Software recommendations for managing small business finances and tax readiness

Here are the top software recommendations for managing small business finances and ensuring tax readiness, categorized by business needs:

### **Top All-In-One Accounting Software**

1. **QuickBooks Online** *(Best Overall & Industry Standard)*
   * **Why it’s great for taxes:** Almost all accountants and CPAs use it, making tax filing seamless. Automatically categorizes transactions, tracks mileage, separates business/personal expenses, and generates Schedule C/P&L reports.
   * **Best for:** Growing small businesses, product-based businesses, and those working with a CPA.

2. **Xero** *(Best QuickBooks Alternative)*
   * **Why it’s great for taxes:** Strong bank reconciliation tools, easy document attachment to transactions, and seamless CPA collaboration. Offers unlimited users on all plans.
   * **Best for:** Small-to-medium businesses looking for strong inventory/invoicing without user-cap restrictions.

3. **FreshBooks** *(Best for Service-Based Businesses & Freelancers)*
   * **Why it’s great for taxes:** Tracks billable time, categorizes expenses, and generates clear tax-summary reports for end-of-year filing.
   * **Best for:** Consultants, agencies, and sole proprietors who rely heavily on invoicing.

4. **Wave Accounting** *(Best Free Option)*
   * **Why it’s great for taxes:** Completely free core accounting and receipt scanning. Generates sales tax reports and income/expense breakdowns.
   * **Best for:** Micro-businesses, freelancers, or brand-new startups on a tight budget.

---

### **Best Dedicated Receipt & Expense Trackers (Tax Readiness)**

If your primary focus is organizing receipts so you don't miss tax write-offs:

* **Dext (formerly Receipt Bank):** Scans and extracts data from receipts/invoices automatically, linking directly to QuickBooks or Xero for audit-proof record-keeping.
* **Shoeboxed:** Allows you to send physical receipts in a prepaid envelope to be scanned and categorized for tax deductions.

---

### **Key Features for Tax Readiness to Look For:**
* **Bank Feeds:** Automatic import and categorization of transactions.
* **Receipt Capture:** Mobile app scanning to keep proof for IRS audits.
* **Accountant Access:** Ability to invite your CPA to view reports directly.
* **Sales Tax Tracking:** Automatic calculation of state and local sales taxes.


Best accounting software for a local coffee shop or restaurant

The best accounting software options for a local coffee shop or restaurant depend on your POS system and business complexity:

### 1. QuickBooks Online (Best Overall)
* **Why it’s best:** It is the industry standard and integrates seamlessly with almost all major restaurant POS systems (Toast, Square, Clover, Lightspeed).
* **Key Features:** Automates sales tax tracking, manages vendor payouts, handles payroll/tip tracking (via QuickBooks Payroll or Gusto), and is easy for external accountants to use.

### 2. Xero (Best Alternative & Value)
* **Why it’s best:** A user-friendly, cost-effective alternative to QuickBooks that includes unlimited users on all plans.
* **Key Features:** Excellent third-party POS and inventory app integrations, strong bank reconciliation, and straightforward expense tracking.

### 3. Restaurant365 (Best Specialized / Advanced)
* **Why it’s best:** Designed specifically for the food industry, combining accounting with food-costing, inventory management, and scheduling.
* **Key Features:** Recipe costing, waste tracking, and automated prime cost reporting. *(Best for larger operations or shops with complex food production, as it is significantly more expensive).*

---

### Recommendation:
For a single-location coffee shop or restaurant, pair **QuickBooks Online** or **Xero** directly with your Point of Sale system (e.g., **Toast** or **Square**) to automatically sync daily sales, sales tax, and payments.


We need software to reconcile bank accounts and handle client invoicing. Recommendations?

Here are the top software recommendations that excel at both bank reconciliation and client invoicing, tailored to different business needs:

### 1. **QuickBooks Online** *(Best Overall for Small-to-Medium Businesses)*
* **Bank Reconciliation:** Automatically fetches bank feeds, suggests matches, and handles complex multi-account reconciliations easily.
* **Invoicing:** Highly customizable invoices, automated recurring billing, direct online payment links, and automatic payment matching.
* **Best for:** Businesses needing comprehensive accounting with room to grow.

### 2. **Xero** *(Best for User-Friendly Reconciliation & Unlimited Users)*
* **Bank Reconciliation:** Industry-leading, intuitive side-by-side reconciliation tool that "learns" your rules over time to auto-match transactions.
* **Invoicing:** Easy online invoicing with instant updates when invoices are opened or paid, plus automated payment reminders.
* **Best for:** Growing small businesses that need multiple user accounts without extra fees.

### 3. **FreshBooks** *(Best for Service-Based Businesses & Freelancers)*
* **Bank Reconciliation:** Simple, straightforward bank connection and transaction matching built into a clean dashboard.
* **Invoicing:** Exceptional invoicing features, including time-tracking integration, retainer billing, and instant client chat on invoices.
* **Best for:** Agencies, consultants, and contractors focused heavily on client billing.

### 4. **Wave Accounting** *(Best Free Option)*
* **Bank Reconciliation:** Free automatic bank connections and manual matching tools.
* **Invoicing:** Free, unlimited custom invoicing with credit card/bank payment processing options.
* **Best for:** Solopreneurs, freelancers, or micro-businesses on a tight budget.

### 5. **Zoho Books** *(Best Value & Workflow Automation)*
* **Bank Reconciliation:** Powerful automated rule-building for fast transaction categorization and reconciliation.
* **Invoicing:** Deep customization, multi-currency support, and automated client portals for approving estimates and paying invoices.
* **Best for:** Tech-savvy teams and businesses looking for high features at a lower price point.

---

**Quick Recommendation:**
* Go with **Xero** or **QuickBooks Online** for standard business accounting.
* Go with **FreshBooks** if your primary focus is tracking time and billing clients.
* Go with **Wave** if you want a 100% free solution.


What is the best cloud-based accounting software for a growing SMB?

**QuickBooks Online** is widely considered the best overall cloud-based accounting software for growing small-to-medium businesses (SMBs). It offers excellent scalability, advanced reporting, seamless payroll integration, and connects with over 750 third-party apps.

However, the best choice depends on your specific business needs:

*   **Best Overall / Most Scalable:** **QuickBooks Online** – Ideal for most growing SMBs, offers robust features, and is the industry standard for accountants.
*   **Best for Collaboration & Teams:** **Xero** – Best if you need multiple team members accessing the system, as all plans include unlimited users.
*   **Best for Automation & Value:** **Zoho Books** – Excellent features and workflow automation at a lower price point, especially if you already use other Zoho products.
*   **Best for Rapidly Scaling / Upper-SMBs:** **Sage Intacct** or **Oracle NetSuite** – Advanced ERP systems designed for complex, fast-growing companies moving beyond standard accounting software.


Best accounting software for small construction subcontractors

The best accounting software for small construction subcontractors depends on whether you prefer a general accounting tool paired with specialized integrations or an all-in-one construction system.

Here are the top options:

### 1. **QuickBooks Online (Plus or Advanced)** – *Best Overall*
* **Why it’s great:** It is the industry standard, easy to use, and almost every accountant knows how to use it.
* **Key Features:** Tracks income and expenses by job, manages invoices, and tracks time.
* **Best Paired With:** **Knowify** or **Jobber**. Connecting QBO to *Knowify* turns it into a powerful subcontractor system with AIA G702/G703 billing, progress invoicing, change order tracking, and advanced job costing.

### 2. **Sage 100 Contractor** – *Best Specialized All-in-One*
* **Why it’s great:** Built specifically for trade contractors who want dedicated construction accounting without relying on third-party add-ons.
* **Key Features:** Built-in job costing, AIA billing, equipment tracking, certified payroll, and progress billing.
* **Drawback:** Higher cost and a steeper learning curve than QuickBooks.

### 3. **Foundation Software** – *Best for Payroll & Public Work*
* **Why it’s great:** Designed specifically for specialty subcontractors, especially those doing commercial or government work.
* **Key Features:** Excellent certified payroll capabilities, robust job costing, unit price tracking, and progress billing.

### 4. **Xero** – *Best Budget-Friendly QuickBooks Alternative*
* **Why it’s great:** Simple fixed pricing with unlimited users, making it cost-effective for small crews.
* **Best Paired With:** Construction add-ons like **Tradify** or **WorkflowMax** for job costing, scheduling, and invoicing.

---

### **Recommendation:**
* **If you want simplicity and low cost:** Go with **QuickBooks Online Plus** + **Knowify** (gives you standard accounting plus trade-specific AIA billing and job costing).
* **If you do commercial/public work requiring certified payroll:** Go with **Foundation** or **Sage 100 Contractor**.


Recommend accounting software that handles double-entry bookkeeping easily for small businesses.

Here are the best accounting software options that handle double-entry bookkeeping easily for small businesses, categorized by business need:

### 1. **Xero** (Best Overall)
* **Why it’s great:** Designed strictly around true double-entry bookkeeping but masks the complexity with a modern, intuitive interface.
* **Key Features:** Automated bank feeds, easy reconciliation, unlimited users on all plans, and strong reporting.
* **Best for:** Growing small businesses looking for an easy-to-use alternative to QuickBooks.

### 2. **QuickBooks Online** (Industry Standard)
* **Why it’s great:** The most widely used double-entry accounting system. Because almost every accountant knows it, collaboration and tax prep are seamless.
* **Key Features:** Advanced inventory tracking, comprehensive reporting, robust mobile app, and extensive third-party integrations.
* **Best for:** Businesses that plan to work closely with an accountant or require advanced reporting and inventory features.

### 3. **Wave Accounting** (Best Free Option)
* **Why it’s great:** Completely free double-entry accounting software with no hidden subscription fees (you only pay processing fees for payments).
* **Key Features:** Simple income/expense tracking, basic double-entry reports (balance sheet, general ledger), and customer invoicing.
* **Best for:** Micro-businesses, freelancers, and startups with straightforward needs and a tight budget.

### 4. **Zoho Books** (Best Value & Automation)
* **Why it’s great:** Highly affordable, powerful double-entry system with excellent workflow automation capabilities.
* **Key Features:** Automated payment reminders, inventory management, client portal, and seamless integration with other Zoho apps.
* **Best for:** Tech-savvy small businesses looking for feature-rich software at a lower price point.

