According to Statista, 64.4% of small business owners use accounting software and tools. This momentous shift toward technology is not uncalled for. Proponents of traditional accounting might disagree, but automation is the “overqualified accountant” you need to get the job done. This overachiever thingy will not only be efficient and smart but also affordable.
This, however, doesn’t in any way mean you don’t need accountants! You need someone to go through the entire process and cross-check entries, data processing, and analysis. These accounting tools will assist your expert accountants in managing tasks at the speed of light (figuratively).
So now we know automation is inevitable! You need accounting software to
There are a million other things that you can use automation for.
Ahhh…. yeah, the software and my accountant will do the magic; meanwhile, I can bring in more business (business owner POV after reading the above)!
WAIT A MINUTE!
What software? You might have searched for top accounting software and got flooded with choices.
How to choose the right accounting software? Should I go for the affordable one or the one with a hundred thousand features?
While that might have sent shivers down your spine, we, on the other hand, scoured the internet and made a list of the 5 top accounting software tools and software of 2025.
What makes them the best? Let’s find out!
Best Accounting Software and Tools in 2025
Sage
With 92% of users finding Sage easy to learn and use, this accounting software definitely tops the list.
It’s ideal for:
What Sage offers:
Pricing Details
Every product costs differently depending on the features it comes with. You are looking at an expense that ranges from £15 per month for basic services to over £59 for more comprehensive solutions.
Xero
Another tiebreaker in the market: Xero! One might get swayed by the COST (first) and then the features! Let’s talk about what matters most!
What good will it do for your business?
Xero is a reasonable choice for:
Suite of Features:
Pricing details:
As for the APPEAL! It’s quite affordable. Xero accounting software costs between £16 and £59 per month, depending on the plan. The other good thing about Xero is that it offers unlimited user options regardless of the plan. So whether you opt for an early plan or a premium one, your entire team can use it without paying additional costs!
Intuit QuickBooks
Let’s talk GLOBAL!
According to the latest stats, around 82,400 companies around the world are using QuickBooks cloud accounting software. With this many users, should you hop on the waggon as well?
No, first let’s explore: does it offer the features your company needs?
It best caters to:
What it offers:
QuickBooks Pricing Details:
Is it costly? Again, it depends on the plan. The pricing ranges from £10 to £115 per month per month, which is reasonable to some extent.
Zoho Books
As Zoho says, it is the leading cloud accounting software for growing companies. Let’s dissect this claim and find out if it’s the accounting software and tool you are looking for!
So, who benefits most from Zoho Books?
It’s best if you need it for:
Pricing Details:
From a free plan to a premium one that would cost around £48 per month, we concluded that Zoho is one of the best accounting tools 2025 has for all of us accountants and businesses alike!
FreeAgent
Lastly, we have FreeAgent! You might not benefit from it much if you reside outside the UK. This accounting tool has a strong liking for the UK market. Over 78% of UK companies use this tool to ease their accounting tasks.
It’s the ideal audience for:
It’s best for businesses and individuals requiring:
How much does FreeAgent cost?
Well, it ranges from £33 per month to £165 annually. It has a free account option as well.
Note: Please check the recent pricing of each accounting tool and software. This will help you get hands-on promotions or deals running at the moment.
Final Thoughts
As established earlier, accounting software and tools are the need of the time. Without automation and cloud accounting, you can expect a slowed work pace, incorrect calculations, and flawed financial insights. The list can go on! The point here is not to list the ‘disasters’ but to make you realise how important accounting automation is. You can choose your options from the best tools, like Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho, and FreeAgent. With their easy integration and integration capabilities, you can work wonders.
If you still need help deciding on the right accounting software and tools for your business or face setbacks shifting to cloud accounting, you can always contact Apex Accountants for help. Our expert accountants will assist you in automating your functions. What more? You can discuss this via a FREE consultation and move forward when you are completely sure!
