As a small business owner, you must be aware of the importance of maintaining precise financial records, especially when it comes to invoicing. Failing to implement an effective financial management system can result in severe repercussions for your business. Fortunately, by using any one out of many available best accounting software for small business, you can simplify your finances and make informed financial decisions. However, with so many accounting software options available, it can be difficult to choose the best accounting software for small business needs.

In this blog, we will provide a thorough overview of the Best accounting software for small business. We’ll discuss the advantages of using each one of these softwares, its pricing plans, customer support options, and integrations with other business applications. Additionally, We’ll also provide tips on how to choose the right accounting software for small business and explain the benefits of using it.

1. QuickBooks.

QuickBooks, which has been around for over 30 years, is one of the most popular and widely used accounting software for small businesses. This cloud-based software provides a comprehensive set of features to manage finances effectively. Specifically, QuickBooks is designed to make accounting easy for small businesses, from creating invoices and tracking expenses to managing payroll and generating financial reports.

Overview of QuickBooks accounting software

Firstly, QuickBooks is an accounting software that is designed to help small business owners keep track of their financial transactions. Secondly, it provides an easy-to-use interface that allows business owners to manage their financial data in one place. Moreover, QuickBooks offers a range of features such as invoicing, expense tracking, financial reporting, and inventory management.

Features of QuickBooks

Moreover, QuickBooks is known for its user-friendly interface, particularly in the area of invoicing. Its easy setup process allows business owners to quickly get started. In addition, QuickBooks provides various features that make it a popular choice for small businesses. Some of the most commonly used features include:

• Invoicing: QuickBooks makes it easy to create and send invoices to customers. You can easily create and customize professional-looking invoices with your business logo, payment terms, and other important information that can be sent to clients through email or traditional mail. It also allows users to track invoice status, send payment reminders, and even set up automatic recurring invoices.
• Expense tracking: QuickBooks allows you to track expenses and categorize them for tax purposes. You can also connect your bank and credit card accounts to automatically import transactions. The tracking feature also allows users to track expenses by category, attach receipts, and track mileage. This makes it easier for businesses to keep track of their expenses and ensure that they are staying within their budget.
• Financial reporting: In terms of financial reporting, QuickBooks provides a variety of customizable reports, such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets, to give businesses a complete picture of their financial health. It also provides tools to help users manage inventory, create purchase orders, and even manage payroll.
• Inventory management: QuickBooks allows you to track inventory levels and set reorder points. This makes it easy to know when it’s time to reorder products.

Pros and cons of using QuickBooks

Pros:

• User-friendly interface: QuickBooks has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for business owners to manage their finances.
• Range of features: QuickBooks offers a range of features that help small businesses manage their finances more efficiently.
• Integrations: QuickBooks integrates with a variety of other business applications, making it easy to exchange data between applications to streamline your business processes.

Cons:

• Pricing: QuickBooks can be expensive, especially for small businesses with a limited budget.
• Learning curve: While QuickBooks is user-friendly, there is still a learning curve involved in getting started with the software.
• Customer support: Some users have reported issues with customer support, which can be frustrating when trying to resolve issues with the software.

Comparison of QuickBooks pricing plans

QuickBooks offers several pricing plans, including:

• Self-employed: $15 per month
• Simple Start: $25 per month
• Essentials: $40 per month
• Plus: $70 per month

Each plan offers different features, with the higher-priced plans offering more advanced features. The self-employed plan is designed for freelancers, while the Plus plan is designed for larger businesses with more complex accounting needs.

QuickBooks Customer Support

In terms of customer support, QuickBooks provides a variety of resources, including phone and chat support, as well as a community forum and a knowledge base.

2. Xero

As one of the most popular accounting software options for small businesses, Xero has a lot to offer. It was founded in 2006 and has since grown to be used by over 2 million subscribers worldwide. Xero is a cloud-based accounting software, which means that all financial data is stored on the cloud and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Xero has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for small business owners to use even if they have little to no experience with accounting. Here are some of the features and benefits of Xero:

Features and benefits of Xero

The software is designed to be easy to use, even for those with little accounting experience. Xero also offers a wide range of features, including invoicing, inventory management, payroll, and bank reconciliation. With these features, Xero is an all-in-one solution for small businesses looking to manage their finances more efficiently.