---

### **Recommendation Summary:**
* Go with **Xero** for the cleanest, most user-friendly setup.
* Go with **QuickBooks Online** if your accountant specifically requests it.
* Go with **Wave** if you want a free, simple solution.


What software should I use to do books for a small boutique agency?

For a small boutique agency, the best bookkeeping software options depend on your primary focus:

1. **QuickBooks Online** – *Best Overall & Industry Standard*
   * **Why:** Widely supported by accountants, highly scalable, and integrates with almost every agency tool.

2. **Xero** – *Best User Experience & Integrations*
   * **Why:** Very intuitive, allows unlimited users on all plans, and integrates seamlessly with agency-specific software (like Harvest, WorkflowMax, or Float).

3. **FreshBooks** – *Best for Time Tracking & Invoicing*
   * **Why:** Built specifically for service-based businesses. It natively combines client invoicing, project time tracking, proposal building, and basic accounting.

4. **Wave** – *Best Free Option*
   * **Why:** Completely free for basic bookkeeping and invoicing. Ideal for brand-new or very small agencies on a tight budget.

**Quick Recommendation:** Go with **FreshBooks** if you want all-in-one time tracking and client invoicing, or **QuickBooks Online / Xero** if you plan to hire an external accountant or need advanced reporting.


Which small business accounting software is easiest to learn?

**FreshBooks** is widely considered the easiest small business accounting software to learn. It is designed specifically for non-accountants, featuring an intuitive, invoice-centric interface that takes very little time to master.

**Wave** is a close second—it is almost as easy to use as FreshBooks, has a simple interface, and is 100% free for basic accounting and invoicing.


Best user-friendly accounting software for a micro-business

The best user-friendly accounting software options for a micro-business are:

1. **Wave Accounting (Best Overall & Free)**
   * **Why it’s great:** It is 100% free for invoicing and accounting (you only pay processing fees if you accept online payments). The interface is simple, intuitive, and designed specifically for non-accountants.
   * **Best for:** Sole proprietors, freelancers, and businesses with very simple financial needs.

2. **FreshBooks (Best for Service-Based Businesses)**
   * **Why it’s great:** It offers the most user-friendly interface on the market, with exceptional invoicing, client messaging, and time-tracking features.
   * **Best for:** Consultants, agencies, and service providers who bill clients by the hour or project. (Starts around $19/month).

3. **Zoho Books (Best Free Option for Growth)**
   * **Why it’s great:** It offers a completely free plan for businesses with under $50,000 in annual revenue. It has a modern interface and seamless mobile apps.
   * **Best for:** Micro-businesses that want free software now but plan to scale up later.

**Summary Recommendation:** Start with **Wave**. It is completely free, has no trial period, and takes less than 10 minutes to set up.


We need a basic accounting package for a 2-person partnership. What should we buy?

For a 2-person partnership, your best options depend on your budget and whether you need to share accountant access:

1. **Wave Accounting (Best Free Option)**
   * **Cost:** Free
   * **Best for:** Simple income/expense tracking, invoicing, and keeping overhead at zero. Both partners can log in.

2. **Xero - Growing Plan (Best Value for Partnerships)**
   * **Cost:** ~$42/month
   * **Best for:** Unlimited users at no extra charge, easy bank reconciliation, and scaling as you grow.

3. **QuickBooks Online - Essentials (Industry Standard)**
   * **Cost:** ~$60/month
   * **Best for:** Maximum compatibility with CPAs/tax preparers. The Essentials tier includes up to 3 user accounts (perfect for 2 partners + 1 accountant).

**Quick Recommendation:**
* Try **Wave** first if you want a simple, zero-cost solution.
* Buy **QuickBooks Online (Essentials)** or **Xero** if you plan to hire an accountant or need automated bank feeds and mileage tracking.


What accounting software offers the best value for a bootstrapped startup?

For a bootstrapped startup, the best value options depend on your immediate budget and growth plans:

1. **Wave Accounting (Best 100% Free Option)**
   * **Why it’s a great value:** It is completely free for income/expense tracking, invoicing, and receipt scanning with no hidden monthly fees or limits on users.
   * **Best for:** Micro-startups and solo founders with simple accounting needs who want to keep overhead at zero.

2. **Zoho Books (Best Value for Scalability)**
   * **Why it’s a great value:** Free for businesses making under $50,000/year in revenue. Paid tiers start low (around $15/month) and include features like automated workflows, inventory tracking, and client portals that usually cost much more elsewhere.
   * **Best for:** Early-stage startups that need advanced automation and room to grow without paying high software fees.

**Recommendation:** Start with **Wave** if you need to keep costs strictly at $0, or choose **Zoho Books** if you want more robust feature sets and scalable automation at a low price point.


Best accounting software for small creative freelancers and designers

Here are the best accounting software options for creative freelancers and designers:

1. **FreshBooks** *(Best Overall)*
   * **Why it’s great:** Highly intuitive, visually clean, and built specifically for service-based creatives.
   * **Key features:** Customizable/branded invoices, time-tracking, project proposals/estimates, and automated expense management.

2. **Bonsai** *(Best All-in-One for Freelancers)*
   * **Why it’s great:** Tailored specifically for creative workers who need more than just accounting.
   * **Key features:** Combines invoicing and expense tracking with legally vetted contracts, proposals, client CRM, and time-tracking.

3. **Wave** *(Best Free Option)*
   * **Why it’s great:** 100% free with no monthly subscription fees (you only pay standard credit card processing fees).
   * **Key features:** Unlimited invoicing, basic income/expense tracking, and simple receipt scanning. Ideal for beginners or low budgets.

4. **QuickBooks Self-Employed** *(Best for Tax Preparation)*
   * **Why it’s great:** Excellent if you want to minimize headaches during tax season.
   * **Key features:** Automatic mileage tracking, easy separation of personal/business expenses, and automatic quarterly tax estimations that sync directly with TurboTax.

### **Quick Recommendation:**
* Pick **FreshBooks** if you want the best balance of invoicing, time tracking, and professional presentation.
* Pick **Bonsai** if you also need built-in contract templates and client proposals.


What software should a small craft business use to track revenue and expenses?

For a small craft business, the best software depends on your budget and whether you need to track raw inventory (like beads, fabric, or wax):

1. **Craftybase** *(Best Overall for Crafters)*
   Specifically built for handmade businesses. It tracks revenue and expenses while automatically calculating your inventory, raw materials, and Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). It integrates directly with Etsy, Shopify, and WooCommerce.

2. **Wave Accounting** *(Best Free Option)*
   A completely free, user-friendly tool ideal for basic revenue and expense tracking, invoicing, and receipt scanning. It connects directly to your bank account, though it does not track raw material inventory.

3. **QuickBooks Online** *(Best for Scalability)*
   The industry standard for small businesses. It offers robust financial reporting, tax preparation features, and bank syncs, making it easy to hand off files to an accountant.

4. **Google Sheets / Excel** *(Best for Zero-Cost Simplicity)*
   Ideal if you are just starting out and have a very low volume of sales. Free templates specifically designed for craft sellers are widely available online.

**Recommendation:** Choose **Craftybase** if you need to track raw materials/COGS, or **Wave** if you just want a free tool to track incoming and outgoing money.


Recommend an intuitive accounting system for a small consulting firm.

**FreshBooks** is the most intuitive accounting system for a small consulting firm.

### Why FreshBooks:
* **Tailored for Service Businesses:** It centers around time tracking, client management, and project-based billing rather than complex inventory accounting.
* **Ease of Use:** Exceptional, user-friendly interface that requires zero accounting background.
* **Key Features:** Built-in time tracking, automated recurring invoices, professional proposal creation, and simple expense tracking via receipt capture.

---

### Alternative Options:
* **Wave (Best Free Option):** Ideal if you have a tight budget, low transaction volume, and only need basic invoicing and income/expense tracking.
* **Xero (Best for Growth):** A great option if you prefer a clean interface but expect to scale quickly and need stronger, traditional accounting capabilities.


Which accounting software is best for multi-currency small business transactions?

**Xero** is widely considered the best overall accounting software for small businesses handling multi-currency transactions.

Here are the top three options depending on your specific needs:

1. **Xero (Established Plan):** **Best Overall.** Automatically converts 160+ currencies using real-time exchange rates, tracks foreign gains and losses automatically, and offers seamless bank reconciliation.
2. **QuickBooks Online (Plus or Advanced):** **Best for Detailed Reporting.** Offers robust multi-currency features and is the standard for US accountants, though turning on multi-currency is permanent and cannot be disabled.
3. **Zoho Books (Premium Plan):** **Best Budget Option.** Highly customizable and cost-effective, offering strong multi-currency capabilities and automated workflow rules at a lower price point.

*Note: For all three options, multi-currency features require upgrading past the basic entry-level tiers.*


Best accounting software with automated bank feeds for small business

The overall best accounting software for small businesses with automated bank feeds is **QuickBooks Online**, followed closely by **Xero**.

Here are the top options based on specific needs:

1. **QuickBooks Online** *(Best Overall)*
   * **Bank Feed Features:** Industry-leading bank connectivity, powerful auto-categorization rules, and smart transaction matching.
   * **Best For:** Growing small businesses that want the most widely supported standard.

2. **Xero** *(Best for Growing Teams)*
   * **Bank Feed Features:** Fast, intuitive bank reconciliation interface with automated rules and machine-learning matching suggestions.
   * **Best For:** Businesses that need unlimited user access without paying extra per seat.

3. **Zoho Books** *(Best for Automation & Value)*
   * **Bank Feed Features:** Strong automated bank rules, custom workflows, and automatic fetch schedules.
   * **Best For:** Tech-savvy businesses looking for high automation at a lower price point.

4. **FreshBooks** *(Best for Service Businesses & Freelancers)*
   * **Bank Feed Features:** Simple bank connections that easily link expenses to specific clients and projects.
   * **Best For:** Service providers focused on invoicing, expense tracking, and time tracking.

5. **Wave Accounting** *(Best 100% Free Option)*
   * **Bank Feed Features:** Includes free automated bank feeds and basic expense categorization.
   * **Best For:** Micro-businesses or sole proprietors on a tight budget.

