# Best Small Business Accounting Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing

> Find the best Small Business Accounting Software for your organization. Compare top Small Business Accounting Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos.

Source: https://www.softwareadvice.com/category/506-small-business-accounting

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# Best Small Business Accounting Software of 2026

Updated June 10, 2026

On this page

1.  FrontRunners
2.  Popular Comparisons
3.  Buyers Guide

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290 results

### Compare Products

Showing 1 - 25 of 290 products

#### Company Size

-   Self-Employed
    
-   2-10
    
-   11-50
    
-   51-200
    
-   201-500
    
-   501-1000
    
-   1000+
    

#### Pricing Options

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### Compare Products

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**Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals.  
  
**Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least.  
  
**Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest.  
  
**Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z.

[Sage Intacct](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/intacct-accounting-profile/)

Sage Intacct operates within the Sage Business Cloud portfolio as a comprehensive cloud-based financial management software, exp...[Read more about Sage Intacct](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/intacct-accounting-profile/)

**4.3**

([687 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/intacct-accounting-profile/reviews/))

**524**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

PayPal

Microsoft Excel

+112 more

+111 more

+110 more

Sage Intacct's Best Rated Features

4.83Third-Party Integrations

See All

Sage Intacct's Worst Rated Features

3.17Expense Claims

See All

[Vena](https://www.softwareadvice.com/bpm/vena-profile/)

Vena is a financial planning and analysis (FP&A) platform. It is designed to work with Microsoft 365 apps, cloud technology, and...[Read more about Vena](https://www.softwareadvice.com/bpm/vena-profile/)

**4.5**

([139 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/bpm/vena-profile/reviews/))

**278**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Microsoft 365

QuickBooks Online

+6 more

+5 more

+4 more

Vena's Best Rated Features

4.83Project Accounting

See All

Vena's Worst Rated Features

3.63Consolidation/Roll-Up

See All

[Sage 50 Accounting](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sage-50cloud-profile/)

Sage 50 Accounting is an accounting solution designed to cater to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a su...[Read more about Sage 50 Accounting](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sage-50cloud-profile/)

**3.9**

([467 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sage-50cloud-profile/reviews/))

**246**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

+15 more

+14 more

+13 more

Sage 50 Accounting's Best Rated Features

4.61Accounting

See All

Sage 50 Accounting's Worst Rated Features

3.63Customizable Invoices

See All

[Xledger](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xledger-profile/)

Xledger, True Cloud Finance Software Built For Modern, Multi-entity Organisations Xledger is a true-cloud finance management pl...[Read more about Xledger](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xledger-profile/)

**4.5**

([12 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xledger-profile/reviews/))

**246**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Dynamics 365

GoldFinch ERP

+1 more

+0 more

+0 more

[NetSuite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/)

NetSuite is an AI-powered cloud-based business management suite that incorporates ERP, financial management, CRM and eCommerce f...[Read more about NetSuite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/)

**4.2**

([2044 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/reviews/))

**202**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Salesforce Sales Cloud

Docusign

+18 more

+17 more

+16 more

NetSuite's Best Rated Features

4.75Check Writing

See All

NetSuite's Worst Rated Features

2.71Dashboard

See All

[AccountMate](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/accountmate-profile/)

AccountMate is a hybrid accounting solution that caters to small and midsize businesses and offers them tools and functionalitie...[Read more about AccountMate](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/accountmate-profile/)

**4.3**

([25 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/accountmate-profile/reviews/))

**135**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Shopify

HubSpot CRM

+1 more

+0 more

+0 more

[Yooz](https://www.softwareadvice.com/procure-to-pay/yooz-profile/)

Yooz is a cloud-based accounts payable automation platform designed to optimize financial operations using real-time processing ...[Read more about Yooz](https://www.softwareadvice.com/procure-to-pay/yooz-profile/)

**4.4**

([222 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/procure-to-pay/yooz-profile/reviews/))

**129**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

QuickBooks Enterprise

Microsoft Excel

+39 more

+38 more

+37 more

Yooz's Best Rated Features

4.50Procurement Management

See All

Yooz's Worst Rated Features

3.29API

See All

[Connected](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/accountek-profile/)

Connected is a hybrid integrated accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) that caters to small and midsize businesses a...[Read more about Connected](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/accountek-profile/)

