Finance tools
Updated 19 August 2026
Accounting software is chosen less on features than on two practical questions: what your accountant will actually work in, and how the pricing treats extra users. Both are covered here alongside current pricing.
The tools, and what they cost
Entry paid tier, checked August 2026. Confirm current pricing with each vendor.
| Tool | From | Free option | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online | ~$35/mo | No free plan; a trial and introductory discounts are usually available. | You need an accountant to work in it comfortably and you want the widest integration support. |
| Xero | ~$29/mo | No free plan; a 30-day trial is offered. | You want unlimited users, a cleaner interface, and you are outside the US or your accountant supports it. |
| FreshBooks | ~$21/mo | No free plan; a trial and frequent introductory discounts are offered. | You are a service business or freelancer whose main job is invoicing time and projects. |
| Gusto | ~$49/mo + ~$6/person | No free plan. | You run a US small business and want payroll and compliance to be genuinely low-effort. |
Guides in this category
- QuickBooks alternatives When per-user tier jumps become the issue.
- Xero alternatives Regional accountant support matters more than features.
- FreshBooks alternatives When the billable-client cap starts to bite.
Thinking of switching?
Each of these starts from the reason people leave, because the right replacement depends entirely on that.
- QuickBooks Online alternatives You are a sole trader with straightforward invoicing. You are paying for capability you will never use.
- Xero alternatives You are US-based and your accountant works primarily in QuickBooks.
- FreshBooks alternatives You need inventory, complex accounting, or you have many small clients.
- Gusto alternatives You have employees outside the US, or your headcount is large enough for enterprise payroll pricing.
Try them yourself
Pricing and free tiers change often — check the current plans directly before deciding.
Disclosure: some links are affiliate links and we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never changes what we recommend — several tools here pay us nothing. How we make money.