Best Accounting Software — every ranking, by use case and budget
We paid for every product here and ran the same books through each one with an accountant checking the result. Scores are locked before any affiliate link is added.
By use case indexed
By price page 1 indexedpage 2+ noindex
In-depth accounting software reviews
Xero
Unlimited users on every plan, clean double-entry bookkeeping and a big app marketplace — the QuickBooks alternative accountants also accept
Read Xero ReviewQuickBooks Online
The standard accountants expect: the best bank matching in our test, every integration, payroll and inventory in the family — and the steepest price ladder
Read QuickBooks Online ReviewZoho Books
A full-featured accounting suite with a free tier for small businesses, inventory and projects on the mid plans, and the whole Zoho ecosystem behind it
Read Zoho Books ReviewFreshBooks
Built around the invoice: time tracking, proposals, retainers and the best-looking bills in the test — for service businesses that bill clients
Read FreshBooks ReviewWave
Real double-entry accounting and unlimited invoicing for free — bank feeds now need the $16 Pro plan
Read Wave ReviewSage Accounting
A long-established accounting brand's cloud product: solid books, unlimited users on Standard, and a plainer experience than the leaders
Read Sage Accounting ReviewGuides that send readers to these rankings
QuickBooks vs Xero vs FreshBooks: Which Fits Your Business?
Three months of the same books in each, and the business shape each one suits.