Business software refers to various digital tools and programs that help manage your small business. The right business software for your company minimizes manual data entry on multiple fronts, whether it’s categorizing transactions, recording in-person sales, tracking inventory, generating invoices or making sure your employees get paid on time. Before putting together your small-business management software ecosystem, verify that all of your choices integrate with each other.
Most businesses start with accounting software to keep their finances in order. Other business software products to consider include point-of-sale (POS) systems, payment processing services and software for payroll, invoicing, inventory management and human resources. We’ve rounded up our top-rated picks across all these categories.
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
95+ years of combined experience covering small business and personal finance.
75+ categories of best business software selections.
Objective and comprehensive business accounting software ratings rubric. (Learn more about our star ratings.)
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- Best accounting software: QuickBooks Online and Xero.
- Best POS software: Square.
- Best payment processors: Stripe and Helcim.
- Best invoicing software: Harvest and Square Invoices.
- Best inventory software: Square Inventory and Zoho Inventory.
- Best payroll software: Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll.
- Best HR software: Rippling.
Our picks for
Best accounting software
Solid accounting software is the foundation of a capable business software ecosystem. Use it to centralize all of your financial data, prepare for tax season and keep tabs on the financial health of your business. Accounting software often includes features for budgeting, reporting and invoicing and may also include time and expense tracking, among other capabilities.
QuickBooks Online
Learn more
on QuickBooks Online's secure website
Starting at
$35/month
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $65, $99, $235.
Promotion
50% off
for first three months or free 30-day trial.
QuickBooks Online is an industry leader in the accounting field, thanks to its strong feature set and scalability. It has robust reporting and transaction tracking tools, invoicing capabilities, inventory management features and mobile app functionality. These features, along with its ability to scale up and integrate with a wide range of products, make it valuable to self-employed entrepreneurs and larger small businesses alike. And with millions of users worldwide, your accountant will likely be familiar with it.
However, QuickBooks products can be expensive, so make sure you understand how to get the most out of its main features. And know that if you need time-tracking capabilities, you’ll have to subscribe to a separate app, whether it’s QuickBooks Time or a third-party product.
That being said, QuickBooks products can be expensive, so make sure you understand how to get the most out of its main features. And know that if you need time-tracking capabilities, you’ll have to subscribe to a separate app, whether it’s QuickBooks Time or a third-party product.
Pros
- Easy to share information with your accountant and to find QuickBooks experts and online resources if needed.
- More than 750 app integrations.
- Robust feature set includes record-keeping, reporting, invoicing and inventory management, plus a capable mobile app.
- Chat and phone support available Monday through Saturday in all plans.
Cons
- Expensive compared with the competition.
- Frequent price increases and a tendency toward upselling.
- Limited account users with each plan.
Xero
Learn more
on Xero's secure website
Starting at
$20/month
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $47, $80.
Promotion
95% off
for 6 months.
Xero stands out for allowing unlimited users at every subscription tier, a valuable feature in situations where several users need some level of access to the system. Other competitors’ plans limit how many users you can add or charge an additional monthly fee for each one. If you have a large team, those fees can add up quickly. In terms of functionality and features, Xero is one of QuickBooks Online’s biggest competitors. Like QuickBooks Online, it has excellent reporting features and a capable mobile app — but with a more customizable dashboard that lets each user rearrange or hide panels, according to their preferences.
If you appreciate simplicity and don’t want to dedicate much time to learning how to navigate a product, Xero is a great choice. If you need mileage and time tracking, you’ll need to subscribe to the highest-tier Established plan.
Pros
- Unlimited users in all pricing plans.
- Integrates with more than 1,000 third-party apps.
- Feature set includes an excellent mobile app and suite of reports, capable invoicing features, plus automated bill and receipt capture through Hubdoc.
- Simple layout and easy to use.
Cons
- No inbound phone customer support (callbacks are available, though).
- Entry-level plan limits bills and invoices to five and 20 per month, respectively.
- Must subscribe to the highest-tier Established plan to claim expenses.
Our pick for
Best point-of-sale (POS) software
Point-of-sale software often enables you to do much more than take payments. It can often help you manage inventory, menus and tables, employees and customer loyalty programs. If you have a brick-and-mortar storefront, make sure your POS software provider also offers hardware that lets you accept in-person payments.
Square POS
Learn more
on Square POS's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0.00
and up.
Square’s point-of-sale system stands out with its transparent pricing, live support and many useful features. Unlike most systems, Square offers a free POS software option with no monthly charges. Because Square works on iPhones, Androids and iPads, you can make sales on the go — for example, at a farmers market, trade show or music festival.
Pros
- Free plan option available.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include a free online store.
