15 Best Free Accounting Software Reviewed For 2025
Best Free Accounting Software Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best free accounting software:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Keeping your financial systems running smoothly can be a challenge when you’re stuck with outdated accounting software. It slows down workflows, increases errors, and makes even the simplest tasks feel like a burden. To make things worse, replacing it often comes with a hefty price tag—something not every budget can handle. Thankfully, free accounting software exists to give you a cost-effective solution without sacrificing quality.
Throughout my years in the fintech space, I gained an extensive understanding of the fast-evolving world of digital tools. I understand the specific challenges CFOs face, from maintaining accuracy and optimizing efficiency to balancing company budgets. My expertise lies in identifying tools that not only fit the needs of finance teams but also integrate seamlessly into broader operations, and I’m here to help you do the same.
I’ve tested and reviewed a range of free accounting software to help you find the right fit for your organization. Each tool on this list has been carefully evaluated for usability, features, and overall value to ensure it meets the demands of a modern finance team. I'm confident that these recommendations will guide you to a reliable solution that upgrades your operations without breaking your budget.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We've been testing and reviewing accounting software since 2023, on a mission to make it easier to manage business finances. As financial operators ourselves, we know how critical (and difficult) it is to make the right decision when selecting software.
We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different finance use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our accounting software review methodology.
Best Free Accounting Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top free accounting selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs. The following tools are either entirely free, or offer a free trial option. Keep in mind that additional charges may apply for add-on features.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Zoho Books Zoho Books has a clean-looking dashboard that makes it easy to see basic details about your company and to find all of the features you need. | Best for businesses using other Zoho services | Free trial + free plan available | From $15/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 2 |  Striven Striven has a clear dashboard that makes it easy to track your inventory, revenue, and payments. | Best for a range of features | 7-day free trial | From $35/user/month (min 5 users) | Website |
| 3 |  TrulySmall TrulySmall Invoices simplifies the invoicing and budgeting process with its free invoice templates. | Best for very small businesses/freelancers | 14-day free trial | From $9/month | Website |
| 4 |  WAVE Wave’s dashboard displays all the information you need clearly and is easy to use. | Best for automations | Free plan available | From $16/user/month | Website |
| 5 |  Brightbook Brightbook’s simple interface makes it incredibly easy to use. | Best for remote and virtual teams | Not available | Free to use | Website |
| 6 |  Lendio Lendio’s accounting tool has a clean dashboard to give you a quick snapshot of what’s happening with your company. | Best for sole proprietors | Not available | Free to use | Website |
| 7 |  Express Accounts Express Accounts may not have the prettiest interface, but it’s clear and easy to use when generating financial reports. | Best for financial reporting | Not available | Free to use | Website |
| 8 |  TurboCASH TurboCASH may not be the best-looking option on the list, but it has all the tools you need. | Best for power users | Not available | Free to use | Website |
| 9 |  Money Manager EX Money Manager EX’s dashboard gives you a quick overview of your company’s banking information, current period income and expense, and investment balances. | Best for simple projects | Not available | Free to use | Website |
| 10 |  GnuCash GnuCash doesn’t have the friendliest or best-looking user interface, but it has more features than you’ll probably ever need. | Best for small teams | Not available | Free to use | Website |
How to Choose Free Accounting Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Ensure the software can grow with your business. Look for solutions that support expanding user numbers and transaction volumes. |
| Integrations | Check if it connects with your existing tools like CRM or e-commerce platforms to streamline workflows and prevent data silos. |
| Customizability | Determine if you can tailor the software to meet your specific needs, such as custom reports or invoicing templates, to better fit your business processes. |
| Ease of Use | Consider the learning curve for your team. User-friendly interfaces and comprehensive support materials reduce training time and increase productivity. |
| Budget | While it's free, assess any potential hidden costs such as paid add-ons, transaction fees, or premium support options that might impact your budget. |
| Security Safeguards | Make sure the software offers strong security features like data encryption and regular backups to protect your financial information. |
Best Free Accounting Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best free accounting software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer an in-depth look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
If you’re already a Zoho customer, I’d definitely recommend looking into adding their accounting software to your current setup. Zoho Books can handle everything from expense reporting to automated follow-up on customer accounts.
