Best accounting software in 2024

The aim of any business is growth, right? More business means more customers, greater clout in the market and increased opportunities for innovation. FreshBooks includes features to support expansion, such as the ability to track loans and monitor unique income and expense categories. The tool’s reporting features can help you gain insights for future planning.

The FreshBooks double-entry accounting method also helps you stay organized as you expand, supporting compliance with tax and other regulations. If you bring on an accountant as you scale up, you can invite them to your FreshBooks account so that they can take the number-crunching off your plate.

FreshBooks is a well-known name in accounting software and for good reason. The company offers clearly-tiered plans at varied price points. The array of features is comprehensive, covering essential entrepreneurial needs and then some. The company’s reputation is also relatively positive, as online reviewers on platforms like G2 and Capterra have given favorable feedback to its products.

That said, no product is perfect, and we’d love to see more direct customer support options.

Value 

Another reason we like FreshBooks for businesses that want to scale is thanks to its clearly defined pricing. If you’re just starting out, the Lite version, at $19 per month, will probably fulfill your needs.

As your entrepreneurial endeavors expand, you can scale up to higher-tiered plans at higher price points, like Plus ($33 per month) or Premium ($60 per month). Higher-tier plans have additional functionality, such as double-entry accounting. There is also a Select plan, with pricing available upon request.

FreshBooks’ plans are flexible, giving companies the option of paying monthly or annually and providing a discount for those paying annually. There is also a 30-day free trial available, which can be important for businesses that want to try out software before committing.

Functionality 

FreshBooks supports essential accounting needs, including managing accounts payable, creating balance sheets and calculating the cost of goods sold. The automated bank reconciliation allows you to import transactions straight from your business bank account, saving time.

The expense and invoice management tools are also excellent. You can upload bills, import expenses from your bank account and calculate sales tax. All of this saves you time on your accounting, so you can focus on more important things, like actually running your business and keeping your customers happy. One feature that isn’t included, which some competitors offer, is inventory management.

Support 

Let’s face it: if you aren’t a numbers person by nature, small business accounting can seem overwhelming. FreshBooks helps clients out with a comprehensive online support system. Step-by-step tutorials take you through the essentials, like how to create invoices, implement time tracking, set up bank account connections and generate financial reports.

If you’re still struggling, you can get help through the FreshBot virtual assistant. FreshBooks recommends logging into your FreshBooks account first and then using FreshBot, so that your query is linked to your account.

While we weren’t able to test this out for ourselves without a FreshBooks account, we learned that if you take this step, one of three things will happen, depending on your region and the time: you are given a region-specific phone number to call; you can live chat with a support agent; or, you will be asked to complete an email ticket that will be directed to the appropriate support specialist.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

Starting a business can be a drain on your finances. After all the startup costs are taken care of, the last thing you want is to spend even more on is your accounting. Enter Zoho Books. The free version is recommended for businesses with revenue of less than $50,000 per year. Although the features are less comprehensive than Zoho’s pricier plans, it covers the essentials.

Even the Standard plan, the next level up from the free plan, comes in at an affordable $20 per month. It offers expanded functionality that the free version won’t give you, like the ability to manage up to 5,000 invoices per year instead of 1,000.

Zoho Books gives you a great value for your money with its free option. Yes, the functionality is limited, but for entrepreneurs who are just starting out, it fulfills basic needs like generating invoices. You’ll even get access to email customer support. The more expensive plans offer expanded functionality, including additional support options (chat and voice).

Value 

It’s hard to argue with free when it comes to value. Zoho Books beats out the competition with its permanent freebie option, which offers an impressive slew of features, from invoice customization to customer portals and reporting.

Beyond the free version, Zoho Books offers five additional plans with prices to suit a diversity of budgets. These plans differ on points like the number of users they allow, available integrations and analytical capabilities. For example, the Standard plan allows three users; the Professional plan ($50 per month) allows five users; the Premium plan ($70 per month) and the Elite plan ($150 per month) allow 10 users; finally, the Ultimate plan ($275 per month) allows 15 users.

As is often the case, signing up for an annual plan will save you money. If you consider a paid plan, opt for the free 14-day trial first, so you can see if the software will fit your needs.