Cons
- Can’t run on Windows devices.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Our picks for
Best payment processors
A payment processor is necessary for any business that accepts credit cards. The best payment processors offer competitive transaction rates, can process multiple payment methods and currencies, are transparent with their fees and may offer discounted transaction rates based on sales volume.
Stripe
Learn more
on Stripe Payments' secure website
Payment processing fees
2.7% + 5¢
in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0.00
Stripe Payments can accept dozens of payment methods and more than 135 currencies. And its advanced developer tools allow you to create a checkout flow that feels custom, provided you know how to use them. Stripe users can accept in-person payments by integrating the company’s point-of-sale option, Stripe Terminal. But if you do most of your business in person, there are better options.
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
- No phone or email support.
Helcim
Learn more
on Helcim's secure website
Payment processing fees
0.40% + 8¢
plus interchange, in-person; 0.50% + 25¢ plus interchange, online.
Monthly fee
$0.00
Helcim is a standout choice for credit card processing because it checks off many boxes. Setup is quick. Helcim gives you the ability to accept credit cards in person, online, through an app or over the phone. The rates are also competitive. Just know that the processing fees listed here are for businesses with a monthly credit card volume of $25,000 or less. Fees begin decreasing once a business exceeds that monthly volume.
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Offers free POS software.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Our picks for
Best invoicing software
Square Invoices
Learn more
on Square Invoices' secure website
Starting at
$0
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $20.
Promotion
30-day free trial
of the Plus plan.
Square is right up there with PayPal as one of the top all-in-one payment platforms for small-business owners. User-friendly design is its style, so even tech-shy users will likely be able to navigate its invoicing platform. Unlike many of the software solutions on this list that require integration with a payment gateway, as a payment processor first and foremost, Square offers a built-in processing solution. That makes it a great option for existing Square POS users who want to add invoicing functionality and small-business owners who don’t want the hassle of choosing a separate payment gateway to accept payments.Read full review
Pros
- Unlimited invoicing, estimates, contracts, users and clients in all plans.
- Integrates with Square’s all-in-one payment platform.
- Streamlined and intuitive.
- Ability to process in-person and online card payments as well as cash, checks, ACH transfers, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Send recurring invoices.
- Automatic payment reminders.
- Gives clients the option to include a tip.
Cons
- Must use Square’s in-house payment processing to accept online payments.
- Free plan does not enable custom invoicing fields and the ability to auto-convert estimates into invoices.
Harvest
4.5
NerdWallet rating Starting at
$0
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $13.75, $17.50 per user.
Promotion
30-day free trial
Harvest allows members of a project team to track their hours and expenses in detail, often within whatever apps project managers are using. Managers can set the budget for a project and track expenses and hours to make sure teams are working efficiently. When it comes to invoicing, Harvest’s estimate, invoice and payment collection tools are easy to navigate, and it offers helpful features like automated email reminders to customers with late payments.
If you’re concerned about credit card processing fees adding up, you can switch off the ability to pay with a credit card through Stripe. Instead, your invoices will give clients the option to pay only via ACH transfer.
Pros
- Offers a free plan (limited to two projects).
- Advanced time tracking features, including integrations with Google Calendar, Slack, Asana, Trello and other project management tools.
- Display billable hours by task, person or project on invoices.
- Snap and upload photos of billable expense receipts with the mobile app.
- Integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero for accounting.
Cons
- Invoice customization options are limited. Free users can’t add company logos to invoices, and Harvest offers only two templates (one PDF and one GDoc).
- Payment integrations are limited to Stripe and PayPal.
Our picks for
Best inventory management software
It’s not uncommon to find inventory tracking features in your accounting or POS software. Standalone options, however, may provide more robust inventory management capabilities or be designed for specific industries.
Zoho Inventory
Learn more
on Zoho Inventory's secure website
Starting at
$0
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $39, $99, $159, $299.
Promotion
14-day free trial
Zoho Inventory’s plans scale up according to the number of users, warehouses, orders, bills and shipping labels, meaning small businesses don’t have to pay for what they don’t need. The software is especially ideal for entrepreneurs who already subscribe to a separate product in the Zoho suite, like Zoho CRM.
Pros
- Sync inventory across multiple online sales channels. Other integrations include Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online for accounting.
- Free plan includes invoice customization, shipping labels, backorders and item bundling.
- Free barcode, purchase order and shipping label generators.
- Mobile app available for iOS and Android.
Cons
- Free plan caps users at one, purchase orders at 20 and sales orders at 50.
Square Inventory
Learn more
on Square Inventory's secure website
Starting at
$0
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $89 per location, custom.
