2025 Financial Software Pricing & Fee Comparison Guide
Looking to choose the right accounting or financial software without breaking the bank? With dozens of platforms on the market, pricing structures can be confusing and full of hidden costs. Whether you're a freelancer managing invoices or a growing agency juggling multiple clients, understanding monthly fees, trial periods, user limits, and surprise add-ons is essential for choosing the right tool. We compared the pricing, trials, and hidden costs of the top tools for freelancers, agencies, and small businesses in 2025.
New here? Start with our ultimate guide to financial software for a quick framework on pricing models, features, and add-ons. If you already know your needs, jump to the feature-by-feature comparison or see best tools by use case. Early-stage team? Check the startup picks for scaling.
Financial Software Pricing Overview
| Software | Monthly Price | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks | $19–$60+ (tiered plans) | 30 days |
| QuickBooks | $30–$200+ (Online & Payroll plans) | 30 days |
| Xero | $15–$78 (Starter to Established) | 30 days |
| HoneyBook | $19/mo (annual) or $39/mo (monthly) | 7 days |
| Bonsai | $25–$79+ (Core to Business) | 7 days |
| Kashoo | $0–$30/mo | No |
| Zoho Books | $0–$240+/yr (regional tiers) | 14 days |
| Bench | $299–$499/mo | Free trial + Demo |
Hidden Fees & Considerations
| Software | Annual Billing Discount | User Limits | Add-On Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks | ✅ ~10% | Yes (based on plan) | Extra users: $11/user |
| QuickBooks | ✅ up to 50% off 3 months | Yes | Payroll, time tracking |
| Xero | ✅ ~17% | Starter: 20 invoices | Projects, multi-currency |
| HoneyBook | ✅ ~$228/yr | Unlimited | None |
| Bonsai | ✅ | Core = 1 user | Collaborators: +$9/mo |
| Kashoo | ✅ | Unlimited | None |
| Zoho Books | ✅ (up to 2 months free) | Yes (per plan) | More users, Zoho One upgrade |
| Bench | ❌ | N/A (service-based) | Add-on for Tax or Catch-Up |
ScaleUp Tip
Low entry pricing is only one part of the equation. As your business grows, user fees, add-on costs, and upgrade requirements can compound quickly. Look beyond trial offers and tier names to understand how pricing will scale with your operations.
