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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.
Square’s POS system is known for its simple user interface and can accommodate businesses in a range of industries, including retail stores, restaurants and appointment-based operations. Its free POS app and card reader help you track data and complete sales on the go while keeping costs low.
Read full review
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.
At its core, Xero is an accounting software program, but it stands out for its Xero Me employee app and the expense tracking features in its Established plan. Business owners can use Xero to claim mileage expenses, approve employee expenses and snap photos of receipts, while employees use the Xero Me app to submit expenses directly from their smartphones.
Read full review
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.
With income and expense tracking, invoicing, reporting and a longstanding reputation in the industry, QuickBooks Online hits the mark for most small businesses’ accounting software needs. Its streamlined mobile app lets you enter transactions from anywhere so you don’t have to remember later. You can also use it to run key reports, like a profit and loss statement.
Read full review
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.
Square Invoices is a standalone, free invoicing app that lets you add your business logo to invoices, run reports, store customer info and send unlimited invoices, estimates and contracts. You can upgrade to the paid plan to access lower payment processing rates and more customization options.
Read full review
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’s POS system is known for its simple user interface and can accommodate businesses in a range of industries, including retail stores, restaurants and appointment-based operations. Its free POS app and card reader help you track data and complete sales on the go while keeping costs low.
Read full review
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.
Square’s POS system is known for its simple user interface and can accommodate businesses in a range of industries, including retail stores, restaurants and appointment-based operations. Its free POS app and card reader help you track data and complete sales on the go while keeping costs low.
Read full review
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.
At its core, Xero is an accounting software program, but it stands out for its Xero Me employee app and the expense tracking features in its Established plan. Business owners can use Xero to claim mileage expenses, approve employee expenses and snap photos of receipts, while employees use the Xero Me app to submit expenses directly from their smartphones.
Read full review
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.
At its core, Xero is an accounting software program, but it stands out for its Xero Me employee app and the expense tracking features in its Established plan. Business owners can use Xero to claim mileage expenses, approve employee expenses and snap photos of receipts, while employees use the Xero Me app to submit expenses directly from their smartphones.
Read full review
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.
We give Gusto high marks for its core payroll services and range of HR tools for hiring employees and providing benefits. And unlike some of its competitors, the company built an app specifically for employees. Gusto Wallet lets your staff view paychecks and set up custom saving goals from their smartphone.
Read full review
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.
We give Gusto high marks for its core payroll services and range of HR tools for hiring employees and providing benefits. And unlike some of its competitors, the company built an app specifically for employees. Gusto Wallet lets your staff view paychecks and set up custom saving goals from their smartphone.
Read full review
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.
With income and expense tracking, invoicing, reporting and a longstanding reputation in the industry, QuickBooks Online hits the mark for most small businesses’ accounting software needs. Its streamlined mobile app lets you enter transactions from anywhere so you don’t have to remember later. You can also use it to run key reports, like a profit and loss statement.
Read full review
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.
With income and expense tracking, invoicing, reporting and a longstanding reputation in the industry, QuickBooks Online hits the mark for most small businesses’ accounting software needs. Its streamlined mobile app lets you enter transactions from anywhere so you don’t have to remember later. You can also use it to run key reports, like a profit and loss statement.
Read full review
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 is a standalone, free invoicing app that lets you add your business logo to invoices, run reports, store customer info and send unlimited invoices, estimates and contracts. You can upgrade to the paid plan to access lower payment processing rates and more customization options.
Read full review
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.
Square Invoices is a standalone, free invoicing app that lets you add your business logo to invoices, run reports, store customer info and send unlimited invoices, estimates and contracts. You can upgrade to the paid plan to access lower payment processing rates and more customization options.
Read full review
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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