• Invoicing: Xero accounting software offers a range of features to help small businesses manage their finances effectively. Firstly, for Invoicing, Xero allows business owners to customize and send invoices to customers, including their logo, payment terms, and preferred payment method.
• Bank feeds: Secondly, for Bank feeds, Xero allows users to connect their bank accounts and credit cards to automatically import transactions, saving valuable time and effort.
• Inventory management: Thirdly, for Inventory management, Xero includes a built-in feature to track stock levels, create purchase orders, and receive items into inventory.
• Payroll: Fourthly, Xero offers a Payroll feature for managing employee pay, taxes, and benefits.
• Reporting: Lastly, Xero provides a variety of reports for Reporting purposes, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to analyze business finances.

Pros and Cons of using Xero

Pros:

• User-Friendly Interface: Xero’s user interface is intuitive and easy to use, even for those without any accounting experience. The dashboard provides a clear overview of your financial situation, making it easy to see where your money is coming from and where it’s going.
• Mobile Accessibility: Xero has a mobile app that allows you to access your financial information on the go. This is particularly useful for business owners who are frequently on the move.
• Invoicing and Payment Features: Xero’s invoicing and payment features are top-notch, making it easy to create and send professional-looking invoices to customers. You can also set up automatic payment reminders, which can help to improve your cash flow.
• Robust Reporting: Xero provides a wide range of financial reports, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. This makes it easy to keep track of your business’s financial health and identify areas for improvement.
• Integration with Third-Party Apps: Xero integrates with a wide range of third-party apps, including payment gateways, inventory management tools, and e-commerce platforms. This makes it easy to connect Xero with other business tools you’re already using.

Cons:

• Limited Customer Support: Even though Xero offers a comprehensive knowledge base and community forum, their customer support options are limited. Phone support is only available during business hours, and there is no live chat support.
• Learning Curve: While Xero’s user interface is user-friendly, there is still a learning curve involved in getting started. It may take some time to get used to the software’s features and functionality.
• Price: Xero’s pricing plans can be a bit steep for small businesses, particularly those with limited budgets. While the basic plan starts at $11 per month, it only includes a limited number of features.
• Lack of Advanced Features: Xero may not be the best choice for businesses that require advanced accounting features, such as multi-currency support or inventory management. While it does offer basic inventory management, it may not be sufficient for businesses with complex inventory needs.
• Bank Feed Limitations: Xero’s bank feed feature is limited to a maximum of 2,000 transactions per month. This could be an issue for businesses with high transaction volumes.

Xero pricing plans

Xero offers three pricing plans:

1. Early: This plan costs $11 per month and allows you to send five invoices and quotes, enter five bills, and reconcile 20 bank transactions.
2. Growing: This plan costs $32 per month and allows you to send unlimited invoices and quotes, enter unlimited bills, and reconcile unlimited bank transactions.
3. Established: This plan costs $62 per month and includes all of the features of the Growing plan, as well as additional features like multi-currency support and expenses claims.

Customer Service for Xero

Xero offers customer support through phone and email. They also have an extensive online help center that includes articles, videos, and webinars. Xero’s customer support team is known for being responsive and helpful, so you can rest assured that you’ll get the assistance you need.

3. FreshBooks

FreshBooks is a popular cloud-based accounting software that is specifically designed for small businesses. It is recognized for its user-friendly interface, robust invoicing features, and exceptional customer support. To provide a better understanding of FreshBooks, here is an overview of its offerings.