Promotion
30-day free trial
Square for Retail has built-in free inventory software and is a great launching pad for brick-and-mortar businesses looking to expand online.Read full review
Pros
- Built-in POS system and payment processing; in-house POS hardware available.
- Unlimited items and low stock alerts.
- Weekday live chat and phone support.
- Barcode printing, mobile inventory counting tool, COGS tracking, stock forecasts and reorder recommendations in paid plans.
- Mobile app available for iOS and Android.
Cons
- Coupons and sale prices don’t sync between Square Online and Square POS.
- Fewer inventory reports than some competitors.
Our picks for
Best payroll software
Payroll software doesn’t just make paying your employees easier — some will also calculate and file payroll taxes for you. Typically, it offers some level of access to employees so they can view pay stubs, download tax forms and update their personal information. Standout payroll software includes automatic payroll functionality and direct integrations with popular accounting software.
Gusto Payroll
Learn more
on Gusto Payroll's secure website
Starting at
$40/month
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $80, $180. Fee per employee varies by tier.
Promotion
6 months free
for contractor-only businesses.
Gusto offers full-service payroll with unlimited payroll runs, tax filings and payment, and automated payroll options. HR features such as health insurance administration, employee self-onboarding and state new hire reporting are included at all pricing tiers. Employees also get access to a mobile app called Gusto Wallet to help them track their finances, and they can opt to be paid through debit card. For businesses that want the human touch, the Premium level offers dedicated HR support. Gusto integrates with many third-party software products, including popular accounting apps like QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks and Xero.
Pros
- Benefits administration (health benefits are available in 38 states and Washington, D.C.; 401(k) plans are available in all 50 states).
- Time-tracking features at higher-price tiers (limited at Simple level).
- Certified HR experts available (at the Premium level).
- Free account setup.
- Next-day direct deposit (at Plus and Premium levels).
Cons
- More expensive than some options.
- Limited hours for live support.
QuickBooks Payroll
Learn more
on QuickBooks Payroll's secure website
Starting at
$45/month
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $80, $125. Fee per employee varies by tier.
Promotion
One month free trial
or 50% off for three months; terms apply.
For the many small-business owners who use QuickBooks Online for accounting needs, turning to QuickBooks Payroll is a logical choice for the fast, convenient integration. The Core plan offers a full suite of payroll features, including unlimited payroll runs, automated tax filing, robust payroll reports and next-day direct deposit. Higher tiers add features such as same-day direct deposit, HR Support Center and mobile time tracking. At $125 a month plus $10 per employee, the Elite plan includes a personal HR advisor, expert setup help and a tax-penalty-free guarantee. Through the QuickBooks Workforce portal, employees can access their pay stubs and personal information.
Pros
- Benefits administration at all levels.
- Time-tracking features and HR support available (Premium and up).
- Next-day direct deposit at Core level (same-day at Premium).
- The option to choose a 30-day free trial or 50% off base price for first three months; terms apply.
- Easy integration with QuickBooks Online. (Integrated accounting and payroll plans start at $75 per month.)
Cons
- Limited integration with non-QuickBooks products.
- Additional fees if you have employees in more than one state (Core and Premium).
Our pick for
Best HR software
If your business spends a lot of time hiring and training employees, it may be time to explore human resources software that can assist in benefits administration, payroll and employee onboarding.
Rippling
Learn more
on Rippling's secure website
Starting at
$8/month
Per person plus quote-based monthly software fee.
Promotion
N/A
Rippling’s HR products are packaged as a cloud-based HRIS, or human resources information system, that will accommodate from two to 2,000 employees. All employee data is stored in one workforce platform, thus allowing you to automate many manual HR and IT processes. Businesses can customize their plans based on their needs.
Pros
- Single platform for employee data.
- Payroll in all 50 states and outside the U.S.
- Employee app and device management.
Cons
- Lacks pricing transparency.
- System may be more than the average small business requires.
How to choose the right business software
Types of business software
For a more in-depth look at different types of business software — and to see even more options — check out NerdWallet’s picks for:
Last updated on July 15, 2024
Methodology
NerdWallet independently reviews business software products before determining our top picks. We collect the data for our software ratings from products’ public-facing websites and from company representatives. Information is gathered on a regular basis and reviewed by our editorial team for consistency and accuracy.
Here’s more information about how we evaluate accounting software, POS systems, payment processing providers and payroll software services.
How we rate accounting software.
How we rate point-of-sale systems providers.
How we rate payment processing providers.
How we rate payroll software.
These ratings are meant to provide clarity in the decision-making process, but what’s best for your business will depend on its size, growth trajectory and which features you need most. We encourage you to research and compare multiple accounting software products before choosing one.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
