5 Best Small-Business Apps of November 2025
These apps can help you with point-of-sale, accounting, invoicing and payroll.
Learn more The best small-business apps can help you run your company, startup or side hustle more efficiently, saving you time and money. Using the same app for multiple business functions — think accounting and invoicing — will offer the simplest setup. But if you’re looking for standalone options, here are NerdWallet's top picks in five main categories:
- Best POS app:
Square POS - Best accounting app:
QuickBooks Online - Best payroll app:
Gusto - Best invoicing app:
Square Invoices - Best expense tracking app:
Xero
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Best overall POS system
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Square's website
Pros
- Free plan option available.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include a free online store.
Cons
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Best overall POS system
Square POS
Best for Best POS app
Best for Best POS app
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Square's website
Pros
- Free plan option available.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include a free online store.
Cons
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Our pick for simple accounting software
Pros
- Unlimited users in all pricing plans.
- Integrates with more than 1,000 third-party apps.
- Feature set includes an excellent mobile app and suite of reports, capable invoicing features, plus automated bill and receipt capture through Hubdoc.
- Simple layout and easy to use.
Cons
- No inbound phone customer support (callbacks are available, though).
- Entry-level plan limits bills and invoices to five and 20 per month, respectively.
- Must subscribe to the highest-tier Established plan to claim expenses.
Our pick for simple accounting software
Xero
Best for Best expense tracking app
Best for Best expense tracking app
Payment processing fees
N/A
on Xero's website
Pros
- Unlimited users in all pricing plans.
- Integrates with more than 1,000 third-party apps.
- Feature set includes an excellent mobile app and suite of reports, capable invoicing features, plus automated bill and receipt capture through Hubdoc.
- Simple layout and easy to use.
Cons
- No inbound phone customer support (callbacks are available, though).
- Entry-level plan limits bills and invoices to five and 20 per month, respectively.
- Must subscribe to the highest-tier Established plan to claim expenses.
Pros
- Benefits administration (health benefits are available in 38 states and Washington, D.C.; 401(k) plans are available in all 50 states).
- Time-tracking features at higher-price tiers (limited at Simple level).
- Certified HR experts available (at the Premium level).
- Free account setup.
- Next-day direct deposit (at Plus and Premium levels).
Cons
- More expensive than some options.
- Limited hours for live support.
Gusto Payroll
Best for Best payroll app
Best for Best payroll app
Payment processing fees
N/A
on Gusto's website
Pros
- Benefits administration (health benefits are available in 38 states and Washington, D.C.; 401(k) plans are available in all 50 states).
- Time-tracking features at higher-price tiers (limited at Simple level).
- Certified HR experts available (at the Premium level).
- Free account setup.
- Next-day direct deposit (at Plus and Premium levels).
Cons
- More expensive than some options.
- Limited hours for live support.
Pros
- Easy to share information with your accountant and to find QuickBooks experts and online resources if needed.
- More than 750 app integrations.
- Robust feature set includes record-keeping, reporting, invoicing and inventory management, plus a capable mobile app.
- Chat and phone support available Monday through Saturday in all plans.
Cons
- Expensive compared with the competition.
- Frequent price increases and a tendency toward upselling.
- Limited account users with each plan.
QuickBooks Online
Best for Best accounting app
Best for Best accounting app
Payment processing fees
N/A
on QuickBooks' website
Pros
- Easy to share information with your accountant and to find QuickBooks experts and online resources if needed.
- More than 750 app integrations.
- Robust feature set includes record-keeping, reporting, invoicing and inventory management, plus a capable mobile app.
- Chat and phone support available Monday through Saturday in all plans.
Cons
- Expensive compared with the competition.
- Frequent price increases and a tendency toward upselling.
- Limited account users with each plan.
Pros
- Unlimited invoicing, estimates, contracts, users and clients in all plans.
- Integrates with Square’s all-in-one payment platform.
- Streamlined and intuitive.
- Ability to process in-person and online card payments as well as cash, checks, ACH transfers, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Send recurring invoices.
- Automatic payment reminders.
- Gives clients the option to include a tip.
Cons
- Must use Square’s in-house payment processing to accept online payments.
- Free plan does not enable custom invoicing fields and the ability to auto-convert estimates into invoices.
Square Invoices
Best for Best invoicing app
Best for Best invoicing app
Payment processing fees
N/A
on Square's website
Pros
- Unlimited invoicing, estimates, contracts, users and clients in all plans.
- Integrates with Square’s all-in-one payment platform.
- Streamlined and intuitive.
- Ability to process in-person and online card payments as well as cash, checks, ACH transfers, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Send recurring invoices.
- Automatic payment reminders.
- Gives clients the option to include a tip.
Cons
- Must use Square’s in-house payment processing to accept online payments.