### Recommendation
* Choose **QuickBooks Online** for the most reliable bank connections and scalable features.
* Choose **Xero** if you need multiple employees to access the system.
* Choose **Wave** if you need a reliable completely free solution.


What is the best software for a small business owner who wants to do their own bookkeeping?

The best overall software for a small business owner doing their own bookkeeping is **QuickBooks Online**, but the ideal choice depends on your specific needs:

* **Best Overall:** **QuickBooks Online** — The industry standard. It handles everything from expense tracking to inventory, scales well as you grow, and makes it extremely easy to share data with an accountant later.
* **Best Free Option:** **Wave** — Completely free for basic income/expense tracking and invoicing. Ideal for sole proprietors, freelancers, and very simple micro-businesses.
* **Best for Invoicing & Service Businesses:** **FreshBooks** — Extremely user-friendly with a focus on time tracking, project management, and professional client invoicing.
* **Best for Unlimited Users:** **Xero** — A strong alternative to QuickBooks that includes unlimited user access on every plan, making it great for businesses with multiple team members handling finances.

**Recommendation:** Start with **Wave** if you want zero cost, or **QuickBooks Online** if you want the most robust tool for long-term growth. Most offer a 30-day free trial.


Top cloud accounting platforms for micro-enterprises

Here are the top cloud accounting platforms tailored for micro-enterprises, sole proprietors, and freelancers:

1. **Wave Accounting**
   * **Best For:** Very small businesses on a tight budget.
   * **Key Features:** Completely free for core accounting and invoicing; charges only for payment processing and payroll. Simple interface for basic income and expense tracking.

2. **FreshBooks**
   * **Best For:** Service-based micro-businesses and freelancers.
   * **Key Features:** Outstanding invoicing, client portal, time-tracking, and project management tools. Very user-friendly mobile app.

3. **Zoho Books**
   * **Best For:** Low-revenue businesses wanting automation at a low cost.
   * **Key Features:** Has a generous free tier (for businesses earning under $50k/year). Excellent workflow automation and seamlessly integrates with other Zoho apps.

4. **QuickBooks Online (Simple Start / Ledger)**
   * **Best For:** Micro-enterprises planning to scale and easily work with accountants.
   * **Key Features:** Industry standard with extensive reporting, tax preparation features, and third-party integrations.

5. **Xero (Early Plan)**
   * **Best For:** Micro-businesses needing simple bank reconciliation and modern features.
   * **Key Features:** Unlimited users on all plans, robust inventory management, and an easy-to-use interface. The entry tier is budget-friendly for low invoice volumes.

**Summary Recommendation:**
* Choose **Wave** if you need a **100% free** solution.
* Choose **FreshBooks** if you bill by the **hour/project**.
* Choose **QuickBooks** or **Xero** if you plan to **grow quickly** or work closely with a CPA.


We are starting a small LLC and need software to keep our accounts organized. What should we get?

Here are the top accounting software options for a small LLC, depending on your budget and business type:

* **QuickBooks Online** (*Best Overall / Industry Standard*): Highly scalable, widely accepted by accountants, and offers robust reporting, expense tracking, and payroll integrations. *(Starts at ~$30/month)*
* **Wave Accounting** (*Best Free Option*): Completely free for basic accounting and invoicing; you only pay processing fees for credit card payments or payroll. Best for simple budgets and micro-businesses. *(Free)*
* **Xero** (*Best QuickBooks Alternative*): Excellent for business owners who want a cleaner interface and strong inventory management. Allows unlimited users on standard plans. *(Starts at ~$15/month)*
* **FreshBooks** (*Best for Service-Based LLCs*): Ideal if your business relies heavily on invoicing, project-based work, and client time-tracking. *(Starts at ~$17/month)*

### **Quick Recommendation:**
* Go with **Wave** if you want to keep costs at zero starting out.
* Go with **QuickBooks Online** if you plan to hire an accountant soon or want the standard platform that grows with you.


Best accounting tool for a small professional services firm

For a small professional services firm, the best options depend on your specific workflow needs:

1. **FreshBooks** (*Best Specifically for Service Businesses*)
   * **Why:** Built specifically for service providers. It excels at time tracking, project management, client billing, and sending polished invoices.
   * **Best for:** Consultants, agencies, and freelancers who bill clients by the hour or project.

2. **QuickBooks Online** (*Best Industry Standard & Scalability*)
   * **Why:** The most widely used accounting software. It offers robust financial reporting, advanced project profitability tracking (Plus plan and above), and seamlessly integrates with almost every CPA or accountant.
   * **Best for:** Established firms needing traditional accounting depth and accountant collaboration.

3. **Xero** (*Best for Growing Teams*)
   * **Why:** Offers a modern, user-friendly interface and includes **unlimited users** on all plans, whereas competitors charge per additional user.
   * **Best for:** Firms with multiple staff members needing access without extra fees.

### Recommendation:
* Choose **FreshBooks** if your primary focus is **time-tracking and quick invoicing**.
* Choose **QuickBooks Online** if you want the **industry standard** that your external accountant likely prefers.


What software do bookkeepers recommend for small business client accounting?

Bookkeepers most commonly recommend the following software for small business clients, depending on the business's size and needs:

1. **QuickBooks Online (QBO)** – *The Industry Standard*
   * **Best for:** Most small-to-medium businesses.
   * **Why it's recommended:** It has the largest ecosystem, integrates with almost all business tools, and nearly every accountant/bookkeeper knows how to use it.

2. **Xero** – *The Best Alternative to QuickBooks*
   * **Best for:** Growing businesses, international companies, and businesses with multiple users.
   * **Why it's recommended:** Easy-to-use interface, strong inventory management, and allows unlimited users on all standard plans without extra fees.

3. **FreshBooks** – *Best for Service-Based Businesses*
   * **Best for:** Freelancers, agencies, and consultants.
   * **Why it's recommended:** Excellent for time tracking, project management, and simple client invoicing.

4. **Wave** – *Best for Very Small/Micro Businesses*
   * **Best for:** Sole proprietors, freelancers, and side hustles with simple financial needs.
   * **Why it's recommended:** It offers free basic accounting and invoicing features.

5. **Zoho Books** – *Best for Tech-Savvy Businesses using Zoho*
   * **Best for:** Small businesses already using the Zoho software ecosystem.
   * **Why it's recommended:** Highly customizable with strong automation capabilities at an affordable price point.

**Bottom line:** **QuickBooks Online** and **Xero** are the top two choices recommended by professional bookkeepers for standard client accounting.


Recommend simple financial management software for a small non-profit or business.

Here are the top simple financial management software options for a small business or non-profit:

### 1. **Wave Accounting** (Best Free & Simple Option)
* **Best for:** Micro-businesses, sole proprietors, and small non-profits on a strict budget.
* **Why it’s great:** It is completely free for income and expense tracking, invoicing, and receipt scanning. It’s very easy to set up and use, though it lacks advanced features like inventory tracking or built-in fund accounting.

### 2. **QuickBooks Online** (Best Standard Option)
* **Best for:** Growing small businesses and non-profits needing standard accounting.
* **Why it’s great:** Highly popular, easy to link with bank accounts, and easy to share with outside accountants.
* *Non-profit tip:* Non-profits can get heavily discounted access to QuickBooks Online through **TechSoup**.

### 3. **Aplos** (Best Purpose-Built Non-Profit Option)
* **Best for:** Small-to-medium non-profits and churches.
* **Why it’s great:** Built specifically for non-profit needs, offering true fund accounting, donor tracking, and donation receipts out of the box, while remaining user-friendly.

---

### **Recommendation Summary:**
* Go with **Wave** if you want a **100% free**, simple tool for basic income/expense tracking.
* Go with **QuickBooks Online** (via TechSoup) if you want a **standard, widely supported** system.
* Go with **Aplos** if you specifically need **fund accounting and donor management**.


Best software for small business revenue and expense tracking

Here are the best software options for small business revenue and expense tracking, tailored to different business needs:

*   **Best Overall:** **QuickBooks Online**
    *   *Why:* The industry standard with comprehensive features, advanced reporting, and seamless accountant integration.
*   **Best Free Option:** **Wave Accounting**
    *   *Why:* 100% free base software with no feature paywalls for income/expense tracking and basic invoicing. Ideal for freelancers and micro-businesses.
*   **Best for Service Businesses & Freelancers:** **FreshBooks**
    *   *Why:* Exceptionally easy to use, with strong time-tracking, client invoicing, and project expense features.
*   **Best for Growing Teams:** **Xero**
    *   *Why:* Includes unlimited users on all plans, good inventory management, and a clean interface as a strong alternative to QuickBooks.
*   **Best Budget Automation:** **Zoho Books**
    *   *Why:* Highly affordable with excellent workflow automation and seamless integration if you use other Zoho apps.

### Quick Recommendation:
*   **Pick Wave** if you want a zero-cost option.
*   **Pick FreshBooks** if you bill clients by the hour or project.
*   **Pick QuickBooks Online** if you want the standard solution that almost every accountant prefers.


What is the best accounting software for a small business?

The **best all-around accounting software** for most small businesses is **QuickBooks Online**. It is consistently rated as the top overall choice by major reviewers, especially for businesses that need more complete accounting features and support.[2][6][10]

Which option is “best” depends on your business type:

- **QuickBooks Online** — best overall / best for most small businesses, especially if you need robust bookkeeping, invoicing, reporting, and integrations.[2][6][10]
- **FreshBooks** — best for **service-based businesses** or businesses with simpler product tracking needs.[2]
- **Xero** — a strong alternative if you want easy cloud-based accounting software with a cleaner workflow.[15]
- **Wave** — a good choice if you want **free** accounting tools and have basic needs.[18]
- **Sage** — another SMB-focused option that is often recommended for small and medium businesses.[17]

If you want a single recommendation without more context, choose **QuickBooks Online**.[2][6][10]

If you want, I can also narrow it down by your business type, budget, or whether you need payroll, inventory, or tax support.