Why I picked Zoho Books: Zoho Books is a great tool on its own, offering all the essential tools you’d expect from accounting software. It stands out when you combine it with Zoho’s other business services.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the ability to create and send professional invoices with just a few clicks, making your billing process efficient and straightforward. You can also track expenses and time, ensuring your team stays on top of all financial activities without missing a beat. Additionally, Zoho Books offers comprehensive financial reporting that helps you make informed decisions by providing real-time insights into your financial health.
Integrations include Zoho CRM, PayPal, Stripe, Google Drive, Dropbox, Office 365, Slack, G Suite, Mailchimp, and Zendesk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Most important features available with free service
- Easy to use
- Test account lets you check out the service before signing up
Cons:
- Works best if you pay for additional services
- Limited support
Striven can handle everything from standard accounting and bookkeeping tasks to communicating with suppliers and monitoring cash flows.
Why I picked Striven: Striven offers an accounting dashboard alongside other valuable business services, letting it serve as a one-stop shop for your company’s software needs.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include accounting tools that allow you to handle financial reporting and payroll management with ease. Your team can manage projects efficiently with tools for planning, budgeting, and collaboration. The software also offers inventory management, helping you keep track of stock levels and purchase orders effectively.
Integrations include API Settings, Authorize.net, Email Relay, Google Calendar, Microsoft Calendar, ShipStation, Shopify, Square, Stripe, Striven For Gmail, and Twilio.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong customer support
- Lots of features
- User friendly
Cons:
- Long setup process
- Limited features for free service
While it technically isn’t a full-fledged accounting software, TrulySmall Invoices is a great free budgeting tool that makes it easy to create all of your company’s invoices.
Why I picked TrulySmall Invoices: True to its name, TrulySmall Invoices offers basic services that are ideal for a small company that doesn’t need all the bells and whistles.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the ability to generate and send invoices quickly, helping you maintain efficient cash flow. The software also offers automatic expense tracking, which simplifies managing your business expenses. Additionally, TrulySmall provides detailed reporting features, allowing you to gain insights into your finances effortlessly.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, Square, WooCommerce, FreshBooks, Sage, and Zoho.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Multiple invoice templates
- Start sending invoices without an account
- Easy to use
Cons:
- More invoicing software than accounting software
- Limited customization options in the free tier
Wave is a great option for anyone who has multiple businesses or those that want to automate processes but don’t have hours to spend setting up accounting software.
Unlike many free software tools on the market, Wave doesn’t impose limits on the number of company bank accounts or credit cards you can add.
Why I picked Wave: Wave is one of the easiest-to-use tools. You can get up and running within a few minutes of making an account.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include unlimited invoicing capabilities that let you and your team send out as many invoices as needed without extra costs. The software also offers receipt scanning, simplifying the process of tracking and managing your expenses. You'll find sales tax management straightforward, making it easier to stay compliant and handle tax reporting efficiently.
Integrations include popular tools like Google Sheets, BlueCamroo, Etsy, PayPal, Shoeboxed, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Slack, QuickBooks, and Salesforce.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Additional services such as payroll and automated billing available
- Truly free for accounting
- Easy to use
Cons:
- High fees for some credit card processing
- Free customers can only get chatbot or self-service support
The beauty of web-based tools is they can be used anywhere, so it doesn’t matter where you or the rest of your team work from. And with Brightbook’s intuitive design and functionality, you don’t need accounting experience or hours of training to be able to use it.
Why I picked Brightbook: Brightbook is easy to use and operates entirely through the web, letting you access it from any device.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include on-the-go invoicing and payments, which allow you to create and send invoices from anywhere using the mobile app. The software's bank reconciliation is simplified by automatically updating transactions when you connect your bank accounts. You can also access at-a-glance insights with customizable dashboards that display key business metrics.
Integrations include PayPal, Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft Excel, Xero, QuickBooks, Slack, Shopify, Stripe, and Payoneer.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Unlimited invoices
- No user cap
- Quick sign up
- Incredibly simple interface
Cons:
- No integrations
- Limited support
Lendio’s accounting tool, formerly known as Sunrise, is great for invoice automations. For sole proprietors and those who don’t have a dedicated accounting department, Lendio can save you a lot of time and money.
