Small Business Bookkeeping Software for 2023

Finding the right small business bookkeeping software is crucial for business owners who want to track their finances and make informed business decisions. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using bookkeeping software for your small business and provide recommendations for the best software options available.

Best Small Business Bookkeeping Software for 2023

1. QuickBooks Online 

Best Overall Small Business Bookkeeping Software

QuickBooks Online is our top pick for small business bookkeeping software because it offers everything a small business owner needs to manage their finances. With its user-friendly interface and cloud-based technology, QuickBooks Online allows you to access your financial data from anywhere, at any time. It also offers a wide range of features, including invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and payroll management.

Pricing
There are four pricing tiers and users receive a 50% off discount for the first three months. The lowest tier starts at $15 a month for the first three months, and this level includes all of the basics needed for small business accounting. Additional tiers offer functionality for bill management, inventory management, workflow automation, and more.

Read more in our QuickBooks Online Review.

QuickBooks Online Pros & Cons

2. FreshBooks 

Best Small Business Bookkeeping Software for Invoicing

If you're looking for a bookkeeping software that specializes in invoicing, FreshBooks is the perfect choice. It’s one of our top picks for freelancers and independent contractors because FreshBooks allows you to create and send professional-looking invoices in minutes, You can even set up automatic payment reminders to ensure you get paid on time. It also offers features such as time tracking, expense management, and project management.

Pricing
FreshBooks offers a 30-day free trial, and there are four pricing tiers, starting at $17 per month. You can choose a plan that matches the complexity of your business. Like we said, FreshBook is a solid choice for freelancers, and the introductory plan, Lite, is built with self-employed people in mind. Pricing goes up to $55+ a month, with custom pricing at the highest level.

Read more in our FreshBooks Review.

FreshBooks Pros & Cons

3. Xero 

Best Small Business Bookkeeping Software for Collaboration

Xero is an excellent choice for small businesses that work with multiple team members and need to collaborate on financial data. Xero allows you to give different levels of access to team members, such as accountants or bookkeepers, so they can work together on the same data in real-time. It also offers features such as bank reconciliation, invoicing, and expense tracking.

Pricing
Like others on this list, Xero offers tiered pricing, starting at $13 per month. The entry level plan has invoicing limits, but there are still robust reporting tools. Higher level plans, ranging from $37 to $70 per month, increase your functionality with unlimited invoicing, bulk transaction reconciliation, project tracking tools, and advanced analytics for predicting future cash flow.

Xero Pros & Cons

4. Zoho Books

Best Small Business Bookkeeping Software for Automation

Zoho Books is an excellent choice for small businesses that want to automate their bookkeeping tasks.. It offers features such as automatic bank feeds, recurring invoices, and payment reminders, which help save you time and reduce errors. Zoho Books also integrates with other Zoho apps, such as Zoho CRM and Zoho Inventory, making it an ideal choice if you’re using other Zoho applications. 

Pricing
With a total of six pricing options, Zoho tries to create a plan for all types of business owners. The introductory plan is free and only available for businesses with less than $50,000 in revenue. The next plan is $20 a month and increases the number of users, offering project tracking features, workflow rules, and higher customization overall. All plans come with a steep discount when you purchase a year.

Zoho Books Pros & Cons

5. Wave

Best Free Small Business Bookkeeping Software

If you're on a tight budget, Wave is an excellent choice for free bookkeeping software, and it’s truly geared for self-employed entrepreneurs and micro businesses. Wave is essentially two pieces of software that you can toggle between on your dashboard: Wave accounting and Wave Invoicing. Wave also has a user-friendly interface and allows you to connect your bank account to automatically import transactions.

Pricing
As we said, Wave is free for both the accounting and invoicing software. Both offer unlimited invoice and expense tracking as well as unlimited invoicing. You can set up payment reminders, export basic reports, accept online credit card and bank payments with Wave Payments (fees apply), and more.

Wave Pros & Cons

Why Use Small Business Bookkeeping Software?

If you’ve been relying on spreadsheets, here are a few excellent reasons to start using bookkeeping software:

• Streamline your bookkeeping: Bookkeeping software can help automate tedious and time-consuming tasks, such as data entry, bank reconciliation, and financial report generation. This frees up your time to focus on other essential aspects of running your business.
• Save money: By automating bookkeeping tasks, you can save money on bookkeeping fees, tax preparation fees, and other accounting costs. Plus, by keeping accurate financial records, you can avoid costly mistakes that could lead to penalties or fines.
• Make better business decisions: With real-time access to your financial data, you can make informed decisions about your business's finances. You can track your income and expenses, monitor your cash flow, and identify areas where you can cut costs or increase revenue.
• Improve accuracy: Manual bookkeeping is prone to errors, which can lead to inaccurate financial statements and tax filings. Bookkeeping software can help minimize errors by automating data entry, reconciling bank accounts, and generating financial reports.
  
  

How to Choose the Best Small Business Bookkeeping Software for Your Business

We’ve just covered our top picks for bookkeeping software, but there are even more options out there. So when reviewing your choice, consider the following factors:

1. Budget: Determine how much you can afford to spend on bookkeeping software. Some options are free, while others can be quite costly. 
2. Features: Consider which features are essential for your business. Do you need invoicing and payment processing, or do you require more advanced features such as payroll and inventory management?
3. Ease of use: Choose a bookkeeping software that is user-friendly and easy to learn. Consider whether the software offers training or support resources.
4. Scalability: Choose a software option that can grow with your business. Consider whether the software can handle a growing number of transactions and users. Remember that most software offers plans that increase functionality as your business grows, so consider what growth will look like and how it will stand with your business over time.
   
   

Final Word on Best Small Business Bookkeeping Software

Small business bookkeeping software can simplify your finances, save you time and money, and help you make better decisions. When choosing the right bookkeeping software for your business, consider your specific needs and budget to choose the best option for your business. With the right software in place, small businesses can streamline their accounting process and focus on growing their business.