Features of FreshBooks

FreshBooks offers a wide range of features that are tailored to meet the needs of small businesses. Some of its key features include:

• Invoicing: FreshBooks makes it easy to create and send professional-looking invoices in just a few clicks. You can customize your invoices with your logo and branding, and you can accept online payments from clients using credit cards or PayPal.
• Expense Tracking: FreshBooks lets you keep track of all your business expenses in one place. You can upload receipts and categorize your expenses to make it easy to track your spending.
• Time Tracking: FreshBooks has a built-in time tracking feature that allows you to track your billable hours and generate invoices based on the time you’ve spent on each project.
• Project Management: FreshBooks makes it easy to manage your projects and collaborate with your team. You can assign tasks, share files, and communicate with your team members right from within the app.
• Reports: FreshBooks provides a wide range of reports that give you insights into your business finances. You can generate reports on your income, expenses, profit and loss, and much more.

Pros and Cons of Using FreshBooks

Here are some of the pros and cons of using FreshBooks:

Pros:

• Easy to Use: FreshBooks has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate, even for those who are new to accounting software.
• Excellent Invoicing Features: FreshBooks’ invoicing features are some of the best in the industry. You can create professional-looking invoices in just a few clicks, and you can accept online payments from clients.
• Great Customer Support: FreshBooks has an excellent customer support team that’s available via phone, email, and live chat.

Cons:

• Limited Customization: FreshBooks’ customization options are somewhat limited compared to other accounting software.
• No Inventory Management: FreshBooks doesn’t have a built-in inventory management feature, which could be a drawback for businesses that sell physical products.

Comparison of FreshBooks Pricing Plans

FreshBooks offers three pricing plans: Lite, Plus, and Premium. Here’s a breakdown of what each plan includes:

• Lite: The Lite plan starts at $15 per month and includes features like invoicing, time tracking, and expense tracking. It’s best suited for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs.
• Plus: The Plus plan starts at $25 per month and includes all the features of the Lite plan, plus features like project management and proposals. It’s best suited for small businesses with a team.
• Premium: The Premium plan starts at $50 per month and includes all the features of the Plus plan, plus features like advanced reporting and customized workflows. It’s best suited for larger businesses with more complex accounting needs.

FreshBooks Customer Support Options

FreshBooks offers excellent customer support options, including phone, email, and live chat support. Their customer support team is available 24/7 to help you with any questions or issues you may have. They also have an extensive knowledge base and community forum where you can find answers to common questions and connect with other FreshBooks users.

4. Sage Business Accounting Software

When searching for a dependable accounting software to handle your small business finances, Sage is a great option. With a broad selection of features and functionality, Sage can make managing your accounting tasks a breeze. It’s worth exploring the capabilities of Sage to see if it fits your business needs.

Introduction to Sage Accounting Software

Sage is a cloud-based accounting software that helps businesses manage their finances efficiently. With Sage, you can track your income and expenses, create invoices, manage your bank accounts, and handle payroll. Sage offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, and it integrates seamlessly with other business applications such as CRM and inventory management software.

Features and Functionality of Sage

Sage offers a wide range of features that can help you manage your finances efficiently. Some of its notable features include:

• Automatic bank feeds: Sage allows you to link your bank accounts, credit cards, and PayPal accounts, and it will automatically import transactions into the software.
• Invoicing: Sage offers customizable invoice templates, and you can set up recurring invoices for your regular clients.
• Inventory management: Sage allows you to manage your inventory levels, track product sales, and generate reports on stock levels.
• Payroll management: Sage offers a payroll add-on that can help you manage your employees’ pay, taxes, and benefits.

Pros and Cons of Using Sage

Pros:

• User-friendly interface: Sage has a clean and simple interface that is easy to navigate.
• Comprehensive features: Sage offers a wide range of features that can help you manage your finances efficiently.
• Integration with other business applications: Sage integrates seamlessly with other business applications, making it easy to manage all aspects of your business in one place.

Cons:

• Limited customer support options: Sage offers limited customer support options, which may be frustrating for some users.
• Pricing plans can be expensive: Sage’s pricing plans can be expensive, especially if you require add-ons such as payroll management.

Comparison of Sage Pricing Plans

Sage offers three pricing plans:

• Sage Accounting Start: $10 per month
• Sage Accounting: $25 per month
• Sage Accounting Advanced: $50 per month

The pricing plans vary in features and functionality, with the Advanced plan offering the most comprehensive features. However, it’s important to note that Sage’s pricing plans can be expensive, especially if you require add-ons such as payroll management.

