There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with them, yet they fail to elicit some of the excitement the other account software platforms do. KashFlow is arguably less well-known than some of the other small business accounting software brands, yet they are still regularly advertising on TV and radio. However, the Sage 50Cloud solution is also potentially suitable for smaller businesses, particularly those who need a broader feature set.
Price reductions are offered for annual subscriptions and for the first 6 or 12 months depending on your plan. If a plan is cancelled by a business, the provider will typically retain the data for a period of time, usually a year, after which it will be deleted. Depending on the provider, businesses may be able to export the data to a third party program such as Excel. Overall, Sage offers a competitively-priced basic plan, however, it has one of the more expensive multi-currency and MTD ready plans.
What support does QuickFile offer?
Its non-profit features are also worth considering for those running such organisations. Take a quick look at the table below and read the in-depth reviews to find the best accounting software in the UK. Accounting software can be complex, so you’ll want to find something that’s easy to use and install or, better yet it’s available in the cloud. Consider how user-friendly each software is as well as whether it’s available on multiple platforms. Wave Accounting free accounting software is best for businesses that want an easy-to-use accounting software. GnuCash free accounting software is best for businesses that need to track investments and want software that’s compatible with Linux.
Where QuickBooks stands out is the quality of its reporting, with punchy snapshots of how your business is performing financially. Its reporting facility is ahead of rivals such as Xero when it comes to customisation. In 2022, women in the UK started over 150,000 new companies – a 167% increase over 2018. However, further funding and business support are needed to give more women founders a shot at success.
Sage Accounting – best for micro businesses with limited stock
Sage is also offering 3 months free on all its Business Cloud Accounting packages, as well as a 30-day free trial so you can see if it’s right for your business. QuickFile on the other hand, which we’ll be reviewing next, primarily offers customer support through email and a community forum. Zoho Books provides a wider range of support options, including live chat and phone support, while QuickFile primarily relies on the forums to provide you with any help you need.
- Sage – Best SMB accounting solution for multiple users
Sage offers a slick and simple to use accountancy package that will appeal to small businesses. - Of course, if you only have simple accountancy needs, that shouldn’t put you off.
- Zoho Books forms part of a much larger software portfolio based in India that offers all manner of solutions for anyone and everyone.
- KashFlow – Best simplified online accounting option KashFlow is cloud-based accounting software that is brimming over with lots of features and functions, all designed to make life easier for the small business owner.
- Another UK-based payment-processing platform, Sage began life in 1981 when its founder got in touch with Newcastle University students asking them to help him develop an automatic accounting processes program.
- The Standard and Plus plans are MTD ready and allow VAT to be submitted directly to HMRC.
Not only will businesses using FreshBooks be able to handle basic accounting features, but they’ll also be able to save time on sending invoices, tracking expenses, and creating proposals. Wave UK accounting software stands out as a solution for freelancers and sole traders as it lacks some features that larger businesses may require. You cannot track inventory and there’s no time tracking or full project management. Sage – Best SMB accounting solution for multiple users
Sage offers a slick and simple to use accountancy package that will appeal to small businesses.
Top accounting software comparison
We’ve selected the top nine accounting software, with options that fit every budget, multiple business types, and some that include small business payroll software options as well. Apart from its priciest plan, which includes free access for two users, FreshBooks limits each plan to just one user. Every additional user costs a monthly fee, which makes Xero, QuickBooks and Zoho Books cheaper options for businesses that collaborate on finances. In stark contrast to pricy software like Sage 50, FreeAgent’s cheap accounting software starts at less than £10 per month (excluding VAT). It’s also available free for customers who maintain business bank accounts at NatWast, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank. With five plan tiers ranging from a self-service, self-employment plan to a corporate-level, highly customisable plan, it’s extremely scalable.
You’ll be able to keep track of and automate payments, while benefiting from quick and safe international payments which are far cheaper than your regular bank. Get started finding the best small business accounting software for your needs by using the tables on this page to compare benefits, costs and options. Connect your business bank account to your accounting software to automatically sync transactions and access bulk transaction categorisation. Avoid manual accounting, cut down on errors and have more time to grow your business. If you’re looking for the no strings attached best free accounting software UK users can snap up right now, then GnuCash should be highly considered. While it doesn’t provide the modern cloud/web-based access that is all the rage, it is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Software vendors
Small and medium-sized businesses will find it comes bristling with lots of features with deals on pricing too. Popular options include Patriot, Wave, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Pro, and Xero. One thing to note is that in most cases, an additional fee is required for payroll services in addition to the fees you pay for your accounting software.
Ready to get accounting software?
When it comes to getting paid, Wise Business gives you local account details in 9 major currencies. This means you can get paid like a local in your client’s currency, without unnecessary extra costs. With a Wise Business multi-currency account, you can manage your company’s money in 40+ currencies. The company doesn’t seem to have a verified page on TrustPilot, so doesn’t have a rating or history of user reviews. It does support multi-currency banking,⁷ but doesn’t have a lot of other features for managing international transactions.
Whether you pay for an accountant or do your own taxes, accounting software can be a great way of keeping on top of your business finances, especially if used in tandem with a business bank account. It can help you monitor your cash flow, track transactions, and submit your taxes. Small business owners join the quickbooks ambassador program may find that it’s worth paying for a more comprehensive accounting software plan to access additional features needed to manage and grow their business finances. If you do everything on-site and use only macOS then finding the best accounting software for Mac in the UK might be a good idea.