The best accounting software for most US small businesses is QuickBooks Online: the most accountants, apps and payroll options, from $38 a month for 1 user. Xero is the best value when several people need a login, with unlimited users from $27 a month. FreshBooks is best for freelancers and service businesses that mainly invoice clients (from $23 a month), Wave is the best free option for a one-person business, and Zoho Books is free under $50,000 in yearly revenue.
Best accounting software in 2026
QuickBooks Online
The software most US accountants know, with payroll, payments and a huge app ecosystem; Simple Start $38 (1 user), Essentials $85 (3), Plus $140 (5), Advanced $340 (25) a month.
Xero
Full double-entry accounting with unlimited users on every plan: Early $27, Growing $59, Established $97 a month. Early caps you at 20 invoices and 5 bills a month.
FreshBooks
The friendliest invoicing, time tracking and project billing; Lite $23 a month for 5 billable clients, Plus $43 for 50, Premium $70 unlimited.
Wave
Starter is free with unlimited invoices, bills and double-entry books; bank auto-import and receipt scanning need Pro ($19 a month).
Zoho Books
Free for 1 user under $50,000 in yearly revenue; Standard $15, Professional $40 and Premium $60 a month billed yearly.
Questions buyers ask
What is the best accounting software for small businesses?
QuickBooks Online for most US small businesses, because most accountants know it and payroll and payments plug in. Xero if several people need a login, since every plan includes unlimited users. FreshBooks for freelancers and service businesses, and Wave or Zoho Books if you want to start free.
QuickBooks vs Xero: which is better?
Xero is cheaper and includes unlimited users on every plan ($27, $59 or $97 a month), while QuickBooks Online costs $38 to $340 and limits users by plan (1 on Simple Start, 25 on Advanced). QuickBooks wins on US accountant familiarity, built-in US payroll options and depth on its top plans.
What is the best free accounting software?
Wave: its Starter plan is free with unlimited invoices and bills and double-entry bookkeeping, but bank import and receipt scanning need Pro ($19 a month). Zoho Books is free for 1 user while revenue stays under $50,000 a year. QuickBooks also has a Free plan, limited to 2 invoices a month and 1 bank account.
What is the best accounting software for freelancers?
FreshBooks: invoicing, time tracking, expenses and project billing in a simple app, from $23 a month for up to 5 billable clients. If you invoice few clients and want to pay nothing, Wave's free Starter plan covers invoicing and bookkeeping.
How much does QuickBooks Online cost in 2026?
US list prices: Simple Start $38, Essentials $85, Plus $140 and Advanced $340 a month, with 50% off the first 3 months for new customers or a 30-day free trial. Payroll, bill pay and inventory on the lower plans cost extra.
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