FreeAgent
Accounting tailored to UK freelancers and small businesses with self-assessment and MTD support; free with some bank accounts.
UK accounting with HMRC-recognised MTD filing, free for many NatWest-group bank customers.
More on FreeAgent →The best accounting tools in 2026: all 6 compared
Quick answer: We compare all 6 accounting tools we track, including FreeAgent, QuickBooks Online and Sage Business Cloud Accounting. Entry prices start around $20/mo and 3 offer a free plan. Each is rated on entry price, core strengths and who it fits, with links to a full review and pricing breakdown.
Every accounting tool we track, in one place: 6 options compared on entry price, strengths and who each one fits. For a curated shortlist by use case, see the guides linked below.
All 6 accounting tools compared
| Tool | Entry price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| FreeAgent | ~£19/mo | UK freelancers |
| QuickBooks Online | ~$38/mo | US small business |
| Sage Business Cloud Accounting | ~$20/mo (£18) | Established SMBs |
| Wave | Free | Micro businesses |
| Xero | ~$25/mo | Unlimited users |
| Zoho Books | Free | Zoho suite users |
Prices verified 2026-06-28 from public vendor pricing. Plans and prices change — always confirm on the vendor's own site. No price here is guaranteed.
Every option in detail
QuickBooks Online
Market-leading SMB accounting with the largest accountant ecosystem, deep integrations, and full-featured bookkeeping, invoicing and payroll add-ons.
The default US small-business accounting platform with the deepest accountant network and integration marketplace.
See QuickBooks Online plans →Sage Business Cloud Accounting
Established accounting brand with cloud SMB plans plus desktop heritage; strong compliance and reporting.
A compliance-heavy heritage accounting brand with a clear upgrade path to full ERP.
See Sage Business Cloud Accounting plans →Wave
Free core accounting and invoicing for very small businesses; monetizes via payments and payroll add-ons.
Free, capable accounting for micro businesses that monetizes only through payments and payroll.
More on Wave →Xero
Cloud accounting with unlimited users on every plan, strong bank reconciliation and a huge app marketplace; popular with accountants outside the US.
Unlimited users at a flat price makes it the value pick for teams and accountant collaboration.
See Xero plans →Zoho Books
Affordable accounting deeply integrated with the wider Zoho suite (CRM, Inventory, Payroll); strong automation and value.
Affordable accounting that becomes a powerhouse when paired with the rest of the Zoho suite.
See Zoho Books plans →FAQ
What is the best accounting tool in 2026?
It depends on your priorities. This page compares all 6 accounting tools we track on entry price, strengths and who each fits; FreeAgent and QuickBooks Online are common starting points.
How many accounting tools are compared here?
All 6 accounting tools in our Business Finance category, side by side, with links to each tool's full review and pricing breakdown.