**5.0**

([3 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/accountek-profile/#reviews))

**104**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

SurePayroll

+0 more

+0 more

+0 more

[Striven](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/striven-profile/)

Striven is a cloud-based, all-in-one business management ERP platform built for small and midsize companies tired of duct-taping...[Read more about Striven](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/striven-profile/)

**4.8**

([129 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/striven-profile/reviews/))

**84**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Gmail

Shopify

+13 more

+12 more

+11 more

Striven's Best Rated Features

5.0Order Management

See All

Striven's Worst Rated Features

4.20Sales Pipeline Management

See All

[Deltek Costpoint](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/deltek-costpoint-profile/)

Deltek Costpoint is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) and management solution designed to meet the requirements of midsize a...[Read more about Deltek Costpoint](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/deltek-costpoint-profile/)

**3.9**

([215 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/deltek-costpoint-profile/reviews/))

**73**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Deltek GovWin IQ

+0 more

+0 more

+0 more

Deltek Costpoint's Best Rated Features

4.67Approval Process Control

See All

Deltek Costpoint's Worst Rated Features

3.71Expense Tracking

See All

[Aplos](https://www.softwareadvice.com/nonprofit/aplos-profile/)

Aplos is a dedicated accounting solution engineered specifically for the unique financial demands of nonprofit organizations. We...[Read more about Aplos](https://www.softwareadvice.com/nonprofit/aplos-profile/)

**4.5**

([186 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/nonprofit/aplos-profile/reviews/))

**64**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Gusto

Bloomerang

+4 more

+3 more

+2 more

Aplos's Best Rated Features

4.63Income & Balance Sheet

See All

Aplos's Worst Rated Features

3.67Member Database

See All

[Procurify](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/procurify-profile/)

Procurify is a procurement and spend management software designed to automate the intake-to-pay process for organizations. It co...[Read more about Procurify](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/procurify-profile/)

**4.6**

([202 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/procurify-profile/reviews/))

**58**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Slack

QuickBooks Online

+16 more

+15 more

+14 more

Procurify's Best Rated Features

5.0Duplicate Payment Alert

See All

Procurify's Worst Rated Features

4.10Budgeting/Forecasting

See All

[Fraxion](https://www.softwareadvice.com/scm/fraxion-profile/)

Fraxion provides a complete procure-to-pay solution for purchasing, expense, and AP automation with advanced spend analytics. T...[Read more about Fraxion](https://www.softwareadvice.com/scm/fraxion-profile/)

**4.4**

([130 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/scm/fraxion-profile/reviews/))

**54**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Microsoft Teams

QuickBooks Online

+11 more

+10 more

+9 more

Fraxion's Best Rated Features

4.86Access Controls/Permissions

See All

Fraxion's Worst Rated Features

2.43Fraud Detection

See All

[Beyond Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/psa/beyond-profile/)

Beyond Software is a project accounting and management software system available for small to mid-size companies. The system all...[Read more about Beyond Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/psa/beyond-profile/)

**4.7**

([7 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/psa/beyond-profile/#reviews))

**33**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

[ExpensePoint](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/expensepoint-profile/)

ExpensePoint is an expense management platform that helps midsize and large businesses streamline expense reporting, compliance,...[Read more about ExpensePoint](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/expensepoint-profile/)

**4.8**

([352 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/expensepoint-profile/reviews/))

**31**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Microsoft Excel

Dynamics 365

+20 more

+19 more

+18 more

ExpensePoint's Best Rated Features

5.0Corporate Card

See All

ExpensePoint's Worst Rated Features

4.10Reimbursement Management

See All

[M3 Accounting Core](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/m3-profile/)

M3 Accounting Core Software is a cloud-based accounting solution that helps streamline financial operations for small to large b...[Read more about M3 Accounting Core](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/m3-profile/)

**4.7**

([11 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/m3-profile/reviews/))

**28**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

WebRezPro

AvidXchange

+1 more

+0 more

+0 more

[Versa Cloud ERP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/versaccounts-profile/)

Versa is Modern all-in-one Cloud ERP software created for fast growing inventory heavy manufacturing, distribution, and e-commer...[Read more about Versa Cloud ERP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/versaccounts-profile/)

**4.8**

([22 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/versaccounts-profile/reviews/))

