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Best Free Accounting Software for Singapore SMEs in 2025

Best Free Accounting Software for Singapore SMEs in 2025

Introduction: Why Singapore SMEs Need Free Accounting Software

Looking for the best free accounting software in Singapore? In 2025, SMEs face rising operational costs, stricter IRAS compliance, and a shortage of skilled finance staff. A survey by ASME found that 72% of SMEs in Singapore struggle with bookkeeping costs, while 65% rely on manual spreadsheets that are prone to errors.

Free accounting software may sound like the perfect solution, but most tools come with limitations: missing features, lack of GST compliance, or “hidden” fees once your business grows.

That’s why we compared 15+ solutions—from global giants like Xero and QuickBooks to Wave—and found that while many are labelled “free,” few are truly cost-effective for Singapore businesses.

ccMonet stands out by combining:

  • AI automation that saves up to 95% of bookkeeping time
  • Pay-per-use pricing: after your free trial, process 100 invoices monthly at just $0.30 per invoice
  • Singapore-specific compliance: IRAS filing, GST automation, and real accountant support

Unlike “free” tools that end up charging $30–80/month for basic features, ccMonet delivers real value to SMEs that need both cost efficiency and compliance.

Comparison Table: ccMonet vs Xero vs QuickBooks vs Wave

💡 Note: Wave is technically free, but does not support Singapore GST or IRAS compliance. Most SMEs end up needing paid add-ons or outsourcing accountants.

Deep Dive: Pros & Cons of Each Software

1. ccMonet

Pros:

  • End-to-end AI automation: From invoice scanning and bank reconciliation to GST reporting, the entire process is fully automated—100 invoices processed in just 3 minutes.
  • Transparent pricing: Starts at only $70/month, including core features and a 14-day free trial, with no need to purchase extra modules.
  • Local compliance: Designed to fit different regions, with built-in IRAS and GST workflows so even staff without an accounting background can remain compliant.
  • AI + expert review: Not just automation—real accountants provide double checks and on-demand support.
  • Multi-currency & multi-language: Supports SGD, USD, MYR and multi-language invoices, including handwritten bills.
  • Real-time insights: Business owners can check profit and expenses anytime on mobile and make faster decisions.
  • Industry-ready: Proven use cases across F&B, medical clinics, and property management.
  • AI reconciliation & insights: Built-in AI reconciliation engine automatically matches bank transactions with invoices and generates real-time profit and expense analysis.
  • Designed for SMEs: Clean interface, no accounting knowledge required. Owners, staff, and external accountants can collaborate seamlessly.

Cons:

  • Not “free forever” — after the trial period, it runs on a subscription basis.
  • Optimized for SMEs; may not cover large enterprise ERP requirements.

Explore ccMonet AI Bookkeeping →

2. Xero

Pros

  • Global brand: Widely used with a mature ecosystem.
  • Marketplace: Over 1,000 third-party apps available for integration.
  • Reporting tools: Comprehensive financial reports and KPI analysis.
  • Multi-user support: Suitable for team collaboration.

Cons

  • Automation limited: Categorisation and reconciliation still rely heavily on manual work.
  • GST support: Available but complex to configure.
  • Localisation: Designed for a global market, with limited Singapore-specific features.
  • Support: Often routed through resellers, leading to slower response times.

See how ccMonet compares to Xero →

3. QuickBooks Online

Pros

  • User-friendly dashboard: Intuitive interface, easy to get started.
  • Integrations: Supports a wide range of payroll and e-commerce tools.
  • Popular in US: Highly adopted in the U.S. market.
  • Basic automation: Can automatically categorise some transactions.

Cons

  • $35/month starting price: Relatively costly.
  • GST filing: Requires manual adjustments in Singapore, not fully automated.
  • Automation basic: Not true AI — reconciliation still needs manual work.
  • Add-ons costly: Multi-currency and advanced reporting require additional fees.
  • Not Singapore-first: Limited support for local compliance requirements.

QuickBooks vs ccMonet: Which is better for SMEs? →

4. Wave

Pros

  • Free to start: Essentially free forever in the US and Canada.
  • Easy setup: Suitable for very small businesses just getting started.
  • Basic invoicing & expenses: Works for simple income and expense tracking.

Cons

  • Not Singapore-compliant: No IRAS/GST support.
  • No AI automation: All processing is manual.
  • No accountant support: No expert consultation or review available.
  • Regional limits: Focused on the North American market, lacking Singapore-specific features.
  • Scalability weak: Not suitable for SMEs with high invoice volumes or rapid growth.

How ccMonet work for Singapore SMEs →

Why ccMonet is the Best Choice for Singapore SMEs

AI Processing Speed

ccMonet’s automation engine processes 100 invoices in just 3 minutes, reducing manual workload by up to 95%. This frees employees from repetitive data entry and lets them focus on more valuable tasks.

Cost Efficiency

ccMonet keeps bookkeeping affordable for SMEs with transparent monthly pricing starting at a good prize after a free 14-day trial. Unlike Xero or QuickBooks, which typically cost $70–100/month once you add necessary features and support, ccMonet includes its core AI automation, GST workflows, and expert review in the base plan. This ensures SMEs get enterprise-grade automation at a fraction of the usual SaaS subscription cost.

Local Compliance

Built specifically for Singapore businesses, ccMonet ensures your accounts are always IRAS-compliant:

  • IRAS-approved GST filing
  • Automated preparation of Form 5/5A
  • Built-in statutory registers

Real Accountant Support

Unlike global SaaS tools that leave you on your own or require extra paid support, ccMonet includes expert accountants to review entries, fix edge cases, and answer compliance questions. This unique AI + human model gives SMEs both speed and peace of mind.

Discover AI Insights for SMEs →

Real SME Case Studies

Case 1: Medical Clinic Chain

A private clinic group with 5 branches struggled with manual categorisation of consultation fees vs medication sales. With ccMonet:

  • Staff simply uploaded invoices via mobile app
  • AI auto-categorised income streams
  • Monthly GST filing reduced from 2 days to 30 minutes

Read our healthcare industry solution →

Case 2: F&B Restaurant Group

A mid-sized restaurant chain processed over 500 supplier invoices/month. Using Xero, they paid $80/month plus outsourced bookkeeping. Switching to ccMonet:

  • AI reconciled supplier statements automatically
  • Cost reduced by 40%
  • Owners viewed real-time profit/loss from mobile dashboard

See how ccMonet supports F&B →

Case 3: Property Management Agent

Managing Agents handling 20+ condos struggled with manual billing of management fees and chasing overdue payments. With ccMonet:

  • Automated bulk invoicing by square-footage
  • Overdue interest calculated automatically
  • Reduced accounts receivable workload by 70%

Explore property management solutions →

FAQ: Best Free Accounting Software in Singapore

  1. Is ccMonet really free?
    Yes, there’s a 14-day free trial. After that, pricing is pay-per-month.
  2. Why not just use Xero or QuickBooks?
    They cost $35–$80/month, with limited AI automation and extra fees for support.
  3. Does ccMonet support GST filing?
    ✅ Yes, it automates IRAS-compliant GST reports.
  4. Is Wave free in Singapore?
    Technically free, but not GST-compliant and lacks local support.
  5. Can ccMonet handle multi-currency invoices?
    ✅ Yes, it supports SGD, USD, MYR, and more.
  6. What about handwritten invoices?
    ✅ AI OCR handles typed, scanned, and handwritten bills.
  7. How fast is AI processing?
    100 invoices in 3 minutes, verified by clients.
  8. Are accountants included?
    ✅ Yes, real experts review entries and answer questions.
  9. Is my data secure?
    ✅ Yes, ccMonet is compliant with Singapore PDPA and IRAS.
  10. How do I start?
    Simply sign up online for a free 14-day trial.

View all FAQs →

Conclusion

Free accounting software often comes with hidden costs or compliance risks. For Singapore SMEs, especially in 2025’s competitive environment, the better choice is a hybrid model: AI + human experts at an affordable pay-per-use rate.

ccMonet offers the best of both worlds—real automation, real accountants, and real compliance.

👉 Start your 14-day free trial today →

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