Cloud Accounting? Comparison Of The Top 3 Cloud Accounting Programs

Over the past few years, a lot of traditional accounting programs have moved from desktop applications into cloud-based programs. There is no better example of this than accounting software. Software from makers such as QuickBooks and Peachtree has gone cloud, rather than desktop. With cloud accounting programs users can keep up to date on their books on the go, from any device and without worrying about purchasing multiple user licenses. These applications will often integrate with other cloud applications such as Google Docs. Unfortunately, with the cloud becoming more popular each year, there are now literally hundreds of online accounting providers to choose from, which makes selecting the top three rather tedious…until now.

Freshbooks

Freshbooks markets itself as “painless billing”. Since they have a user-friendly interface, quick invoicing tools and easy setup, users with any level of previous accounting experience (or none at all) can benefit from this software. The free version only allows users to manage three clients at a time, but for some this is more than enough.

Wave Accounting

Wave Accounting is 100 percent free for users. No matter how many customers they need to manage or invoices they need to send each month, Wave Accounting offers a useful interface, customizable invoicing and statements and a setup that looks similar to Mint.com. Wave Accounting makes their money through affiliate sales and some users have boasted about the deals they find from these affiliates while using the site.

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is the most expensive out of the three. Since it has the backing of the Intuit family of software products, QuickBooks Online is reliable in comparison to the other two. Users can upgrade to three different levels of accounting. Those who have larger companies or who need access to payroll will have to use QuickBooks Pro, which is over $30 per month.

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