Best Small-Business Apps of January 2026
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| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Square POS
|
Best POS app |
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 3.3% + $0.30 |
|||
 Xero
|
Best expense tracking app |
N/A |
$0 |
||
 Gusto Payroll
|
Best payroll app |
N/A |
$0 |
||
 QuickBooks Online
|
Best accounting app |
N/A |
$0 |
||
|
Square Invoices
|
Best invoicing app |
N/A |
$0 |
Payment processing fees
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
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
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Xero
Best for Best expense tracking app
Starting at
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $55, $90.
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.
Gusto Payroll
Best for Best payroll app
Starting at
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $80, $180. Fee per employee varies by tier.
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 Online
Best for Best accounting app
Starting at
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $75, $115, $275.
Promotion
for 3 months or free 30-day trial.
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.
Square Invoices
Best for Best invoicing app
Starting at
Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan.
Promotion
of the Plus and Premium plans.
Pros
-
Free plan supports unlimited invoicing and unlimited users.
-
Create digital contracts for clients to e-sign.
-
Send invoices via SMS.
-
Integrates with various third-party products, including QuickBooks Online and Xero. You can accept online payments through Square, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Payment processing fees
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
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
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Square POS
Best for Best POS app
Best for Best POS app
Payment processing fees
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
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
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
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.
Xero
Best for Best expense tracking app
Best for Best expense tracking app
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.
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.
Gusto Payroll
Best for Best payroll app
Best for Best payroll app
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.
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.
QuickBooks Online
Best for Best accounting app
Best for Best accounting app
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.
Pros
-
Free plan supports unlimited invoicing and unlimited users.
-
Create digital contracts for clients to e-sign.
-
Send invoices via SMS.
-
Integrates with various third-party products, including QuickBooks Online and Xero. You can accept online payments through Square, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Square Invoices
Best for Best invoicing app
Best for Best invoicing app
Pros
-
Free plan supports unlimited invoicing and unlimited users.
-
Create digital contracts for clients to e-sign.
-
Send invoices via SMS.
-
Integrates with various third-party products, including QuickBooks Online and Xero. You can accept online payments through Square, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Jump to
More small-business apps to consider
How to choose the best small-business apps
Methodology
More small-business apps to consider
The top small-business apps listed are the best overall in their category, but that doesn’t mean they’re the perfect fit for every business. If you’re looking for more industry-specific alternatives or have particular must-have features in mind, you might weigh these options, too.
Keep in mind that some apps — like QuickBooks Online and FreshBooks — can serve multiple functions. Be sure to check the feature list of your existing software to avoid adding a potentially redundant subscription to your expenses.
How to choose the best small-business apps
Here’s a rundown of each type of business app’s key function and which factors to consider to find the best fit.
POS apps
-
Hardware options, including card readers, terminals, cash drawers and receipt printers.
-
Inventory tracking features.
-
Monthly software fees and payment processing fees.
-
Card payment methods accepted (e.g., swiped, tapped or keyed).
-
Offline and mobile payment processing options.
-
Live support availability.
Accounting apps
Payroll apps
-
Unlimited payroll runs.
-
The ability to calculate, file and pay federal, state and local payroll taxes.
-
Employee portal or mobile app.
-
Benefits administration.
-
Next-day or same-day direct deposit options.
-
Accounting software integrations.
Invoicing apps
Expense tracking apps
-
Mileage tracking.
-
Employee app for submitting business-related expenses.
-
Ability to snap photos of receipts with a mobile app.
-
Accounting software integrations.
Here is more information on how NerdWallet evaluates different business software products and their apps:
Last updated on June 24, 2024
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