Functionality 

Zoho Books ticks the essential boxes when it comes to small business accounting needs. You can manage accounts receivables by creating invoices (and chasing them with payment reminders!) and accounts payables by uploading expense receipts and tracking payments you’ve already made.

Zoho’s time-tracking capabilities can further help you maintain oversight of projects and track hours, which is handy when billing clients. It’s also possible to track inventory levels, which is a big plus if you sell products.

Finally, the accounting tool’s reports feature lets you gather data for tax and other purposes. That said, lower-tiered plans have limited functionality. For example, purchase order functionality is available only for Professional plans and up.

Support 

The support you’ll get as a Zoho Books customer will depend on the type of plan you’re paying for. Free plans get email support only, while Standard plans and higher get email, chat and voice support.

The company clearly lists a toll-free phone number to contact for customer support, which we were able to reach during the given hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Once we selected the type of support we needed via an automated dashboard, we were connected to a human operator. An email address is also clearly listed and functional. We were unable to find the chat option to contact Zoho Books, but this may be only available via an active customer account.

There is also a comprehensive online knowledge base where you can search popular query topics, covering everything from invoices to sales orders. If you’re looking for a fast answer and can’t wait to contact customer service during business hours, this can be useful.

Also available is the Zoho Books training program, which can help you learn cloud accounting and master the technology so you can get the most out of it. This online course is designed for everyone, from students to business owners.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

For business owners who also carry the title of “boss,” Intuit QuickBooks offers some useful features. The time tracking function allows you to track and approve team members’ hours on a desktop or mobile device, so you can see exactly who’s working and when, wherever you are. You can sync the time-tracking data with payroll to simplify invoicing and employee payments. You even have the option to set up reminders for team members to clock in or out.

Compared to the competition, Intuit QuickBooks stands out for these management features. That said, if you’re self-employed, that doesn’t mean Intuit QuickBooks isn’t for you. If you’re a solopreneur, QuickBooks Solopreneur is for you.

Intuit QuickBooks is one of the more expensive providers we surveyed, so it’s not ideal if you’re on a budget. However, if you’re willing to spend, it offers excellent functionality. The inventory management and team management tools are especially noteworthy, as all providers don’t offer these assets.

Intuit QuickBooks also has comprehensive support. The highest tier plan will even give you 24/7 assistance.

Value 

Compared to some of the other providers on our list, Intuit QuickBooks trends toward the pricier side. The most affordable plan, Simple Start, starts at $30 per month. The Essential plan costs $60 per month, while the Plus plan costs $90 per month and the Advanced plan costs $200 per month. Adding payroll to any plan will cost extra.

There is no free plan available, but you can get a 30-day free trial of any of the paid plans. This is a generous trial when compared to other accounting software and will allow small business owners to take the time to learn if QuickBooks is for them.

Functionality 

Intuit QuickBooks is another all-arounder that spans the breadth and depth of any small business owner’s accounting needs. The most affordable account lets you log income and expenses, capture receipts and calculate sales and sales tax. You can connect to one sales channel (like Amazon, Shopify or eBay), which is a big plus if you sell online.

If you upgrade to a higher-tier plan, you’ll be able to connect up to three sales channels, manage multiple currencies and benefit from time tracking. The most expensive plans help you save time with perks like workflow automation and Excel data sync.

Support 

Intuit QuickBooks offers lots of training materials, so you can get the knowledge you need in a way that fits your learning style. Choose from in-person events, virtual conferences, videos or webinars. There’s also an online learning hub where you can get detailed information about specific topics and pose questions in a community forum.

If you still need help, you can log into your customer account to reach support; however, we were unable to test this directly without a QuickBooks account. To access support, QuickBooks asks users to first log into their account and then select “Help.” You can then either search the QuickBooks Online knowledge base or select “Contact Us” to start a chat with a support expert.

You can also request a callback and have the next available expert contact you. For Plus, Essentials and Simple Start plans, human support is available from Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT and Saturday 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT. Advanced plans supposedly can access support any time, any day.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

Accounting software doesn’t need to be a one-size-fits-all solution. Xero knows that different businesses have different needs and accommodates these with customizable solutions.

For example, if you’re in real estate, it’s important to keep detailed client records. If you’re in e-commerce, it’s essential to integrate with online tools like Shopify. If you’re in a niche that Xero serves, from landlords to farmers, its tools are worth a look.

