Best Accounting Software for Small Business
Short answer. For most small businesses, QuickBooks Online is the default choice. It integrates with nearly every other business tool, payroll and payments bolt on cleanly, and most bookkeepers already know it.
Once a business has employees, inventory, or an outside bookkeeper, the calculation changes. Integrations and the ability to hand the books to a professional matter more than saving a few dollars a month.
Compare at a glance
| Platform | Rating | Best known for | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odoo | Modular suite on a budget | $0 | Visit ↗ | |
| Zoho Books | Part of the Zoho suite | $15/mo | Visit ↗ | |
| Xero | Unlimited users on every plan | $20/mo | Visit ↗ | |
| QuickBooks | Best for small business | $35/mo | Visit ↗ | |
| Sage | Established mid-market accounting | From $25/mo | Visit ↗ |
Swipe the table sideways for pricing and links.
Odoo
Accounting Software
Modular suite on a budget
- Accounting, invoicing, and inventory as modular apps
- Very low per-app pricing
- More setup effort than QuickBooks or FreshBooks
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Zoho Books
Accounting Software
Part of the Zoho suite
- Lower cost than most major platforms
- Fits the wider Zoho product suite
- Automation available on entry plans
Xero
Accounting Software
Unlimited users on every plan
- Unlimited users included on every plan
- Bank reconciliation and cloud-first workflow
- Strong reporting on lower-priced plans
QuickBooks
Accounting Software
Best for small business
- Integrates with almost every other business tool
- Payroll and payments available as add-ons
- Widely supported by accountants and bookkeepers
Sage
Accounting Software
Established mid-market accounting
- Multiple editions for different business sizes
- Established option for mid-market operations
- Steeper learning curve than entry-level platforms