If you want to entrust your calculative skills on any application then which one would you rely on? There could be only one way of knowing which software to rely on, in getting all your accountancy work done. So the two main categories in which these softwares are divided into are: traditional based and cloud-based. The Traditional one does not require an internet connection while the Cloud-based accounting solution requires a web-based interface. We will talk about the most popular accounting solutions available: QuickBooks Pro, Sage 50, Xero, FreshBooks, and Wave. Apart from Wave, all the other software are paid.
DISTINCT FEATURES OF EACH SOFTWARE
QUICKBOOKS PRO: QuickBooks Pro is the oldest traditional and probably the best of them which took with the masses and became an instant hit with the users. It is extremely user-friendly and gels well with the working process if you are a sworn user of other Intuit products like TurboTax. Although the entry-level version has its flaws and the customer service is not that great, it has its own perks as well. The entry-level Pro version costs USD 299 and is a good choice for small-scale business.
SAGE 50: Sage 50 has pretty much the same features as QuickBooks Pro though it has a brilliant addition to it! Its inventory management features are far better than that of QuickBooks. It comes with features like customising with shortcuts and has a better customer service than its competitor. One fact that you need to watch out for would be, it is not as beginner friendly as its competitors. At USD 299 it costs all the same.
XERO: If you are looking for the best Cloud storage software then this is THE option for you! It even surpasses QuickBooks Support Online due to its pricing and capability of merging with quite a few banks and other third-party software. With a brilliant customer service and a mobile app, this is the perfect solution for all your accounting woes! The basic ‘STARTER’ pack begins with USD 9 while the ‘PREMIUM’ pack might cost you USD 70 per month.
FRESHBOOKS: If you are looking for the most user or beginner friendly option then this is the ulterior software for you! It is mostly for the small-scale business which does not require the traditional tools of accounting. You must know that it is not for heavy duty accounting or bookkeeping. It comes with an app and a great customer service at your disposal. The packages come at USD 19.95 per month and go up to USD 39.95 for the most expensive version.
WAVE: This is a free alternative and gets a decent job done. With basic amenities like invoicing, billing, expense tracking, and payment services this is a good alternative at zero cost. It is the best option for beginners to try their hands on accounting software till they get a hang of it and switch to a more formal and expensive options.