Xero is great for cloud-based accounting software for small businesses and accountants, but it's not the only option. We compared 14 accounting tools to find the best alternatives.
The most popular small business accounting software in the US
Accounting software built for freelancers and small service businesses
Free accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning for small businesses
Smart accounting software for growing businesses in the Zoho ecosystem
Accounting and financial management software for businesses of all sizes
Simple cloud accounting with AI-powered transaction categorization
Online bookkeeping service with dedicated bookkeepers and software
Accounting software designed for freelancers, contractors, and small businesses
All-in-one product for freelancers: invoicing, contracts, accounting, and tax
Time tracking and invoicing software for teams and freelancers
Free open-source online accounting software for small businesses
Free accounting software for small business with desktop and cloud versions
Real-time financial tracking and tax estimation for freelancers and gig workers
Simple, affordable accounting and payroll for US small businesses
The top alternative to Xero in 2026 is QuickBooks Online. It offers the most popular small business accounting software in the us with plans from $35/mo. Other strong options: FreshBooks, Wave.
Yes! Wave, Zoho Books, Harvest all offer free plans.
Xero has paid plans starting at $25/mo.
While Xero excels at cloud-based accounting software for small businesses and accountants, users often seek alternatives for pricing, specific features, or workflow preferences.