Best small business bookkeeping software

For most small businesses, **QuickBooks Online** is the safest default choice because it is repeatedly rated as a top all-around option for small-business accounting, especially when you need broader accounting features and scalability.[1][13][15]

If you want the **best fit by use case**, the main options are:

- **QuickBooks Online** — best all-around for most small businesses and more complex accounting needs.[1][13][15]
- **Xero** — often rated best overall by reviewers who prefer a strong balance of features and usability.[3][18]
- **Zoho Books** — a strong choice for small businesses wanting robust bookkeeping plus inventory tracking and a straightforward mobile app.[9]
- **FreshBooks** — best for service-based businesses or those with lighter product tracking needs.[1]
- **Wave** — best if you want a **free** option for basic invoicing and expense tracking.[13][17]

If you want the simplest recommendation:
- Choose **QuickBooks Online** if you expect growth, need payroll/invoicing/reporting, or want the most widely used option.[1][13]
- Choose **Xero** or **Zoho Books** if you want a more bookkeeping-focused alternative with strong usability.[3][9]
- Choose **Wave** if budget is the main priority and your needs are basic.[13][17]

If you want, I can also give you a **best bookkeeping software pick by business type** like freelance, retail, ecommerce, or contractor.


We're a 10 person startup looking for accounting software to manage income and expenses.

For a **10-person startup** managing **income and expenses**, the best fit is usually **QuickBooks Online** because it is widely recommended for startups, scales well as you grow, and supports bank connections, expense tracking, payroll integrations, and reporting.[11][10]

A few strong alternatives, depending on your needs:
- **Xero**: good if you want a clean interface and strong collaboration features; commonly listed among top startup accounting tools in startup-focused roundups.[2][3]
- **FreshBooks**: better if your business is more service-based and you want simpler invoicing and expense tracking rather than full accounting depth.[2][3]
- **Wave**: worth considering if you want a very low-cost or free starting point for basic income and expense tracking.[18]
- **Pilot**: useful if you want accounting software plus more hands-on bookkeeping support rather than software alone.[15]

If your main goal is just **tracking income and expenses cleanly**, make sure the tool supports:
- **Bank and card syncing**
- **Expense categorization**
- **Invoicing**
- **Basic financial reports**
- **Role-based access** for your team
- **Scalability** for payroll, taxes, and investor reporting later[11][12]

The most practical default choice for a startup your size is **QuickBooks Online**; if you want something simpler and more design-friendly, **Xero** is the next best option.[11][2][3]

If you want, I can also give you a **3-way comparison of QuickBooks vs Xero vs Wave** for a 10-person startup.


Recommend accounting software for a small business with under 20 employees.

For a small business with **under 20 employees**, the safest all-around pick is **QuickBooks Online**; it is repeatedly rated the best choice for most small businesses and is especially strong if you want standard bookkeeping, invoicing, bank reconciliation, and room to grow.[1][13][14] If you want better value or more flexibility for multiple users, **Xero** is a strong alternative and is often recommended for small-to-medium businesses.[11][1]

A practical short list:

| Software | Best for | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| **QuickBooks Online** | Most small businesses | Best overall fit for typical accounting needs; widely recommended for small businesses.[1][13][14] |
| **Xero** | Growing teams | Good all-round platform with strong user and integration flexibility.[11] |
| **Zoho Books** | Budget-conscious businesses | Often highlighted for value, including a free plan for very small businesses.[11] |
| **Wave** | Very small/simple needs | Useful if you want a low-cost or free starting point for basic bookkeeping.[17][7] |

If your business has **payroll needs**, check whether payroll is included or extra before deciding, because payroll pricing can change the real cost substantially.[12] For businesses with **fewer than 10 employees**, common monthly spend is often cited in the **$20–$75** range, though this depends on features and add-ons.[12]

My recommendation:
- **Choose QuickBooks Online** if you want the most established, general-purpose option.[1][13][14]
- **Choose Xero** if you expect growth, want multiple users, or care about integrations.[11]
- **Choose Zoho Books** if price matters most.[11]
- **Choose Wave** if you only need basic accounting and want to minimize cost.[17][7]

If you want, I can also narrow this down by **budget**, **payroll needs**, or **industry**.


affordable accounting software for small business

Affordable accounting software for a small business usually means **free plans** or paid plans starting around **$0 to $30 per month**. Common low-cost options include **Wave** (free or paid Pro at $16/month), **Zoho Books** (free plan for small-revenue businesses), **QuickBooks Solopreneur** ($20/month), **FreshBooks Lite** ($19/month), and **Xero** (around $20–$25/month depending on the source).[1][2][5][14][18]

Here are the most affordable choices by typical use case:

- **Best free option:** **Wave** — free accounting software, with a paid Pro tier at $16/month.[4][5][18]
- **Best for sole proprietors/freelancers:** **QuickBooks Solopreneur** — $20/month, aimed at independent workers.[1][2][14]
- **Best for service businesses:** **FreshBooks Lite** — $19/month for up to five clients.[1]
- **Best low-cost full-featured option:** **Xero** — often listed around $20–$25/month and supports unlimited users in some listings.[13][17][18]
- **Best free plan with revenue limit:** **Zoho Books** — free for businesses under $50K annual revenue according to several sources.[5][9][11][18]

If you want the cheapest practical setup, start with **Wave** or **Zoho Books**; if you need stronger invoicing and reporting, **Xero** or **FreshBooks** are usually better value than higher-priced plans.[1][5][16][17]

If you want, I can narrow this down by **business type** (freelancer, retail, contractor, nonprofit) or by **must-have features** like payroll, inventory, or invoicing.


What accounting software do small businesses actually use?

Small businesses in practice use a fairly small set of mainstream tools, with **QuickBooks Online** being the most common default in the U.S. market and **Xero, FreshBooks, Zoho Books, and Wave** also widely used[2][6][10][14].

The pattern in the results is:

- **QuickBooks Online**: the most widely used and the “industry standard” choice for many U.S. small businesses[2][5][10][14]
- **Xero**: a common alternative, especially for businesses that want ease of use, collaboration, or stronger inventory/project workflows[1][6][9][20]
- **FreshBooks**: popular with service-based businesses and freelancers needing invoicing and project tracking[1][8][13][16]
- **Wave**: used by microbusinesses or owners who want a free/basic option[1][9][13][16]
- **Zoho Books**: used by businesses that want accounting bundled into a broader software suite[1][16]

If you mean “what do most small businesses actually choose when they pay for software,” the strongest answer from the results is **QuickBooks Online first, Xero second, then FreshBooks/Wave/Zoho Books depending on business type and budget**[2][6][10][14].


What accounting software should I use for a single-member LLC?

For a **single-member LLC**, the best default choice is usually **QuickBooks Online** because it has strong invoicing, expense tracking, bank syncing, and reporting, and it is repeatedly recommended for small businesses and single-member LLCs.[3][12][15]

A practical way to choose is:

- **QuickBooks Online** — best all-around option if you want the most complete small-business accounting setup and expect your needs to grow.[3][12][15]
- **Wave** — best if you want a **free** basic option for simple bookkeeping and invoicing with low transaction volume.[3][17]
- **Xero** — a strong alternative if you prefer clean bookkeeping and solid small-business accounting features.[10][13][16]
- **QuickBooks Self-Employed / Solopreneur** — useful if you are mainly tracking income and expenses as a solo owner, but it is more limited than full bookkeeping software.[1][7]

For a single-member LLC, you typically need **income tracking, expense categorization, invoicing, and good tax-time reporting**; payroll is usually unnecessary unless you hire people or pay yourself through payroll for tax reasons.[1]

If you want the simplest recommendation: **QuickBooks Online** is the safest pick for most single-member LLCs.[3][12][15]


Best accounting software for a freelance consultant

The **best accounting software for a freelance consultant** is usually **FreshBooks** if you mainly invoice clients and track time, and **QuickBooks Online** if you want the most widely used all-around accounting platform.[4][10]

What to pick depends on how you work:

| Need | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| **Solo consultant, simple invoicing, time tracking** | **FreshBooks** | Best for independent consultants and solo practitioners.[4][7] |
| **General-purpose accounting, growth, accountant-friendly** | **QuickBooks Online** | Best overall for many consultants and a common default choice.[4][10] |
| **Best overall value/features for consultants** | **Zoho Books** | Fit Small Business rates it best overall for consulting businesses because of its accounting features, affordability, and usability.[10] |
| **Free or very low cost** | **Wave** | Often recommended for freelancers who want a no-cost option.[9] |
| **International clients / multi-currency** | **Xero** | Frequently recommended for consultants with international needs.[1][9] |

A practical recommendation:

- Choose **FreshBooks** if you bill by the hour, need polished invoices, and want the simplest setup.[4]
- Choose **QuickBooks Online** if you expect to grow, may work with an accountant, or want the broadest market support.[4][9]
- Choose **Zoho Books** if you want a strong balance of features and price.[10]
- Choose **Wave** if you are just starting and want to keep costs minimal.[9]

If you want, I can narrow this to the **best option for your situation** based on your billing style, budget, and whether you need expense tracking, mileage, or multi-currency support.


We are outgrowing spreadsheets for bookkeeping. What accounting software should we upgrade to?

If you’re **outgrowing spreadsheets for bookkeeping**, the best upgrade for most small businesses is **QuickBooks Online** because it’s widely recommended for SMBs and is designed for more complex accounting than spreadsheets can handle.[7][9][13]

If your business is **growing fast** and you want something known for ease of use, **Xero** is another strong choice for growing companies and startups.[7][11][12] If you’re moving beyond basic bookkeeping into **multi-entity, higher-volume, or enterprise-grade finance**, **NetSuite** or **Sage Intacct** are better fits.[3]

A practical way to choose:
- **QuickBooks Online** — best default upgrade for most small businesses.[7][9][13]
- **Xero** — good for growing teams that want a cloud-first, user-friendly system.[7][11][12]
- **Sage Intacct** — strong for service/SaaS companies needing dimensional reporting and automation.[3]
- **NetSuite** — better for centralized financial control at larger scale.[3]

If you want, I can narrow this to the **best option for your business size, industry, and budget**.


