How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- Keap and HoneyBook lead for service businesses that want client management, automation, invoicing and payments in one login.
- Zoho One bundles CRM, Books and 50+ apps for one per-user price, the best value if you want a full suite rather than one tool.
- Wave is genuinely free for accounting and invoicing; FreshBooks adds polished invoicing with a CRM-light client view for freelancers.
- Method:CRM is the pick if QuickBooks stays your system of record and you need a real CRM layered on top.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Keap | Small businesses that want CRM plus marketing and sales automation | See website | Free trial |
 HoneyBook | Creative and service professionals managing clients from inquiry to payment | From $29/month (billed yearly) | Free trial |
 Zoho One | Businesses that want CRM, accounting and dozens of other apps in one suite | See website | Free trial |
 FreshBooks | Freelancers and solopreneurs who want effortless invoicing | See website ($1/month first-year promo advertised) | Free trial |
 Wave | New businesses and freelancers on a tight budget | Free (accounting and invoicing); paid add-ons for payments, payroll and advisors | Yes |
 Method:CRM | QuickBooks users who need a real CRM layered on top | See website | Free 10-day trial |
 vcita | Service businesses that live on appointments: coaches, clinics, salons, tutors | From $29/month for solopreneurs | Free trial |
 Thryv | Local service businesses that want software plus done-for-you marketing | See website | Free demo |
 Insightly | Growing teams that want CRM, marketing automation and project delivery together | See website | Free trial |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best crm and accounting software
Picture a Tuesday where a lead fills out your contact form, gets an automatic follow-up sequence, books a call, signs your proposal, receives an invoice, pays online, and the payment lands in your books without you typing a single number twice. That is the promise of combined CRM and accounting software: one pipeline from first contact to cash in the bank. These nine tools deliver it, each aimed at a different kind of business.
#1
Keap
Best for: Small businesses that want CRM plus marketing and sales automation
Visit keap.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Keap (formerly Infusionsoft) has spent 20+ years becoming the small-business automation standard. Contacts flow in, campaigns follow up automatically, and invoices and payments tie into the customer record, so the business owner sees the whole relationship in one place. The drag-and-drop automation builder is powerful without being a developer tool.
It is not the cheapest option, and small teams may find the setup effort steep for the value. But if your problem is leads slipping through cracks and follow-ups happening late or never, Keap's automation is the most proven fix on this list.
What we like- The deepest automation builder in this category: lead capture, nurture sequences and sales pipelines run themselves
- 5,000+ integrations connect it to the rest of your stack
Watch out for- Pricing is premium for very small teams
- The automation depth takes real setup time
- It is now part of Thryv, Inc., so the brand is in transition
#2
HoneyBook
Best for: Creative and service professionals managing clients from inquiry to payment
Visit honeybook.com
Starting priceFrom $29/month (billed yearly)
Free planFree trial
HoneyBook owns the creative-professional workflow: inquiry comes in, you send a branded proposal, the client signs the contract and pays the invoice, all inside one polished flow. The Starter plan at $29/month (billed yearly) covers unlimited clients and projects, invoices, payments, proposals and contracts. Essentials at $49 adds automations, scheduling and QuickBooks Online integration.
It is a client platform with money features, not an accounting system: you will still want an accountant or a bookkeeping tool for taxes. But for getting paid fast and looking professional doing it, nothing on this list is smoother.
What we like- Proposals, contracts, invoices and payments in one smooth client-facing flow
- Purpose-built for photographers, designers, planners and coaches
- Strong automation in the Essentials plan and up
Watch out for- The accounting side is invoicing and payments, not full bookkeeping
- QuickBooks Online integration requires the Essentials plan
- Per-user pricing grows with teams
#3
Zoho One
Best for: Businesses that want CRM, accounting and dozens of other apps in one suite
Visit zoho.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Zoho One is the bundle play: one per-user subscription that includes Zoho CRM, Zoho Books (accounting), plus email, projects, HR, help desk and dozens more. For a small business replacing five or six subscriptions, the math is compelling, and because the apps share data natively, the CRM-to-accounting handoff just works.
No single Zoho app is the category leader on its own, and the suite can feel sprawling. But if you would rather have one vendor and one bill than a stack of integrations, Zoho One is the most complete CRM-plus-accounting package for the money.
