use the software, even for those without extensive accounting experience.
To give you a better idea of what Wave Financial offers, here are some of its notable features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Invoicing | Create professional invoices and send them to your clients, complete with customizable options and automatic reminders for outstanding payments. |
| Expense Tracking | Record and categorize your business expenses, making it easy to stay on top of your spending and identify opportunities for cost-cutting. |
| Financial Reporting | Generate insightful financial reports, including income statements and balance sheets, to gain a clear understanding of your business’s financial health. |
While Wave Financial is primarily known for its exceptional free accounting software, it does offer additional paid services such as payroll processing and payments acceptance. These premium services provide extended functionality for businesses looking to expand their capabilities.
Wave Financial is a reliable and cost-effective option for small businesses seeking a free accounting software solution. Its user-friendly platform and essential features make it an excellent choice for those looking to streamline their financial management processes. Give Wave Financial a try and discover how it can help your business succeed.
Sage 50: Best Accounting Software for Basic Reporting
Sage 50 is a powerful desktop accounting software that caters to businesses in need of basic reporting capabilities. With its comprehensive suite of features, Sage 50 enables efficient financial management and helps businesses gain valuable insights.
One of the standout features of Sage 50 is its advanced inventory tracking functionality, which allows businesses to monitor inventory levels, track stock movements, and optimize their supply chain. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses in the retail and manufacturing sectors, where inventory management plays a crucial role in maintaining profitability.
Sage 50 also offers robust job costing capabilities, making it an ideal solution for businesses that need to track project expenses, allocate costs to specific jobs, and monitor project profitability. Construction companies, professional service providers, and contractors can effectively manage their projects and ensure accurate financial reporting with Sage 50’s job costing feature.
“Sage 50 provides industry-specific features that cater to the unique needs of businesses in construction, retail, and professional services.”
In addition to its basic reporting features, Sage 50 offers support for multiple currencies, making it suitable for businesses with international operations or clients. The software’s multi-currency functionality simplifies currency conversion, helps businesses maintain accurate records, and facilitates seamless international transactions.
Sage 50 is designed as a desktop software, offering businesses the flexibility to host their data locally. However, for those looking to transition to cloud-based solutions, Sage also provides cloud options, enabling businesses to access their data from anywhere, anytime.
| Key Features of Sage 50: |
|---|
| Advanced inventory tracking |
| Job costing capabilities |
| Industry-specific features for construction, retail, and professional services |
| Support for multiple currencies |
| Desktop software with optional cloud-based solutions |
To gain access to Sage 50’s robust accounting tools and leverage its basic reporting capabilities, businesses can choose from different pricing options tailored to their needs. Sage 50 offers flexible pricing plans, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can find a suitable option within their budget.
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Striven: Best Accounting Software for Industry-Specific Features
When it comes to accounting software that caters to businesses with industry-specific needs, Striven is the top choice. Whether you’re in manufacturing, legal, field services, consulting, retail, education, or any other sector, Striven offers a robust software solution with features designed to meet your specific requirements.
Striven’s industry-specific features are seamlessly integrated into the accounting software, providing businesses with a comprehensive solution for their unique needs. Some of the key features offered by Striven include:
- General ledger management: Striven allows you to easily track and manage all your financial transactions, ensuring accurate and up-to-date financial records.
- Accounts payable and receivable: Streamline your payment processes and efficiently track incoming and outgoing payments with Striven’s accounts payable and receivable features.
- Automated invoicing: Save time and reduce errors with Striven’s automated invoicing system, which allows you to generate and send invoices effortlessly.
- Multi-currency transactions: If your business deals with international clients or suppliers, Striven’s multi-currency transactions feature will simplify your financial management by handling currency conversions.
Striven understands that different industries have unique accounting needs, and their software provides the necessary tools to address those requirements effectively.
With Striven, you can enjoy industry-specific features that streamline your financial processes and help you make better business decisions. From tracking expenses to generating reports tailored to your industry, Striven has you covered.
When it comes to pricing, Striven offers flexible options to fit businesses of all sizes. Their pricing structure is customizable to your needs, ensuring you only pay for the features that are relevant to your industry.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for the best accounting software that offers industry-specific features, Striven is the ideal choice. Take advantage of their robust software solution to streamline your accounting processes and elevate your business to new heights.
FreshBooks: Best Accounting Software for Freelancers
As a freelancer or solo entrepreneur, managing your finances effectively is essential for the success of your business. That’s why FreshBooks stands out as the best accounting software choice for freelancers. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, FreshBooks helps you streamline your financial tasks, allowing you to focus on what you do best.
One of the key features that sets FreshBooks apart is its strong invoicing capabilities. You can easily create and customize professional-looking invoices, complete with your branding, ensuring a polished and consistent image for your business. FreshBooks also allows you to track invoice statuses and automated reminders, ensuring prompt payment from your clients.
In addition to invoicing, FreshBooks offers project tracking features that make it easy to monitor time spent on each project and manage billable hours. By accurately tracking your project progress and invoicing your clients accordingly, you can ensure fair compensation for your work and maintain healthy cash flow.
Another advantage of FreshBooks is its low-cost plan designed specifically for freelancers. With affordable pricing options, you can enjoy the full range of FreshBooks’ features without breaking the bank. This makes it an ideal choice for freelancers who are just starting their businesses or looking to minimize expenses while still enjoying professional accounting software.
“With FreshBooks, managing my finances has become a breeze. From creating professional invoices to tracking my projects, everything is organized and efficient. It’s like having a dedicated accounting assistant in my pocket!” – Sarah, Freelance Graphic Designer
With FreshBooks’ intuitive interface and time-saving features, you can effectively manage your finances while staying organized and focused on your work. And with its affordable pricing options and tailor-made plan for freelancers, FreshBooks is the go-to accounting software for those who work independently.
