# Best Accounting Software for Freelancers _CompareFairly · en/US · neutral comparison, cited sources, no paid placement_ **Category:** finance › business tools › accounting software **Our pick**: Wave (100/100) · **Cheapest**: Wave · **Best value**: GoDaddy Accounting ## Comparison table | Criterion | Wave | Zoho Invoice | Invoice Ninja | Sunrise | Sage Accounting | GoDaddy Accounting | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Monthly Price (USD) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10.0 | ## 1. Wave A free accounting software offering basic bookkeeping, invoicing, and expense tracking, suitable for freelancers with straightforward needs. **Best for:** Freelancers earning under $50K who need a free, basic accounting solution for invoicing and expense tracking. **Pros:** - Free option - Invoicing is included - Automatically syncs with your bank to import transactions - Generates basic reports **Cons:** - Can be outgrown as business scales - Syncing of accounts can be glitchy - Support is lackluster - Requires multiple apps, which can be a bit clunky _Source (verified): [https://zapier.com/blog/accounting-bookkeeping-software-freelance/](https://zapier.com/blog/accounting-bookkeeping-software-freelance/)_ ## 2. Zoho Invoice Offers a robust free plan for invoicing and expense tracking, with paid plans for more features. _Source (estimate): [https://www.zoho.com/invoice/](https://www.zoho.com/invoice/)_ ## 3. Invoice Ninja Open-source invoicing and client management software with a free tier and paid plans. _Source (estimate): [https://www.invoiceninja.com/](https://www.invoiceninja.com/)_ ## 4. Sunrise A free accounting software option for freelancers and small businesses, focusing on ease of use. _Source (estimate): [https://www.sunrise.io/](https://www.sunrise.io/)_ ## 5. Sage Accounting Cloud-based accounting software with features for invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting. _Source (estimate): [https://www.sage.com/en-us/accounting/](https://www.sage.com/en-us/accounting/)_ ## 6. GoDaddy Accounting Simple accounting software from GoDaddy, offering invoicing and expense tracking for small businesses. _Source (estimate): [https://www.godaddy.com/products/accounting](https://www.godaddy.com/products/accounting)_ ## 7. ZipBooks ## 8. FreshBooks An accounting software known for its ease of use, strong invoicing capabilities, and features like time tracking and project management, ideal for client-facing freelancers. **Best for:** Client-facing freelancers who bill hourly, need strong invoicing, time tracking, and project management, and value ease of use. **Pros:** - Very easy to use - Extracts data from receipts with OCR - Good mobile app - Great time tracking and project management features **Cons:** - A bit expensive considering the features offered - No dedicated client portal _Source (verified): [https://zapier.com/blog/accounting-bookkeeping-software-freelance/](https://zapier.com/blog/accounting-bookkeeping-software-freelance/)_ ## 9. QuickBooks Solopreneur ## 10. FreeAgent Accounting software offering strong analytics capabilities for freelancers. **Best for:** Freelancers who prioritize detailed analytics and insights into their business finances. **Pros:** - Analytics _Source (verified): [https://zapier.com/blog/accounting-bookkeeping-software-freelance/](https://zapier.com/blog/accounting-bookkeeping-software-freelance/)_ ## 11. Xero A full-fledged online accounting platform, a major competitor to QuickBooks, offering robust features for small businesses. **Best for:** Freelancers with international clients, multiple currencies, or those who work with an accountant and need robust features. **Pros:** - Invoicing is included and allows online payments - Automatically syncs with your bank to import transactions - Mobile App - Easy to Use - Full accountant access **Cons:** - Cheapest plan is very limiting (5 invoices and 5 bills per month) - Manual mapping for Schedule C (US) _Source (verified): [https://thecollegeinvestor.com/17571/the-best-online-accounting-software-for-your-cloud-business/?srsltid=AfmBOoowFd3JfyskXtIm_1ObncOx8CwBjHd-_GDy1BFQfAO2k9S0_Lbp](https://thecollegeinvestor.com/17571/the-best-online-accounting-software-for-your-cloud-business/?srsltid=AfmBOoowFd3JfyskXtIm_1ObncOx8CwBjHd-_GDy1BFQfAO2k9S0_Lbp)_ ## 12. QuickBooks Self-Employed A robust and industry-standard accounting software, offering comprehensive features for complex freelance businesses and scalability for growth. **Best for:** Freelancers with more complex businesses or those planning significant growth, and those who collaborate with an accountant. **Pros:** - Industry standard in small-business accounting - All plans include unlimited invoicing and mileage tracking - Chat and phone support Monday through Saturday - More scalable than products like Wave - Accountants are typically familiar with it **Cons:** - Plans can be expensive - Must upgrade to Plus plan to mark expenses as billable - No dedicated client portal _Source (verified): [https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/software/best/freelancer-accounting-software](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/software/best/freelancer-accounting-software)_ ## 13. QuickBooks Online ## In short This comparison evaluates 13 accounting software based on 9 criteria, including monthly price, ease of use, invoicing features, expense tracking, tax support, and reporting capabilities, with Wave ranking first overall due to its perfect score in monthly price, making it the cheapest option available. The facts in this summary are computed from the table below; only the wording is generated. ## Frequently asked questions **What is the best accounting software for freelancers in 2026?** Wave is currently the top-rated accounting software for freelancers, scoring a perfect 100/100 based on our comprehensive comparison criteria. **How do you rank accounting software for freelancers?** Our rankings are based on objective data across key features like monthly price, ease of use, invoicing, expense tracking, tax support, and reporting capabilities. Our comparison is neutral and not influenced by paid placements, with all data sourced. **Is Wave accounting software good for freelancers?** Yes, Wave is considered the best accounting software for freelancers in 2026, excelling in all evaluated aspects. **What are the main features to look for in freelance accounting software?** Key features to consider include monthly pricing, ease of use, robust invoicing and expense tracking, tax support, and comprehensive reporting capabilities. --- _Generated by CompareFairly - neutral universal comparator. Ranking not for sale, data sourced._ --- _CompareFairly · https://comparefairly.com/en/US/best-accounting-software-for-freelancers — citation with a link is allowed; bulk extraction/redistribution is prohibited._