What we like- Zoho CRM, Zoho Books and 50+ applications under one subscription
- The cheapest way to get a full business suite
- Data flows between apps without integrations to maintain
Watch out for- Individual apps are simpler than best-of-breed competitors
- The suite's breadth means a learning curve
- Pricing varies by region and edition
#4
FreshBooks
Best for: Freelancers and solopreneurs who want effortless invoicing
Visit freshbooks.com
Starting priceSee website ($1/month first-year promo advertised)
Free planFree trial
FreshBooks is the freelancer favorite for a reason: invoicing takes minutes, late-payment reminders go out automatically, and expenses snap in from your bank. Client profiles hold the conversation and payment history together, which covers the CRM need for a one-person business. Over half a million small businesses have used it, and the current promo offers the first year at $1/month.
It is accounting-first with CRM-light client management, so businesses with real sales pipelines need more. But for the solo operator whose CRM is "who owes me money," FreshBooks is the sweet spot.
What we like- The most pleasant invoicing experience here: proposals, time tracking, expenses and payments flow cleanly
- 500K+ small businesses have used it
- The app store covers payroll, tax and CRM connectors
Watch out for- The CRM side is client records and communication, not pipeline management
- Double-entry purists may want more accounting depth
- Standard plan pricing is not published on the homepage
Starting priceFree (accounting and invoicing); paid add-ons for payments, payroll and advisors
Free planYes
Wave is the rare genuinely free option: accounting, invoicing, estimates and receipts cost nothing, with Wave earning from optional payment processing, payroll and bookkeeping services. For a new business that needs proper books and professional invoices without a monthly subscription, it is unbeatable.
There is no CRM to speak of: no pipelines, no lead nurturing, no marketing. Pair Wave with a free or cheap CRM if you need one. But as the accounting half of this category, free is a price nobody else matches.
What we like- Real double-entry accounting and unlimited invoicing for free
- Bank connections, receipts and reports included at no cost
- Simple enough for non-accountants
Watch out for- No real CRM pipeline or marketing automation
- Free means paid support options are limited
- Payroll and payment processing cost extra
#6
Method:CRM
Best for: QuickBooks users who need a real CRM layered on top
Visit method.me
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree 10-day trial
Method:CRM answers a specific pain: QuickBooks runs your money, but it is not a CRM. Method sits on top with real-time two-way sync, so the sales team works opportunities, estimates and jobs in the CRM while finance sees every number land in QuickBooks automatically. Custom fields, workflows and portals adapt to how the business actually runs.
It only makes sense if QuickBooks stays your system of record. If that is you, no generic CRM syncs as deeply. If you are shopping for both CRM and accounting fresh, the all-in-one options above are simpler.
What we like- Real-time two-way sync with QuickBooks Online and Desktop: estimates, invoices and payments stay aligned
- Customizable workflows that do not break the sync
- Built for field service, construction and professional services
Watch out for- QuickBooks is required, so it is not a standalone option
- Pricing is per user and quote-based on the site
- Customization depth means setup help is advisable
#7
vcita
Best for: Service businesses that live on appointments: coaches, clinics, salons, tutors
Visit vcita.com
Starting priceFrom $29/month for solopreneurs
Free planFree trial
vcita is the all-in-one for appointment-based businesses: clients book online, the CRM holds their history, invoices go out, payments come in, and marketing campaigns keep the calendar full. Plans start at $29/month for solopreneurs. The client portal is a genuine differentiator: customers self-serve bookings and payments without calling you.
It is not full accounting, so pair it with a bookkeeping tool at tax time. But for the coach, therapist, trainer or consultant whose business is appointments, vcita covers the client-to-cash cycle better than a generic CRM plus a separate scheduler.
What we like- Scheduling, CRM, billing and marketing in one dashboard built for service businesses
- Client portal lets customers book, pay and message anytime
- BizAI features add smart assistance
Watch out for- The accounting side is billing and invoicing, not full books
- Industry fit is service-specific
- Heavier than needed for product businesses
#8
Thryv
Best for: Local service businesses that want software plus done-for-you marketing
Visit thryv.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree demo
Thryv targets the local service business owner who needs customers, not software projects: CRM and invoicing plus review management, listings and marketing services that run with or without the owner's involvement. Keap now sits under the Thryv, Inc. umbrella, which tells you where the company is heading.
