Managing a business on your own can be challenging. Whether you’re a sole proprietor or running a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME), the right accounting software can help you manage your finances easily and accurately. Unfortunately, these can be pricey.
I believe that we should minimize the costs while we can. There’s always the option to purchase a more complicated and professional software later.
Luckily, there are some great free accounting software options available to us! I’ve tries some of them and listed the ones that I found easy to use and intuitive.
1. Bookipi
“Bookipi is the easiest invoice app for small businesses. Send invoices to your customers in under a minute and receive payments quicker.”
I have to say that having tested the software for many months, I find it very easy to use and the invoices look professional.
Although, the software is VERY simple, it ticks all the boxes for many of my clients. There’s an app and a web version of it. You can simply create login details on the app and use the same to login on https://app.bookipi.com
You get quite a lot of customization options including an option to upload your logo and set a custom invoice starting number. This is very useful when you switch from another accounting software and your invoices do not start with 0001.
“The only thing” you need to pay attention to is the option to pay by card that is automatically enabled in the software. If you send an invoice via email, the customer gets a ”Pay now” button which allows them to pay by card, via Stripe. Even if you do not have a Stripe account, the payment will be taken from the client’s card and you will have to create an account with Stripe and accept their fees to receive a pay-out. This may be very useful to you but can catch you out if you don’t go through all the Settings and make sure these are matching your requirements.
2. QuickFile
“Cloud Accounting Made Easy”
QuickFile is a great tool for small businesses. I have tested the software for a few months and the options that are available for FREE are surprisingly good.
The software has both an app and a web version and exactly as with Bookipi, you create and use one set of login details for both. The software is a bit more advances and gives you an option to create Portals for your clients where they can log in and see their quotes/estimates/invoices etc. This is a game changes as it makes your company look very professional and gives the impression that a lot of money has been invested in the system.
The dashboard gives you many stats as well as a Recent Events field which shows the exact history of your profile. You can see who and when viewed their documents (ie. estimates or invoices). The web version also allows you to customise a menu: “Create your own custom menu with links to your most visited pages in QuickFile or external links to 3rd party applications and CMS tools.”. This is very handy and I’ve found myself regularly using it.
3. FreeAgent*
“Award-winning accounting software for small businesses”
I have decided to include FreeAgent in this list. Although, you usually need to buy a licence for the software, you can use it for free if you open an account with Mettle (“The business account by NatWest that helps you start, run and grow”).
I’ve decided to do just that! I bank with Mettle what gives me a free licence for FreeAgent. The software is linked to my bank account and automatically ‘pulls’ all transactions. It allows me to assign payments to invoices and even upload pictures of receipts for money spent via Mettle. The software is the most advanced of these three.
If you chose not to bank with Mettle, the package prices start at £9.50 month + VAT For your first six months and £19 month + VAT After your first six months. It’s Free £0.00 If you have a business current account with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank NI for as long as you retain your bank account – or have a business account with Mettle.
I hope that this small list will help you find and decide on the right accounting software for your business. Remember that these are only programs that I have personally tested. You can find many more Free* options online but I would not be comfortable suggesting them to you if I have never used them.
Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact me!
Call or WhatsApp on 0121 716 3210 or email [email protected]
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