7 Best Accounting Software of 2023 - Best Use, Pricing, and Features

August 23, 2024

Managing finances is a crucial aspect of running a successful business, and accounting software can be helpful tools in streamlining this process. By automating accounting tasks such as invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting, businesses can save time and improve accuracy in their financial management. However, the large number of accounting software options available makes it challenging to choose the right one for your business needs. It is crucial to consider factors such as your business size, industry, and specific accounting requirements when selecting an accounting software to ensure that it meets your needs and delivers maximum benefits. In this table, we have listed the 7 best accounting software of 2023 along with their respective best use cases, pricing, and specific features to help you make an informed decision.

Accounting Software Best Use Case and Function Pricing Features
QuickBooks Small to medium-sized businesses, particularly for bookkeeping and accounting Starts at $15/month
Invoicing: Customizable invoice templates, recurring invoices, and payment tracking. Expense tracking: Receipt capture, automatic categorization, and bill payments. Payroll management: Tax calculations, direct deposit, and time tracking. Bank reconciliation: Automatic bank feeds, transaction categorization, and transaction matching. Integrations: Over 650 integrations, including Shopify, PayPal, and TSheets.
Xero Small businesses, particularly for financial reporting and inventory management Starts at $25/month
Invoicing: Customizable invoice templates, recurring invoices, and payment tracking. Expense tracking: Receipt capture, automatic categorization, and bill payments. Bank reconciliation: Automatic bank feeds, transaction categorization, and transaction matching. Mobile app: Invoicing and expense tracking on-the-go. Integrations: Over 800 integrations, including PayPal, Stripe, and Shopify. Inventory management: Track inventory levels, set up automatic reordering, and manage pricing.
FreshBooks Freelancers and service-based businesses, particularly for time tracking and project management Starts at $7/month
Time tracking: Billable hours tracking, timesheet management, and automated time entries. Project management: Project collaboration, task management, and project timeline tracking. Invoicing: Customizable invoice templates, recurring invoices, and payment tracking. Integrations: Over 100 integrations, including G Suite, Dropbox, and Stripe.
Sage Intacct Midsize businesses, particularly for financial management and reporting Contact vendor for pricing
Accounts payable and receivable management: Automated invoice processing, payment processing, and customer billing. Project accounting: Project budgeting, project costing, and time and expense tracking. Financial reporting: Real-time financial visibility, report customization, and forecasting. Robust dashboard: Business insights and KPI tracking.
NetSuite Midsize to large businesses, particularly for accounting and order management Contact vendor for pricing
Accounting: General ledger, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Inventory management: Stock management, order fulfillment, and procurement. Order management: Order processing, pricing, and returns management. Customization options: Customizable workflows, fields, and dashboards.
Zoho Books Small businesses and freelancers, particularly for invoicing and inventory management Free; Paid plans start at $15/month
Invoicing: Customizable invoice templates, recurring invoices, and payment tracking. Expense tracking: Receipt capture, automatic categorization, and bill payments. Bank reconciliation: Automatic bank feeds, transaction categorization, and transaction matching. Inventory management: Manage stock, set reorder levels, and track orders. Project management: Time tracking, project billing, and task management. Integrations: Over 40 integrations, including G Suite, PayPal, and Stripe.
Wave Small businesses and freelancers, particularly for accounting and receipt scanning Free features; Paid features start at $20
Invoicing: Customizable invoice templates, recurring invoices, and payment tracking. Expense tracking: Receipt capture, automatic categorization, and bill payments. Bank reconciliation: Automatic bank feeds, transaction categorization, and transaction matching. Payroll management: Tax calculations, direct deposit, and time tracking. Mobile app: Invoicing and expense tracking on-the-go. Integrations: Over 20 integrations, including PayPal and Etsy.

FAQ

1. What is the best accounting software for small businesses?

Based on popularity and feature-set, QuickBooks Online and Xero are two of the most popular accounting software options for small businesses. QuickBooks Online offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll, while Xero offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and inventory management. Both have user-friendly interfaces and integrate with other business tools. 

2. What is the best accounting software for self employed professionals and freelancers?

QuickBooks Self-Employed is a top accounting software choice for self-employed professionals and freelancers. It's designed specifically for this group and offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and tax preparation. FreshBooks is also a popular choice, offering features such as time tracking, invoicing, and project management software. The best option will ultimately depend on the specific needs, budget, and industry of the self-employed professional or freelancer.

