TLDR
QuickBooks Self-Employed is the best overall for tax-focused self-employed users, while Wave offers the best free option and FreshBooks excels for service-based freelancers.
Use QuickBooks Self-Employed if taxes are your main concern, Wave if you need free software, and FreshBooks if you invoice clients regularly.
Self-employed professionals need accounting software that handles invoicing, expense tracking, and tax preparation without requiring a bookkeeper.
We reviewed ten leading platforms to help you find the right fit for your business size, workflow, and budget.
Whether you prioritize tax features, free options, or integrated payments, this guide compares the top choices side by side.
Each tool is evaluated on ease of use, core features, and value for solo entrepreneurs.
best accounting software for self employed Tools compared
Filter by what you care about. Every tool stays on the page.
| Tool | Price | Invoicing | Expense Tracking | Tax Features | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Self-Employed | From $19 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FreshBooks | From $1 | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Wave | From $8 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Zoho Books | See site | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Square Invoices | See site | Yes | Limited | No | Yes |
| Xero | From $27 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stripe Billing | From $10 | Yes | Limited | No | Limited |
| Expensify | See site | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Manager.io | See site | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Neat | From $50 | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Highlighted rows are featured placements. Competitor details are set by each platform, so confirm on their site before buying.
The 10 best best accounting software for self employed tools
QuickBooks Self-Employed
From $19QuickBooks Self-Employed is tax-focused accounting software that tracks income and expenses for self-employed individuals. It is the number one rated solution trusted by 7 million businesses.
Pros
- Designed specifically for self-employed tax needs
- Integrates with TurboTax for seamless tax filing
- Tracks mileage automatically for business trips
- Comprehensive income and expense categorization
Cons
- Pricing is higher than some free alternatives
- Requires subscription for full features
Best for: Self-employed professionals who want dedicated tax preparation support and integration with tax filing software.
FreshBooks
From $1FreshBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting platform designed for freelancers and small business owners. It offers features for sending invoices, tracking time, managing receipts, and accepting credit card payments.
Pros
- Excellent invoicing and client billing features
- Built-in time tracking for billable hours
- Professional invoice templates
- Integrates payment acceptance directly
Cons
- Can be pricey for very small operations
- More features than some solo users need
Best for: Freelancers and service providers who bill clients regularly and need professional invoicing.
Wave
From $8Wave is free invoicing and accounting software that tracks income, expenses, and generates financial reports. It offers no-cost accounting for self-employed users.
Pros
- Completely free to use
- Full invoicing and financial reporting included
- Bank and credit card syncing
- No hidden fees or limitations on features
Cons
- Limited customer support options
- No dedicated tax features for self-employed filers
Best for: Solo entrepreneurs and freelancers looking for free accounting software without feature limitations.
Zoho Books
See siteZoho Books is online accounting software that handles invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting. It is part of a broader Zoho suite of business tools trusted by millions of businesses.
Pros
- Affordable pricing for small businesses
- Integrates with other Zoho apps for end-to-end business management
- Comprehensive invoicing and reporting
- Customizable workflows
Cons
- Interface can feel complex for beginners
- Less specialized for self-employed tax needs
Best for: Growing self-employed professionals who may need additional business tools beyond accounting.
Square Invoices
See siteSquare Invoices is an invoicing and payment collection tool integrated with Square's payment processing platform. It allows you to send invoices, estimates, and contracts with built-in payment acceptance.
Pros
- Simple, intuitive invoicing interface
- Integrated payment processing reduces friction
- Easy to set up and use for beginners
- Estimates and contract features included
Cons
- Limited expense tracking and accounting features
- Designed primarily as invoicing tool, not full accounting software
Best for: Self-employed professionals who primarily need to send invoices and collect payments quickly.
Xero
From $27Xero is cloud accounting software for managing invoices, expenses, and tax compliance. It connects you to your bank, accountant, bookkeeper, and other business apps.
Pros
- Strong connectivity with banks and financial institutions
- Good for working with accountants and bookkeepers
- Comprehensive expense tracking and categorization
- Reliable cloud-based platform
Cons
- Requires subscription with no free tier
- Steeper learning curve than simpler alternatives
Best for: Self-employed professionals who work closely with accountants or bookkeepers for compliance.
Stripe Billing
From $10Stripe Billing is a payment and invoicing platform that tracks recurring billing and income transactions. It is designed as part of a broader financial infrastructure for growing businesses.
Pros
- Excellent for recurring billing and subscriptions
- Strong payment processing capabilities
- Tracks revenue reliably
- Developer-friendly integration options
Cons
- Not designed as full accounting software
- Lacks comprehensive expense tracking features
Best for: Self-employed professionals with subscription or recurring billing models.
Expensify
See siteExpensify is expense tracking software that automates receipt capture and expense categorization. It focuses specifically on streamlining the expense management process for individuals and teams.
Pros
- Automated receipt scanning and categorization
- Easy mobile receipt capture
- Reduces manual expense entry time
- Integrates with accounting systems
Cons
- Focused on expenses only, not invoicing or full accounting
- Requires connection to another accounting tool for complete bookkeeping
Best for: Self-employed professionals who want to simplify receipt management and expense tracking.
Manager.io
See siteManager.io is desktop and cloud accounting software for creating invoices and managing business finances. It offers both local and cloud-based deployment options.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with desktop option available
- Cloud and desktop flexibility
- Good invoicing capabilities
- Works offline with desktop version
Cons
- Less polished interface than competitors
- Smaller user community and support ecosystem
Best for: Self-employed professionals who prefer desktop software or need offline access.
Neat
From $50Neat is receipt and document organization software integrated with accounting systems. It specializes in capturing and organizing financial documents for easy bookkeeping.
Pros
- Excellent receipt organization and capture
- Integrates with multiple accounting platforms
- Reduces document management burden
- Good OCR technology for receipt scanning
Cons
- Designed as supplement to accounting software, not standalone solution
- Requires separate accounting system for full bookkeeping
Best for: Self-employed professionals who struggle with receipt organization and want document automation.
How we chose
We selected ten accounting software tools based on their proven use by self-employed professionals and freelancers, focusing on platforms that address core needs like invoicing, expense tracking, and tax preparation.
Each tool was evaluated on its stated capabilities from official sources, with preference given to solutions designed specifically for solo entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need accounting software as a self-employed person?
Yes. Accounting software simplifies tracking income and expenses, organizes receipts, and prepares your data for tax filing. It saves time during tax season and helps you understand your financial situation throughout the year.
Which accounting software is best for someone who just started freelancing?
Wave is a great starting point because it is free and includes invoicing and expense tracking. Once you grow, QuickBooks Self-Employed or FreshBooks offer more specialized features for self-employed professionals.
Can I use free accounting software and still file my taxes correctly?
Yes. Wave offers free invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reports that you can provide to a tax professional or use with tax software. However, platforms like QuickBooks Self-Employed integrate directly with TurboTax for easier filing.
Should I choose invoicing features or tax features as my priority?
If you bill clients regularly, prioritize invoicing (FreshBooks, Wave). If tracking taxes is your main concern, choose QuickBooks Self-Employed. Many platforms offer both, so identify which matters most for your workflow.
What is the typical cost of accounting software for self-employed users?
Many platforms offer free tiers or trials. Paid plans typically range from affordable monthly subscriptions to higher-end packages. See individual tool websites for current pricing, as costs vary based on features and usage.
Can I integrate my accounting software with my bank account?
Most modern platforms including Wave, QuickBooks Self-Employed, FreshBooks, and Xero connect directly to your bank and credit cards for automatic transaction syncing. Check the specific tool's integrations before choosing.
The bottom line
The right accounting software depends on whether you prioritize tax features, invoicing volume, or cost. Most self-employed users benefit from cloud-based solutions that sync with their bank and simplify quarterly tax prep.