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Compare accounting software side by side β€” pricing, features, pros & cons. Find the best fit for your business with detailed comparisons of QuickBooks, Xero, Wave, FreshBooks and more.

Verdict

The best accounting software depends on your business size, budget, and needs. QuickBooks Online is the industry standard with the most features and integrations. Xero offers unlimited users and strong multi-currency support. FreshBooks has the best invoicing experience for freelancers. Wave is free for US and Canada-based sole proprietors.

Select tools:
FeatureStripeSquare
Starting PriceFree Β· From $620/moFree Β· From $49/mo
Pay-as-you-goFreeFree
Stripe Billing StandardFree$49/mo
Stripe Billing Volume$620/mo$149/mo
Best ForSmall Biz, EnterpriseFreelancers, Small Biz
RegionsUS, CA, GB, AU, FR, DE, NL, JP, SG, HK, IE, CH, AT, BE, DK, FI, IT, NO, ES, SE, PT, PL, NZ, AE, BR, MXUS, CA, GB, AU, JP
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
Key Features
  • β€’135+ currencies and 35+ payment methods including cards, wallets, BNPL, and local methods
  • β€’Developer-first API with SDKs for 15+ programming languages and extensive documentation
  • β€’Stripe Radar fraud detection with machine learning (included at 2.9% + $0.30; Radar for Fraud Teams $0.02/check)
  • β€’Stripe Billing for subscription management, invoices, and recurring payments (0.7% of volume)
  • β€’Free POS software with inventory, employee management, customer loyalty, and reporting
  • β€’In-person payments at 2.6% + $0.15 (tap, dip, swipe); online at 3.3% + $0.30
  • β€’Free card reader included on signup; full POS hardware available (Terminal, Register)
  • β€’Square Online for e-commerce website building with integrated payments
Pros
  • +Developer-first API with best-in-class documentation, SDKs in 15+ languages, and comprehensive testing tools β€” the gold standard for custom payment integrations
  • +135+ currencies and 35+ payment methods give Stripe the broadest global reach of any all-in-one payment processor
  • +Built-in fraud detection via Stripe Radar uses machine learning and is included in the standard rate, saving thousands in fraud losses compared to manual review
  • +Easiest same-day setup for brick-and-mortar businesses β€” free card reader ships on signup, no merchant account approval needed
  • +All-in-one POS ecosystem: payments, inventory, staff management, loyalty, and e-commerce in a single dashboard
  • +Free POS software is genuinely capable for most small retail and restaurant operations β€” no monthly fee for core features
Cons
  • βˆ’Requires developer resources to unlock full potential β€” non-technical business owners may struggle with setup and customization compared to Square or PayPal
  • βˆ’Flat-rate pricing (2.9% + $0.30) becomes expensive at high volume compared to interchange-plus or tiered pricing models from Helcim or other processors
  • βˆ’FX markup of ~1% is cheaper than PayPal's 3-4% but more expensive than platforms built specifically for cross-border commerce like Wise or Airwallex
  • βˆ’Flat-rate pricing becomes expensive at higher volumes compared to interchange-plus processors like Helcim β€” businesses processing $10K+/month should compare alternatives
  • βˆ’Online transaction rates (3.3% + $0.30 on Free plan) are among the highest in the category β€” Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 for online payments
  • βˆ’Limited global availability compared to Stripe β€” Square operates in only 5 countries (US, CA, GB, AU, JP)
Integrations16+ integrations7+ integrations
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