Best Accounting for Startups
Our curated selection of the top 10 tools. Compare features, pricing, and find the perfect fit for your needs.
TL;DR
- 1Mercury(8.0/10) — You're a startup looking for a free banking platform with FDIC-insured accounts and modern tools.. Easy to use and affordable.
- 2Wave(7.6/10) — You're a freelancer or small business looking for completely free accounting software with basic features.. Easy to use and affordable.
- 3Pilot(7.2/10) — You're a startup seeking tailored bookkeeping and tax services without hiring in-house accountants.. Feature-rich.
Why Mercury is #1 for accounting for startups
Our Picks
ProfitWell
Free SaaS metrics and subscription analytics platform with revenue optimization tools.
Mercury
Modern banking platform built for startups with FDIC-insured accounts and powerful financial tools.
Wave
Wave offers free accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Price | Rating | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Free | 4.6 | 8.0 | startups and tech companies needing modern banking. |
| Wave | Free — Additional services available for a fee | 3.6 | 7.6 | freelancers and small businesses needing free accounting. |
| Pilot | Custom pricing | 4.0 | 7.2 | startups and SMBs wanting fully managed bookkeeping services |
| Zoho Invoice | Free | 4.4 | 8.0 | freelancers and small businesses needing free invoicing. |
| Wise Business | From $0/user/mo | 3.7 | 7.8 | businesses making frequent low-cost international payments. |
Detailed Rankings
Modern banking platform built for startups with FDIC-insured accounts and powerful financial tools.
Skip if: you need not a traditional bank, relies on partner banks
Wave offers free accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Skip if: you need limited integrations compared to competitors like quickbooks
Pilot offers bookkeeping and tax services tailored for startups and small businesses.
Skip if: you need pricing is significantly higher than diy accounting software
Free invoicing software for freelancers and small businesses with time tracking and expense management.
Streamline your business finances with Wise Business, the smart way to manage international payments.
Free SaaS metrics and subscription analytics platform with revenue optimization tools.
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for small to medium-sized businesses.
Divvy simplifies expense management and budgeting for businesses.
How to Choose
When choosing the right tool for “best accounting for startups”, consider: your team size and budget, must-have features vs nice-to-haves, integration with your existing tools, and long-term pricing scalability. Start with free trials when available — most tools on this list offer them.
Former SaaS product manager turned analyst. Personally tested 200+ tools and built the scoring methodology behind SaasHunter rankings.
Not sure which to pick?
Get a personalized recommendation in 10 seconds.
People Also Search For
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best accounting for startups?
Based on user ratings and features, Mercury is the top pick for best accounting for startups. Other strong options include Wave, Pilot, Zoho Invoice.
Are there free options for accounting & finance?
Yes, Mercury, Wave, Pilot offer free plans in the Accounting & Finance category.
How did we rank these tools?
Tools are ranked based on keyword relevance to the use case, user ratings from the SaasHunter community, and feature coverage. Featured tools with strong ratings rank higher.
How often is this list updated?
This list is updated automatically as new tools are added and user ratings change. Pricing and feature information is refreshed regularly.
Problems These Tools Solve
Get more recommendations
Subscribe for weekly curated tool picks and comparison guides.