Top-rated accounting software solutions have plans that adapt as your business grows, with features to manage bills, reconcile accounts, track inventory and create reports.

Xero is known for its easy-to-use interface and unlimited user support across every subscription level. It also has double-entry bookkeeping, integrated bank feeds and project-based invoicing.

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is a cloud-based solution that helps you streamline billing, get paid faster and improve cash flow. You can automate late payment reminders and accept online payments to give your customers more ways to pay.

The software was designed to be simple enough for non-accountants to use comfortably. Features like customizable invoice templates and digital bill acceptance make invoicing easier, while time tracking and expense recording let you keep better track of where your money goes. You can even snap pictures of your receipts with the mobile app.

Pricing at Billable starts at $15 per month after a free 30-day trial; users get unlimited invoices and estimates for up to five billable clients. Support comes in the form of live chat agents during business hours plus phone support if needed after providing an email address.

Xero

Xero offers reports to help you see how your business is doing at any point in time. Its balance sheet shows you what your company owns (assets), owes (liabilities) and keeps (equity); aged receivables/reconciliations summary helps identify who still owes money or whom the company owes at any given moment.

You’ll find Xero’s invoicing system allows small businesses to easily create and send invoices, monitor outstanding payments and reconcile bank transactions through a familiar process with pre-filled fields such as line items or account codes where it’s possible.

The tool supports card payments on invoices via Stripe integration — meaning businesses can accept cards online without adding third-party apps or services — which is a selling point for businesses looking to accept online payments.

In total, Xero has more than 55 accounting reports that can be customized — users can drag and drop to reorder columns or add formulas and block text if needed. Support resources depend on the user’s issue or scenario, but the support page is thoughtfully organized.

Intuit QuickBooks

QuickBooks Online is a widely used cloud accounting solution with more features for its price than any other competitor in this guide — including unlimited invoices, estimates and billable time tracking at all plans except the base option — which starts at $25 per month.

You’ll find software to manage charitable donations, project tracking and time tracking for employees/contractors at higher tier plans; Etsy, Amazon and eBay sales channels can also link to QuickBooks Online for e-commerce needs.
 
A mobile app lets you take your books on the go; bank data syncs with its cloud servers (your accountant will love you for it) so you can connect audit trails later; accountant access comes easily through quickbooks.intuit.com URLs; regular updates keep it fresh; and integration options extend beyond 750 apps from categories such as CRM, HR, inventory management and expense reporting.

Zoho Books

Zoho Books is a feature-rich accounting software solution that offers a large number of tools compared to many competitors in this guide. The platform includes accounting and financial reporting tools as well as client portal capabilities, payment reminders and recurring invoice creation features.

The company’s customer support team is available by phone during business hours as well as via email every day of the week.

Sales tax management capabilities offered by Zoho Books include VAT calculation/tracking services plus GST/tax 1099 support; additional integration of purchase order landed cost details helps set accurate selling prices when importing orders.

Time keeping features allow users to record work done on projects through time sheets that can be approved by clients without the need of a long email thread. Another module, vendor portal, aids businesses in dealing with vendors without needing a long email chain as well.

AccountEdge Pro

AccountEdge Pro (formerly Sage 50c) is one of few traditional small business accounting applications left on the market. It offers reliable scalability and reliability with its desktop user interface. The software has several built-in standard reports, custom reporting options, graphs and dashboards to give small businesses complete financial visibility in an easily understandable format.

Other features include simplified sales and invoicing, customer and contact management, inventory tracking and integrated payroll. Funds received through online payments are automatically applied against outstanding invoices to streamline accounts receivable and speed up cash flow.

Web Pay – which has been added since my 2015 review – allows customers to submit payments through a secure online portal that appears on invoices. Customers can receive help electronically or via telephone.