Top 7 Accounting Software Programs For Small Businesses In 2025

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Are you struggling to keep your business finances in order?

Reliable accounting software will help. Bookkeeping tasks that used to take your team hours or even days to finish can all be done in minutes. Filing taxes also becomes a lot easier now that all your company’s finances are in one place.

But with so many software programs available, how do you know which one’s right for your business?

This guide gives you an overview of the best accounting software in 2025. We’ll review the features, pros and cons, and pricing to help you decide which one’s right for your business.

What To Look For In An Accounting Software Program

Not every accounting software program for SMBs is the same. Whether you’re a freelancer or established company, always take some time to explore each program and decide which one fits your business’s current needs.

That being said, every small business owner should look into these key features when investing in a new platform:

• Ease Of Use: Go with an easy-to-use, intuitive interface and strong customer support to simplify management.
• Scalability: If you plan to expand your business, having a company that grows with you makes everything easier.
• Price: You can find programs that fit virtually any price or budget, from free ones that do simple invoicing to premium ones with advanced automation, payroll, and analytics. Find one that gives you the most value for your money while meeting your business’s needs.
• Integrations: Make sure the program has seamless integration options. It’ll make connecting with your business’s other essential tools, like payment processors or tax software, easier.
• Accounting Features: At the very least, your business’s accounting software should have invoicing, expense tracking, and tax management.

Best Small Business Accounting Software In 2025

Now that you know what to look for in new accounting software, here is an in-depth list of the best programs for small business that are on the market right now:

1. Freshbooks

Best For: customized packages, ease of use, scalability

Freshbooks was created by a four-person design agency in 2003 with small business owners in mind. The platform has many customization options for all types of businesses, whether you’re a freelancer or have a small company with dozens of employees.

The platform’s seamless invoice management makes invoicing simple. You can create invoices, track payments, and send automatic reminders to clients without leaving the platform. This saves you a lot of time by not needing to do everything manually.

Freshbooks also offers useful features like real-time accounting tools, a time-tracking system for hourly projects, and even check-out links for quick client transactions.

Key Features

• Income and expense tracking
• Payroll processing
• Account integrations
• An all-in-one project management and collaboration software
• Easy mileage and billable time tracking options

Pros And Cons

Pros

• Easy to use for those with no accounting experience
• Flexible pricing structure
• Plan customization lets you exactly what you need for your business
• Reliable mobile app for when you’re on the go
• Various useful features, such as mileage tracking
• Generous discounts when you first sign up

Cons

• Client limits for the basic and premium plans
• Fees add up as you add more features

Prices

All new members can take advantage of a 30-day free trial and a 90% discount for the first three months when you sign up.

Once your discounted or trial period is over, here’s what you’ll need to pay:

• Lite: $21/month or $252.00/year
• Plus: $38/month
• Premium: $65/month
• Select: By quote

2. Quickbooks

Best for: all-in-one business accounting software, industry-specific services

QuickBooks has been widely known as one of the best accounting software solutions for SMBs.

It has virtually anything a small business owner needs, from accounting services to HR management. Even its most basic plan gives you a complete picture of your business’s financials. Users can enjoy various features such as project tracking, automated invoicing, and tax planning.

What really makes Quickbooks stand out from others is its industry-specific accounting software. The platform has personalized resources for a handful of major industries, such as:

• Law
• Construction
• Professional services
• Nonprofit
• Retail
• Restaurants
• Churches

If you’re in one of these industries, Quickbooks’s tools make managing your business’s finances much simpler.

Key Features

• Detailed income and expense tracking
• Protection from tax penalties
• Syncing with e-commerce sites
• Payrolls with same-day direct deposits
• Real-time project profitability and job costing

Pros And Cons

Pros

• Wide range of features and integrations
• Industry-specific services
• Software is simple and easy to use
• Easy integration with bank accounts, credit cards, and third-party apps like Paypal

Cons

• Customer support can be hit-or-miss
• Can be pricey for some users
• Limitations in reporting capabilities

Prices

New members can choose between a 3-month, 50% discount or a free 30-day trial. Here are the platform’s monthly rates after the initial period ends:

Simple Start: $35/month

Essentials: $65/month

Plus: $99/month

Advanced: $235/month

3. Xero

Best for: affordability, ease of use,

Xero is an affordable and easy-to-use platform. It helps business owners automate daily admin tasks and manage their finances. It also connects with over 1,000 third-party apps, making integration with other essential business tools possible with just a few clicks. Additionally, its clean interface makes navigating the site simple, even for those with a non-accounting background.

