- New! AI-powered tools in every plan
- PCMag's best accounting software
- Seamless transition from books to taxes
- Integrates with Mailchimp, payroll & more
- Get 50% off for 3 months
- Intuitive and easy to use
- Supports multiple billing models
- Includes invoicing, HR, and eCommerce
- Automated payroll tax filings
- Simple switchover + flat fee
- Designed to meet growing businesses' needs
- Increases productivity by 40% or more
- Boost efficiency up to 90% by automating tasks
- Trusted by over 24,500 businesses
- Get 70% off for 3 months
- Designed for small businesses
- Cloud-hosted solution
- Get 50% off for 3 months
- 3M+ customers globally
- Easily sync bank and financial information
- Ideal for small business growth
- Comprehensive business management solution
- All-in-one CRM and financial software
- Free B2B payment platform
- Pay by card to maximize cash flow
- Seamless accounting software sync
- New! AI-powered tools in every plan
- PCMag's best accounting software
- Seamless transition from books to taxes
- Integrates with Mailchimp, payroll & more
- Get 50% off for 3 months
What is accounting software?
Accounting software automates essential bookkeeping tasks like income and expense tracking, invoicing, accounts payable, and receivables. It consolidates financial data into one accessible platform - saving time, reducing manual errors, and enabling collaboration across teams or with accountants.
Why is accounting software important for small businesses?
Modern small businesses benefit from either desktop tools (installed locally) or cloud-based SaaS solutions that offer real‑time access, automatic updates, and mobile flexibility. Cloud options can sync with bank accounts, generate reports instantly, and support scalability as businesses grow.
What features should free accounting software include?
Core bookkeeping tools: invoicing, expense tracking, income categorisation
Free invoice generator and template access
Tax-ready reports: profit & loss, balance sheets
Payroll compatibility
Dashboards and insights
Mobile access and receipt scanning
Multi-user permission controls
Unlimited or generous cloud storage
Which invoice features are available in free accounting tools?
Free platforms often offer:
Invoice generator free tools for PDF or email invoices
Invoice template free options for customised branding
Tools to track payment status, send reminders, and add taxes or fees
What should I know about accounting software pricing?
Free plans cover basic functions like invoicing, cash flow, and expense tracking
Paid tiers range from $12–$300/month
Payroll add-ons are typically $4–$10 per employee monthly
Advanced features like inventory, multicurrency, or tax prep cost extra
What are the pros and cons of using free software?
Pros:
No monthly cost
Tools like a free invoice maker are fast and easy
Great for freelancers, startups, and small businesses
Cons:
Limits on transactions, users, or integrations
Premium features like payroll are locked behind paywalls
May lack live support or automation
How can I choose the best free accounting software?
When comparing free accounting tools, consider these five key factors:
Business size:
Choose a platform that can meet your current needs and scale as your business grows.
Deployment type:
Decide whether you prefer cloud-based access for flexibility or a desktop app for offline control.
Mobile capabilities:
Look for mobile apps that let you capture receipts, send invoices, and check reports on the go.
Integration options:
Ensure the software can connect with payroll, taxes, CRM systems, or your bank for smoother workflows.
Growth flexibility:
Pick a tool that lets you upgrade to access more users, features, or automations when needed.
What kind of support should I expect from free tools?
Email or chat support may be limited
Community forums are often available for troubleshooting
Premium support is usually reserved for paid plans with priority access
Are free accounting apps secure and reliable?
Yes, most free accounting apps are built with strong security measures in place. They typically use bank-grade encryption to protect your financial data and store information on secure servers with automatic cloud backups. To ensure full compliance and peace of mind, look for platforms that meet industry standards like GDPR and SOC2.
Key takeaways
Free accounting software helps small businesses stay organised without the cost. With tools for invoicing, expense tracking, and cloud access, it’s a practical way to manage your finances and grow confidently - starting with the essentials and scaling when you’re ready.
Our Top 3 Picks
- 1Intelligent OCR-backed receipt processing
- Best For - Best online accounting software overall
- Price range - From $12.50 / month
- Free trial or free version - Free 30-day trial
Intelligent OCR-backed receipt processingRead QuickBooks ReviewQuickbooks is a comprehensive accounting system designed for small businesses through to organizations at the advanced scales of staging.
The tool includes OCR-backed expense receipt tracking, invoice issuing, and for an add-on users can add the payroll functionality. Not all features are available on the mobile apps, but users can even use these, in conjunction with hardware, to process payments.
QuickBooks Pros & Cons
PROS
Apps for iOS and AndroidProject profitability trackingEasy hour billing with integrationsCONS
No free tierNot all features available on mobile - 2Powerful, customizable, extensible ERM.
- Best For - Enterprises and global companies
- Price range - $999+
- Free trial or free version - No (Demos available)
Powerful, customizable, extensible ERM.Read Oracle NetSuite ReviewNetSuite is hard to beat in terms of power and customizability, although it comes with a steep learning curve. The user support is also quite limited for basic subscribers, another reason why smaller businesses may find the experience too labor-intensive. The suite, however, is extensive enough to replace a variety of other operational and logistical applications (like CRM and HR), which can ultimately reduce the overall cost, both in terms of labor and money.
NetSuite is an excellent solution for enterprises and global companies that need to manage large operations with many moving parts and which have the human and financial resources to use NetSuite’s powerful platform to build the perfect ERM solution.
Oracle NetSuite Pros & Cons
PROS
Highly customizableExtremely powerful budgeting, forecasting and reportingAll-in-one solution (HR, project management, inventory, etc.)CONS
Complex to set-up and operateCan be very costly - 3Streamlined payroll and benefits management
- Best For - Best accounting software with HR
- Price range - From $6 / month
- Free trial or free version - Free 30-day trial
Streamlined payroll and benefits managementRead Gusto ReviewGusto is one of the best payroll services for small businesses of today, and it’s also a good choice for freelancers and contractors. Providing automatic tax filing, a list of HR benefits, including health, dental, vision, college funds, 401k, and the ability to run unlimited payrolls, Gusto is a cost-effective way for businesses to streamline their monthly accounts.
It’s also nice that Gusto integrates with a lot of other applications, including accounting programs like QuickBooks Online, Xero, and FreshBooks. You can also sync your time tracking apps (like Time Tracker or Homebase) and expense management tools like Expensify to have an all-inclusive database for your accounts.
Gusto Pros & Cons
PROS
All-in-one platform for payroll, benefits, and HRAccess to financial benefits (401k, HSA, FSA, 529)Access to tools designed to help with hiring and managing teamsCONS
No PEO optionOnly manual processing for mandated deductions
