Sage

QuickBooks by Intuit is the most widely used small business accounting software in the world. It offers invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, VAT returns, payroll, and financial reporting. QuickBooks Online is the cloud version, popular for its ease of use and extensive accountant ecosystem.

Xero is a cloud-first accounting platform that has become the preferred choice for accountants and small businesses in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Known for its clean interface, unlimited users on all plans, and strong app marketplace with over 1,000 integrations. Xero handles invoicing, bank reconciliation, payroll, expenses, and reporting.

FreshBooks is an invoicing-first accounting platform designed for freelancers and service-based businesses. It excels at creating professional invoices, tracking time, managing expenses, and accepting payments. While it has added double-entry accounting features, its core strength remains making invoicing painless.

Wave is a genuinely free accounting platform for small businesses. It offers invoicing, accounting, receipt scanning, and financial reporting at no cost. Wave makes money through optional paid services like payroll, payments processing, and bookkeeping. Ideal for freelancers and micro-businesses on a tight budget.

Zoho Books is the accounting component of the broader Zoho ecosystem. It offers comprehensive accounting features including invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, inventory, and project billing. Particularly valuable for businesses already using other Zoho products due to seamless integration across the suite.

KashFlow is a UK-built accounting software designed specifically for UK small businesses. It handles invoicing, expenses, bank feeds, payroll, and VAT returns with a focus on simplicity and HMRC compliance. Now part of the IRIS Software Group, it remains a solid choice for UK businesses wanting straightforward accounting.