Key Features

• W-9 and 1099 management
• Bank reconciliation management
• Automate bill entry by uploading files directly to Xero or forwarding bills from your email
• Manage your business’s inventory with Xero Inventory Plus

Pros And Cons

Pros

• One of the most affordable options on the market
• Access to their onboarding specialist team for the first 90 days
• Sales tax calculation across all pricing plans

Cons

• Multi-currency use is only available on Established plans
• No annual contract model
• You can only enter 5 bills at a time on the basic plan

Prices

Xero offers a free 30-day trial and a 90% discount for three months. Here’s what you’ll need to pay once after the period ends:

• Early: $20/month
• Growing: $47/month
• Established: $80/month

4. Sage 50

Best for: advanced inventory tracking, desktop use

Sage 50 is a powerful cloud accounting software platform with over 40 years of experience in the industry. It has many features available including bank reconciliation, inventory management, and real-time reporting on expenses, profits, and more. Overall, the platform is ideal for established small businesses looking to streamline their operations.

Key Features

• Automated invoicing and billing
• Inventory management
• Real-time financial reporting
• Payroll processing
• Expense tracking
• Job management and job costing

Pros And Cons

Pros

• Clean and modern interface
• Advanced inventory management
• The Sage Security Shield feature adds an extra layer of protection against fraud

Cons

• Pricier than other platforms
• No mobile app

Prices

Sage 50 has a 30-day trial for new users. Once it expires, here’s what you’ll need to pay:

Pro Accounting: $61.92/month or $625/year

Premium Accounting: $103.92/month or $1,043/year

Quantum Accounting: $177.17/month or $1,780/year

5. Wave

Best for: low-cost accounting software, personalized bookkeeping, ease of use

Wave stands out as a no-frills option for microbusinesses or business owners starting out on a tight budget. The platform is simple to use. It includes essential features like importing bank transactions, digitally capturing business receipts, and on-the-go invoicing through their mobile app.

Wave also gives you an add-on option to hire a monthly bookkeeper to provide personalized financial guidance. This valuable feature helps microbusinesses who need help with bookkeeping without investing in a full-time accountant.

Key Features

• Create unlimited estimates, bills, and invoices
• Auto-import bank transactions
• Automate late payment reminders
• Digitally capture receipts and track expenses
• Invoice wherever you are via the Wave app

Pros And Cons

Pros

• Free basic plan
• One of the cheapest platforms on the market
• It has a mobile app

Cons

• Customer support is only available on the Pro plan
• No third-party app integrations

Prices

Starter Plan: Free

Pro Plan: $16/month or $170/year

6. Odoo

Best for: user-friendliness, all-in-one business platform, personalization

Odoo prides itself on being a holistic, “on-premise” platform offering thousands of open-source business apps that help entrepreneurs manage their daily tasks. Its accounting software, Odoo Accounting, has an accessible interface that makes it easy for you to see anything from vendor bills to customer invoices. It also uses a wide range of tools such as multi-currency management, tax calculations, real-time reporting, and electronic invoicing.

Key Features

• Bank synchronization with over 28,000 financial institutions
• Mobile apps that cover every platform feature
• AI-powered invoice digitization
• Mobile payment with QR Codes
• Automated client invoice follow-ups
• TaxCloud integration

Pros And Cons

Pros

• The platform is easy to use and highly customizable
• You can register multiple subsidiaries under one account
• Plenty of app integrations
• Can be used globally
• Generous discount period

Cons

• Price is more expensive than other platforms
• Has a steep learning curve

Prices

Odoo has a 30-day trial and a 12-month discount for new members. Once these two expire, you’ll need to pay the following:

One App Free: Free

Standard: $38.90/month or $373.20/year

Custom: $58.40/month or $700.80/year

7. Patriot Accounting

Best for: microbusiness invoicing, affordability

Patriot Accounting offers an affordable option for small businesses. Their system can track expenses, create in-depth financial reports, import bank statements, and more. The software also partners with Stripe to facilitate digital payments like credit cards, making it easier for businesses to get paid for their services. Additionally, if you want to customize your invoices, Patriot Accounting allows you to do that as well.

Key Features

• Unlimited customer invoices
• Unlimited vendors, contractors, & payments
• Automatic bank imports
• In-depth financial reporting
• Account reconciliation
• Invoice payment reminders

Pros And Cons

Pros

• Relatively affordable
• Good customer support
• Mobile-friendly

Cons

• No inventory management
• No time tracking for hourly projects
• No international payroll option
• No mobile app

Prices

Patriot Accounting has a 30-day trial and a 3-month, 50% discount for new users. Once they expire, this is what you’ll need to pay:

Accounting Basic: $20/month
Accounting Premium: $30/month

Which Software Is Right For You?

With so many accounting software platforms, choosing the right one for your business isn’t easy.

• If you need an all-in-one solution with scalability in mind, Quickbooks offers robust industry specific solutions.
• For affordability and automation, Xero, Wave and Freshbooks are ideal.
• If you’re a microbusiness owner, Wave gives you everything you need for an affordable price.
• If you need advanced inventory tracking, Sage 50 is a powerful enterprise-level solution.

Accounting software is a valuable investment for your small business that’s worth every penny. Take advantage of each platform’s free trials, test their features, and choose a solution that helps you scale your business and focus on what matters most.