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
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
FR
FreshBooks
Best for: Freelancers & small agencies
FreshBooks is a cloud accounting platform built for service-based businesses — freelancers, consultants, and agencies. Strong invoicing, time tracking, and project management features make it more approachable than QuickBooks.
- Cloud accounting platform built for service-based businesses
- Strong invoicing, time tracking
- Cross-platform support
Free tier: Check providerPricing: $19/mo Lite / $33/mo Plus / $60/mo Premium
XE
Xero
Best for: Growing businesses & accountants
Xero is a cloud accounting platform popular outside the US (especially UK, AU, NZ). Strong bank reconciliation, multi-currency support, and accountant collaboration tools make it a serious QuickBooks alternative.
- Cloud accounting platform popular outside the US (especially UK, AU
- Strong bank reconciliation, multi-currency support
- Cross-platform support
Free tier: Check providerPricing: $15/mo Early / $42/mo Growing / $78/mo Established