Pro tip: If your business qualifies as a nonprofit, you may be eligible for 25% off (you have to provide your registered charity number or certification for eligibility).

Xero offers good value and three clearly defined plans. The most affordable plan has strict caps on the number of invoices, bills and quotes you can send each month, which may make a mid-tier plan preferable. Overall, Xero’s financial functionality is comprehensive, covering everything from expense claims to 1099 reporting.

Value 

Zero offers three tiers of plans. The Early plan costs $15 per month. It allows you to send quotes and 20 invoices per month and enter up to five bills per month. The Growing plan ($42 per month) doesn’t cap quotes, invoices or bills. Also, it allows you to reconcile transactions in bulk.

The Established plan ($78 per month) offers further perks, like multi-currency management, project tracking and analytics. You can add payroll with Gusto to any plan for an extra cost. Overall, the pricing is transparent, offering a fair value for money when compared to other providers we surveyed. You can use a demo to test the product.

Functionality 

Xero’s user-friendly tool is all about helping business owners keep track of their money. You can use Xero to pay bills, claim expenses and accept payments. The job-tracking feature is convenient for budgeting, quoting and invoicing specific projects. With bank reconciliation, you can keep your account balances updated in real-time.

Xero also allows for integration with Hubdoc, so you can capture documents like receipts and bills and quickly upload that data to Xero. Finally, Xero offers financial reporting tools to help you improve your money management. You can even customize reports and use them for technicalities like 1099 reporting.

Support

Xero helps new business owners master the software through webinars and events. Accountants and bookkeepers can even get Xero certification.

As a business owner, if you’re going to work with an accountant, you may want to make sure they have this credential and know the tool. Xero’s online topic catalog can help users learn how to use the tool for tasks like sending invoices or reconciling transactions.

There is also a community forum for answering and asking questions. If you cannot solve the issue on your own, there is reportedly an online customer support team available 24/7. You will find the button to reach them and raise a case at the bottom of any Zero support article. When you click “Contact Xero support,” you are taken to your Xero login page. We were unable to test the support options without a Xero account.

Xero purposefully doesn’t publish a phone number. However, it claims that you can provide your phone number and ask the company to contact you if needed.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

AccountEdge Pro is a desktop accounting tool, which means that you can’t easily access it anytime, anywhere (as with cloud-based alternatives). However, if flexible accessibility isn’t an issue for you, there’s lots to like about AccountEdge Pro.

We especially like this tool for businesses that have to deal with a lot of inventory. It lets you track stock by location using serial codes, monitor inventory and set up stock alerts when you’re running low on an item. You can also create product variations, for example, depending on size, style and color.

AccountEdge Pro is great for product-based businesses that have a lot of inventory to keep track of. That said, it can be useful for any small business looking for a solid accounting tool. Even if you don’t use the inventory management functions, other features like the industry-specific financial reporting templates may be useful. The pricing is clear, even allowing you to pay for the level of customer service you want (phone versus email).

Value 

AccountEdge has three tiers of plans. AccountEdgePro is the most popular version and costs $20 per month for a single user. The AccountEdge Network Edition costs $30 per month and allows for two users. Finally, the multi-user AccountEdge Hosted plan ($40 per month) is a hosted desktop model, allowing you to use cloud technology to access your files.

If you want access from anywhere, you’ll automatically have to pay for the most expensive plan, which also comes with free technical support. The Pro and Network Edition plans come with free email support. You can try this software out with a 30-day free trial.

Functionality 

Let’s start with the basics. When it comes to accounting, AccountEdge Pro has you covered. You can manage your general ledger, maintain budgets and create financial reports using fully customizable templates. There are even industry-specific templates. You can also manage your payroll processing, issue paychecks and manage payroll taxes.

If you have a big team, you can pay $20 per month extra for unlimited employees. Other useful functions (on top of the inventory management we already mentioned) include invoicing capabilities, integrated bank feeds and contact management to help you manage your relationships with vendors, employees and customers.

Support 

AccountEdge Pro and AccountEdge Network Edition plans come with free email support. If you want telephone support, you can add this for $10 per month. You’ll then be able to reach the trained help reps from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Although this added cost is annoying, it may be worth it if you regularly need assistance.

