What is the best cloud accounting software?

For virtually any small business, accounting software is a highly beneficial and necessary tool for managing finances efficiently. While you can start with a simple spreadsheet, a proper accounting system becomes essential as soon as your transactions increase beyond a handful, well before you reach a significant annual turnover.

There isn't a single "best" accounting software, as the ideal choice depends on your business size, industry, and specific needs. Popular and highly-rated options include Tally (a market leader in India, especially for SMBs), Zoho Books (user-friendly and great for small to medium businesses with automatic bank feeds), and QuickBooks (a comprehensive solution for real-time insights and productivity). For freelancers, FreshBooks is a recommended choice, while Xero offers strong bank integrations and a clean layout.

Wave, Zoho Books, Akaunting, and GnuCash are the best free accounting tools for startups in 2025.

Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online are widely used in India and work seamlessly on modern MacBooks.

Note: Ensure the software is either native to macOS or cloud-based for smooth performance on M4 chips known as Apple Silicon Optimization. Make sure it includes GST invoicing and filing features along with payment gateway integrations.

For small to medium-sized supermarkets in India, Marg ERP and Vyapar are highly recommended POS accounting software solutions.