Best Accounting Software for Small Businesses in 2025

If you run a business, you already know: your accounting software matters.

The right tool helps you track revenue, stay tax-ready, and avoid the headaches that come with messy books. But there are hundreds of options—and not all of them are built for businesses like yours.

In this blog, we’ll cover the best accounting software for small businesses in 2025. Whether you’re a solo founder or scaling your team, here’s what’s worth using (and when).

Check out Sam's List of a list of proactive accountants specialized in your industry, stage of growth, and needs. 

TL;DR: Our Top Picks by Use Case

Use Case	Best Tool	Why It Stands Out
Best Overall	QuickBooks	Scalable, industry standard, strong integrations
Best for Solopreneurs	Wave	Free, intuitive, easy to use
Best for Growing Teams	Xero	Multi-user, great for collaboration
Best for E-Commerce	A2X + QuickBooks	Syncs directly with Shopify, Amazon, etc.
Best Visual Dashboards	Bench	Outsourced bookkeeping + great UX

How to Choose the Right Software for You

Before you pick a tool, ask:

• How much revenue are you generating? (Many tools charge based on usage volume)
• Are you handling bookkeeping yourself or outsourcing it?
• Do you need payroll, inventory, or tax support?
• Are you selling physical goods, digital products, or services?

Your business model and budget should guide your choice.

Our Detailed Reviews

1. QuickBooks Online

Best For: Most small businesses, especially those with growth plans.
Pricing: Starts at $30/month
Strengths:

• Integrates with 650+ apps
• Offers payroll, invoicing, time tracking
• Bank feeds & automated categorization

QuickBooks is the gold standard for a reason. Most accountants and bookkeepers use it, so collaboration is seamless.

2. Wave

Best For: Solopreneurs and freelancers
Pricing: Free (with paid add-ons for payroll or support)
Strengths:

• Zero cost to get started
• Clean UX and basic reports
• Built-in invoicing and receipt scanning

If you're under $100K in revenue and want something simple, Wave gets the job done without the price tag.

3. Xero

Best For: Teams with multiple users or international operations
Pricing: Starts at $13/month
Strengths:

• Cloud-based and collaborative
• Great for multi-currency businesses
• Accountant-friendly interface

Xero is QuickBooks’ main competitor. It’s modern, flexible, and perfect for businesses that need shared access.

4. Bench

Best For: Founders who want bookkeeping done-for-you
Pricing: Starts at $299/month
Strengths:

• Comes with a dedicated bookkeeper
• Monthly reports and year-end tax package
• Visually intuitive dashboard

Bench is a hybrid service/software solution. If you’re ready to offload bookkeeping but not hire in-house, this is a strong contender.

5. A2X (with QuickBooks)

Best For: E-Commerce businesses
Pricing: Starts at $19/month for A2X + QuickBooks
Strengths:

• Reconciles Shopify/Amazon payouts
• Handles high transaction volume
• Tax-compliant reporting

E-commerce founders love A2X because it solves one of the biggest pain points: tracking revenue and fees accurately from marketplaces.

Sam’s List POV: What Founders Actually Use

Most founders on Sam’s List start with Wave or QuickBooks. By the time they’re scaling past $250K–$500K, they move to QuickBooks + A2X (if ecom), or hire a bookkeeper who uses Xero or QuickBooks.

Bench works well for founders who want to stay hands-off—but some outgrow it once they want more granular visibility or multi-entity support.

Q&A

What is the easiest accounting software for beginners?

Wave is the easiest tool to get started with. It’s free, intuitive, and designed for solopreneurs or freelancers who want clean books without the learning curve.

Which software do most accountants recommend?

QuickBooks is the most recommended and widely supported platform among accountants in the U.S.

Can I switch software later?

Yes, but it’s best to do it at the end of a fiscal year or quarter. Many tools allow you to export/import data or work with migration specialists.

What’s best for e-commerce?

A2X paired with QuickBooks or Xero is the go-to setup for businesses selling through Shopify, Amazon, or Etsy.

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2. DIY vs Outsourced Bookkeeping 
3. When to Hire a Bookkeeper, Accountant, or CPA 

Author: Kimi, Co-founder of Sam's List
Kimi writes about what she's learning while building Sam's List and shares honest takeaways from her conversations with accountants and financial advisors across the country. None of this is financial advice—just the stuff most people wish someone told them sooner.