The company also publishes an introductory support number on its website and says that intro support is available for all new customers 30 days from enrollment. We tried this number during the posted business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday) and it took us to an automated bot that requested our product ID number. Without a product ID number, we were unable to test the tool further.

We appreciate the clarity regarding the type of help available, as some providers are less transparent about their support offering. For example, a company may claim to offer 24/7 service, but only make this accessible through online support ticketing. In this case, the help isn’t as immediate as it might seem. AccountEdge also offers a clear and well-organized knowledge base, while AccountEdge University provides a good intro for beginners.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

If you aren’t the most tech-savvy person, you might be worried about learning the ins and outs of an accounting tool. ZarMoney is here to help. This software company prides itself on its U.S.-based customer service, available even for the more cost-efficient plans.

And they won’t leave you stuck talking to a chatbot. You can call the support team directly from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST. Chat and email support can be reached at any time.

Enterprise plans (the most expensive option) get a dedicated account rep and priority support. Entrepreneur and small business plans can get a free trial. If you’re interested in an Enterprise plan, you can request a demo.

ZarMoney has a good selection of features, including both financial-specific tasks like invoice generation and non-finance-specific tasks like inventory management. The pricing is straightforward. One drawback is that if you want more than two users on your account, you’ll automatically have to pay for an Enterprise plan.

However, you will get dedicated account management and priority support if you go that route. We also generally liked their customer support offering.

Value

ZarMoney offers three plans to choose from. The Entrepreneur plan ($15 per month) allows one user and unlimited transactions. The Small Business plan ($20 per month) includes two users and unlimited transactions, plus you can add additional users for $10 per person. Both of these plans have access to ZarMoney’s U.S.-based customer service.

The Enterprise plan includes 30-plus users, customer features and specialized training to make sure you’re getting the most out of your software product. You also get priority support and a dedicated account rep. Overall, we think the value for money is good, given the array of features included.

You can request a free trial for entrepreneur and small business plans; Enterprise plans can request a demo.

Functionality 

ZarMoney provides a lot of essential financial tools small business owners can use. You can create and send customized invoices, even including payment links, upload receipts, pay vendors and track the status of bills. It’s also possible to create and send quotes, automatically calculate sales tax and generate purchase orders.

One standout point is the advanced inventory tool, which can help reduce overstocks and minimize the risk of out-of-stocks using predictive analysis. We also like the plug-ins/APIs ZarMoney accommodates, including startup-friendly tools like Zapier, Gusto and MailChimp. If you’re already using these technologies, it’s a seamless connection.

Support 

ZarMoney’s transparent and accessible customer support offering stands out in a world where companies are increasingly shoving customer service to chatbots. Even the cheapest ZarMoney plan has telephone-based customer service, with a readily advertised phone number available.

You can reach the customer support team over the phone during regular business hours, Monday to Friday. We tried calling during the hours listed (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST) and, after clicking through a quick series of automated prompts, we were in fact connected to a real life person.

Outside of business hours, email and chat are available. ZarMoney also has plenty of other resources to help those who aren’t tech-savvy, such as the ZarMoney academy, which includes tutorials on basics like “how to create and send an invoice” and “how to add new vendors.”

The ZarMoney help forum further lets you search for articles based on keywords.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

OneUp largely targets professional accountants, advertising itself as a tool that can help pros automate their work and reduce the monthly costs of managing accounting clients. That said, this tool can serve small business owners, too.

OneUp can save anyone time with its automation and synching capabilities. You can synchronize your bank account with the software, which then provides you with suggested bookkeeping entries based on your banking activities. All you have to do is validate the entries.

OneUp can also automate your inventory ordering, further saving time on admin, so you can focus on what really matters: your customers.

OneUp is a logical choice for any business owner who wants to leverage the power of automation to save time. The accounting software can sync with your bank accounts to automate accounting or with your point of sales or e-commerce tools to automate inventory management.

OneUp’s plans offer good value for money, with even the cheapest plan covering all features. The main difference is in support availability and the number of users allowed. For Pro plans and up, OneUp promises one-on-one support.

Value 

OneUp has five plans to choose from. All plans include all features, with the main difference in cost being determined by the number of users allowed. The Self plan, intended for sole proprietors or independent contractors, is $9 per month for one user. Beware, it includes no customer support.