Why I picked Lendio: Lendio offers easy invoicing, includes automations, and has reasonably-priced payment acceptance. However, the software does charge a fee for payment processing (from 2.55% + $0.30 to 3.55% + $0.30 for credit card payments, 0.5% + $0.30 - 1.5% + $0.30 for ACH transactions).
Standout features & integrations:
Features include access to a wide variety of loan options tailored to your business needs. You can easily compare different lenders to find the best terms and rates. The platform also provides a simple online application process, saving you and your team valuable time.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Stripe, Square, PayPal, Shopify, Amazon, and eBay.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy expense tracking
- Reporting tools
- Free service that offers invoice automation
Cons:
- Provides little help with signing up
- Website and support availability are not detailed
Express Accounts’ reporting capabilities can help you quickly generate dozens of different financial reports and analyze your company’s revenues and expenses on a customer-by-customer basis.
Why I picked Express Accounts: Express Accounts is easy to use and generates a huge variety of financial reports that you can use to analyze your company’s situation.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include easy cash flow tracking, which allows you to keep tabs on all your incoming and outgoing finances. You can generate invoices directly within the software, eliminating the need for a separate invoicing tool. This seamless integration of accounting and invoicing functions also helps you manage your financial records efficiently.
Integrations include Ramp, which allows for real-time transaction syncing and automated workflow management.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- One lifetime price
- Upgrade price is cheap if your business grows
- Completely free for small companies
Cons:
- Limited integrations
- No free option for larger companies
TurboCASH is an open-source, no-frills option that has all the tools you need for free. If you’re tech-savvy, you can accomplish a lot with this software. However, like most open-source solutions, be ready for a learning curve.
Why I picked TurboCASH: TurboCash may not look as sleek or as simple as other accounting tools, but it offers surprisingly powerful features once you learn to work with it.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include invoicing that makes it easy for you to create detailed customer invoices. The general ledger feature allows you and your team to track every financial transaction effectively. You can also manage sales tax and VAT calculations, helping ensure compliance with tax regulations.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, Zoho Books, Sage, Tally, MYOB, Wave, Kashoo, and NetSuite.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Powerful customer tracking and reporting tools
- Multi-language support
- Truly free if you use version 4
Cons:
- Limited support
- Steep learning curve
Money Manager EX is aimed more at helping people manage their finances rather than large companies. But nevertheless, it’s a sharp little tool that can handle most of the essential accounting tasks for anyone running a solo construction operation.
Why I picked Money Manager EX: The program is open source and requires more manual data entry, which is good for people who want to take a hands-on approach.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the ability to track your expenses effortlessly, giving you a clear view of your financial health. You can also set budgets, which helps in managing your finances more effectively. Additionally, Money Manager EX allows you to generate insightful reports, making it easier to understand your spending patterns.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Gusto, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, DocuSign, Dropbox, Trello, and Asana.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Multi-currency
- Customizable
- Truly free open-source software
Cons:
- Local installation required, no cloud-based option
- Limited support
GnuCash won’t disappoint when it comes to features–everything from the most basic to the most advanced ones are completely free. But, fair warning: be ready for a bit of a learning curve.
Why I picked GnuCash: GnuCash is open source and available entirely for free, making it one of the only accounting tools offering all of its available features for free.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the ability to handle double-entry accounting, ensuring your transactions balance correctly by impacting two accounts. You can also manage your transactions with a checkbook-style register, which provides a straightforward interface for entering and viewing financial activities. Additionally, GnuCash allows you to schedule recurring transactions, so you don't have to manually enter them every time.