**21**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

PayPal

Salesforce Sales Cloud

+9 more

+8 more

+7 more

[MaintainX](https://www.softwareadvice.com/cmms/maintainx-profile/)

MaintainX is a maintenance and asset management platform built for industrial and frontline teams. It helps organizations stream...[Read more about MaintainX](https://www.softwareadvice.com/cmms/maintainx-profile/)

**4.8**

([1039 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/cmms/maintainx-profile/reviews/))

**14**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Slack

Jira

+17 more

+16 more

+15 more

MaintainX's Best Rated Features

5.0Image Capture

See All

MaintainX's Worst Rated Features

3.63Calibration Management

See All

[Deltek Ajera](https://www.softwareadvice.com/bi/deltek-ajera-profile/)

Deltek Ajera is an integrated accounting and project management solution built for architecture and engineering (A/E) firms. It ...[Read more about Deltek Ajera](https://www.softwareadvice.com/bi/deltek-ajera-profile/)

**3.6**

([62 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/bi/deltek-ajera-profile/reviews/))

**12**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Deltek Ajera's Best Rated Features

4.67Online Time Tracking

See All

Deltek Ajera's Worst Rated Features

3.14Billing & Invoicing

See All

[Sage Accounting](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sage-business-cloud-accounting-profile/)

Sage Accounting is a cloud-based accounting and invoice management solution for small to midsize businesses. It offers accountin...[Read more about Sage Accounting](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sage-business-cloud-accounting-profile/)

**4.1**

([614 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sage-business-cloud-accounting-profile/reviews/))

**9**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Stripe

Zapier

+38 more

+37 more

+36 more

Sage Accounting's Best Rated Features

4.74Invoice History

See All

Sage Accounting's Worst Rated Features

3.38Budgeting/Forecasting

See All

[MIP Accounting](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/121198-MIP-Accounting/)

MIP is the leading accounting software designed for mission-driven organizations, including nonprofits, schools, healthcare, ass...[Read more about MIP Accounting](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/121198-MIP-Accounting/)

**4.1**

([69 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/121198-MIP-Accounting/reviews/))

**8**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

AvidXchange

TripLog Mileage Tracker

+2 more

+1 more

+0 more

[MRI Fixed Asset Management](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/series4000-profile/)

MRI Fixed Asset Accounting is an on-premise and cloud-based fixed asset accounting solution for small, mid-sized and large enter...[Read more about MRI Fixed Asset Management](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/series4000-profile/)

**4.6**

([48 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/series4000-profile/reviews/))

**6**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Microsoft Excel

+0 more

+0 more

+0 more

[Focus X](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/3600-focus/)

Focus X is an all-inclusive enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that helps you connect every aspect of your business opera...[Read more about Focus X](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/3600-focus/)

**3.8**

([119 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/3600-focus/reviews/))

**7**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Focus X's Best Rated Features

4.50Approval Process Control

See All

Focus X's Worst Rated Features

3.17Purchase Order Management

See All

[BudgetPak](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/budgetpak-profile/)

BudgetPak by XLerant is a cloud-based Accounting solution that offers stand-alone Budgeting and Forecasting, as well as integrat...[Read more about BudgetPak](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/budgetpak-profile/)

**4.8**

([24 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/budgetpak-profile/reviews/))

**5**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Microsoft Excel

+0 more

+0 more

+0 more

[SAP Business One](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sap-business-one-profile/)

SAP Business One is a modular and integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. This platform integrates financials, C...[Read more about SAP Business One](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sap-business-one-profile/)

**4.3**

([344 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sap-business-one-profile/reviews/))

**4**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Microsoft Excel

Mailchimp

+7 more

+6 more

+5 more

SAP Business One's Best Rated Features

4.86Scheduling

See All

SAP Business One's Worst Rated Features

3.33Purchasing & Receiving

See All

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[2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/category/506-small-business-accounting/?page=2)[3](https://www.softwareadvice.com/category/506-small-business-accounting/?page=3)[4](https://www.softwareadvice.com/category/506-small-business-accounting/?page=4)[5](https://www.softwareadvice.com/category/506-small-business-accounting/?page=5)

...

