The best accounting software for small businesses in the UK makes it quick and easy to manage your business finances, profit/loss, and taxes.
1. Best overall
2. Best for multiple users
3. Best for features
4. Best for versatility
5. Best for real advisors
6. Best for ease-of-use
7. Best for automation
8. Best budget option
9. Best basic option
10. FAQs
11. How we test
Having the right accounting software to suit your business needs is vital, but it also requires some careful thought to ensure you’ve picked the right package. This is especially for automating submissions to HMRC via Making Tax Digital.
When it comes to selecting the best accounting software it is possible to choose a specific accounting bundle, such as invoicing software or dedicated tax software. However, a better route to take if you’re running a small business is to select an accounting software package that covers everything you need.
The great thing about going down this route is that you’ll be able to simplify your accounting and tax affairs by completing everything within one software bundle. The best accounting software lets you tackle tax, handle invoicing, cover timekeeping and all without needing to own more than one package.
Another benefit of picking the right accounting software is that it should also integrate with any e-commerce packages your business interacts with, and cover the management of expenses too.
Streamlining your business activities and being able to cover all bases, including managing your time more efficiently, is vital for running any type of successful operation, no matter what it might be. And the best accounting software lets you do just that.
We've listed the best small business software.
The best accounting software for small businesses in the UK of 2024 in full:
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Best overall
QuickBooks is a very well known name for anyone who needs an accountancy or bookkeeping software solution. Owned by Intuit, the product portfolio is suitable for small through to large businesses and includes Turbotax, Mint and Proconnect. QuickBooks is also available in several different varieties, from desktop editions through to the hugely popular Online edition.
Depending on your requirements, you can choose from QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Self-Employed, QuickBooks Online Advanced, QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Premier and QuickBooks Enterprise. Better still, it is possible to create a custom package using the help of the QuickBooks team if you need a more bespoke option.
Due to the sheer expanse of QuickBooks-based products it’s best to check out the website in order to get the latest update on pricing, versions available and also any deals that Intuit has on this vast range of accounting solutions.
Read our full QuickBooks review.
Best for multiple users
Sage Accounting is another very familiar name in the world of accounting. It benefits from clear and no-nonsense pricing, with a choice of deals that offer decent value and provide all the features you need. You frequently get the benefit of free trial offers too.
Sign up for a Sage Accounting package and you'll get modules to make the job easier. These include being able to manage quotes, tackle invoices, handle and submit returns VAT online, smart bank feeds and reconciliation too. On top of that there is cash flow forecasting, detailed reporting, multiple currency support, project tracking and more, all available from your desktop or via a mobile app.
All this is nicely presented and, on the whole, very easy-to-use. If you run into issues, detailed web help and video tutorials are easily accessible, with the offer of free unlimited 24/7 telephone and email support helping make any recent adopter comfortable.
Sage also has numerous product options to choose from. However, more basic packages don't always include support for quotes, estimates or vendor bills and suchlike. Slimline packages might not feature cash flow forecasts either, but cheaper options are often more than enough for start-ups as well as small business use.
Read our full Sage Accounting review.
Best for features
Xero has been evolving its range of small business accounting options lately and now has something for everyone. The great thing about Xero is its scalable appeal, so while its low-cost plan might work, there can be some limitations. Being restricted to sending a maximum of five invoices, entering five bills, or reconciling only 20 bank transactions, for example.
Nevertheless, if you can live with those restrictions there are some bonuses here. The service offers smart expense tracking and management, optionally on your mobile with Xero's excellent app for Android and iOS. There are dozens of configurable reports, simple budgeting, and no limits at all on additional users or the accountants you might want to access the data.
If the invoice, bank or billing issues are a problem then the Xero's more elaborate plan options might look like a better deal. You'll pay more money, but it adds flexibility, such as being able to issue as many invoices and enter as many bills as you like.
Xero delivers more than enough functionality for any type of small business. There's a handy "convert your QuickBooks files" service to help you get started, and it's undeniably easy to use.