3. What is the best free accounting software?

Wave and GnuCash are both great choices for free accounting software. Wave is a cloud-based accounting software that offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and receipt scanning. It's ideal for small businesses with limited budgets and offers great value for free. On the other hand, Gnucash is a free desktop accounting software that offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and budgeting. It's ideal for small businesses or individuals who prefer a desktop-based accounting solution. While both of these options are free, they may offer premium features at an additional cost.

4. What is the best accounting software for ecommerce?

For ecommerce sales tax software businesses, QuickBooks Online and Xero are two great accounting software options. QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based software that offers features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and inventory management. It also integrates with popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify and Amazon. Xero is another cloud-based software that offers similar features, including integrations with platforms like WooCommerce and eBay. Both options are user-friendly and can help ecommerce businesses manage their finances effectively.


What does accounting software do?

Accounting software is a type of computer program that helps businesses manage their financial transactions and accounting processes. It automates many of the repetitive and time-consuming tasks involved in bookkeeping, such as recording transactions, creating financial reports, and tracking expenses. Accounting software can also provide businesses with real-time financial data and insights, helping them make informed decisions about their finances. By using accounting software, businesses can streamline their financial management processes, reduce the risk of errors, and save time and money.

How to choose an accounting software?

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing an accounting software:

Features: Make sure the software has all the features you need to manage your finances, such as invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting. Consider your business needs both now and in the future.

Integration: If you use other software programs in your business, consider how well the accounting software integrates with them. For example, if you use a CRM system, you may want an accounting software that integrates with it.

Scalability: Consider whether the software can grow with your business. As your business grows, you may need additional features and functionality, so it's important to choose software that can scale up to meet your needs.

Cost: Look for software that fits within your budget. Consider the pricing structure of the software, such as whether it is a one-time purchase or a subscription-based service, and whether there are any additional fees for support or upgrades.

Security: Ensure that the software provides adequate cybersecurity services for your financial data. Look for software that offers features such as data encryption and two-factor authentication.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision when choosing an accounting software that will help manage your finances effectively and efficiently.

What are the types of accounting software?

Here are some of the most common types of accounting software for various business specifications and needs:

General accounting software: This type of software is designed for small and medium-sized businesses and provides features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.

Enterprise accounting software: This type of software is designed for larger businesses with complex financial needs. It may include features such as advanced reporting, inventory management, and multi-currency support.

Cloud-based accounting software: This type of software is hosted online and accessed through a web browser or mobile app. It provides businesses with flexibility, as data can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

Desktop accounting software: This type of software is installed locally on a computer and is accessed through that computer. It typically provides more robust features than cloud-based software but may be less flexible.

Industry-specific accounting software: Some businesses require specialized accounting software that is designed for their specific industry, such as construction or healthcare.

Open-source accounting software: This type of software is free and allows users to modify the source code to fit their specific needs. It is typically used by businesses with in-house IT departments or developers.

By understanding the different types of accounting software available, businesses can choose the type that best fits their needs and budget.

What is the difference between bookkeeping software and accounting software?

Bookkeeping software is used to record financial transactions such as sales, purchases, receipts, and payments. It provides a way to track financial transactions and generate basic financial reports such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Bookkeeping software is designed to automate many of the repetitive and time-consuming tasks involved in bookkeeping, such as data entry, categorization, and reconciliation.

Accounting software, on the other hand, is more comprehensive than bookkeeping software. It includes all the features of bookkeeping software and it also provides additional functionality such as forecasting, budgeting, and analysis. Accounting software is designed to provide businesses with real-time financial data and insights which helps them make informed decisions about their finances. It is more focused on financial analysis, planning, and strategy than bookkeeping software.

Bookkeeping software is primarily used to record financial transactions, accounting software is more comprehensive and provides additional functionality for analysis, forecasting, and planning.

Other top sources with reviews of accounting software:

  1. ‘The Best Business Accounting Software Services of 2023’ by Erica Sandberg : https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7543-best-accounting-software.html
  2. ‘The Best Accounting Software For Small Business Of 2023’ by Kathy Haan: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/best-accounting-software/
  3. ‘Best Accounting Software for Small Businesses’ by Rebecca Freedman: https://www.investopedia.com/best-accounting-software-for-small-business-5069679
  4. ‘The Best Accounting Software for Small Businesses in 2023’ by Kathy Yakal: https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-small-business-accounting-software?test_uuid=00yyZwi7Jhwj42oJG5A1uwg&test_variant=b

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