[12](https://www.softwareadvice.com/category/506-small-business-accounting/?page=12)

## Popular Comparisons

[

QuickBooks Online vs QuickBooks Enterprise

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/49801-qb-desktop-enterprise/vs/393202-QuickBooks-Online/)[

Xero vs FreshBooks

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/freshbooks-profile/vs/xero/)[

NetSuite vs QuickBooks Desktop

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/vs/quickbooks-pro/)[

Zoho Invoice vs Wave

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/18767-Wave-Apps/vs/435103-zoho-invoice/)[

Sage Intacct vs Odoo

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/intacct-accounting-profile/vs/odoo/)[

Limble vs MaintainX

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/cmms/limblecmms-profile/vs/maintainx/)

## Your Guide to Top Small Business Accounting Software, September 2022

Software Advice uses reviews from real software users to highlight the top-rated Small Business Accounting products in North America.

[Learn how products are chosen](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal-page/frontrunners-methodology/)

#### Explore FrontRunners

-   [Agiled](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/agiled-profile/)
-   [HoneyBook](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/honeybook-profile/)
-   [abcoa Deal Pack](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/abcoa-deal-pack-profile/)
-   [Patriot Accounting](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/patriot-profile/)
-   [Ramp](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/115155-Ramp/)
-   [Elorus](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/elorus-profile/)
-   [MoneyMinder](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/moneyminder-profile/)
-   [BQE CORE Suite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/bqe-core-accounting-profile/)
-   [Striven](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/striven-profile/)
-   [Synder](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/synder-profile/)
-   [ZarMoney](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/zarmoney-profile/)
-   [Pilot](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/80712-Pilot/)
-   [FreshBooks](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/freshbooks-profile/)
-   Deskera Books
-   [Workday Financial Management](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/workday-financial-management-profile/)
-   [SAP Business One](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sap-business-one-profile/)
-   [Zoho Books](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/zoho-books-profile/)
-   [Wave](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/18767-Wave-Apps/)
-   QuickBooks Desktop Premier
-   [Accounting Seed](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/accounting-seed-profile/)
-   [Plooto](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/plooto-profile/)
-   [TallyPrime](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/tally-profile/)
-   [Xero](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xero-profile/)
-   [Sage 100](https://www.softwareadvice.com/distribution/sage-100cloud-profile/)
-   [QuickBooks Desktop](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/quickbooks-pro-profile/)

“Usability” includes user ratings for Functionality and Ease of Use.

“Customer Satisfaction” includes user ratings for Customer Support, Likelihood to Recommend and Value for Money.

Reviews analysis period: The reviews analysis period spans two years and ends the 15th of the month prior to publication.

## Send me a copy of this list to my inbox

### Get a copy of this list with pricing info sent to your inbox so you can pick up where you left off when convenient to you.

## What is small business accounting software?

Small business accounting software is software used by small businesses to track incoming and outgoing financial transactions as well as financial statements and cash flow. While traditionally small businesses have tracked financial information on tools such as spreadsheets, these manual methods are time-consuming and less accurate. Spreadsheets also do not offer the automation and notification capabilities of a dedicated tool.

With small business accounting software, users can eliminate the need to create a spreadsheet and manually enter each transaction detail. Instead, they gain the flexibility of integrating with third-party tools such as point-of-sale software to automatically input data. These tools can also generate branded invoices, send notifications upon certain financial transactions or milestones, and provide an overview of the business’ budget.

Given all this, it can be tricky for small businesses to identify the right accounting software for their needs. We developed this guide to help buyers understand exactly what these products offer, so they can select the solution that is the best fit.

## What are common reasons small businesses seek accounting solutions?

Thousands of small businesses contact us every year looking for help selecting the accounting solution best suited to them. Some of these buyers are just getting started, while others are looking to replace an outdated or problematic system.

Small businesses most commonly purchase an accounting system because they are:

-   Seeking to upgrade to a software system with more advanced features.
    
-   Seeking to automate functions that were previously done manually.
    
-   Looking to [generate better financial reports](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/financial-reporting-comparison/).
    
-   In need of specific features (e.g., project or job accounting).
    
-   Frustrated with their current accounting software (e.g., it is not user-friendly).
    

## Common Features of Small Business Accounting Software

There are several different applications for buyers to choose from, which can be purchased either as a standalone application or along with other related applications, as part of an integrated software suite (more on this below). Make sure the system you purchase covers all the functionality you’re going to need.