Sage Customer Support Options

Sage offers customer support via phone, email, and chat. However, customer support is only available during business hours, which may be inconvenient for some users. Sage also offers a knowledge base and community forum where users can find answers to common questions and connect with other users.

5. Wave Small Business Accounting Software

Wave is a free accounting software that is ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. It is a cloud-based software that helps businesses manage their finances, including invoicing, receipt scanning, payment processing, and more.

When it comes to invoicing, Wave is a great option for small business owners who are new to accounting software. It offers basic accounting features and is very user-friendly. Additionally, one of the biggest advantages of using Wave is that it’s completely free. This makes it an excellent choice for startups and small businesses looking for a cost-effective solution to their accounting needs.

Features of Wave Accounting Software

Wave offers a range of features that help small businesses manage their finances efficiently. Here are some of the most notable features:

• Invoicing: Wave allows users to create professional invoices and track payments. It also allows for customization of invoices, such as adding a company logo or changing the layout.
• Receipt scanning: To begin with, Wave offers a receipt scanning feature that allows users to upload receipts and wave will extract the necessary and categorize it for easy tracking.
• Payment processing: Additionally, the software enables secure credit card payments directly on invoices through payment processing.
• Bank connections: Furthermore, users can connect their bank account and credit cards to automatically import transactions and reconcile accounts using the bank connections feature.
• Reports: Lastly, Wave provides financial reports, such as balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statements. All for free.

Pros and Cons of Using Wave

Pros

• Free: The most significant advantage of Wave is that it’s completely free to use.
• User-friendly: Wave’s interface is simple and easy to navigate, making it an excellent option for those new to accounting software.
• Basic features: Wave offers essential accounting features that small businesses need to manage their finances.

Cons

• Limited features: Wave is a basic accounting software and does not offer some advanced features that larger businesses may need.
• Customer support: While Wave offers customer support, it’s limited to email only.

Comparison of Wave Pricing Plans

Wave’s pricing plan is simple; it’s entirely free to use. There are no hidden fees or charges.

Wave Customer Support Options

Wave offers customer support through email only. While it’s not the most convenient support option, the company’s help center provides detailed articles on various topics to help users troubleshoot any issues they may encounter.

How to choose the Best Accounting Software For Small Business?

When choosing the best accounting software for small business, there are several factors that you need to take into consideration. Here are some of the key factors to keep in mind:

1. Features: Look for software that has the features you need to manage your finances effectively. Consider features like invoicing, expense tracking, inventory management, payroll processing, and tax preparation.
2. Ease of Use: Choose software that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. You don’t want to waste time trying to figure out how to use complex software.
3. Cost: Consider your budget and choose software that fits within your price range. Furthermore, accounting software options provide a free trial period, which can be useful for testing the software before making a purchase.
4. Integration: If you are already using other business software, consider choosing accounting software that integrates with your existing systems. This can save time and reduce errors in data entry.
5. Security: Ensure that the software has adequate security measures in place to protect your financial data. Look for software that offers features such as data encryption and regular backups.
6. Support: Choose software that offers reliable customer support in case you encounter any issues or have questions about the software. Look for options that offer a help center, support forums, and live support.

By considering these factors when choosing accounting software, you can make an informed decision that best suits your business needs.

Conclusion

To sum up, selecting the Best Accounting Software for Small Business is a critical step. In order to make an informed decision, the software must cater to the specific needs of the business and be user-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective. Although there are various options available, each with its unique features, pricing plans, and customer support, it is clear that their is no one accounting solution that will meet every business accoutning demands.

However, with the information provided on the features, pros, cons, and pricing plans of the most commonly used Accounting softwares in the United States, Small businesses can make an informed decision on the software that best suits their needs. It is essential to keep in mind that investing in the right accounting software can save time, minimize errors, and show accurate figures. As a result, it is worth taking the time to research before you invest in the Best Accounting Software for Small Business.