If you’re a freelancer or solo entrepreneur looking for the best accounting software, FreshBooks is the answer. Try it today and experience the convenience, efficiency, and peace of mind that comes with using FreshBooks to manage your finances.
QuickBooks Enterprise: Best Accounting Software for Enterprise-Level Businesses
When it comes to managing the accounting needs of enterprise-level businesses, QuickBooks Enterprise stands out as the best accounting software solution. Designed to meet the complex requirements of larger organizations, QuickBooks Enterprise offers a range of advanced features and capabilities.
One of the key advantages of QuickBooks Enterprise is its advanced reporting capabilities. The software provides detailed financial reports, allowing businesses to gain valuable insights into their financial performance. With customizable reporting templates, businesses can track key metrics, analyze trends, and make data-driven decisions.
In addition to reporting, QuickBooks Enterprise also handles multi-currency transactions, making it suitable for businesses operating globally. The software supports transactions in multiple currencies, enabling businesses to accurately track expenses and revenues across different markets and exchange rates.
Furthermore, QuickBooks Enterprise offers additional features for tax compliance, simplifying the tax accounting process for enterprise-level businesses. With built-in tax calculations and automatic tax form generation, businesses can ensure accuracy and compliance with tax regulations.
While QuickBooks Enterprise may be costlier than other accounting software options, its robust features and scalability make it well worth the investment for enterprise-level businesses. QuickBooks Enterprise pricing options provide flexibility to choose the plan that best suits the organization’s needs and budget.
Overall, QuickBooks Enterprise is the go-to choice for enterprise-level businesses looking for reliable and feature-rich accounting software. Its advanced reporting capabilities, support for multi-currency transactions, and additional features for tax compliance make it an indispensable tool for managing the financial aspects of large organizations.
Sage 50: Best Desktop Accounting Software
When it comes to advanced inventory tracking and job costing features, Sage 50 stands out as one of the best desktop accounting software options available. With its robust capabilities, Sage 50 enables businesses to effectively manage their inventory and accurately calculate project costs.
Sage 50 also offers industry-specific features tailored to the needs of construction, retail, and professional services businesses. Whether you are in the construction industry, running a retail store, or working in a professional services firm, Sage 50 provides the necessary tools to meet your unique requirements.
For construction businesses, Sage 50 offers features such as project management, subcontractor management, and job costing. These functionalities enable construction companies to effectively track costs, monitor projects, and streamline their operations.
Retail businesses can benefit from the inventory management capabilities of Sage 50. With features such as stock tracking, ordering, and sales analysis, Sage 50 helps retailers stay on top of their inventory, optimize stock levels, and make data-driven decisions for improved profitability.
Professional services businesses, such as accounting firms or consulting agencies, can take advantage of Sage 50’s time and expense tracking features, which allow for accurate billing and project profitability analysis.
As a desktop accounting software, Sage 50 offers businesses the flexibility and control of a locally installed solution. However, Sage 50 also provides cloud options for businesses looking to make the transition to a cloud-based accounting software in the future.
If you are in need of advanced inventory tracking, job costing, or industry-specific features, Sage 50 is an excellent choice for your accounting needs.
Sage 50 Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Advanced Inventory Tracking | Efficiently track and manage your inventory with comprehensive inventory management tools. |
| Job Costing | Accurately calculate project costs and ensure profitability through detailed job costing functionality. |
| Industry-Specific Features | Enjoy specialized features tailored to the unique needs of construction, retail, and professional services businesses. |
| Desktop Solution | Install Sage 50 on your local machine for enhanced control and flexibility. |
| Cloud Options | Transition to the cloud with ease by leveraging Sage 50’s cloud-based accounting solutions. |
With its advanced features and industry-specific capabilities, Sage 50 provides businesses with the tools they need to effectively manage their finances. Whether you are a construction company, a retail business, or a professional services firm, Sage 50 offers the flexibility and functionality required to streamline your accounting processes.
Conclusion
After thorough research and analysis, it is clear that choosing the best accounting software for your small business is essential for effectively managing your finances. In this article, I have reviewed and ranked the top accounting software options based on their features, affordability, and suitability for various business needs.
Without a doubt, QuickBooks Online stands out as the overall best accounting software. It offers a comprehensive range of features and scalability, making it an ideal choice for small businesses. From advanced record-keeping to comprehensive reporting and invoicing capabilities, QuickBooks Online provides all the necessary tools for efficient financial management.
While QuickBooks Online takes the lead, there are other notable options worth considering. Xero, Plooto, FreshBooks, Oracle NetSuite, Zoho Books, Wave Financial, Sage 50, and Striven each offer unique features and benefits to cater to specific business requirements.
To make an informed decision about the best accounting software for your small business, consider your unique needs, budget, and growth potential. Evaluate the features and pricing of each software, ensuring it aligns with your financial processes and business goals.
By selecting the best accounting software, you can streamline your financial processes, gain better visibility into your business’s financial health, and make informed decisions that drive growth and success.
FAQ
What factors should I consider when choosing accounting software for my small business?
What is the best accounting software for small businesses?
Which accounting software is best for payment management?
What accounting software is suitable for automating accounts payable processes?
Which accounting software is ideal for efficient invoicing?
What accounting software offers advanced features for businesses with complex accounting needs?
Which accounting software is designed specifically for microbusinesses?
Is there any free accounting software available?
What accounting software is best for basic reporting?
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What accounting software is recommended for freelancers?
Which accounting software is suitable for enterprise-level businesses?
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Source Links
- https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7543-best-accounting-software.html
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/small-business/accounting-software
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/best-accounting-software/
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