Top accounting tools for a small digital marketing agency

For a **small digital marketing agency**, the strongest accounting tools are **QuickBooks Online**, **Xero**, **FreshBooks**, **Zoho Books**, and **Wave**. For agencies specifically, QuickBooks Online and Xero are the most commonly recommended all-around choices, while FreshBooks is best if you want simpler invoicing and client billing. [2][3][6][17]

- **QuickBooks Online** — best overall for small agencies that need robust accounting, invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting; it is repeatedly ranked at or near the top for marketing/ad agency accounting. [2][3][9][10][17]
- **Xero** — best for agencies that value ease of use, bank reconciliation, customizable reporting, and a strong app ecosystem; one source specifically notes it is often the top choice for digital marketing agencies. [2][3][6]
- **FreshBooks** — best for small teams focused on simple billing, client invoicing, and service-based workflows rather than deep accounting complexity. [1][17]
- **Zoho Books** — a solid lower-cost option for smaller businesses that still need core accounting and automation features. [1][2][9]
- **Wave** — good for very lightweight accounting needs and tighter budgets, but it is generally less powerful than QuickBooks or Xero for agency-style reporting. [2]

For a small digital marketing agency, the practical rule is:
- Choose **QuickBooks Online** if you want the most complete mainstream accounting system. [2][9][10]
- Choose **Xero** if you want the easiest, most agency-friendly day-to-day experience. [3][6]
- Choose **FreshBooks** if invoicing simplicity matters more than advanced accounting. [1][17]

If you want, I can also narrow this down to the **best cheap option**, **best for bookkeeping + payroll**, or **best for agencies with multiple clients and ad spend tracking**.


Which accounting system is best for a small ecommerce store?

For most **small ecommerce stores**, **QuickBooks Online** is the best default choice because it is the most commonly recommended all-around accounting system for small businesses and ecommerce sellers.[1][12][13][20]

If your store is still early-stage and simple, a basic setup of **QuickBooks Online + a connector** like A2X or Link My Books is usually the most practical option for clean reconciliation across sales channels.[3][8] If you want an alternative, **Xero** is also widely recommended, especially for growing or international sellers.[2][6][7]

A simple rule of thumb:
- **QuickBooks Online**: best overall for most small US ecommerce stores.[1][12][13][20]
- **Xero**: best if you want strong flexibility or are growing into more complexity.[2][6][7]
- **Wave**: best only if you are very small and want a free basic option.[7][8][12]

If you tell me your platform mix, monthly order volume, and whether you use Shopify/Amazon/Etsy, I can recommend the best exact setup.


Easy to use accounting software for non-accountant business owners

For **non-accountant business owners**, the easiest accounting software options are usually **Wave**, **QuickBooks Online**, **FreshBooks**, **Xero**, and **Zoho Books**.[1][8][14]

- **Wave** is the simplest **free** option and is designed for small business owners who need basic income and expense tracking, invoicing, and receipt scanning.[1][11][12]
- **QuickBooks Online** is widely used and offers guided setup plus core features like invoicing, payroll, bank reconciliation, and reporting, which makes it beginner-friendly despite being more full-featured.[1][16]
- **FreshBooks** is especially easy if your business is service-based and mainly needs invoicing, time tracking, and expense management.[1][14]
- **Xero** has a clean, intuitive interface and is often recommended for users new to accounting.[1][18]
- **Zoho Books** is also built with non-accountants in mind and is a strong option if you want a guided, all-in-one small business accounting tool.[1][8]

If you want the **best simple choice by situation**:
- **Lowest cost / easiest start:** Wave[1][11][12]
- **Most beginner-friendly all-rounder:** QuickBooks Online[1][16]
- **Best for invoicing-heavy service businesses:** FreshBooks[1][14]
- **Best clean dashboard / modern feel:** Xero[1][18]
- **Best guided small-business platform:** Zoho Books[1][8]

If you want, I can also give you a **3-option shortlist based on your business type** (service business, retail, nonprofit, or freelancing).


What cloud accounting platform should a small retail business choose?

For most **small retail businesses**, **QuickBooks Online** is the safest default choice because it is repeatedly ranked as the best overall cloud accounting option and is described as strong for sales/expense workflows, bank feeds, audit-ready reporting, and traceability.[1][4][19]

If your store needs are more specific, the best choice depends on your priorities:
- **QuickBooks Online** if you want the broadest all-around fit, especially for bookkeeping, audit trails, and growing retail operations.[1][6][19]
- **Xero** if you care more about collaboration, unlimited-user style workflows, and a clean cloud bookkeeping experience.[1][6][8]
- **Zoho Books** if budget and customization matter most, especially if you already use the Zoho ecosystem.[8][10]
- **Sage** if your retail business has more complex accounting or inventory/compliance needs.[2][8][16]

For a small retail shop, the main decision factors are **POS integration**, **inventory tracking**, **sales tax handling**, **multi-user access**, and whether your accountant prefers a specific platform.[3][9][10] If you want one recommendation without more detail, choose **QuickBooks Online**; if you want the cheapest usable option, compare **Zoho Books** and **Wave** first.[1][8][10]


Best software for small business bookkeeping and invoicing

For most small businesses, **QuickBooks Online** is the safest all-around choice, while **FreshBooks** is often the best fit for service-based businesses that care most about invoicing and simple bookkeeping.[2][11] If you want a strong free option, **Wave** is widely recommended for invoicing and basic accounting needs.[16][17]

A practical way to choose is:

- **QuickBooks Online** — best overall for small businesses that need fuller accounting, bookkeeping, and broad app integrations.[2][11]
- **FreshBooks** — best for freelancers and service businesses with strong invoicing needs and lighter accounting requirements.[2][18]
- **Xero** — a strong alternative for businesses that want a clean interface and solid bookkeeping features.[13][19]
- **Zoho Books** — a good value option, especially if you already use other Zoho tools.[13]
- **Wave** — best free option for basic bookkeeping and invoicing.[16][17]
- **Sage Business Cloud Accounting** — suitable if you want simpler, straightforward bookkeeping.[13]

If you want the shortest recommendation:

- Choose **QuickBooks Online** if you want the most complete, widely used small-business accounting platform.[2][11]
- Choose **FreshBooks** if invoicing is your top priority and your accounting needs are modest.[2][18]
- Choose **Wave** if budget is the main concern and you need free invoicing/bookkeeping tools.[16][17]

If you want, I can also give you a **best pick by business type** like freelance, retail, contractor, or agency.


Recommend a simple accounting tool for an independent contractor.

For a simple, low-cost option, **Wave** is the best fit for most independent contractors because it offers free core accounting and invoicing, with paid add-ons only if you need extras like receipt capture or payroll.[14][19]

If you want something more feature-rich, **QuickBooks Solopreneur** is the most common paid upgrade for self-employed work because it is built specifically for self-employed users.[1]

A practical choice:
- **Wave** if you mainly need to track income, expenses, and send invoices.[14][19]
- **QuickBooks Solopreneur** if you want a more established all-in-one tool and are willing to pay for it.[1]

If you want, I can also recommend the best option based on whether you need **invoicing, mileage tracking, or tax prep**.


What software do accountants recommend for small business bookkeeping?

Accountants most often recommend **QuickBooks Online** for small business bookkeeping, with **Xero** and **FreshBooks** also commonly recommended depending on the business type.[2][10][12]

- **QuickBooks Online** is repeatedly identified as the **best overall** or most widely recommended option, and one source specifically says it is “the preferred software for accountants.”[10][12][5]
- **Xero** is a common recommendation for small businesses that want strong reporting, project tracking, and flexibility.[6][16]
- **FreshBooks** is often recommended for **service-based businesses** or businesses with simpler accounting needs.[2]
- **Wave** is commonly recommended for **very small businesses** or freelancers who want a low-cost or free option.[6][14][17]

If you want the shortest practical answer: **QuickBooks Online** is the safest default recommendation for most small businesses, while **Xero** is a strong alternative and **FreshBooks** is a good fit for service businesses.[2][10][12]


Best accounting software for a small service business with 5 employees

For a **small service business with 5 employees**, the best overall choice is usually **QuickBooks Online**, while **FreshBooks** is often the best fit if your business is primarily service-based and you care most about easy invoicing, time tracking, and client billing.[2][5][10]

A practical shortlist would be:

- **FreshBooks** — best for **service businesses** with invoicing, time tracking, and simple bookkeeping needs.[5][10]
- **QuickBooks Online** — best for **most small businesses** and the strongest all-around option if you want room to grow.[2][6][8][10]
- **Xero** — a strong alternative if you want a modern interface and solid small-business accounting features.[7][19]

If your business is mostly **project-based services** like consulting, design, repairs, landscaping, or agency work, **FreshBooks** is often the easiest to use.[5][10] If you need more robust accounting, payroll integrations, reporting, or expect to scale, **QuickBooks Online** is usually the safer long-term pick.[2][6][8][13]

If you want the simplest recommendation:
**Choose FreshBooks for simplicity and service invoicing; choose QuickBooks Online for broader accounting power and growth.**[5][6][10]

If you’d like, I can also give you a **2-minute comparison of FreshBooks vs QuickBooks vs Xero** for your exact type of service business.


We need easy software to track invoices, expenses, and run profit and loss reports. What should we buy?

For **easy all-in-one tracking of invoices, expenses, and profit-and-loss reports**, **QuickBooks Online** is the strongest buy based on the results you provided.[1][2]

Why it fits:
- It is ranked **top overall** for invoice and expense tracking software.[1][2]
- It creates invoices, tracks expenses, categorizes transactions, and connects bank/card activity for reconciliation.[1]
- It is specifically described as a strong fit when you need **traceable reporting** and **period variance checks**, which supports profit-and-loss reporting needs.[2]

If you want the main alternatives:
- **Xero** if you want strong bank-feed reconciliation and month-end reporting.[1][2]
- **Zoho Books** if you want invoice and expense categorization tied to period reporting at a lower-complexity level.[2]
- **Wave** if you want a simpler, more budget-friendly option and can live with fewer advanced features; it is mentioned as offering accounting with expense tracking and reporting.[17]

If you want the safest default purchase for a small business, buy **QuickBooks Online**.[1][2]


Best low-cost bookkeeping software for sole proprietors

For most **sole proprietors**, **Wave** is the best low-cost option if you want the lowest possible price, because it offers a true free baseline for core bookkeeping. If you can pay a small monthly fee, **Zoho Books** is a strong low-cost upgrade for automation and growth, and **Xero** is a good pick if you want bank rules and more integrations. [1][5][7][12]

A practical way to choose:

- **Wave** — best **free** choice for simple bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting. It is repeatedly highlighted as the best no-cost option for self-employed users and sole proprietors.[1][7][12][15]
- **Zoho Books** — best **budget-friendly paid/free-eligible** option, especially if you want more automation; one source notes it may be free if you qualify by region and revenue, and UK coverage also praises its free tier for sole traders.[1][14]
- **Xero** — best if you want a low starting price with stronger workflow features and you expect to scale; one source says its basic plan starts at **$13/month** and that it fits freelancers and sole proprietors well.[5][20]
- **QuickBooks Solopreneur / QuickBooks Online** — better known and feature-rich, but usually not the cheapest choice.[2][9]

If you want the simplest recommendation:

- Choose **Wave** if your priority is **$0 cost**.[1][7][12]
- Choose **Zoho Books** if you want the best **cheap all-around** option.[1][14]
- Choose **Xero** if you want to pay a bit more for **better controls and integrations**.[5][9][20]

If you tell me your country and whether you need invoicing, receipt capture, or tax reports, I can narrow it to the best single pick.


