We called the company as a small business looking for accounting software and asked a long list of questions about Xero's capabilities. Macaroni and cheese for 50 people. The representative we spoke with was helpful and knowledgeable. AccountEdge is a very usefulfree accounting software for Macwhich is mainly suitable for the accounts management in small businesses. Lets your accountants maintain your data with the help of the accountant copy provided.

Read on for our detailed analysis of each app Whether you're a freelancer or a flautist, a graphic designer or a greengrocer, if you're running any kind of business you really need some kind of accounting software to stay on top of things – as we discovered, the age-old system of throwing everything into a drawer and panicking at tax return time isn't the best. But that doesn't mean you need to invest huge sums or learn something hopelessly complicated. The best free accounting software is easy to use and enables you to see how well you're doing and who owes you money. Handles multiple currencies is accounting software designed for individuals and small businesses, and was initially conceived as an open source alternative to apps such as Intuit's Quicken. It's available for Linux, GNU, OpenBSD, Android, macOS and Windows, and it's been kicking around since the late 1990s - but the most recent update was in April 2018. It handles invoicing and credit notes, accounts payable and receivable, employee expenses and some payroll features too, and it's quite happy with multiple currencies, cards and accounts.

Its sheer flexibility makes it our top choice when it comes to accounting software for kitchen table businesses. Review and where to download. Can be used straight from a USB stick Another superb open source tool, is well designed and packed with enough features to rival premium software. It's easy to understand, and you'll have your accounts and transactions set up in no time. Money Manager Ex's simplicity makes it a particularly good choice for sole traders or your own home finances. This free accounting software is a portable app, so you can save and use it straight from a USB stick without installing it.

There's even an Android app for updating your accounts on the move. Review and where to download. Not for the likes of sole traders is free accounting software that's been in continuous development since April 1985, and it's hugely popular in Europe, the US, Canada and Australia. It's available in 23 languages and boasts an online community of more than 100,000 users. Designed for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), it's probably a bit much for freelancers or sole traders, but if you need something a bit more useful than a cash book TurboCASH can handle VAT, debtors and creditors, purchase orders, multiple companies and multiple users. Download here.

Will be too basic for medium-sized firms With more than two million users, is one of the most successful online accounting services - and it's completely free for accounting, invoicing and receipts, although if you want personal technical support you'll need to pay for it. Payroll isn't included in the free service either, and you do get the odd advert – just as you do with pretty much any free online service. It's a very well designed and carefully thought out application, and while it's probably a little basic for medium-sized businesses it's a good option for sole traders, freelancers and small firms. Try it online.

Only free for firms with fewer than 5 employees With versions for PC, Mac, iPad and Android, caters for most kinds of businesses - and if you have fewer than five members of staff, you can have it for free without time limits or other restrictions. It's designed to create invoices, quotes and orders easily, to automate recurring ones and to send them by email or fax, and there's a decent range of reports to pore over. The free accounting software is really just a front-end for a web-based service, but that's no bad thing unless your business struggles to get a decent internet connection. Download here. Not the prettiest app out there It's not going to win any awards for aesthetics, but isn't there to look good: its priority is to record day to day cash transactions with the least amount of fuss.