Our Top Pick
FreshBooks
Start free — no credit card required for most plans
Why Freelancers Need the Right Tool
Freelancing is liberating right up until tax season, when you realize you have 11 months of receipts in a shoe box and no idea how much you actually made. Good accounting software doesn't have to be complicated — for most freelancers, it needs to do three things really well: send professional invoices, track every business expense, and give you a clear picture of your income and taxes owed at any point in the year.
In this guide, we've evaluated the top options based on features that matter specifically for freelancers: ease of setup, pricing at small-team scale, integrations with the tools you already use, and — most importantly — whether the tool actually gets used after the first month. These are not generic recommendations. Each pick is chosen because it solves the specific problems freelancers face.
The real problem to solve
Freelancers spend hours every quarter trying to reconstruct their finances because they didn't track as they went.
Top 5 Tools — At a Glance
| Feature | FreshBooks | QuickBooks Self-Employed | Wave | Bonsai | AND.CO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5/5 | ★ 4.2/5 | ★ 4.4/5 | ★ 4.5/5 | ★ 4.3/5 |
| Starting Price | $17/mo (5 clients) | $15/mo | Free (Payments and Payroll are paid add-ons) | $21/mo | Free (Pro from $18/mo) |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Freelancers and service-based small businesses needing invoicing and basic accounting | Freelancers and independent contractors who need simple income/expense tracking and tax prep | Freelancers, solopreneurs, and very small businesses that need free invoicing and accounting | Freelancers and small agencies needing contracts, invoicing, and project management | Freelancers who need contracts, invoicing, and time tracking in one place |
| Free Trial | Visit site → | Visit site → | Visit site → | Visit site → | Visit site → |
In-Depth Reviews
Here's what you need to know about each option before starting a trial.
FreshBooks
Top PickAccounting software built for small business owners
4.5/5
4,312 reviews
Pricing
$17/mo (5 clients)
Best For
Freelancers and service-based small businesses needing invoicing and basic accounting
Ideal For
Pros
- ✓Extremely user-friendly — no accounting background required
- ✓Professional invoicing with online payment collection
- ✓Time tracking built in
- ✓Expense tracking with receipt scanning
- ✓Double-entry accounting for accuracy
Cons
- ✗Client limits on lower plans
- ✗Not suitable for product-based businesses with inventory
- ✗Less powerful than QuickBooks for complex accounting
QuickBooks Self-Employed
Mileage tracking and tax prep for freelancers and gig workers
4.2/5
8,923 reviews
Pricing
$15/mo
Best For
Freelancers and independent contractors who need simple income/expense tracking and tax prep
Ideal For
Pros
- ✓Automatic mileage tracking via GPS
- ✓Simple income and expense categorization
- ✓Quarterly estimated tax calculations
- ✓Schedule C export for tax filing
- ✓Very affordable for solo self-employed individuals
Cons
- ✗Not suitable for businesses with employees or inventory
- ✗Cannot upgrade to QuickBooks Online without re-entering data
- ✗Very limited reporting
Wave
Free accounting software for small businesses
4.4/5
7,832 reviews
Pricing
Free (Payments and Payroll are paid add-ons)
✓ Free plan availableBest For
Freelancers, solopreneurs, and very small businesses that need free invoicing and accounting
Ideal For
Pros
- ✓Genuinely free accounting and invoicing — no hidden fees
- ✓Double-entry accounting with professional reports
- ✓Unlimited invoices, expenses, and bank connections
- ✓Easy to use — no accounting knowledge needed
- ✓Great for businesses just starting out
Cons
- ✗Payroll and payment processing cost extra
- ✗Limited integrations vs. QuickBooks
- ✗Support is email-only (slower response times)
Bonsai
All-in-one freelance business platform
4.5/5
1,632 reviews
Pricing
$21/mo
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies needing contracts, invoicing, and project management
Ideal For
Pros
- ✓Legally vetted contract templates for dozens of industries
- ✓Invoicing with auto-reminders and online payments
- ✓Time tracking built in
- ✓Client portals for professional delivery
- ✓Tax estimation tools for US freelancers
Cons
- ✗No free plan (only a free trial)
- ✗Project management features are basic
- ✗Integrations are more limited than Dubsado
AND.CO
Freelance business management made simple
4.3/5
541 reviews
Pricing
Free (Pro from $18/mo)
✓ Free plan availableBest For
Freelancers who need contracts, invoicing, and time tracking in one place
Ideal For
Pros
- ✓Clean, intuitive interface built for freelancers
- ✓Contracts, proposals, invoices, and time tracking included
- ✓Decent free plan for solo freelancers
- ✓Automatic payment reminders
- ✓Built-in expense tracking
Cons
- ✗Less powerful than Dubsado or HoneyBook for complex workflows
- ✗Limited integrations compared to competitors
- ✗Mobile app is basic
How to Choose the Right Tool for Freelancers
Before you start a free trial, answer these three questions honestly:
- Who will actually use this every day? The best tool is the one your team uses consistently — not the one with the most features. If you're a solo operator, complexity is your enemy. If you have a team of 10+, look for tools with strong onboarding and admin controls.
- What does your workflow look like today? The tools that see the highest adoption are ones that fit into existing workflows rather than requiring a complete process overhaul. Look for tools that integrate with software you already use.
- What's your 12-month budget? Most tools start cheap and scale with usage. Run the numbers on what you'll pay at 6 months and 12 months — not just the entry price. Factor in user seats and any add-ons you'll need.
Our recommendation for most freelancers: start with FreshBooks. Freelancers and service-based small businesses needing invoicing and basic accounting
Ready to get started?
Try FreshBooks Free
Most plans include a free trial or free tier — no credit card required. Set up takes less than 10 minutes.
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