Which accounting platform is best for managing cash flow and expense tracking in a small company?

For a **small company**, **QuickBooks Online** is the strongest all-around choice if you want both **cash flow management** and **expense tracking** in one accounting platform.[7][15]

- It is described as a **best overall** accounting suite with **cash flow reporting, bank-feed reconciliation, invoicing, bill tracking, and cash-basis/accrual-aware financial views**.[7]
- Review roundups also place QuickBooks among the top options for small businesses that need **short- to medium-term cash flow forecasts**.[15]
- If your main priority is **very simple daily expense and payment tracking** rather than full accounting, **Qonto** is highlighted as especially good for SMBs because it combines **business banking, spend management, invoice handling, and transaction tracking** in a clean interface.[3]

If you want the shortest recommendation: **QuickBooks Online** for a small company needing the best balance of **cash flow visibility + expense tracking**; **Qonto** if you want a more streamlined spend-management style tool.[3][7][15]


What is the most popular accounting software for US small businesses?

The most popular accounting software for **US small businesses** is **QuickBooks Online**.[2][3][4][7][9][12]

It is repeatedly described as the **default** or **industry standard** in the U.S. small-business market, with sources citing roughly **62%–85%** market share depending on the report and year.[2][5][7][11] Other common options include **Xero**, **FreshBooks**, and **Wave**, but they are generally presented as alternatives rather than the market leader.[1][6][9][12]

If you want, I can also give you a **quick comparison of QuickBooks vs Xero vs Wave** for a small U.S. business.


Software recommendations for managing small business finances and tax readiness

For **small business finances and tax readiness**, the strongest all-around picks are **QuickBooks Online**, **Xero**, **Zoho Books**, **FreshBooks**, and **Wave**. QuickBooks Online is the most broadly recommended for most small businesses, Xero is often favored for ease of use, Zoho Books for an all-in-one suite, FreshBooks for service businesses, and Wave for free basic accounting and invoicing.[4][5][6][12]

A practical way to choose:

| Best fit | Software | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| **Most small businesses** | **QuickBooks Online** | Widely used, strong accounting, invoicing, expense tracking, bank feeds, and reporting.[4][6] |
| **Freelancers / sole proprietors** | **Quicken Business & Personal** | Combines business and personal finance management and includes tax-oriented reporting such as Schedule C/E/F.[8] |
| **Service-based businesses** | **FreshBooks** | Strong for invoicing, project accounting, and simpler workflows.[4][5][6][12] |
| **All-in-one suite** | **Zoho Books** | Good if you want accounting plus broader business tools in one ecosystem.[6] |
| **Free starter option** | **Wave** | Best known for free basic accounting and unlimited invoicing.[5][6][12][13] |
| **Ease of use** | **Xero** | Frequently ranked highly for usability and solid small-business finance features.[2][6] |

If your priority is **tax readiness**, look for software that supports:
- **Income and expense categorization**
- **Receipt capture and document storage**
- **Bank feed reconciliation**
- **Tax reporting exports**
- **Year-end reports for your accountant**[3][4][8][10]

If you want a simple recommendation:
- Choose **QuickBooks Online** if you want the safest default for general small-business accounting.[4][6]
- Choose **Quicken Business & Personal** if you’re a freelancer or sole proprietor and want business and personal finances together.[8]
- Choose **Wave** if you need a low-cost or free starting point.[5][6][13]
- Choose **Xero** if usability matters most.[2][6]

When evaluating options, it helps to confirm monthly cost, test the interface with a free trial or demo, and check whether the software fits your workflow before committing.[10]

If you want, I can narrow this to the **best 3 options for your business type**—for example: freelancer, retail, agency, restaurant, or contractor.


Best accounting software for a local coffee shop or restaurant

For a **local coffee shop or restaurant**, the best overall choice is usually **QuickBooks Online**, with **Xero** as the strongest alternative if you want clean bank-feed reconciliation and tax-ready reporting.[1][2][4][6]

- **QuickBooks Online** is ranked first in multiple coffee-shop-focused roundups because it combines bank-feed reconciliation, smart expense categorization, profit-and-loss reporting, and inventory-aware workflows that fit café operations.[1][2]
- **Xero** is a strong second choice for cafés and small restaurants that want bank-feed reconciliation, invoicing, bill tracking, and tax-ready reporting.[1][6]
- If you run a **restaurant with heavier operational needs** such as POS integration, recipe costing, and more detailed inventory management, **Restaurant365** is highlighted as a top restaurant-specific option.[12]
- If budget is the main constraint and you need basic bookkeeping, some coffee-shop guides mention **Wave** as a free option, though it is generally less full-featured than QuickBooks or Xero.[8]

A simple way to choose:
- **Most coffee shops:** QuickBooks Online.[1][2][4]
- **Best alternative for lean, cloud-based accounting:** Xero.[1][6]
- **Full restaurant operations and inventory control:** Restaurant365.[12]
- **Lowest cost / basic accounting:** Wave.[8]

If you want, I can also give you a **coffee shop vs. restaurant software shortlist by budget** or compare **QuickBooks vs. Xero vs. Restaurant365** side by side.


We need software to reconcile bank accounts and handle client invoicing. Recommendations?

If you need **both bank reconciliation and client invoicing**, the best-fit options from the results are **QuickBooks Online**, **Xero**, and **Zoho Books** because they combine accounting, bank feeds/reconciliation, and invoicing in one system[4][5][9][12][14].

- **QuickBooks Online** is the strongest default choice if you want an all-in-one platform; it is rated best overall for bank reconciliation in one review and offers real-time bank feeds, automatic categorization, built-in reconciliation, and invoicing/accounting features[4][13][12].
- **Xero** is a good choice if you want scalable cloud accounting with automatic bank reconciliation; it is highlighted as strong for scalability and has bank transaction reconciliation tools[5][14].
- **Zoho Books** is worth considering if you want a simpler accounting suite that explicitly supports bank reconciliation and invoicing[9][8].

If your priority is **reconciliation only** rather than full accounting/invoicing, standalone tools like **ReconArt** or **HighRadius** are mentioned for advanced reconciliation workflows, but they are less clearly positioned as client invoicing tools[5][15].

A practical way to choose:
- Choose **QuickBooks Online** if you want the safest all-around recommendation for a small or medium business[4][5][13].
- Choose **Xero** if you expect growth and want strong cloud scalability[5].
- Choose **Zoho Books** if you want a budget-conscious invoicing-and-reconciliation package[9].

If you want, I can narrow this to the **best choice for your business size, number of bank accounts, and whether you need recurring invoices or multi-currency support**.


What is the best cloud-based accounting software for a growing SMB?

For a **growing SMB**, the best cloud-based accounting software is usually **QuickBooks Online** because it is consistently ranked as the top overall choice and is favored for small-to-medium businesses that need a strong mix of features, ease of use, and integrations.[3][4][8][14]

If your business is growing, QuickBooks Online stands out because it supports more advanced needs than basic bookkeeping tools, including multi-user access, payroll, inventory management, and advanced reporting.[3] It also integrates with a large app ecosystem, which is useful as operations become more complex.[3]

A few strong alternatives are worth considering:

- **Xero**: Often preferred if you want a simpler interface and stronger multi-currency support.[4]
- **FreshBooks**: Better suited to service-based businesses or freelancers with lighter accounting needs.[4][14]
- **Zoho Books**: A solid SMB option if you want broader business workflow features.[6]
- **Wave**: Good for very small businesses that want a low-cost starting point, but it is typically less robust for scaling.[18]

If you want the shortest practical answer: **choose QuickBooks Online unless you have a specific need like multi-currency, service-based billing, or very low cost**.[3][4][14]


Best accounting software for small construction subcontractors

For **small construction subcontractors**, the best overall choice is usually **QuickBooks Online**, especially if you want the most common, budget-friendly option with solid project tracking and job costing support.[1][2][4]

If your subcontracting work needs more construction-specific features, the best alternatives are:

- **Knowify** — best for subcontractors who need **job costing** and **AIA billing** tied to QuickBooks.[5]
- **QuickBooks Online Plus / Advanced** — best if you want a familiar accounting system with **job costing, progress invoicing, 1099 tracking, and subcontractor management**.[2][13]
- **Xero** — a strong alternative for small construction businesses that want a simpler cloud accounting tool, though the cited results emphasize it more as a general small-business option than a subcontractor-specific one.[10][16]

If you want the shortest answer:
- **Best overall:** **QuickBooks Online**
- **Best for subcontractor-specific billing/workflows:** **Knowify**
- **Best budget starter for small crews:** **QuickBooks Enterprise** or **QuickBooks Online Plus**, depending on whether you want simpler cloud accounting or more built-in construction features.[2][12]

If you want, I can also narrow this to the best option based on whether you do **lump-sum jobs, time-and-materials, AIA billing, or prevailing wage work**.


Recommend accounting software that handles double-entry bookkeeping easily for small businesses.