The trade-off is transparency: pricing requires a conversation, and the platform assumes a local-services model. For plumbers, roofers, law firms and clinics that want growth handled, Thryv's combination of software and services is distinctive.
What we like- CRM, invoicing, payments and online presence management in one platform
- Optional done-for-you marketing services for owners who hate marketing
- Built for home services, legal, health and pet businesses
Watch out for- Pricing is quote-based on the site
- The marketing-services upsell is core to the model
- Less suited to B2B or product companies
#9
Insightly
Best for: Growing teams that want CRM, marketing automation and project delivery together
Visit insightly.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Insightly suits the business that sells a project and then has to deliver it: the CRM tracks the deal, marketing automation nurtures the pipeline, and project management carries the work through, all linked to the same customer record. Integrations with QuickBooks and Xero cover the accounting side.
It is more platform than the solo tools here, and the price reflects that. But for a 10 to 50 person company tired of stitching a CRM, a marketing tool and a project tracker together, Insightly's unified approach earns its keep.
What we like- CRM, marketing automation, AppConnect integrations and project management in one platform
- Strong fit for businesses that sell projects and then deliver them
- 2,000+ integrations including QuickBooks and Xero
Watch out for- The accounting link is via integrations, not native
- Per-user pricing adds up as teams grow
- The breadth can overwhelm very small teams
How we chose
We looked for software that genuinely combines customer management with money management: CRM pipelines plus invoicing, payments or accounting, in one product or one deeply synced system. For each tool we opened the vendor's homepage, confirmed the product is current, and took pricing only from the vendor's own pricing pages. Where prices were not published we wrote "See website." We favored tools built for small and mid-sized businesses over enterprise suites.
All-in-one vs. best-of-breed: which approach fits you
The tools above split into two philosophies. All-in-one platforms (HoneyBook, vcita, Thryv, Zoho One) put the client record and the invoice in one database, so nothing falls between systems. The cost is depth: the accounting is usually invoicing-level, and the CRM is tuned to one business type.
The paired approach (Method:CRM with QuickBooks, Insightly with Xero, Wave with any CRM) gives you best-of-breed depth on each side at the cost of maintaining the connection. Choose all-in-one if you want one login and one bill and your needs are standard. Choose paired if your accounting or sales process is specialized enough that generic tools fight you.
Frequently asked questions
What is CRM and accounting software?
Software that combines customer relationship management (contacts, pipelines, follow-ups) with money management (invoicing, payments, bookkeeping) in one product or one tightly synced system, so the journey from lead to paid invoice happens without re-entering data.
Should I get an all-in-one or separate CRM and accounting tools?
All-in-one (HoneyBook, vcita, Zoho One) suits small businesses with standard processes: one login, one bill, no sync to maintain. Separate best-of-breed tools (a CRM plus QuickBooks or Xero) suit businesses with specialized sales or accounting needs. Method:CRM is the middle path: a real CRM deeply synced to QuickBooks.
What is the cheapest CRM with accounting features?
Wave is free for accounting and invoicing, though it has no real CRM. HoneyBook starts at $29/month (billed yearly) with strong client management and payments. vcita also starts at $29/month for solopreneurs with scheduling, CRM and billing.
Does HoneyBook do accounting?
HoneyBook handles proposals, contracts, invoices and payments, and integrates with QuickBooks Online on the Essentials plan and up. It is not a full bookkeeping system: you still need accounting software or an accountant for taxes and financial statements.
Which CRM works best with QuickBooks?
Method:CRM is built specifically for QuickBooks, with real-time two-way sync of customers, estimates, invoices and payments for both QuickBooks Online and Desktop. Insightly also integrates with QuickBooks and Xero. HoneyBook connects to QuickBooks Online on its Essentials plan.
Is Keap part of Thryv now?
Yes. Keap's site identifies it as a Thryv, Inc. brand. Both appear on this list because they remain distinct products: Keap is the CRM and automation platform, Thryv is the local-business growth platform with marketing services.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://keap.com
- https://honeybook.com/
- https://zoho.com
- https://www.freshbooks.com/
- https://www.waveapps.com/
- https://method.me/
- https://vcita.com/
- https://thryv.com/
- https://insightly.com/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.