Best Accounting Software & Services For Small Business

QuickBooks Online works well for small businesses that want full-featured accounting software with room to grow.

QuickBooks Online supports invoicing, bill tracking, inventory, reporting, budgeting, 1099 contractor support, mobile apps, and integrations. It’s one of the most comprehensive options for small business accounting, though simpler tools may be easier for first-time users.

Xero works well for growing businesses that need more advanced accounting software and strong integrations.

Xero supports invoicing, bill pay, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, reporting, purchase orders, project tracking, document storage, and multicurrency accounting. Its large app marketplace works for businesses seeking accounting software that integrates with other tools as they grow.

FreshBooks works well for small businesses and freelancers who prioritize easy invoicing and straightforward accounting.

FreshBooks includes invoicing, proposals, expense tracking, time tracking, project management, bank reconciliation, and reporting. Its clean interface and responsive customer support make it especially approachable for business owners who are new to accounting software, though double-entry accounting requires a higher-tier plan.

1-800Accountant is best for businesses that want full-service accounting help instead of DIY accounting software.

Its CPA-backed team can handle bookkeeping, expense categorization, reconciliation, tax advisory, tax prep, payroll, and entity formation. It’s a great fit for small and midsize businesses that want expert support without hiring an in-house accountant.

Wave is best for freelancers, Etsy sellers, and microbusinesses that want free accounting software.

Wave includes invoicing, expense tracking, accounts payable, bank reconciliation, receipt management, reports, contact management, and accountant access. It’s easy to use and budget-friendly, but larger businesses or companies that need more advanced accounting features may outgrow it quickly.

Zoho Books works well for small businesses that want user-friendly accounting software with strong invoicing and international features.

Zoho Books includes invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, inventory, project management, bank reconciliation, tax support, reports, client portals, payment acceptance, and mobile invoice management. It’s great for businesses that want capable accounting software without QuickBooks’ steeper learning curve.

QuickBooks Solopreneur is built for freelancers, contractors, and self-employed workers who want simple bookkeeping and tax support.

QuickBooks Solopreneur helps users track income, expenses, mileage, deductions, and estimated quarterly taxes. It also supports invoicing, payment processing, receipt capture, business and personal expense separation, and TurboTax filing support.

ZipBooks works well for small business owners who want affordable accounting software that’s easy to learn.

ZipBooks includes invoicing, expense tracking, bank sync, reconciliation, project tracking, reports, accountant access, auto-categorization, and business health insights. Its clean interface and built-in recommendations make it easy to use for businesses with limited accounting experience.

Patriot works well for small businesses, freelancers, and contractors who want affordable accounting and payroll tools.

Patriot supports invoicing, estimates, expense tracking, account reconciliation, 1099 filing, vendor payments, receipt management, unlimited users, and optional full-service payroll with tax filings and deposits. It’s best for businesses with simpler needs, not advanced inventory, job costing, or project management.