Quick answer
For most US freelancers, the right accounting software is the one that turns your bank transactions into clean Schedule C numbers with the least effort.
- Best for tax features: QuickBooks Solopreneur (about $20/month). Built for one-person businesses, with mileage tracking and quarterly tax estimates.
- Best free option: Wave Starter (free) or Zoho Books Free (free under $50,000 in annual revenue).
- Best for billing clients: FreshBooks (Lite about $23/month, limited to 5 billable clients).
- Best if you plan to grow: Xero or Zoho Books paid plans.
Prices below are approximate list prices as of September 2026. Most providers run steep introductory discounts, so check the provider’s site before you sign up.
Comparison table
| Software | Starting price (approx.) | Free option | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Solopreneur | $20/mo | Trial, plus a limited free QuickBooks plan | Sole proprietors who want tax estimates and mileage |
| Wave | Free (Pro $19/mo or $190/yr) | Yes | Budget-minded freelancers |
| Zoho Books | Free under $50K revenue; Standard $15 to $20/mo | Yes | Growing businesses that want room to scale |
| FreshBooks | Lite $23/mo; Plus $43/mo | 30-day trial | Service freelancers who invoice a lot |
| Xero | Early $25/mo; Growing $55/mo | Trial | Businesses working closely with an accountant |
We compare published features and prices. We did not run hands-on tests, and features change often.
What to look for
Accounting software for a freelancer should do five things well:
- Bank feeds. Automatic import of business bank and card transactions. On Wave this requires the Pro plan.
- Categories that map to Schedule C. This makes filing faster. See How to Fill Out Schedule C for the line items.
- Receipt capture. Snap a photo and attach it to the transaction. Good records back up every deduction.
- Mileage tracking. Useful if you drive for work. The 2026 standard rate is 72.5 cents a mile through June 30 and 76 cents from July 1.
- Reports your tax preparer can use. At minimum a profit and loss statement and a transaction export.
Invoicing and payment links are a bonus. If invoicing is your main need, see our guide to the Best Invoicing Apps.
Short reviews
QuickBooks Solopreneur
QuickBooks Solopreneur replaced QuickBooks Self-Employed for new customers. It sorts transactions into business and personal, tracks mileage, estimates quarterly taxes and organizes expenses for Schedule C. Intuit lists it at about $20/month or $215/year, and higher tiers add tax filing help.
It suits sole proprietors and single-member LLCs. It is not built for payroll, inventory or multi-owner businesses. Those need QuickBooks Online, which starts at about $38/month for Simple Start.
Wave
Wave’s Starter plan is free and includes unlimited invoices and bookkeeping records. The Pro plan (about $19/month) adds automatic bank imports, unlimited receipt capture and automated reminders.
Card payments cost about 2.9% plus a fixed fee per transaction. Wave suits freelancers with simple books who want to avoid a monthly bill.
Zoho Books
Zoho Books is free for businesses under $50,000 in annual revenue, with invoicing, expenses and receipt scanning for one user plus your accountant. Paid plans start around $15/month billed annually and add bank feeds and more users.
It is a strong pick if you already use other Zoho apps or expect to hire help.
FreshBooks
FreshBooks is built around invoicing, time tracking and client work. Lite (about $23/month) caps you at 5 billable clients. Plus (about $43/month) raises that to 50 and adds more accounting reports.
It suits consultants, designers and agencies who bill hours and want polished invoices.
Xero
Xero is full double-entry accounting that many accountants prefer. The Early plan (about $25/month) limits you to 20 invoices and 5 bills a month. Growing (about $55/month) removes those limits.
It suits freelancers who work with a bookkeeper or plan to form an LLC or S corporation later.
Which one fits your situation?
| Your situation | Good fit |
|---|---|
| First year, low income, tight budget | Wave Starter or Zoho Books Free |
| Sole proprietor who drives for work | QuickBooks Solopreneur |
| Many clients, hourly billing | FreshBooks Plus or Zoho Books |
| Working with a bookkeeper or CPA | Xero or QuickBooks Online |
| Side hustle with a few transactions a month | A spreadsheet or Wave |
Whatever you choose, keep a separate business bank account. It makes any software far more accurate. See How to Separate Business and Personal Finances.
Worked example: what the software really costs
Priya is a freelance copywriter comparing a year of list prices.
| Option | Annual cost (list) |
|---|---|
| Zoho Books Free | $0 |
| Wave Pro (annual) | $190 |
| QuickBooks Solopreneur ($20 × 12) | $240 |
| FreshBooks Lite ($23 × 12) | $276 |
| Xero Early ($25 × 12) | $300 |
Software subscriptions are a deductible business expense on Schedule C. If Priya picks QuickBooks Solopreneur at $240 and she is in the 22% bracket, the deduction cuts her income tax and self-employment tax by roughly $80 to $90. Her net cost is closer to $150 to $160 a year.
The bigger payoff is time. Clean categories make it easier to claim every item in Self-Employed Tax Deductions: The Complete List.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need accounting software as a freelancer?
No. A spreadsheet plus a separate bank account can work at low volume. Software helps once you have dozens of transactions a month, mileage or several clients.
What happened to QuickBooks Self-Employed?
Intuit now points new customers to QuickBooks Solopreneur. Existing subscribers could keep their plan or migrate their data. Check Intuit’s site for your account’s options.
Does accounting software file my taxes?
Usually not by itself. Some QuickBooks tiers include tax filing help. Most tools export reports you or your preparer use in tax software.
Can I switch software later?
Yes. Most tools export transactions to CSV. Switching at the start of a tax year keeps your records cleanest.
This article is general information, not tax advice. Prices are approximate and change often. Consult a CPA or Enrolled Agent for your situation.
About this guide
Written by the Freelancer Tax HQ editorial team, based on our professional experience, official US government sources (IRS, SSA and other agencies) and reputable informational articles listed in the sources below. Last reviewed on . Tax rules change often, and we update this guide when they do. Read our editorial policy or report an error.
Sources
QuickBooks Solopreneur; Intuit: QuickBooks Self-Employed vs Solopreneur; QuickBooks Online pricing; Wave pricing; FreshBooks pricing; Xero US pricing; Zoho Books pricing. Example figures are FreelancerTaxHQ illustrations.
Official resources linked in this guide: IRS: Tax preparer credentials; IRS Instructions for Schedule C.