Having to click around to find key features added to the product’s learning curve. However, once I became more familiar with the software’s layout, completing tasks required no learning curve, even when setting up advanced actions such as automations. For example, to add a new project, I clicked “time tracking” on the left-hand menu, then the “projects” submenu item. From there, I could click “+New Project” at the top of the resulting screen and fill out a simple form to add my new project. Users give Zoho Books a 4.4 out of five-star rating on Capterra and 618 reviews. Users say the features are intuitive to use, though the system as a whole comes with a slight learning curve.
If you don’t need quite as many features as Wave offers, ZipBooks is a solid free accounting software alternative. Even though it’s free, it doesn’t limit the number of invoices you can send (like Xero) or clients you can bill (like FreshBooks) per month—you can access unlimited customizable invoices and accept payments too. ZipBooks’ paid plan starts at $15 a month and offers better bookkeeping and automation features than its free accounting plan.
Third-party Reviews
They also appreciate the friendly, responsive and knowledgeable customer service OneUp offers. However, it doesn’t offer time tracking of payroll features, creating fewer efficiencies than some competitors provide. Whether you need support with expense tracking or detailed insights on your business’s overall growth, FreshBooks has you covered with our simple but powerful small business accounting software. FreshBooks is one of the best small business accounting software options on the market—and for good reason.
Zoho Books: Best free plan for small businesses
Although each FreshBooks plan comes with unlimited customizable invoices, you can only invoice a set number of clients with each plan. For instance, with the cheapest FreshBooks plan, you can invoice just five clients a month (though you can invoice those clients an unlimited number of times during the month). The mid-tier plan expands your reach to 50 clients a month while two top-tier plans will let you invoice an unlimited amount of clients.
Clear Books
We encourage you to research and compare multiple accounting software products before choosing one.NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. NerdWallet independently reviews accounting software products before determining our top picks. We collect the data for our software ratings from products’ public-facing websites and from company representatives. Information is gathered on a regular basis and reviewed by our editorial team for consistency and accuracy. Feature set includes an excellent mobile app and suite of reports, capable invoicing features, plus automated bill and receipt capture through Hubdoc. The best accounting software makes it easy to track how money moves in and out of your small business and helps you keep a detailed financial record so that you’re ready come tax season.
- It offers customer phone support from 9am – 6pm on weekdays and a 24/7 legal advice helpline.
- As with most types of software, the best cloud accounting software programs offer many levels of security.
- The software’s mobile-first features — such as the ability to send invoices by iMessage or add widgets to your phone’s home screen to easily access timers and overdue invoices — really help set it apart, though.
- I could navigate to the “invoices” menu item, then to the “sales” submenu item to view a list of all existing invoices.
And ideally, your accountant will have experience in your specific industry, too. Ideally, your accounting software will make your day-to-day routine easier through automation. Here are some key factors to consider when researching and choosing the best accounting software for your small business. Offers industry-specific features for consulting businesses, nonprofits, manufacturing companies, professional services and more.
On the other hand, some are so simple that they’re missing key features. If you don’t have a lot of accounting knowledge, the best business accounting software should be powerful yet easy to use—FreshBooks might be the right choice. Every business has unique accounting software needs, but a few key features what is sganda margin formula + calculator will always come in handy.
Most small-business owners don’t have an accounting background but need to carefully track their business’s finances to make sure they’re turning a profit. Finding the best online accounting software for your small business can seriously transform your working life. With less time spent on data entry, you have more time for the things you like most about small-business ownership, whether that’s getting to know customers or making products you’re proud of. However, Xero’s $13 a month plan limits you to entering only five bills and sending only 20 invoices a month. You can send unlimited invoices and quotes with only the Growing and Established plans, which start at $37 and $70 a month, respectively. In contrast, both QuickBooks and FreshBooks offer small-business expense tracking up front.