Read our full Xero review.
Best for versatility
FreshBooks is a dependable and very popular cloud-based accounting service, which has been designed specifically for small business owners.
The accounting package lets you carry out invoicing, track expenses, monitor time, create business reports and there's even an option to take credit card payments.It's all wrapped up in a fuss-free interface aimed at non-accountants and is therefore easy to master.
Despite the basic feel, there is plenty of substance. You can bill in any currency, save time by setting up recurring invoices, allow customers to pay via credit card by checking a box, and even automatically bill their credit card to keep life simple for everyone.
Adding to the power tools, the system integrates with many other services, including PayPal, MailChimp, Basecamp, WordPress, Gusto, Zendesk and more.
FreshBooks offers plenty of versatility too. You're able to access and use the system from your desktop or by calling on the free iOS and Android apps. Better still, because it's a cloud-based system there's always the reassurance that your data is saved and secure.
The accountancy package frequently comes with deals and incentives, including the ability to try it out for free.
Read our full FreshBooks review.
Best for real advisors
Crunch has all sorts of features that make it suitable for business users of all types. Better still, it's been created to guide those who need a little help along the way. Central to that is the ability to speak to real support staff, who can assist you in getting your accounting chores done.
That, and plenty of very capable accounting tools helps Crunch deliver the best of both worlds on the bookkeeping front. You’ll get an introductory chat with an advisor, which helps you work out which package is right for you and that real person support continues throughout your subscription time.
Adding to the value is the web-based interface, which comes fully featured and proves to be simple and straightforward to navigate. Indeed, the usability factor within Crunch seems very good indeed, with even more complex areas enjoyable simple to pick through.
Top it all off with lots of support structure and Crunch is well worthy of investigation. There's a free option to get started with, and solid pricing once you move into the realms of paid-for services.
Read our full Crunch review.
Best for ease-of-use
KashFlow has always been about keeping your accounts procedures as straightforward as possible. And, thanks to being a cloud-based software solution, it can be used from anywhere and at any time, just as long as you can get connected.
The service features a full suite of productivity tools, which are versatile too. These let you tackle everyday bookkeeping tasks, but can also be used to take on payroll and HR duties too.
The Starter package is aimed at sole traders, contractors and small businesses. You can send unlimited quotes and 10 invoices, along with reconciling 25 bank transactions. Although it’s only a single user account it works with bank feeds, has a mobile app along with a customizable dashboard.
The Business edition is aimed at growing businesses and limited companies. This has the benefit of allowing unlimited quotes and invoices, plus you can reconcile unlimited bank transactions. It’s multi-user and lets you manage and submit VAT returns online.
Finally, KashFlow offers a Business and Payroll package, which has all of the aforementioned features along with added payroll functionality. At the time of writing KashFlow also had more competitive pricing based on an Annual payment plan, rather than the monthly costings shown above. If you’re happy to commit then that might offer savings.
Read our full KashFlow review.
Best for automation
Zoho Books forms part of a much larger software portfolio based in India that offers all manner of solutions for anyone and everyone. Noted for its clean and simple cloud-based interface, Zoho Books makes a great cost-effective option if you’re a freelancer, sole trader or someone running a small business.
While the desktop route is a solid one Zoho Books also has an impressive app presence and this makes it a good mobile bet too. The basic plan offers a limited number of contacts (as in the maximum amount of customers or vendors you can create transactions for), 2 users (as in yourself and your accountant) and 5 automated workflows.
The most popular package is Standard, which comes with up to 500 contacts, 3 users and 10 automated workflows. Professional, meanwhile, is a full bells-and-whistles experience that offers 500 contacts, 10 users and 10 automated workflows.
You'll find Zoho Books often runs deals and incentives. Zoho does offer additional add-ons too, which you can find out about from its website. There’s a free 14-day trial available for good measure.
Read our Zoho Books review.
