Accounting software comparison · 11 platforms · Updated October 2026
Best Accounting Software for Small Business in 2026
We compared 11 small business accounting and bookkeeping platforms, including Xero, FreshBooks, Zoho Books and QuickBooks, on pricing, free plans, free trials and core features. Find the right fit for freelancers, growing teams and budget-conscious owners.
What is the best accounting software for small business?
Xero is the best accounting software for small business in 2026, rated 9.8 out of 10 for bank feeds, invoicing, MTD / VAT and multi-currency support. FreshBooks is the best choice for freelancers (9.6), Zoho Books is the best free and budget option (9.0), and Xendoo is the best done-for-you bookkeeping service (8.8).
Top accounting software for small business: the shortlist
Four of the best small business accounting platforms, ranked by our rating: Xero, FreshBooks, Zoho Books and Xendoo.
Xero review
Best overall accounting softwareSmall business and SaaS friendly, with strong bank feeds, invoicing, MTD/VAT and multi-currency support.
FreshBooks review
Best accounting software for freelancersA clean fit for freelancers who want simple invoicing, expenses and client-facing workflows.
Zoho Books review
Best free and budget optionFree tier available, with a strong feature set for budget-conscious businesses.
Xendoo review
Best done-for-you bookkeeping serviceA service-led option for owners who want real bookkeepers handling the books.
Accounting software comparison: pricing, free plans and features
See pricing, free trials, bank feeds, invoicing, MTD / VAT and multi-currency support side by side. Filter by the feature you can’t live without, and scroll sideways on small screens.
| Software | Best for | Rating | Starting price | Free plan | Free trial | Bank feeds | Invoicing | MTD / VAT | Mobile app | Multi-currency | Unlimited users | Deal / review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xero | Small Biz & SaaS | 9.8 | $25/mo* | ✗ | 30 days | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 90% off (6 months): activate deal |
| FreshBooks | Freelancers | 9.6 | $21/mo | ✗ | 30 days | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ○ | ✗ | 90% off: claim deal |
| Xendoo | Done-for-you bookkeeping | 8.8 | $395/mo | ✗ | 14 days | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Try Xendoo free |
| Zoho Books | Budget owners | 9.0 | $0 free plan | ✓ | 14 days | ✓ | ✓ | ○ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | $100 credit |
| QuickBooks | US small business | 8.6 | $35/mo | ✗ | 30 days | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ○ | ✗ | Xero vs QuickBooks |
| Wave | Micro-biz / free | 7.8 | Free | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Xero vs Wave |
| Sage | UK / EU business | 8.2 | $10/mo | ✗ | 30 days | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ○ | ✗ | Xero vs Sage |
| MYOB | Australian business | 7.9 | AUD $27/mo | ✗ | 30 days | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ○ | ✗ | Xero vs MYOB |
| FreeAgent | UK freelancers | 7.7 | £19/mo | ✗ | 30 days | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Read review |
| KashFlow | UK small business | 7.3 | $9/mo | ✗ | 14 days | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Read review |
| NetSuite | Enterprise / mid-market | 8.8 | Custom | ✗ | Demo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Request demo |
No platforms match that filter.
✓ included ○ partial or depends on plan ✗ not included. Pricing and promotions change by country, plan and billing term, so treat “starting price” as a lead, not the final checkout total.
Best accounting software by category
The top pick for each type of business, based on the ratings and features in the table above.
- Best overall accounting software
- Xero (9.8). Small business and SaaS friendly, with strong bank feeds, invoicing, MTD / VAT and multi-currency support.
- Best accounting software for freelancers
- FreshBooks (9.6). Simple invoicing, expenses and client-facing workflows. UK freelancers can also look at FreeAgent (7.7).
- Best free accounting software
- Zoho Books (9.0) has a free plan, and Wave (7.8) is free for micro-businesses.
- Best accounting software for US small business
- QuickBooks (8.6), from $35/mo with a 30-day free trial.
- Best accounting software for UK and EU business
- Sage (8.2), from $10/mo with MTD / VAT support. KashFlow (7.3) is another UK small business option.
