The best AI tools for finance and accounting
Most finance work still happens in spreadsheets, and that is where AI helps first, writing formulas and spotting trends in seconds. Add an accounting app and a receipt scanner and a small business can keep tidy books without much typing. Free options are marked on every card.
Spreadsheets and analysis
Ask questions about your numbers, get formulas written for you, and turn data into charts.
Best free way to analyse a spreadsheet
1. ChatGPT by OpenAI
The most widely used AI chatbot, and the easiest place to start. It handles everyday questions, writing, analysis, images and voice conversations in one app. OpenAI is now rolling out its newest model, GPT-6, to everyone in ChatGPT.
- Strong at almost everything, with the biggest range of features
- New "Intelligent UI" answers can include visuals and interactive elements
- Voice mode for hands-free conversations
Watch out: Free-plan limits are tighter on the newest model at busy times.
Price: Free plan; paid plans from about $20/month (varies by country)On: Web, iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac
Best for long reports and careful explanations
2. Claude by Anthropic
A thoughtful, careful assistant that is especially strong at writing, analysing long documents and coding. Independent benchmarks from Artificial Analysis currently rate Anthropic's Claude Opus 5.5 and Sonnet 5.5 as the most capable AI models available.
- Top-rated model quality in independent benchmarks (October 2026)
- Natural, well-structured writing and editing
- Handles very long documents and complex coding tasks
Watch out: The free plan has lower usage limits than some rivals; heavy users will want a paid plan.
Price: Free plan; Pro from $20/month, Max plans for heavy useOn: Web, iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac
Best inside Excel
3. Copilot in Excel by Microsoft
Microsoft's AI assistant built into Excel. Ask in plain English and it writes formulas, highlights trends, builds charts and pivot tables, or edits the worksheet for you, and you can review every change it makes.
- Works inside the spreadsheet you already use
- Writes and explains formulas and builds charts
- Included in Microsoft 365 Personal
Watch out: Not free: you need a Microsoft 365 plan that includes Copilot. Always check the numbers it produces before you rely on them.
Price: Included in Microsoft 365 Personal (about ₹6,899/year in India) and business plans with CopilotOn: Windows, Mac, Web, iPhone, Android
Best inside Google Sheets
4. Gemini in Google Sheets by Google
Google's AI built into Sheets. Ask questions about your data, get insights and charts, fill a column automatically, or use the AI function to sort and summarise text across hundreds of rows.
- Ask questions about your data in plain English
- Fills and categorises columns automatically
- Works in the browser and on Android
Watch out: Needs a paid plan. Some features, such as building whole spreadsheets from a prompt, started in US English only.
Price: Included in Google AI Pro and in Workspace Business Standard and aboveOn: Web, Android
Bookkeeping and receipts
Keep GST-ready books and stop typing in receipts by hand.
Best free accounting for small Indian businesses
5. Zoho Books by Zoho
Online bookkeeping made for Indian GST rules: invoices, bills, bank transactions and reports such as profit and loss. Paid plans add automatic reading of receipts, e-invoicing and payment reminders.
- Free plan for businesses with revenue up to ₹25 lakh a year
- GST-ready invoices and reports
- Indian company with Indian support hours
Watch out: The free plan allows up to 1,000 invoices a year. Receipt scanning and e-invoicing need a paid plan.
Price: Free plan up to ₹25 lakh revenue; Standard from ₹749/month billed yearlyOn: Web, iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac
Best free receipt scanning
6. Zoho Expense by Zoho
Snap a photo of a bill or receipt and its AI reads the amount, date and shop for you, then files it as an expense. Build expense reports, track mileage and send everything to your accounting software.
- AI reads receipts so you don't type them in
- Free for up to three users
- Works with Zoho Books and other accounting tools
Watch out: The free plan allows 20 receipt scans per user each month; after that you enter details yourself.
Price: Free for up to 3 users; paid plans from ₹79 per user/month billed yearly (minimum 5 users)On: Web, iPhone, Android
How to choose
- Want it free? Use Google Sheets or Excel as normal, and ask ChatGPT or Claude to write the formula you need, then paste it in. Or upload a spreadsheet and ask questions about it.
- Already pay for Microsoft 365 or Google AI Pro? Use Copilot in Excel or Gemini in Sheets: the AI works right inside your file.
- Running a small business in India? Zoho Books is free until your revenue passes ₹25 lakh a year, and Zoho Expense reads your receipts.
Watch out with money and AI
- Check every number. AI can get calculations wrong or invent figures with total confidence. Recalculate totals and anything that goes to a client, a bank or the tax office.
- AI is not your accountant. Use it to understand GST rules or prepare questions, but get a chartered accountant to confirm tax decisions.
- Mind what you upload. Bank statements and payroll files contain personal data. Remove names and account numbers, or use tools your company has approved.
How we pick
Features and prices come from each tool’s official pages, checked on the date shown on each card, and we only include tools that independent reviews also rate well. No tool pays to be listed. See how we pick across all jobs.