Free and low-cost accounting and invoicing software for your business

Actif by GEM-BOOKS, provides an online solution for bookkeeping and general accounting. You can start with the free basic functions and then consider other add-on modules such as advanced accounting, payroll, secure document sharing, or project management. Developed by a company based in Terrebonne, Quebec, Actif is accessible via a web browser or on the go with Android and iOS apps.

Connected Core Accounting meets the accounting needs of small businesses that prefer to host their solution locally on either a PC or Mac. Growing businesses have the option to upgrade to Connected Enterprise, which includes inventory management and job costing features. Both versions can be hosted in a private cloud. Accountek is a Canadian owned and operated business based in Ontario.

Dynacom Accounting SMB Edition is a software solution with payroll processing that can grow with you. The Lite edition is a simple online tool to track your company’s revenue and expenses. Whereas the Enterprise+ edition offers a fully integrated financial management solution, designed to serve medium and large businesses. The company is headquartered in Laval, Quebec.

FreshBooks is an entry-level online solution, developed by a Toronto-based company. It is particularly suitable for service-based businesses to create and track projects, timesheets, invoices and expenses, all in one place. iPhone and iPad apps are pretty handy for scanning receipts and tracking expenses. Invoices can be sent in both English and French, but the interface is available in English only. The company also has payroll partners in Canada and the United States.

Gestion PME offers an accounting software suite with various editions for freelancers, incorporated businesses, PoS and more. Developed by Winfly Informatique Inc. in Quebec, the software requires Microsoft Windows or Parallel Desktop. Pricing is a one-time fee for a five-year licence including software updates and support. The free trial will help you determine if the solution fits your needs.

Kashoo offers two distinct solutions tailored to businesses at different stages of growth. TrulySmall Accounting meets the needs of micro-business owners, whereas Kashoo caters to small and medium-sized businesses. Developed by a Canadian firm based in Vancouver, B.C., these solutions use machine learning to streamline and expedite the bank reconciliation process. Use these popular apps to access your accounting data on-the-go and even switch to a French interface effortlessly via device settings on your iPhone or iPad.

Momenteo meets the accounting needs of freelancers. Specifically, it allows them to issue quotes and personalized invoices, travel expenses and get a clear portrait of their financial health. Designed by a company based in Quebec City, it also offers a mobile app for iOS and Android.

QuickBooks by Intuit is a popular accounting software offering a range of versions tailored to different users, including freelancers, small businesses and accountants. The Android and iOS apps provide most of the tools you need to get your accounting work done remotely. Its AI-powered assistant, Intuit Assist, delivers personalized recommendations to help you better manage your cash flow and grow your business.

Sage Accounting comes in different editions with built-in Canadian tax features. Certain editions of Sage Accounting offer AI features to help you automate data entry, identify unusual transactions and provide real-time insights on your financial performance in an easy-to-read visual format.

Square Invoices simplifies your invoicing, letting you create and send estimates from anywhere. You can even set automatic payment reminders to get on time. Square Invoices is part of a larger family of products, which includes point-of-sale and payment solutions, a customer relationship management tool and other business software. All of Square’s products work together.

Wave a Canadian-made online software, can be used to automate the most-time consuming parts of the invoicing and accounting process. Its mobile app lets you invoice clients and accept credit cards on the go. Other features like automatic bank feeds and reconciliation, transaction categorization and accountant-approved (double-entry) reports help you keep an eye on your cash flow trends. You can even invite your accountant, bookkeeper or business partner to be a “guest collaborator” for seamless collaboration.

Xero simplifies small business finances by streamlining invoicing, expense tracking, and sales tax and financial reporting. Some plans include AI-powered features to automate data entry, reconcile bank transactions and generate reports with actionable recommendations. Xero also connects to a wide range of third-party apps for inventory, payroll and more. The data of Canadian customers is stored on servers in either Canada or the United States.

ZarMoney is an affordable software suite that offers robust automation tools to boost your financial efficiency. Not only can you track expenses, issue professional invoices, automate recurring payments, streamline the account reconciliation process and create customizable reports, but you can also gain complete visibility into your inventory, accept online payments and securely control user access with role-based permission.