Integrations include the ability to import financial data from QIF and OFX files, support for the German HBCI protocol for banking transactions, and it works on Windows, MacOS, and Linux platforms.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great reporting capability
- Extensive user guides and how-to documentation
- Open-source software that offers all features for free
Cons:
- No professional support
- Steep learning curve
Other Free Accounting Software
Here are some additional free accounting software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- ZipBooks
For invoicing
- Akaunting
For payroll
- Google Sheets
Free spreadsheet software for financial analysis and forecasting
- Fiverr Workspace
Free accounting tool for freelancers
- Odoo ERP
Free business management software
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Free Accounting Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best free accounting software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like limited customization options and restricted access to core features during trials. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Manage financial transactions
- Generate invoices
- Track expenses
- Produce financial reports
- Handle payroll processing
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Multi-currency support
- Integration with ecommerce platforms
- Mobile app availability
- Automated tax calculations
- Customizable invoice templates
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Ease of navigation
- Intuitive interface
- Learning curve for new users
- Customization of dashboards
- Availability of user guides
- Ease of integration
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Presence of interactive product tours
- Access to templates for setup
- Support from chatbots for quick questions
- Offering of webinars for in-depth learning
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- Availability of live chat support
- Response time to queries
- Availability of a knowledge base
- Access to email support
- Community forums for peer assistance
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Comparison of features with paid versions
- Transparency in pricing
- Cost-effectiveness for small businesses
- Flexibility in upgrading plans
- Inclusion of essential features in the free version
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Critical feedback on limitations
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Frequency of updates and improvements
- User feedback on reliability
- Praise for customer support
Trends in Free Accounting Software
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different free accounting software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:
- AI-Driven Insights: AI capabilities are being used to offer predictive insights and financial forecasting, helping users make informed decisions. Wave, for example, uses AI to generate reports that assist businesses in understanding their cash flow patterns.
- Blockchain for Transparency: Some vendors are exploring blockchain technology to enhance transaction transparency and security. This technology is particularly useful for users who need verifiable audit trails without third-party involvement.
- Customizable Dashboards: Users now have the option to customize their dashboards to display only the most relevant information, tailoring the interface to individual or business needs.
- Focus on Data Privacy: With rising concerns over data security, free accounting software is prioritizing user data privacy by implementing stronger encryption and privacy settings.
- Enhanced Collaboration Tools: Collaborative features are being integrated, enabling multiple users to work on financial documents simultaneously. This is ideal for small teams needing to manage finances together.
What is Free Accounting Software?
Accounting software is a type of tool used to manage a company's accounting and bookkeeping processes. Free options of this type of software allow small businesses and freelancers to access basic bookkeeping functionalities, expense tracking, income recording, invoicing, and financial reporting without the need for a significant financial investment
Generally, free accounting software will have a limit for the total number of transactions, total annual revenues, or the maximum number of users that can use the software. If you go over those limits, they’ll usually make you upgrade to a paid plan or higher service tier.
Features of Free Accounting Software
When selecting free accounting software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Basic Invoicing: Allows users to create and send invoices, making it easier to manage billing and track payments.
- Expense Tracking: Enables the monitoring and categorization of expenses, providing insights into spending patterns and helping with budgeting.
- Financial Reporting: Offers essential reports such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, aiding in financial analysis and decision-making.
- Bank Reconciliation: Facilitates the matching of bank transactions with accounting records, ensuring accuracy in financial data and reducing errors.
- Multi-Currency Support: Supports transactions in various currencies, which is crucial for businesses dealing with international clients or suppliers.
- Mobile Access: Provides the ability to access accounting data on mobile devices, offering flexibility and enabling work on-the-go.
- User Access Controls: Allows the assignment of different user roles and permissions, ensuring data security and proper access management.
- Integration Capabilities: Supports integration with other software systems, enhancing the software’s functionality and streamlining workflows.
- Automated Backups: Ensures data safety by regularly backing up accounting information, protecting against data loss.
- Customer Support: Offers support options, such as tutorials or help centers, to assist users in navigating the software and resolving issues.
Benefits of Free Accounting Software
Implementing free accounting software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Cost Savings: Free accounting software eliminates the need for expensive subscriptions, allowing you to allocate funds to other business needs.
- Expense Tracking: You can easily keep tabs on business expenses, helping to manage cash flow with built-in tracking features.
- Invoicing: The software often includes invoicing capabilities, making it simple to bill clients and manage incoming payments.
- Financial Reporting: Generate financial reports quickly, giving you insights into your business's performance without additional cost.
