Best Free Accounting Software Solutions to Consider in 2023

Intuit’s QuickBooks Online has been one of the most common accounting software programs used by small businesses and their bookkeeping and tax professionals. The software is cloud-based and can be accessed through a web browser or a mobile app. Every accounting software for small businesses comes with its own set of features. In the case of many free tools, users can access necessary features to balance books, create financial reports and prepare for the tax season.

We recommend reading our in-depth review of any service first to make sure it fits your needs—and your budget. While CloudBooks’ basic features are free, it doesn’t offer as much as the competition. Another reason some companies freely distribute the software is because it is open-sourced, meaning any developer can customize it any way they see fit. The license for open-sourced software specifically states that it must remain free for every user. We recommend the best products through an independent review process, and advertisers do not influence our picks. Eric is a staff writer at Fit Small Business and CPA focusing on accounting content. He spends most of his time researching and studying to give the best answer to everyone.

Cloud Books

Small business accounting software can generate them, but you may need an accounting professional to analyze them to tell you in concrete terms what they mean for your company. If you’re not ready to pay for features you won’t use, many companies offer free accounting and bookkeeping software that can be a good fit for your small business.

However, before you dive headfirst into one of the freebies, consider a few of the drawbacks of using free accounting software. Many freelancers and independent contractors rely on BrightBook as the accounting solution for their business. Some of these include financial reporting, invoicing and assistance with financial statements.

Best Free Accounting Software for Small Businesses

Check out our piece on the best free payroll software for small-business owners. However, Express Accounts’ customer service is much less robust than our other top five picks. You can reach out to technical support over email if you have an issue with your download, but that’s the extent of your support. Its chart of accounts is straightforward and user-friendly, which is crucial for first-time business owners with limited financial knowledge. Akaunting’s free plan is intended for freelancers and self-employed entrepreneurs who don’t need features like expense tracking or a general ledger.

NCH free accounting software is best for small businesses that want to be able to generate various financial reports. To help you find the best free accounting software for your needs, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks. We selected these solutions based on pricing, features, support, reputation and more.

Small Business Ideas for Anyone Who Wants to Run Their Own Business

Payroll administrators can only access the payroll section of your account. The Select plan also does not have a limitation on the number of clients that can be billed per month, but adds unique features. Fiverr Workspace is a free accounting software aimed at independent contractors and freelancers.

Today’s leading accounting platforms offer standard security features like data encryption, secure credential tokenization and more. While human error will always play some role in security breaches, you free accounting software can be confident in your accounting platform when it comes to keeping your information safe. Small, medium, and large businesses interested in getting a complete, end-to-end finance solution for free.