- Best accounting software for Australian business
- MYOB (7.9), from AUD $27/mo with a 30-day free trial.
- Best accounting software for enterprise and mid-market
- NetSuite (8.8), with custom pricing and a demo instead of a free trial.
- Best done-for-you bookkeeping service
- Xendoo (8.8), from $395/mo, for owners who want real bookkeepers handling the books.
How to choose accounting software for your business
Start with what you actually do every week, then check the comparison table above.
Accounting software for freelancers
Prioritize easy invoicing, client payments, expenses and a clean mobile workflow.
Accounting software for small business
Prioritize bank feeds, tax support, reporting and room to add users as the team grows.
Free and budget accounting software
Start with a free tier or low-cost plan, then confirm which features are locked behind paid tiers.
Done-for-you bookkeeping services
Bookkeeping services cost more because people do the work. Compare service scope, not just software features.
Multi-currency accounting software
If you sell globally, verify supported currencies, exchange rates and whether the feature depends on the plan.
MTD and VAT accounting software
MTD and VAT support is country-sensitive. Never assume a checkmark applies to your jurisdiction.
Accounting software reviews, comparisons and pricing guides
Read a Xero review, a head-to-head such as Xero vs QuickBooks, or a free trial guide before you commit.
eComBuilderInsider guides
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GoForFreeTrial guides
Free trials, features and pricing
- Free trial guideBest Accounting Software 2026: Free Trials, Pricing, and Reviews
- Free trial guideCompare Top Tools: Best Accounting Software with Free Trial 2026
- Feature guideAccounting Software Features Guide
- Ecommerce guideEcommerce Accounting Software Costs 2026
- ComparisonXero vs QuickBooks 2026
- PricingXero Pricing Guide 2026
Accounting software FAQ
Quick answers to the questions small business owners ask most.
What is the best accounting software for small business in 2026?
Xero is our top pick at 9.8 out of 10, thanks to strong bank feeds, invoicing, MTD / VAT and multi-currency support. FreshBooks (9.6) is the best fit for freelancers, and Zoho Books (9.0) is the best budget option.
What is the best free accounting software?
In our comparison, Zoho Books and Wave both offer a free plan. Plan limits vary by country, so confirm what the free tier includes before you rely on it.
Which accounting software has a free trial?
Xero, FreshBooks, QuickBooks and Sage each list a 30-day free trial. Zoho Books, Xendoo and KashFlow list 14 days. Wave is free to use, and NetSuite offers a demo instead of a trial.
What is the best accounting software for freelancers?
FreshBooks is our pick for freelancers who want simple invoicing, expense tracking and client-friendly workflows. UK freelancers can also look at FreeAgent.
Which accounting software supports MTD and VAT?
Xero, Sage, FreeAgent, KashFlow and NetSuite are marked as supporting MTD / VAT in our table, and Zoho Books is partial. Tax support depends on your country, so verify it before you buy.
How much does small business accounting software cost?
Most entry-level software plans in our comparison run from about $9 to $35 per month, with FreeAgent and MYOB priced in £ and AUD. Done-for-you bookkeeping, such as Xendoo, starts at $395 per month because people do the work.
Should I choose accounting software or a bookkeeping service?
Choose software if you are happy to handle your own books and want to control costs. Choose a service such as Xendoo if you would rather have real bookkeepers do the work and can budget for the higher monthly price.
Xero vs QuickBooks: which is better for small business?
In our comparison Xero scores 9.8 against 8.6 for QuickBooks. Xero starts at $25/mo versus $35/mo, and it includes MTD / VAT, multi-currency and unlimited users, while QuickBooks is marked as no for MTD / VAT and unlimited users and partial for multi-currency. QuickBooks is aimed at US small business, and both list a 30-day free trial.
What is the best accounting software for UK small business?
Sage is our pick for UK and EU business, starting at $10/mo with MTD / VAT support. FreeAgent suits UK freelancers, KashFlow suits UK small business, and Xero also supports MTD / VAT. Confirm tax features for your own country before you buy.
Start a free trial of accounting software
Most platforms here offer a free trial, so you can test the workflow before you pay.