- Tax Preparation: With features for organizing tax-related documents, you can streamline your tax filing process and reduce stress during tax season.
- Data Organization: The software helps organize your financial data, making it easier to find and interpret when needed.
- Accessibility: Many free accounting tools offer cloud-based access, so you can manage finances from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Streamline Workflows: Free accounting software can also help streamline company workflows, freeing up time to focus on more important tasks.
Costs and Pricing of Free Accounting Software
Selecting free accounting software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. While free accounting software is free, costs may vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more.
The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in free accounting software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Free Accounting Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic invoicing, expense tracking, and limited reporting. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Basic invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and basic reporting. |
| Business Plan | $25-$50/user/month | Invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, project management, and advanced reporting. |
| Enterprise Plan | Custom Pricing | All business features, multi-currency support, advanced analytics, and dedicated support. |
Free Accounting Software FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about free accounting software.
Why would any software company give their product away for free?
Free accounting programs don’t operate as charities out of the goodness of their creators’ hearts. They make money in a few different ways.
One popular way for them to earn money is by charging for payment acceptance. Often, accounting programs that offer invoicing tools will charge a percentage fee when you receive a payment. Additional fees for other services are also common.
Many companies also treat their free accounting service as a trial of sorts, expecting companies to upgrade to one of their premium tiers of service after a short period or as their business grows.
What are the must-haves for accounting software?
All accounting software needs to have some basic tools and features to be suitable for a business.
For example, your program needs to be able to produce a general ledger and chart of accounts for your company. Without those, you can’t use the tool to keep track of your company’s money.
Invoicing tools and accounts payable tracking are also key because without those, you’ll struggle to get paid and to pay your bills on time.
Ideally, the software should be able to generate custom financial reports and offer an easy-to-use dashboard that gives you a quick sense of your company’s financial performance.
What other services should I look for?
Accounting software is designed to help companies manage their finances and keep their books accurate. Many businesses that make accounting software also offer other tools to help with other financial, administrative, and managerial aspects of your company.
For example, it’s relatively common for a company offering accounting software to also offer payment acceptance tools or payroll software. Some offer software that can help you manage your HR or IT processes, too.
Having multiple tools or services from the same provider can help your business save money and reduce the headaches that can come from contracting with multiple businesses for services.
Is free accounting software secure?
When it comes to your personal or business data, it’s understandable that you’d worry about security. The last thing that you want is a nefarious actor or scammer to steal your company’s sensitive financial information.
The good news is that accounting software is generally designed with security in mind. The companies selling it know the importance of protecting your data.
Before you choose an accounting program, do your due diligence. Make sure that the accounting software provider is a reputable company and ask about the security measures it uses.
Also make sure to follow computer security best practices, such as using a complex, unique password for your accounts.
How much does accounting software cost?
Even if you start with a free accounting tool, there may come a time when your company needs to start paying for more fully-featured software. Having an idea of what accounting programs cost can help you plan for when you make that jump.
How much software costs depends on many factors, including the size of your business, how many people need access to the software, and what vendor you get the program from.
On the low end, you can find premium software for $5 to $10 per month. Highly advanced accounting programs for large businesses might cost hundreds of dollars per month.
How do I go about finding the right free accounting software for me?
When you’re looking for free accounting software for your business, you should be looking for a few things.
Start by making a list of your wants and needs for an accounting tool. Almost every program can handle basic tasks like making a chart of accounts or letting you build financial reports. However, each tool offers different additional features.
Figure out what you absolutely must have and what would be nice to have. Look for tools that meet all your needs and try to find the ones that also satisfy a lot of wants.
Obviously, you’ll also be looking at whether the service is free. However, don’t be scared off if the company has a free service with premium upgrades. You might find a time in your company’s growth that you’re ready to level up your bookkeeping software.
Having the option to stick with the same tool and unlock new features means you can avoid the hassle of transitioning to a new tool and learning how to use it.
If you already use business software, such as invoicing tools or payment acceptance tools, keep that in mind while you’re comparing different programs. Try to find one that integrates with the tools you already use.
What's Next?
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