All other plans include all features and one-on-one support: the Pro plan is $19 per month for two users, the Plus plan is $29 per month for three users, the Team is $69 per month for seven users and the Unlimited plan is $169 per month for unlimited users. You can get a free unlimited-user trial for 30 days.

Functionality 

OneUp focuses on four main capabilities: invoicing, accounting, inventory and customer relationship management (CRM). The invoicing module lets you create customized invoices, send them to customers via the software’s built-in email system and send automatic reminders to customers when payments are due. The bookkeeping module works by syncing your bank account to collect transactions for your bookkeeping automatically.

The inventory module synchronizes with your e-commerce or point of sale (POS) to automate inventory. Finally, the CRM tool allows you to store customer data, send quotes and collect data to monitor your sales impact. One account gets you access to all of these features.

Support 

OneUp goes the extra mile to make set up easy, helping you get started by migrating your first account over for you. The company further promises live support and advertises one-on-one support for all of its plans except for the Self plan.

There is a comprehensive knowledge base where you can look up specific topics like Square integration and automatic accounting. At the bottom of the knowledge base main page, there is a link where you can submit a support ticket if you’re having specific issues you can’t solve with these tutorials.

When we clicked the submit a request button, we were taken to a simple online form to fill in, with the possibility to add an attachment. We were unable to find a direct email address or phone number to contact without having an active account.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

Staying on top of business finances is largely a question of document management. Receipts, invoices, purchase orders, bank statements – reconciling all that paperwork can be tricky. Enter Neat.

This tool’s priority is simplifying document management, saving you the trouble of manual data entry by allowing you to automatically upload receipts and other documents from your mobile device or scanner. It is especially useful for anyone looking to digitize their paperwork or to organize it better. For example, you can sort documents by categories from expense type to tax category. It can also help those who want to avoid wasting time on data entry.

Neat offers fantastic document management features, which can help make accounting processes easier. In addition to simplifying tasks like uploading receipts, Neat also lets you consolidate incoming and outgoing expenses with bank data, which can speed up accounting.

The integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks enhance the overall functionality. While the $200 per year price seems fair, you’ll likely also end up paying for an accounting tool on top of it.

Value 

Neat only gives you one option: pay $200 per year. There is no possibility of monthly payments and there aren’t different levels of plans you can choose from. For smaller businesses or the more frugal, this can present problems.

There are more affordable options available that may better meet your needs. If the functionality Neat offers is a perfect fit, the price might be worth it to you. However, if Neat doesn’t check all the boxes and/or includes features you won’t use, then it’s a potential waste of cash.

That said, there is a 14-day free trial available, so you can check it out for yourself.

Functionality 

Full disclaimer: Neat is more of a document management tool than an accounting tool. However, it can still contribute to faster and easier accounting by simplifying the paperwork related to bookkeeping and tax preparation.

You can upload receipts quickly by snapping a photo with the Neat mobile app or using a compatible scanner and even break down receipts with line itemization. Your receipts can be consolidated with your invoices, bank transactions and email data in a single screen, making it easy to reconcile data.

All of this gets even easier with Neat’s integrations with QuickBooks, H&R Block and Quicken, to name just a few.

Support 

Neat promises unlimited email and chat support to all customers. It’s reportedly possible to access all support and contact options via the Neat app. However, you need a Neat account to sign into the app, so we weren’t able to test this functionality.

Unfortunately, there isn’t any indication that phone support is available. That said, Neat also has a comprehensive help center where you can view guides on specific topics from scanning to integrations.

The help center also has a webinar library with tips on how to enhance your use of Neat. Finally, we do like that you can get help via the Neat app, for example by opening a support ticket or starting a chat. The app is available for iOS and Android via the Apple or Google Play stores.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

If you’re looking for a cloud-based tool from a reputable provider, Oracle’s NetSuite is a solid bet. The company’s cloud accounting tool is in line with financial compliance regulations, like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), which requires publicly traded companies in the U.S. to adhere to financial reporting standards.

The cloud tool keeps all your accounting in one place, allowing access anytime, anywhere. All you need is an internet connection. NetSuite also has an app available for iOS and Android, further simplifying access. That said, the company warns that some issues to ensure functional parity across platforms are still being worked on.