- Free plan does not enable custom invoicing fields and the ability to auto-convert estimates into invoices.
| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Square POS | Best POS app | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 3.3% + $0.30 | $0 and up. | on Square's website | |
Xero | Best expense tracking app | N/A | $0 | on Xero's website | |
Gusto Payroll | Best payroll app | N/A | $0 | on Gusto's website | |
QuickBooks Online | Best accounting app | N/A | $0 | on QuickBooks' website | |
Square Invoices | Best invoicing app | N/A | $0 | on Square's website |
Best overall POS system
Square POS
Best for Best POS app
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Square's website
Pros
- Free plan option available.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include a free online store.
Cons
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Our pick for simple accounting software
Xero
Best for Best expense tracking app
Starting at
$25/month
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $55, $90.
Promotion
90% off
for 4 months.
on Xero's website
Pros
- Unlimited users in all pricing plans.
- Integrates with more than 1,000 third-party apps.
- Feature set includes an excellent mobile app and suite of reports, capable invoicing features, plus automated bill and receipt capture through Hubdoc.
- Simple layout and easy to use.
Cons
- No inbound phone customer support (callbacks are available, though).
- Entry-level plan limits bills and invoices to five and 20 per month, respectively.
- Must subscribe to the highest-tier Established plan to claim expenses.
Pros
- Benefits administration (health benefits are available in 38 states and Washington, D.C.; 401(k) plans are available in all 50 states).
- Time-tracking features at higher-price tiers (limited at Simple level).
- Certified HR experts available (at the Premium level).
- Free account setup.
- Next-day direct deposit (at Plus and Premium levels).
Cons
- More expensive than some options.
- Limited hours for live support.
QuickBooks Online
Best for Best accounting app
Starting at
$38/month
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $75, $115, $275.
Promotion
50% off
for 3 months or free 30-day trial.
on QuickBooks' website
Pros
- Easy to share information with your accountant and to find QuickBooks experts and online resources if needed.
- More than 750 app integrations.
- Robust feature set includes record-keeping, reporting, invoicing and inventory management, plus a capable mobile app.
- Chat and phone support available Monday through Saturday in all plans.
Cons
- Expensive compared with the competition.
- Frequent price increases and a tendency toward upselling.
- Limited account users with each plan.
Square Invoices
Best for Best invoicing app
Starting at
$0
Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan.
Promotion
30-day free trial
of the Plus and Premium plans.
on Square's website
Pros
- Unlimited invoicing, estimates, contracts, users and clients in all plans.
- Integrates with Square’s all-in-one payment platform.
- Streamlined and intuitive.
- Ability to process in-person and online card payments as well as cash, checks, ACH transfers, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Send recurring invoices.
- Automatic payment reminders.
- Gives clients the option to include a tip.
Cons
- Must use Square’s in-house payment processing to accept online payments.
- Free plan does not enable custom invoicing fields and the ability to auto-convert estimates into invoices.
Jump to
More small-business apps to consider
The top small-business apps listed are the best overall in their category, but that doesn’t mean they’re the perfect fit for every business. If you’re looking for more industry-specific alternatives or have particular must-have features in mind, you might weigh these options, too.
Keep in mind that some apps — like QuickBooks Online and FreshBooks — can serve multiple functions. Be sure to check the feature list of your existing software to avoid adding a potentially redundant subscription to your expenses.
More POS apps
More accounting apps
More payroll apps
More invoicing apps
More expense tracking apps
How to choose the best small-business apps
Here’s a rundown of each type of business app’s key function and which factors to consider to find the best fit.
POS apps
The best POS systems
- Hardware options, including card readers, terminals, cash drawers and receipt printers.
- Inventory tracking features.
- Monthly software fees and payment processing fees.
- Card payment methods accepted (e.g., swiped, tapped or keyed).
- Offline and mobile payment processing options.
- Live support availability.
Accounting apps
Accounting software, at a minimum, tracks your business’s income and expenditures. The best accounting software
- Ease of use.
- Robust accounting reports.
- Invoicing capabilities.
- Integrations with third-party apps including payroll and POS systems.
- Daily customer support.
- Scalability.
Payroll apps
The best payroll software
- Unlimited payroll runs.
- The ability to calculate, file and pay federal, state and local payroll taxes.
- Employee portal or mobile app.
- Benefits administration.
- Next-day or same-day direct deposit options.
- Accounting software integrations.
Invoicing apps
The best invoicing software
- Monthly software fee.
- Processing fees.
- Invoice customization options.
- Accounting software integrations.
Expense tracking apps
The best expense trackers
- Mileage tracking.
- Employee app for submitting business-related expenses.
- Ability to snap photos of receipts with a mobile app.
- Accounting software integrations.
Methodology
Here is more information on how NerdWallet evaluates different business software products and their apps: