Zero-Rated GST in Singapore: Everything Businesses Must Know
Discover what Zero-Rated GST is, how 0% GST can help your Singapore business save on taxes, how to qualify for it and more.
Let’s be honest. Keeping the books probably isn’t the part of running a business that excites you. But messy finances? That’s a fast track to stress, missed payments, and cash flow surprises. That’s where accounting software comes in.
Instead of wrestling with spreadsheets, you get clean dashboards, real-time reports, and automated invoicing — so you’re not wasting hours on paperwork when you could be growing your business. More small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are adopting cloud accounting software to access real-time financial data and manage resources more efficiently.¹ The result? Smarter decisions, better cash flow, and fewer operational bottlenecks.
If you want to achieve those same benefits, it’s not just about going digital; it’s about selecting a tool that aligns with how your business actually operates.
That’s why we’ve put this guide together: to help you find the right accounting software for your small business in Singapore based on your size, goals, and workflow. We’ll also show how Wise Business fits right alongside your accounting software, especially if you’re dealing with overseas clients, vendors, suppliers and partners who want to transact with you using their preferred currency. It integrates with tools like Xero and QuickBooks, eliminating the hassle of reconciling multi-currency payments.
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At its core, accounting software is your business’s financial co-pilot. It tracks money coming in and going out (income, expenses, invoices, payroll) all in one place, so you’re not juggling spreadsheets or second-guessing your numbers.
Here’s how it helps small businesses specifically:
🤔 Is accounting software the same as invoicing software? |
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Not quite. Invoicing software lets you track and send invoices. Accounting software, on the other hand, manages your entire financial ecosystem: expenses, payroll, reporting, and more. |
Features | Xero² | QuickBooks Online⁶ | ABSS⁸ | FreshBooks⁹ | Zoho Books¹⁰ |
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Pricing | Starter: S$39/monthStandard: S65/monthPremium: S$88/month | Simple Start: S$27.25/monthEssentials: S$42.51/monthPlus: S$56.68/monthAdvanced: S$109/month | ABSS Accounting Connect: S$349/yearABSS Premier Connect: S$499/year | Lite: US$21/monthPlus: US$38/monthPremium: US$65/monthYearly plans available | Free plan availableStandard: US$12/monthProfessional: US$24/monthPremium: US$36/monthElite: US$129/monthUltimate: US$249/monthYearly plans available |
Multicurrency | Premium only³ | Essentials, Plus, and Advanced | ABSS Premier Connect only | Available across all plans | Professional, Premium, Elite, and Ultimate |
Payroll | Available across all plans | Available across all plans | Available for an add-on charge for ABSS Accounting connect; free for 3 employees for ABSS Premier Connect | US$40/month plus US$6/month/user | Available across all plans |
Expense tracking | Optional, from S$6/month | Available across all plans | Available across all plans | Available across all plans | Available across all plans |
Invoicing | Available across all plans | Available across all plans | Available across all plans | Available across all plans | Available across all plans |
Integrations | Extensive⁴ | Extensive | Limited | Extensive | Extensive |
Singapore-specific tax compliance | Yes⁵ | Yes⁷ | Yes | No | No |
*Details accurate as of 9th June 2025
Best if you:
Want room to grow and already use tools like Shopify, CRM systems, or payroll platforms. Xero² is a solid pick if you’re scaling and want cloud accounting software that plays well with others.
Pricing:
Benefits:
Limitations:
Best if you:
Run a service-based business or startup and need clear financial reporting that’s compliant with Singapore tax requirements. It’s flexible, scalable, and built with small businesses in Singapore in mind.
Pricing:
Benefits:
Limitations:
➡️ Check out our in-depth Xero vs QuickBooks comparison guide here. |
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Best if you:
Run a small- to medium-sized business that needs a GST-compliant, cloud-connected accounting solution with flexible subscriptions and practical features like payroll and e-invoicing.
Pricing:
*Note: ABSS offers on-premise versions of the above, too, which could be useful if you prefer working offline.
Benefits:
Limitations:
Best if you:
Are a freelancer, consultant, or run a solo service business in Singapore seeking intuitive invoicing, time tracking, and client management without the complexities of traditional accounting software.
Pricing:
*Note: FreshBooks offers both monthly and annual plans⁹. Opting for a yearly subscription can work out cheaper than paying month-to-month, ideal if you’re looking to lock in savings for the long haul.
Benefits:
Limitations:
Best if you:
Are a digitally-savvy SME in Singapore looking for powerful features, automation, and a budget-friendly option that scales as you grow. It’s ideal if you're looking for accounting software for a small business that integrates seamlessly into your tech stack.
Pricing:
*Note: Zoho Books¹⁰ offers both monthly and annual plans. Opting for a yearly subscription can work out cheaper than paying month-to-month, ideal if you’re looking to lock in savings for the long haul.
Benefits:
Limitations:
Traditional accounting software is installed on your desktop or a local server.
You typically pay a hefty one-time fee, and you’re responsible for updates, backups, and managing your own data. If your computer crashes (or you're away from the office), you could lose access.
Cloud accounting software, on the other hand, is web-based.
You log in from anywhere, and everything is saved automatically in the cloud. You get regular feature updates, off-site backups, and subscription-based pricing that’s far more flexible for growing businesses, especially when choosing the right accounting software for small business operations.
Most small businesses today benefit from cloud-based tools.
Cloud accounting software platforms have matured rapidly, offering automation, secure access from anywhere, and real-time collaboration with accountants or teammates. Many use pay-as-you-go pricing, so you only pay for what you need and can scale up easily as your operations grow.
Start by asking what your business really needs.
If it’s just invoicing, expense tracking, account management, and basic reports, a free accounting software option in Singapore may be more than enough. And if all you need is to send out invoices, you might not need full-fledged accounting software at all; you can consider free invoicing tools like Wise Business’s invoice tool.
But if your business is growing and requires:
…you’ll want to consider more advanced accounting software for a small business that can grow with you.
If you’re working with international clients, remote contractors, or global suppliers, your accounting software should support:
Choosing cloud accounting software that integrates seamlessly with global systems can save you hours of manual reconciliation and reduce compliance headaches as your business expands beyond Singapore.
In short, finding the right accounting software for your small business in Singapore isn’t just about which is the most feature-rich tool — it’s about whether the features are the right fit for your business needs.
From user-friendly tools like FreshBooks for solopreneurs to robust, scalable systems like Xero or QuickBooks Online, the best choice depends on how your business operates today and where you plan to take it tomorrow.
💡If you're growing a global business, you'll quickly face a daunting wall of costs, complexity, and hidden fees when receiving international payments. Wise Business helps you bypass this wall, making it easy to receive money from around the world and start getting paid like a local today. |
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➡️Get started with Wise Business today
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region, or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information.
Sources:
Sources checked on 2nd June 2025
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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