- 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 50% off for 3 months
- 3M+ customers globally
- Easily sync bank and financial information
- Get 70% off for 3 months
- Designed for small businesses
- Cloud-hosted solution
- 24/7 customer support
- Seamless integration: QuickBooks, NetSuite & more
- No commitment, get a free demo
- Free B2B payment platform
- Pay by card to maximize cash flow
- Seamless accounting software sync
- Ideal for small business growth
- Comprehensive business management solution
- All-in-one CRM and financial software
- 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
Why do small businesses need accounting software?
Running a small business comes with unique financial challenges. From managing payroll and expenses to tracking sales and preparing taxes, accuracy is crucial. Small business accounting software helps streamline these tasks, saving time and reducing costly mistakes.
Why accounting software matters
Cloud-based platforms are replacing desktop tools by offering real-time data syncing, AI-powered automation, and easier compliance with tax and payroll laws. The best accounting software for small businesses now includes mobile apps, receipt capture, and built-in reporting that grows with your company.
How desktop and cloud accounting software differ
Desktop accounting software is installed on your local machine and requires manual updates and backups.
Online or cloud-based accounting software runs in a browser or mobile app, with automatic syncing, backups, and remote access—ideal for small teams and businesses that need flexibility.
Key features to look for in small business accounting software
Invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting
Bank syncing and reconciliation tools
Mobile app access and cloud backups
Multi-user support and accountant collaboration
Optional payroll and tax filing features
Scalable plans for growing businesses
Built-in support or helpdesk access
Top choice: QuickBooks for small businesses
QuickBooks Online is the leading small business accounting software in the United States, offering invoicing, expense tracking, payroll add-ons, and smart AI features. It's scalable, easy to use, and built for seamless collaboration with accountants.
How much does small business accounting software cost?
Most small business accounting tools cost between $10 and $75 per month, depending on features and the number of users. Entry-level plans include basic functions like invoicing and expense tracking. Advanced features like payroll, inventory, or tax filing usually require a higher-tier subscription or add-on pricing per employee.
Pros and cons
Pros
Saves hours on manual entry and report generation
Improves tax readiness with auto-generated reports
Simplifies teamwork with shared access and cloud syncing
Cons
Some tools may feel expensive or too complex for solo users
Free platforms may lack customer support or advanced tools
Conclusion
Choosing the right accounting software can save your small business time, reduce errors, and streamline financial tasks. Whether you're managing day-to-day finances or preparing for tax season, a reliable tool can simplify your workflow and support your long-term business goals.
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
