Best Freelance and Self-Employed Accounting Software

Remember, the cost of not having sound accounting practices far outweighs the cost of implementing them from the start. Investing in robust accounting systems and professional advice early on sets the stage for long-term financial health and success. It’s the systematic recording sole trader accounting of all your financial transactions—every dollar that comes in and goes out.

QuickBooks Self-Employed Features

In summary, Zoho Books combines flexibility and depth, making it a top choice for self-employed individuals and small businesses alike. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, it can help users manage their finances with ease. You also get automated mileage tracking and limited reports, along with payroll support via Gusto. Although all of the accounting sites we’ve tested tune their interfaces for non-accountants, FreshBooks really excels in this regard with an attractive, colorful, and state-of-the-art design. Although QuickBooks is one of the highest priced solutions on our list, it’s also one of the most tried and true products. FreshBooks has reasonable pricing and its invoicing and client management tools are especially sharp.

• Its automated sales tax calculations streamline end-of-year tax reports, and its 24/7 live customer support means you won’t be left hanging if you’re hit with a tech problem mid-invoice.
• At its core, it offers dynamic invoicing capabilities allowing businesses to generate bespoke online invoices tailored to their specific requirements.
• And Sage Intacct is one of the best accounting services for nonprofits.
• This goes hand in hand with Sage’s entry-level nature — you might be new to accounting software, and Sage realizes that.
• Neat is a good choice for self-employed entrepreneurs who need an easy-to-use accounting software to organize their financial documents.
• It looks and works like more senior versions of QuickBooks, which makes for a smooth upgrade path.

Transition to Advanced Accounting Systems

For example, if you use BILL to generate and track invoices, QuickBooks Self-Employed integrates seamlessly with this service for consistent invoicing records across platforms. Even if you use relatively few business platforms, connecting them substantially streamlines your operations. You can use these tools to view what you owe and to which vendors you owe it.

Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

As a self-employed professional, keeping your books in order is a critical but often overwhelming task. With the rise in remote work and side hustles, more people find themselves managing their own financial health without the infrastructure of a company behind them. Wave’s perk is that it’s completely free, which means it can be a good solution if you’re on a tight budget. If you’re an experienced freelancer with a high income, consider going with Xero, as it’s a software Legal E-Billing that can grow with your business.

• The mobile app is also highly praised by users as it enables them to manage accounting tasks on the go.
• From the same page, I could view project profitability reports, time cost reporting and estimates versus accrual reporting.
• You will save time, your financial books will be more accurate, and your customers will appreciate the professional invoices and estimates you send them.
• The platform excels at providing personalized support through dedicated ‘Member Relationship Managers’ who serve as primary points of contact.
• Xero is one of the most popular accounting software for small businesses, offering all the features you’d need.
• Before you begin, you have to agree to a one-time clean-up fee so QuickBooks can check your books for the current fiscal year.

Quickbooks Self-Employed (best accounting software for freelancers)

It helps you understand performance and identify potential problems early on. Schedule regular reviews—monthly or quarterly—to monitor trends, manage cash flow, and make informed decisions. This consistent monitoring allows you to catch any discrepancies, adjust your strategies, and ensure you’re on track to meet your financial goals. FinOptimal’s Accruer software can provide automated reporting and deeper insights. Once you understand your tax obligations, you can start thinking strategically about tax planning and optimization.

• Each software was scored based on its performance in these areas, and these scores were calculated to determine the product’s total score, with a potential maximum of five stars.
• You can generate interactive financial reports any time and send them to your key financial collaborators, including business partners or tax advisors.
• It seamlessly combines advanced accounting tools with inventory, order, and customer management in a complete solution.
• Additionally, when I generated an invoice, the system alerted me if any necessary information was missing to save the invoice.
• Wave’s completely free accounting software includes unlimited invoicing, expense tracking, and receipt scanning.
• Once I finalized the invoice, I could click the “send to” button at the top of the invoice and input an email address, a subject and a message to send the invoice.

It simplifies the complexities of accounting, helping users stay organized and focused on their business. Features include AI categorization of transactions, financial performance tracking, cash flow forecasting, invoicing, and bill payment. Using my experience in financial software, I reviewed and evaluated the top accounting software to shortlist the best tools to manage, track, and simplify finances for the self-employed.

The Best Budget-Friendly Accounting Software for Small Businesses in 2025

Wave Accounting is a popular choice for self-employed individuals looking for free accounting software. It offers a range of features that make managing finances easy and efficient. In summary, FreshBooks is an excellent option for freelancers and small businesses looking for a straightforward accounting solution. It combines essential features with a user-friendly interface, making it a top choice for many self-employed individuals. With its intuitive design, FreshBooks is incredibly easy to use and will meet the needs of most small businesses or freelancers.

The Best Accounting Software Services for Self-Employed and Freelancers in 2025

Most steps offer step-by-step guidance so you always know what to do next. Besides its primary plans, it also offers a custom plan with custom pricing for businesses with complex needs or large client bases. If you’re looking for the most fully featured accounting software, Wave Accounting is a good bet. Wave includes expense tracking, sales tax customization, and bill payment reminders. And retained earnings unlike some paid software, Wave doesn’t limit the number of clients you can invoice per month. But different free accounting options have different benefits, so we recommend looking over our list of the best free accounting software for small businesses to find the right one for you.

Best for Inventory Tracking

QuickBooks Live is a bookkeeping service offered by the larger Inuit software group. You get a dedicated accountant from the moment you sign up and unlimited weekly video calls. As a small business owner, you must know how to go about opening your bank account and managing your finances through business banking. With the advancement of easy-to-use yet powerful accounting technology, self-employed users like yourself have more choices than ever before.