UAE companies must file VAT quarterly and corporate tax annually — and from 2027, e-invoicing becomes mandatory. We compare cloud accounting software you run yourself with outsourced services that keep the books and file for you, on price, language support and compliance coverage.
Wafeq Accounting Wafeq The top catalogue-ranked product in this list — reasons cite the published fields below, not a paid placement. Methodology
Products are shown in catalogue order, not as a personalised recommendation. Compare the details and confirm current terms with the provider. Methodology
UAE-built accounting software with a native Arabic interface — VAT-compliant invoicing, reports and an accredited e-invoicing module in one subscription.
Plan prices per Wafeq published pricing, Oct 2026 (monthly billing).
The most common accounting suite among UAE SMEs — VAT-compliant invoicing, EmaraTax-ready reports and an accredited e-invoicing add-on.
Free-plan eligibility and paid-tier prices per Zoho Books AE pricing page, Oct 2026.
The global cloud accounting standard — strong bank feeds and reporting; UAE VAT invoicing works, but e-invoicing under the UAE mandate is not accredited.
Priced in USD on the global site. UAE e-invoicing requires a separate accredited provider.
Global SMB accounting standard — usable by UAE companies via the international version with VAT tracking; no accredited e-invoicing module.
International version; priced in USD. Confirm UAE VAT workflow fit with your accountant.
Open-source suite where the accounting app is free standalone — invoicing, expenses and reports now, inventory/POS/HR later on the same platform.
One App Free covers a single app only; multi-app use moves to per-user pricing.
The default bookkeeping stack for UAE trading SMEs — perpetual licence, strong inventory, and now an accredited e-invoicing provider.
Licence pricing varies by reseller; confirm current UAE pricing with an authorised partner.
Arabic-first cloud accounting for MENA SMEs — invoicing, VAT and inventory with a fully Arabic interface and support.
Confirm UAE e-invoicing accreditation status with Daftra before relying on it for the mandate.
Free UAE invoicing built for freelancers and micro-businesses — VAT-compliant invoices and simple receivables tracking, WhatsApp-friendly.
Free invoicing only — full bookkeeping and filing still need software or a service.
Subscription accounting that replaces an in-house bookkeeper — bookkeeping, VAT, corporate tax and payroll in fixed monthly packages, with a Russian-speaking team.
Package prices per sol.online published pricing, Oct 2026 — final quote depends on transaction volume and scope.
Tech-enabled accounting service for UAE startups — bookkeeping, VAT and corporate tax filing plus CFO-as-a-service for companies that need finance depth without a hire.
Confirm final pricing with Finanshels — packages vary by transaction volume.
Russian-speaking accounting service with fixed monthly packages — bookkeeping, VAT and CT filing, plus licence and business-support add-ons.
Package prices per Movingo published pricing, Oct 2026.
Russian-speaking UAE accounting firm — ongoing bookkeeping with tax filings priced separately, suited to trading and service companies.
Confirm current package pricing with Sarmat — filings are quoted separately from bookkeeping.
UAE bookkeeping service pairing cloud software with dedicated accountants — books kept current, VAT and CT compliance included.
Pricing quoted per engagement — not published on the website.
Online accounting service for UAE SMEs — bookkeeping, VAT and corporate tax support delivered remotely.
Pricing quoted per engagement — not published on the website.
Virtual bookkeeping for UAE small businesses — remote accounting and tax compliance without an in-house hire.
Pricing quoted per engagement — not published on the website.
Russian-speaking UAE firm combining company formation with ongoing accounting — register the company and keep its books with one provider.
Accounting bundled with setup packages — confirm standalone bookkeeping pricing.
UAE-built business software from Peniel Technology — accounting, VAT invoicing, inventory, payroll and CRM in one locally supported suite.
Module list and positioning per elatesoft.com, Oct 2026. Pricing is quote-based — not published online.
Free UAE VAT invoicing — FTA-compliant tax invoices with TRN and 5% VAT in English, Arabic or both; app UI also in Russian, Hindi and Urdu.
Feature scope, free pricing and mandate status per invoicefatura.com, Oct 2026.
| Product | Price from | Model | VAT & CT filing | E-invoicing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wafeq Accounting | AED 69 | Cloud software — you run the books | VAT-compliant invoicing and filing-ready reports | Provider accredited; confirm product support |
| Zoho Books | AED 60 | Cloud software — you run the books | VAT-compliant invoicing and filing-ready reports | Provider accredited; confirm product support |
| Xero | Not published | Cloud software — you run the books | VAT-compliant invoicing and filing-ready reports | Not an accredited ASP — needs a separate ASP for the mandate |
| QuickBooks Online | Not published | Cloud software — you run the books | VAT-compliant invoicing and filing-ready reports | Not an accredited ASP — needs a separate ASP for the mandate |
| Odoo Accounting | AED 0 | Cloud software — you run the books | VAT-compliant invoicing and filing-ready reports | Not an accredited ASP — needs a separate ASP for the mandate |
| TallyPrime | Not published | Cloud software — you run the books | VAT-compliant invoicing and filing-ready reports | Provider accredited; confirm product support |
| Daftra | Not published | Cloud software — you run the books | VAT-compliant invoicing and filing-ready reports | Not accredited for UAE e-invoicing mandate (accredited in KSA) — verify ASP status for your phase |
| Naqood | AED 0 | Cloud software — you run the books | VAT-compliant invoicing and filing-ready reports | Not an ASP — simplest possible invoicing, no accredited e-invoicing |
| sol.online | AED 125 | Outsourced service — they keep the books and file | VAT returns and CT filing handled for you | Runs through your accounting software or an ASP |
| Finanshels | Not published | Outsourced service — they keep the books and file | VAT returns and CT filing handled for you | Runs through your accounting software or an ASP |
| Movingo | AED 500 | Outsourced service — they keep the books and file | VAT returns and CT filing handled for you | Runs through your accounting software or an ASP |
| Sarmat | Not published | Outsourced service — they keep the books and file | VAT returns and CT filing handled for you | Runs through your accounting software or an ASP |
| Simplybooks | Not published | Outsourced service — they keep the books and file | VAT returns and CT filing handled for you | Runs through your accounting software or an ASP |
| The Accountant | Not published | Outsourced service — they keep the books and file | VAT returns and CT filing handled for you | Runs through your accounting software or an ASP |
| Protax Accountant | AED 1,500 | Outsourced service — they keep the books and file | VAT returns and CT filing handled for you | Runs through your accounting software or an ASP |
| UpperSetup | Not published | Outsourced service — they keep the books and file | VAT returns and CT filing handled for you | Runs through your accounting software or an ASP |
| Elate Accounting | Not published | Software — you run the books | VAT-compliant invoicing and filing-ready reports | Not an accredited ASP — vendor positions the product as e-invoicing-ready; confirm mandate fit before relying on it |
| Fatura Go | AED 0 | Software — you run the books | VAT-compliant invoicing and filing-ready reports | Not an ASP — no e-invoicing under the 2027 mandate yet (provider-stated); pair with an accredited ASP when your phase lands |
Fact sources: zoho.com · protaxaccountant.com
Software (Zoho Books, Wafeq, Xero) is cheaper but you or a hire must keep the books and file. An outsourced service (sol.online, Finanshels) costs more per month but covers bookkeeping plus VAT and corporate tax filings — most UAE SMEs without an accountant choose the service.
Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 in a rolling 12 months — voluntary from AED 187,500. Corporate tax registration is required for essentially all UAE businesses regardless of revenue.
Only if the vendor is an accredited service provider. Wafeq, Zoho Books and Tally are on the Ministry of Finance list; Xero, QuickBooks, Odoo and Daftra are not — with those you pair your software with a separate accredited ASP before your phase goes live.
For startups watching fixed cost: compare monthly fee and minimum balance first — lowest published monthly cost: Odoo Accounting and Naqood and Fatura Go. For a free-zone company: All products here onboard free-zone entities — compare on fees next.