For **easy double-entry bookkeeping** in a small business, the strongest options from the results are **FreshBooks**, **Wave**, and **QuickBooks Online**.[6][1][15]

- **FreshBooks** is a good fit if you want something simple: it explicitly offers *simple double-entry accounting* plus expense tracking and automatic receipt scanning.[6][10] PCMag also lists FreshBooks among the easiest accounting programs to use.[12]
- **Wave** is a strong choice if cost matters, since its accounting product is advertised as *start for free* and is designed for small business accounting.[1]
- **QuickBooks Online** is the safest all-around pick if you want a widely used small-business accounting platform with a full feature set and strong market recognition.[15]

If you want more options, **Akaunting** includes a dedicated double-entry accounting app, which may appeal if you want a more modular system.[8] A broader 2026 roundup also places **FreshBooks, Solopreneur, and Wave** among the easiest accounting programs to use.[12]

If you want the **best single recommendation** for “easy double-entry bookkeeping,” I’d pick **FreshBooks** for simplicity, or **Wave** if you want the lowest-cost starting point.[6][1][12]


What software should I use to do books for a small boutique agency?

For a **small boutique agency**, the best software depends on what you mean by “do books”: **bookkeeping/accounting** or **creating/publishing books**. If you mean **bookkeeping**, the strongest default choices are **QuickBooks Online** or **Xero**; if you mean **designing and formatting books**, consider **Vellum**, **Atticus**, or **Blurb BookWright**.[16][17][14][1]

- **QuickBooks Online**: good all-around accounting and bookkeeping for a small agency; it is listed as the default option in the U.S. and Canada.[16]
- **Xero**: commonly used for bookkeeping, accounting, and invoicing in an author/business workflow.[17]
- **FreshBooks**: a simpler choice for small teams that want time tracking plus bookkeeping in one tool.[16]
- **Wave**: a free/basic accounting option if you want to keep costs low.[16]
- **Vellum**: best for polished **ebook and print formatting** on Mac.[4][17]
- **Atticus**: a cross-platform alternative for book formatting and writing.[5][17]
- **Blurb BookWright**: free desktop software for designing custom books with full creative control.[1][20]

If your agency is **client-service based** and you need one practical stack, I’d suggest:

- **QuickBooks Online** for bookkeeping
- **Trello** or **Asana** for project tracking
- **Canva** for simple design work
- **Vellum** or **Atticus** only if you’re producing actual books/publications[16][17]

If you want, I can narrow this down to the **best option by budget**, **Mac vs Windows**, or **agency type**.


Which small business accounting software is easiest to learn?

The **easiest small business accounting software to learn** is **Xero** according to several current small-business software guides, especially for owners with little or no accounting background.[1][11][13]

That said, the answer depends on what “easiest” means:

- **Xero** is often recommended for the best overall ease of use and a shallow learning curve.[1][11][13]
- **QuickBooks Online** is also frequently described as very easy to use, and some reviews rank it as the easiest overall.[2][8][9]
- **FreshBooks** is often rated easiest by user reviews and is especially simple if your main need is invoicing and service-based billing.[5][15][16]
- **Wave** is commonly described as the simplest for absolute beginners, especially if you want a free option.[2][5]

If you want one practical default choice: **Xero** for the easiest overall learning experience, or **FreshBooks** if your business is mostly invoicing and client billing.[1][15][16]


Best user-friendly accounting software for a micro-business

For a **micro-business**, the most user-friendly choice is usually **Zoho Books** or **FreshBooks**, with **Wave** as the best free option if you need only basic bookkeeping and invoicing.[11][13][9][2]

- **Zoho Books** is a strong pick for micro-businesses because it is repeatedly recommended as the best accounting software for microbusinesses and is praised for usability and a free plan.[11][13]
- **FreshBooks** is often the easiest for non-accountants, with PCMag calling out its outstanding design and Capterra rating it highly for ease of use by verified reviewers.[2][9]
- **Wave** is the simplest **free** option for very small operations, especially if you mainly need invoicing, expense tracking, and basic payments.[17][18]

If you want the shortest recommendation:
- Choose **Zoho Books** if you want the best mix of **ease of use + features + free/low-cost entry**.[11][13]
- Choose **FreshBooks** if you want the **most user-friendly interface** and do not mind paying more.[2][9]
- Choose **Wave** if your priority is **free basic accounting**.[17][18]

If you tell me whether you need **invoicing only**, **expense tracking**, **inventory**, or **payroll**, I can narrow it to the single best fit.


We need a basic accounting package for a 2-person partnership. What should we buy?

For a **2-person partnership**, I’d usually recommend **Xero** if you want the best fit for shared access, and **QuickBooks Online** if you want the most common mainstream option.[9][15]

- **Xero** is a strong choice for collaborative businesses because it offers **free unlimited users**, which is useful when both partners need regular access.[9]
- **QuickBooks Online** is the most widely recommended “best overall” small-business accounting package in several reviews, and it starts at a relatively low monthly price for basic features.[3][15][4]
- If your priority is **zero cost** and you’re comfortable with desktop software, **GnuCash** is a reasonable basic option for a small partnership needing standard reports and double-entry bookkeeping.[1]

If you want the shortest answer:
- Buy **Xero** for a 2-partner business if both of you need to use it regularly.[9]
- Buy **QuickBooks Online** if you want the safest mainstream default and don’t mind user limits/costs.[3][15][4]
- Buy **GnuCash** only if keeping software cost at zero matters most.[1]

If you want, I can also give you a **2-person partnership buyer’s checklist** or a **Xero vs QuickBooks vs GnuCash** comparison.


What accounting software offers the best value for a bootstrapped startup?

For a **bootstrapped startup**, the best value is usually **Wave** if you want the lowest possible cost, and **Zoho Books** if you want more features while still staying very cheap.[3][4][8][12]

If you want a practical rule of thumb:

- **Wave**: best for *pre-revenue or very early bootstrappers* because it is free and covers basic accounting/invoicing.[3][4][8][9]
- **Zoho Books**: best if you want **strong value-for-money** and more professional features, especially if you qualify for its free or low-cost tiers.[3][12]
- **QuickBooks Online**: best if you care more about long-term accountant compatibility and startup standardization than minimizing cost.[2][6][10]

If your startup is extremely lean and just needs the cheapest workable setup, **Wave is the best value**.[3][8][9] If you can spend a little more for a stronger all-around product, **Zoho Books is often the better value**.[3][12]


Best accounting software for small creative freelancers and designers

For **small creative freelancers and designers**, the best overall choice is usually **FreshBooks** because it is built around client work: invoicing, estimates, time tracking, and simple expense tracking are strong fits for project-based creative businesses.[2][3][6] If you want **free** bookkeeping, **Wave** is the best low-cost option, and it is specifically described as a good fit for creative freelancers.[4][10]

A practical shortlist:

- **FreshBooks** — best overall for designers who bill by project or retainers and want polished invoicing, proposals, time tracking, and easy client management.[2][3][6]
- **Wave** — best **free** option if you mainly need invoicing, basic bookkeeping, and expense tracking.[4][10]
- **QuickBooks Online / Solopreneur** — best if you expect to grow, want stronger accounting features, or work with an accountant.[4][9][15]
- **Xero** — best if you have **international clients** or need **multi-currency** support.[4]
- **HoneyBook** — best if you want **client management** features like proposals and contracts alongside bookkeeping tools, especially common for creative freelancers.[4]

If you want the simplest recommendation:

- Choose **FreshBooks** if you are a designer or creative freelancer who values ease of use and client-facing workflows.[2][3][6]
- Choose **Wave** if cost is the main issue.[4][10]
- Choose **QuickBooks Online** if you need more robust accounting and plan to scale.[4][9][15]

If you want, I can also give you a **1-minute pick based on your budget, number of clients, and whether you need proposals/contracts**.


What software should a small craft business use to track revenue and expenses?

For a small craft business, the best choice is usually **QuickBooks Online** if you want the most widely supported accounting software, or **Wave** / **Zoho Books** if you want a lower-cost or free option.[2][7][8]

A practical way to choose:
- **Wave**: best for a very small craft business that just needs simple income and expense tracking and wants to start free.[2][6]
- **Zoho Books**: good free-tier option if you want something more scalable than a spreadsheet.[2][14]
- **QuickBooks Online**: best if you plan to work with an accountant, apply for financing, or want the most common small-business accounting platform.[2][7][8]
- **Xero**: a strong alternative if you want more features and can pay for a more complete plan.[1][2]
- **Spreadsheet**: acceptable only if you are just starting and have very few sales.[2][3]

If your craft business also needs **inventory and cost of goods sold tracking**, consider **Craftybase** in addition to bookkeeping software, since it is built specifically for makers and crafters.[3][10]

If you want, I can recommend the **best option by budget**, **country**, or whether you sell on **Etsy/Shopify**.


Recommend an intuitive accounting system for a small consulting firm.

For a small consulting firm, **QuickBooks Online** is the most broadly recommended intuitive accounting system, especially if you want something that is user-friendly, scalable, and strong on reporting and cash-flow visibility.[1][10][18]

If your firm is very small or you prioritize a simpler learning curve, **FreshBooks** is also a strong fit because it is described as intuitive and well suited to consultants, with especially strong time tracking and invoicing.[8][10][13]

A practical way to choose:
- **QuickBooks Online**: best all-around choice for most small consulting firms, especially if you expect growth and want robust accounting and reporting.[10][18]
- **FreshBooks**: best if your work is heavily billable-hour based and you want the easiest invoicing/time-tracking experience.[8][10]
- **Zoho Books**: worth considering if you want an affordable, user-friendly option with strong general accounting features.[11]

If you want one default recommendation, choose **QuickBooks Online**; if you want the most intuitive experience for a solo or very small consultancy, choose **FreshBooks**.[10][8]


Which accounting software is best for multi-currency small business transactions?

For most **small businesses** handling multi-currency transactions, **Xero** is the strongest overall choice because it is repeatedly identified as the best multi-currency option in the small-business price range and supports **160+ currencies**, automatic exchange-rate handling, and multi-currency banking.[1][6][15]

If you want the best fit by scenario:

- **Xero** — best overall for small/mid-sized businesses doing regular cross-border invoicing and bank transactions.[1][2][15]
- **QuickBooks Online** — a solid second choice, especially if your accountant already uses QuickBooks or you are US-anchored.[1][2][17]
- **Zoho Books Premium** — best value if you already use the Zoho ecosystem and want lower-cost multi-currency support.[1][8]
- **Odoo Accounting** — best if you need broader ERP-style features and multi-company consolidation, not just basic small-business accounting.[3][18]

The main tradeoff is that **Xero** appears to offer the best balance of multi-currency depth and small-business usability, while **QuickBooks** is often chosen for familiarity and **Zoho Books** for cost efficiency.[1][2][4]

If you want, I can also recommend the best option based on your country, number of currencies, and whether you need invoicing, payroll, or bank feeds.