If you already use the Oracle suite of products, NetSuite is an obvious choice, as this tool integrates with other technologies for purposes like HR and inventory management. Even if you aren’t using Oracle’s NetSuite yet, this tool can provide you with comprehensive accounting support, from general ledger balancing to accounts receivable/payables management.

One thing we don’t like is the lack of transparent pricing.

Value 

NetSuite is unique from the other software products on this list, as there is no clear pricing data advertised on the website. You have to contact the provider for an estimate for an annual license fee (you won’t be able to get a monthly rate).

In addition to paying for the monthly license, you’ll also have to pay a one-time fee for setup. For smaller businesses on a budget, this is likely an inconvenient option. There doesn’t seem to be a free trial. However, you can request a free product tour to get a sense of the tool’s capabilities.

Functionality 

NetSuite’s accounting features are comprehensive. You can balance your general ledger, manage accounts receivable/payable and monitor cash flow to keep an eye on liquidity. The tool also allows for automatic reconciliation of accounts payable and receivable, bank and credit card statements and other balance sheet accounts.

Finally, for those who tremble in fear when tax season rolls around, NetSuite provides domestic and global tax management support. For example, you can use it to manage your VAT, general sales tax and consumption tax. In general, NetSuite’s functions prioritize automation and customization whenever possible. For example, with the general ledger tool, you can customize transaction and account types.

Support 

NetSuite has a variety of support services. The starting point for any query is SuiteAnswers, a database of searchable support articles, training videos and best practices. There is also a support community, where you can ask other users your queries.

Finally, NetSuite offers flexible service plans, so you can pay for the level of support you need. Basic support includes online support; Premium support offers toll-free help, including weekend support; and Advanced support provides ongoing one-on-one guidance to optimize your NetSuite system proactively.

Unfortunately any support contact information isn’t readily advertised, so we were unable to test this feature. Additionally, the prices for the support levels are not readily listed on the NetSuite website.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

Wave accounting is a basic software that’s best for those who just want the fundamentals at an affordable price point. You won’t find a lot of fancy features or a wide array of cutting-edge tools, but if for simple business accounting needs, it’ll certainly get the job done.

We like Wave Accounting for simple accounting needs. If your business’ finances are fairly straightforward and you don’t want to break the bank on accounting software, Wave’s free Starter plan and paid Ultimate plan both support the accounting fundamentals you’ll need at a very reasonable price point.

Value 

There are two plans on offer from Wave Accounting: Starter and Ultimate. Starter is a free plan that offers basic accounting functions like unlimited invoices, the ability to accept online payments and cash flow management. It doesn’t have as extensive functionality as Zoho Books’ free plan, but for very small businesses, it could do the trick.

The single paid option, Ultimate, costs $16 per month, which is at the lower end of the pricing range from competitors on this list, and it offers a pretty good value with a decent range of features, though if you’re looking for all the bells and whistles, it probably won’t be enough for you.

You can accept online payments, though transaction fees start at 2.9% plus $0.00 for the first 10 transactions – beyond that, rates are not published. You can also add payroll, which starts at $20 per month, and you can hire a bookkeeper, which starts at $149.

Functionality 

The features on Wave Accounting’s paid Ultimate plan will definitely get the job done. With the double-entry accounting software you can accept online payments (though it’s unclear exactly how steep transaction rates may get after the first 10 transactions), import bank transactions, digitally capture reciepts for expense tracking and automate late payment reminders.

You’ll get some analytics and insights as well, but if you want payroll services it will cost extra. Customer reviews are enthusiastic about Wave’s functionality, with most saying it’s easy to use and reliable. Reviews of customer support, however, aren’t so laudatory, and support is only available with the paid plan.

While you won’t find a lot of fancy features and tools like you would with some of the companies that are higher on this list, Wave Accounting does what it needs to do — keep your books — and it does so at a reasonable cost.

Support 

Wave Accounting lags behind the pack when it comes to support. Access to live chat and email support does not come with the free Starter plan – you have to upgrade to the paid Unlimited plan. Support can only be accessed through your user account.

Phone support is not available and chat and email hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET. Despite so many postive user reviews for Wave Accounting overall, mediocre customer support comes up as the most frequent complaint.

If you don’t mind doing a lot of your own troubleshooting with the help of Wave’s resources and help center, this may not be too big of an issue, but if something critical does come up, you may not be able to get the immediate help you need.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.