Accounting Software for Freelancers

Accounting tools for freelancers and small businesses: compare features, integrations and free trials side-by-side.

  • GoBD-compliant with DATEV export & EU tax filing
  • From simple receipt scanning to full accounting suites
  • Lexware, sevDesk, Xero, Wave & more side-by-side
FreshBooks logo
FreshBooks Featured
4.5
 
Xero logo
Xero
4.4
Review
Accountable logo
Accountable
4.3
Review
QuickBooks logo
QuickBooks
4.3
 
Wave logo
Wave
4.3
 
Zoho Books logo
Zoho Books
4.2
Review
Obra logo
Obra
4.0
 
Sage Business Cloud logo
Sage Business Cloud
3.9
 
Free plan
Scope Accounting Accounting All-in-one Accounting Accounting Accounting Accounting All-in-one
Price range Mid-range Mid-range Budget Mid-range Free Mid-range Free Mid-range
Multi-currency
Free trial 30 days 30 days 14 days 30 days 14 days 30 days
Best for Solo & Team All Solo Solo & Team Solo Solo & Team Solo & Team All
Visit site View offer* View offer* Visit site Visit site View offer* Visit site Visit site
1 FreshBooks Featured
4.5 Rating
Free plan
Scope Accounting
Price range Mid-range
Multi-currency
Free trial 30 days
Best for Solo & Team
Visit site
2 Xero
4.4 Rating
Free plan
Scope Accounting
Price range Mid-range
Multi-currency
Free trial 30 days
Best for All
Review View offer*
3 Accountable
4.3 Rating
Free plan
Scope All-in-one
Price range Budget
Multi-currency
Free trial 14 days
Best for Solo
Review View offer*
4 QuickBooks
4.3 Rating
Free plan
Scope Accounting
Price range Mid-range
Multi-currency
Free trial 30 days
Best for Solo & Team
Visit site
5 Wave
4.3 Rating
Free plan
Scope Accounting
Price range Free
Multi-currency
Free trial
Best for Solo
Visit site
6 Zoho Books
4.2 Rating
Free plan
Scope Accounting
Price range Mid-range
Multi-currency
Free trial 14 days
Best for Solo & Team
Review View offer*
7 Obra
4.0 Rating
Free plan
Scope Accounting
Price range Free
Multi-currency
Free trial
Best for Solo & Team
Visit site
8 Sage Business Cloud
3.9 Rating
Free plan
Scope All-in-one
Price range Mid-range
Multi-currency
Free trial 30 days
Best for All
Visit site

Still undecided? A few quick questions to your recommendation

Answer a few quick questions — we match Xero, FreshBooks, QuickBooks & co., data-driven.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best accounting software for freelancers?

FreshBooks is our 2026 top pick for freelancers: invoicing, expense tracking and time tracking in one clean interface. Xero is the stronger choice for growing businesses with heavier bookkeeping needs. The comparison table above shows all criteria side by side.

Do I really need accounting software as a freelancer?

Not on day one, but sooner than most expect. Once you invoice regularly, software pays for itself: it keeps business finances separate, tracks outstanding invoices, and turns tax season from a shoebox of receipts into a report. A spreadsheet works at the very start; it stops scaling around client number five.

What does accounting software cost for freelancers?

Most freelancer-tier plans run $10–30 per month, with discounts for annual billing and frequent intro offers for the first months. Free trials (typically 30 days) are standard: test with your real invoices before committing, and check the free-tier column in our table.

FreshBooks or Xero: which one should I pick?

FreshBooks if you're a solo freelancer who mainly invoices clients and tracks expenses; it's simpler and faster to learn. Xero if you're growing toward a small business: stronger reporting, inventory and accountant collaboration. Both integrate with the usual payment providers.

Accounting software handles receipts, expenses and tax-ready records. The table compares the best 2026 tools — FreshBooks as our freelancer top pick, Xero for growing businesses.