Best accounting software with automated bank feeds for small business

For most small businesses, **QuickBooks Online** and **Xero** are the best accounting software options with automated bank feeds because both support direct bank feed syncing, automated transaction categorization, and bank reconciliation workflows that reduce manual bookkeeping.[1][7][9]

- **QuickBooks Online** is the best all-around pick if you want the most established SMB platform with real-time bank feeds, AI-powered categorization, and built-in reconciliation tools.[6][9]
- **Xero** is the strongest alternative if you want flexible bank-feed rules and strong automation for invoice and expense handling.[1][7]
- **Zoho Books** is worth considering if you want a broader small-business suite, but the provided results give less direct evidence on bank-feed automation than QuickBooks Online and Xero.[4][15]
- **FreshBooks** and **Wave** are commonly used by very small businesses, but the search results here do not show them as leaders specifically for automated bank feeds.[5]

If your main priority is **minimizing reconciliation time**, choose **QuickBooks Online**; if you want **more flexible rules and automation around matching transactions**, choose **Xero**.[1][7]

If you want, I can also narrow this down by **budget**, **bookkeeping complexity**, or whether you need **payroll, invoicing, or inventory**.


What is the best software for a small business owner who wants to do their own bookkeeping?

For most small business owners doing their own bookkeeping, **QuickBooks Online** is the best all-around choice because it is widely recommended as the overall best small-business accounting software and is the top bookkeeping pick from Business.org.[1][4]

If your business is more specialized, the best choice changes:

- **FreshBooks** is best if you’re a service-based business or freelancer and want the easiest invoicing and time tracking.[1][6]
- **Xero** is best if you want a clean interface and **unlimited users**.[3][8]
- **Wave** is best if you want **free** basic bookkeeping for a very small business or startup.[3][9]

If you want one practical default recommendation: choose **QuickBooks Online** unless you specifically need the simplicity of FreshBooks, the unlimited-user model of Xero, or the free starter option from Wave.[1][3][4]

If you want, I can also give you a **“best software by business type”** shortlist for freelancers, retail, service businesses, and online sellers.


Top cloud accounting platforms for micro-enterprises

For **micro-enterprises**, the strongest cloud accounting options are usually **QuickBooks Online**, **Xero**, **FreshBooks**, **Zoho Books**, and **Wave** because they cover the most common small-business needs: invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and basic reporting.[2][6][9][13][20]

- **QuickBooks Online** — best overall for most micro-enterprises that want an all-in-one tool with invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and bank reconciliation.[2][9][10][12][20]
- **Xero** — best if you want a user-friendly cloud system with strong collaboration, bank feeds, invoicing, inventory support, and unlimited users in some plans.[2][6][9][13]
- **FreshBooks** — best for freelancers and service-based micro-businesses that care most about simple invoicing and time tracking.[6][9][13][20]
- **Zoho Books** — best for micro-enterprises that want automation and broader integration with the Zoho suite, often at a lower price point.[6][9][13][16]
- **Wave** — best for budget-conscious solopreneurs and tiny businesses that need a free or very low-cost starting option.[6][9][13]

If you want the shortest recommendation: **QuickBooks Online** is the safest default for most micro-enterprises, while **FreshBooks** is often better for freelancers and **Wave** for businesses with very tight budgets.[2][6][20]

If you want, I can also turn this into a **comparison table by price, ease of use, and best fit**.


We are starting a small LLC and need software to keep our accounts organized. What should we get?

For a small LLC, the safest default choice is **QuickBooks Online**: multiple recent rankings call it the top small-business accounting option, and it’s consistently praised for bank feeds, invoicing, expense tracking, and tax-ready reports.[1][3][4][5][7][8]

If you want alternatives, the main ones to consider are:

- **Xero** — a strong choice if you want a simpler, very user-friendly interface and solid small-business accounting tools.[8][17]
- **FreshBooks** — a good fit for service-based businesses or companies with modest product tracking needs.[3]
- **Wave** — worth considering if you need a free or very low-cost starting point for basic accounting.[6]

What you should get depends on your workflow:

- If you want the **most complete all-in-one system**, choose **QuickBooks Online**.[1][3][5][7]
- If you want **easier day-to-day use**, look at **Xero**.[8][17]
- If you mainly do **client invoicing and service work**, look at **FreshBooks**.[3]
- If you want to **minimize cost at the start**, try **Wave**.[6]

For a newly formed LLC, the most practical setup is usually:

- **Accounting software**
- **Business bank account integration**
- **Receipt/expense tracking**
- **Invoicing**
- **Tax-ready reporting**

If you want, I can also give you a **best pick by budget** or a **QuickBooks vs Xero vs FreshBooks** comparison.


Best accounting tool for a small professional services firm

For a **small professional services firm**, the best default choice is usually **QuickBooks Online**; it is the most broadly recommended general accounting tool for small to mid-sized service firms, especially if you want a familiar ecosystem and room to grow.[2][9][12]

If your firm is very small and billable-work focused, **FreshBooks** is a strong alternative because it is repeatedly positioned as best for solo consultants and small service firms that bill by project or hourly.[1][4]

A practical way to choose:

- **QuickBooks Online** — best all-around choice for most small firms, especially if you need standard accounting, payroll, integrations, and a common platform your accountant likely knows.[2][9][12]
- **FreshBooks** — best if your main need is simple invoicing, time tracking, and project/hourly billing with minimal accounting complexity.[1][4]
- **Xero** — a solid alternative if you prefer cleaner design and strong accountant-friendly workflows; it is also recommended alongside QuickBooks in professional-services comparisons.[2][11]
- **BQE Core** — better if your firm is more project-centric and needs deeper project profitability, billing, and role-based access.[2]

If you tell me your firm size, whether you bill hourly or fixed-fee, and whether you need payroll or project profitability, I can give you a single best pick.


What software do bookkeepers recommend for small business client accounting?

Bookkeepers most often recommend **QuickBooks Online** and **Xero** for small business client accounting, with **Zoho Books** also getting strong support. Industry reviews and bookkeeper-focused guides repeatedly identify QuickBooks Online as the most common choice, while Xero is praised for ease of use and automation; one bookkeeper-oriented review even names Zoho Books as the best overall accounting software for bookkeepers.[5][2][4]

Common recommendations by use case are:

- **QuickBooks Online** — best for small businesses that want the widest accountant/bookkeeper support and a comprehensive ecosystem.[2][4][5]
- **Xero** — best if you want a cleaner user experience and strong automation, especially with unlimited users.[2][20]
- **Zoho Books** — a strong all-around option, especially for bookkeepers looking for value and solid functionality.[1]
- **FreshBooks** — often recommended for service businesses that invoice clients, track time, and accept payments easily.[2][4]
- **Wave** — a free option for very small businesses that only need basic income and expense tracking.[2][17]

If you want the *most typical bookkeeper answer*, it is **QuickBooks Online**.[5][15]


Recommend simple financial management software for a small non-profit or business.

For a **small non-profit**, the simplest strong choices are **MoneyMinder** for volunteer-run groups and **Aplos** for groups that need proper fund accounting. For a **small business**, **QuickBooks Online** is the most common easy-to-use option, though it is not nonprofit-specific.[1][6][8][18]

- **MoneyMinder** — Best for very small, volunteer-led nonprofits like PTAs, booster clubs, and scout troops; it is marketed as simple accounting software for nonprofits.[1][8]
- **Aplos** — Best for small nonprofits that need true **fund accounting** and donor tracking without enterprise-level complexity; one source says it starts at **$79/month**.[6]
- **QuickBooks Online** — Best general small-business pick if you want basic bookkeeping, invoicing, and bank reconciliation; one nonprofit guide also recommends it with a spreadsheet for many small nonprofits.[8][18]
- **Wave** — Good if cost is the top priority, since it is commonly listed among free accounting options for small organizations.[7]
- **Accounting Seed** or other nonprofit-focused platforms — Worth considering only if you need more advanced tracking and are comfortable with more setup.[14][17]

If you want the **simplest recommendation**:
- **Nonprofit with volunteers and a small budget:** **MoneyMinder**.[1][8]
- **Nonprofit needing proper fund accounting:** **Aplos**.[6]
- **Small business:** **QuickBooks Online**.[8][18]

If you tell me whether you mean **nonprofit or business**, and your rough budget, I can narrow this to 2–3 best fits.


Best software for small business revenue and expense tracking

The **best software** depends on whether you want *full accounting* or just *expense tracking*, but for most small businesses **QuickBooks** is the strongest all-around choice because it is built for small-business accounting and includes revenue and expense tracking in one system.[16]

If you want the best fit by use case, these are the top options:

- **QuickBooks** — best overall for small businesses that want one tool for accounting, revenue, expenses, invoicing, and reporting.[16]
- **Pipedrive** — best if your revenue tracking is mostly sales-focused and you want CRM plus revenue visibility with accounting and billing integrations.[3]
- **Ramp** — best for expense control and corporate card spending, especially for small teams that want automated expense workflows.[17]
- **Mercury** — best for startups and small businesses that want a modern banking and expense-management setup.[17]
- **Free accounting tools** — good if your budget is tight and you mainly need basic tracking rather than advanced automation.[9]

A practical way to choose:

| Need | Best choice |
|---|---|
| All-in-one accounting + expense tracking | **QuickBooks** |
| Sales pipeline + revenue visibility | **Pipedrive** |
| Strong expense management and controls | **Ramp** |
| Startup-friendly banking + expense tools | **Mercury** |
| Lowest cost | **Free accounting tools** |

For most small businesses, the simplest recommendation is **QuickBooks** if you want to track both **revenue and expenses** in one place.[16] If your business is sales-driven and you care more about pipeline and revenue forecasting than bookkeeping, **Pipedrive** is a better fit.[3]

If you want, I can also give you a **best-by-budget** list or compare **QuickBooks vs Xero vs Wave vs Ramp** for small business expense tracking.