This all changed in the late 1990s with the advent of Linux and open-source projects. Traditionally, “free” software used to be a synonym for unoptimized, feature-poor solutions that were mostly used as a last resort, no matter what the industry. Using free bookkeeping software for small business is one of the easiest ways to reduce the number of Benjamins unwillingly departing the safety and comfort of your pocket. One of the best ways to do that is to reduce operational costs. Accounting is by its very nature a field concerned with finding ways to improve your finance management and save money.