Best budget option
The UK-based FreeAgent, provides small business users and freelancers with a stack of practical accounting tools. You can test the water by trying it for free and once you're up and running amalgamate invoicing, expenses, VAT, payroll and tax returns into on package.
FreeAgent was started by people who've been in the same boat as other small business owners, so it's a great practical option. It's origins began in 2007 when three freelance developer/developers, frustrated with the “mess and stress of bookkeeping,” put their expertise to use to tame the mountains of receipts and spreadsheets.
Therefore, you'll find that using FreeAgent should be very straightforward and there's additional appeal for dedicated professionals too, thanks to a dedicated accountants dashboard. FreeAgent offers a UK-based support structure, the flexibility of unlimited users and hosts live weekly webinars too. Simple payroll comes as part of the package too.
Read our full Freeagent review.
Best basic option
Adminsoft Accounts is suitable for anyone who has a budget that is stretched to the max. That's because it's a software accounting package powered by advertising, which produces revenue and that makes it free to download and use. The software delivers a surprisingly thorough free accounting system too and you see can exactly where it's coming from in the clear terms and conditions.
There is a bit of a trade-off in that Adminsoft Accounts has a fairly workmanlike interface. Nevertheless, the package can handle invoicing and statements along with offering remittance advice, cover stock control, purchase orders, budgeting and some HR functions too. Although it's a UK program the default is pounds sterling but if you have overseas interests it works with other currencies too.
If you try Adminsoft Accounts and like it, but aren't so keen on the integrated advertising, it is possible to go for a paid-for version. The upgrade allows you to run the software without advertising. There's also an option to include AutoManager or Shop/Cafe Manager features too.
Read our full Adminsoft Accounts review.
We've also listed the best personal finance software.
FAQs
Best accounting software for small businesses in UK: how did we choose?
Compiling our selection of the best accounting software has been done mainly from a small business perspective, with all of the packages trialled over a set amount of time. Being able to live with a software bundle over a longer period allows better scrutiny of its best and worst bits.
The main consideration for choosing our list is the ease of use and efficiency that comes with accounting software aimed at SMBs. Not all of us are software savvy, so we made a point of looking for packages that were easy to pick up and learn. Having tools on hand, along with features and functions that take the pain out of accounting processes is always a bonus too.
While the best accounting software here is well suited to small businesses, most if not all bundles can be scaled up and used by bigger businesses too. That's something we took into consideration being mindful that many businesses expand over time and will need accounting software that can grow with the operation too.
Bookkeeping vs Accounting, what's the difference?
If you're in business, or even if you just want to keep on top of your financial affairs, it's likely you'll encounter both bookkeeping and accounting. However, they are slightly different in that bookkeeping is the process of keeping tabs on daily financial transactions and recording them.
Accounting, on the other hand, is the process of compiling all of that information prior to filing tax returns. In both cases, you can make either task much easier by enlisting the help of bookkeeping and account software. Most packages now let you carry out both jobs and all within the framework of one interface.
The other bonus with using software to manage your books and submit accounts for taxation purposes is that the package will invariably come complete with tools for making the job that much easier. In many cases you'll simply need to add in your figures, collated from things like bank statements and receipts.
Thankfully that job is made much easier than it used to be because much of the information you need to record is captured digitally. Most bookkeeping and accounting software will allow you to import a lot of this digital data into your chosen program, meaning much less work is needed to stay on top of both your books and your accounts.
How we test
Choosing our selection of the best accounting software has involved testing out each of the packages featured here over a period of time. Our real world testing scenarios include checking how accounts software performs generally, along with scrutinizing all of the features and functions.
Best accounting software aimed at SMB users needs to be straightforward and efficient to use too, because not everyone has experience of accounting. Therefore, simplicity and value for money are two major factors we also look out for.
Similarly, the best accounting software also has to be flexible and adaptable in order to suit the needs of business users as well as featuring compatibility with other software, apps and cloud-based backup tools.
Read how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.
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