QU
QuickBooks
Best for: SMB accounting & tax
QuickBooks is the dominant small-business accounting platform in the US, with payroll, invoicing, expense tracking, and tax preparation. Deep integrations with banks and accountants make it the default choice for most US small businesses.
- Dominant small-business accounting platform in the US, with payroll
- Deep integrations with banks and accountants make it the default choice
- Cross-platform support
Free tier: Check providerPricing: $35/mo Simple Start / $65/mo Essentials / $99/mo Plus
WA
Wave
Best for: Free accounting for small business
Free
Wave is a genuinely free accounting platform for small businesses and freelancers. Invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning are free forever. Payroll is an optional paid add-on. The most capable free accounting software available.
- Genuinely free accounting platform for small businesses and freelancers
- Invoicing, accounting, and receipt scanning are free forever
- Payroll is an optional paid add-on
Free tier: Listed as free — verify limitsPricing: Free (invoicing & accounting) / $16/mo with payroll
ZO
Zoho Books
Best for: Businesses in the Zoho ecosystem
Free
Zoho Books is a full-featured accounting platform with a genuine free tier for businesses under 1,000 invoices per year. Strong integration with Zoho CRM, Zoho Inventory, and the broader Zoho One suite.
- Full-featured accounting platform with a genuine free tier
- Strong integration with Zoho CRM, Zoho Inventory
- Free tier available
Free tier: Listed as free — verify limitsPricing: Free (under 1K invoices/yr) / $20/mo Standard / $50/mo Professional
BO
Bonsai
Best for: Freelancers needing contracts + invoicing
Bonsai combines contracts, proposals, invoicing, time tracking, and accounting in one platform built for freelancers and agencies. Unique in bundling legal contract templates with financial management.
- Combines contracts, proposals, invoicing, time tracking
- Unique in bundling legal contract templates with financial management
- Cross-platform support
Free tier: Check providerPricing: $21/mo Starter / $32/mo Professional / $66/mo Business