Here are some of the most common small-business accounting applications:

**Application**

**Function**

**Best for...**

[Accounts payable](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/accounts-payable-comparison/) / [accounts receivable](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/accounts-receivable-comparison/) (AP/AR)

The fundamental bookkeeping application, which [tracks what is owed to a company by its customers (accounts receivable)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/accounts-receivable-comparison/) as well as what the company owes its suppliers, also known as its liabilities (accounts payable).

All small businesses (especially those without a dedicated bookkeeper); this is an essential accounting function.

Financial reporting

Reporting applications allow businesses to export data from their accounting system in a structured manner that communicates financial history as well as financial projections. Some may include compliance-related functionality for government or industry audits (e.g., in banking and financial services).

Any small business with seasonal or otherwise dynamic cash flow that needs to be tracked closely. Also, businesses that need to provide financial reports to stakeholders or to regulatory institutions for compliance.

Budgeting & forecasting

Budgeting applications allow small businesses to model potential financial outcomes and to compare actual profit and loss to planned budgets, which helps with decision-making about workforce, spending and growth. Some systems have dashboards that display information visually.

Small businesses that are currently growing or considering expanding.

Fixed asset accounting

Fixed asset applications focus on tracking assets that aren’t easily converted to cash: For a small business, assets will typically be “tangible,” such as land, buildings or equipment. These applications calculate the value of such assets over time, allowing for depreciation due to wear and tear.

Small businesses with substantial tangible assets, or any business that, for tax purposes, may benefit from reporting depreciations to assets.

## How is small business accounting software priced?

Most small businesses will want to consider cloud-based accounting solutions. Because these systems are hosted online by the vendor, they eliminate the need for you to have a dedicated IT team for managing and maintaining your own server. Conversely, an “on-premise” deployment means the software is hosted locally, on your company’s own servers (which you are responsible for maintaining).

Choosing a Web-based system drastically reduces upfront investment and installation costs. In addition, these systems typically offer monthly subscription pricing, which makes them scale well for fast-growing companies that need to add additional user licenses or features down the road. On-premise systems, on the other hand, come with a steeper, one-time fee to use the software in perpetuity.

At present, some businesses may still see savings with an on-premise system, especially if they already have the necessary hardware to host the software on-site. While on-premise solutions usually require purchasing an expensive perpetual license up front, this may still be the cheaper option if you use the same system over an extended period of time. However, keep in mind that with on-premise solutions, you might also pay additionally for upgrades, customizations and maintenance.

## What should you consider when purchasing accounting software for your small business?

With so many options and feature sets to choose from, selecting the right accounting solution can quickly become an overwhelming task. To narrow things down, here are three key factors for small businesses to keep in mind while evaluating different products:

**Best-of-breed vs. integrated suite options.** Because accounting encompasses so many functions, from fund accounting to [billing and invoicing](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/billing-invoicing-software-comparison/), many entry-level products are actually “best-of-breed” solutions. This means they focus on only one of the core applications listed in the table above. “Integrated suites,” meaning solutions combining multiple applications in one software package (often billed as “professional” or “enterprise” editions), have much greater functionality, but are also are much more expensive.

So before you begin shopping, start with a clear assessment of exactly which functions you need. The “Best for...” column in the chart above provides recommendations as to which applications are best for which types of businesses.

**Automation capabilities.** Many small businesses we speak with say they’re replacing their accounting system in order to reduce the inaccuracies that come with manual entry and to automate more of their processes. Small businesses should pay particular attention to the degree of automation that a system provides as they evaluate accounting software for small business. If your company is growing, it's especially important to track everything in a system that can verify entries for accuracy and automate recurring functions to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

**Integration with other programs.** While small businesses may not have as many integration requirements as larger companies, your accounting software’s ability to sync with other programs could still be a factor. Consider whether your desired accounting system can integrate with any of your company’s current stand-alone applications—for example, if you have a [payroll system designed to support small businesses](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/small-business-payroll-comparison/), or a [retail point-of-sale (POS)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/) system that will need to integrate with restaurant accounting software functionality.

Moreover, integration with banking institutions and credit cards can make it much easier to keep track of your company financials in real-time. Accounting software can sync with your online accounts automatically, so you don’t have to enter transaction information manually.