Best Alternatives to QuickBooks Self-Employed for Freelancers & Sole Proprietors

Managing finances as a self-employed professional can be overwhelming at times, and while QuickBooks Self-Employed is popular, it’s not the only option. Exploring alternatives can help you find tools that better match your workflow, budget or specific business needs. Many of the alternatives cater to freelancers or sole perpetrators, and choosing the right software can save time, reduce errors and give you clearer insights into your finances.

So with that being said, let’s dive into some of the top alternatives to QuickBooks Self-Employed, so you can make informed decisions and keep your business running smoothly.

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Table of contents
Top Accounting Software Self-Employed Professionals Should Consider Choosing the Best Bookkeeping Software for Self-Employed Individuals Is QuickBooks Self-Employed Right for You? QuickBooks vs Alternative Fees Final Thoughts Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Top Accounting Software Self-Employed Professionals Should Consider

For self-employed professionals, finding the right accounting software can significantly simplify financial management. There are also many alternatives to QuickBooks Self-Employed and including platforms designed specifically for freelancers and independent contractors. Here are a few tools to consider that may help your business:

1. Bonsai as an Alternative for Self-Employed Professionals

Bonsai is a strong accounting software for self-employed individuals who need more than just basic bookkeeping. It combines invoicing, contract management and expense tracking in one platform, so it’s especially appealing to freelancers who juggle multiple clients and projects.¹

Bonsai automatically categorizes expenses, so professionals can prepare for taxes while making sure deductions are maximized.² Its integration with payment platforms allows invoices to be paid directly, which also helps reduce payment delays and simplify financial tracking.

Freelancers also benefit from Bonsai’s project management features, which tie directly into billing and reporting. So with that being said, Bonsai can be a helpful alternative for self-employed professionals as it can manage client relationships, track income and keep financial data organized without switching between multiple tools.³

2. Keeper Tax for Automated Tax Deductions

For freelancers and sole proprietors who often struggle with taxes, Keeper Tax is an excellent alternative to QuickBooks Self-Employed. This platform specializes in automatically identifying and categorizing tax-deductible expenses, which can significantly lower annual tax bills.¹

Keeper Tax connects directly to bank accounts and credit cards, while scanning transactions in real time to highlight potential write-offs.² This reduces the need for manual entry and makes sure that valuable deductions aren’t overlooked.

It also generates tax reports that make quarterly or annual filing easier, which will help you save both time and stress.³ It is designed specifically with independent professionals in mind, and removes much of the complexity from tax preparation, so freelancers stay compliant and financially confident throughout the year.

3. Zoho Books for Financial Management

Zoho Books is another strong bookkeeping software for self-employed professionals who need a full suite of accounting tools. It covers income and expense tracking, invoicing and payment collection, so it’s versatile for different types of small businesses.¹

One of its biggest advantages is integration; Zoho Books connects with banks, payment gateways and other apps, allowing for real-time updates on transactions.² It also offers features like recurring invoices, time tracking and financial reporting, so freelancers get a clear picture of profitability. It is not only affordable, but it also provides affordable pricing and strong customer support, so it can be considered ideal for those who are looking for long-term growth.³

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Choosing the Best Bookkeeping Software for Self-Employed Individuals

Selecting the right bookkeeping software for self-employed professionals is essential for staying organized and maintaining accurate records. Effective software allows freelancers to track invoices, manage expenses and keep track of bank transactions automatically.¹ Many platforms also provide mobile apps, so it’s easy to record expenses on the go and make sure nothing is missed.²

Features such as automatic categorization, recurring invoices and expense reports help save time and reduce errors. While QuickBooks Self-Employed is popular, alternatives such as Zoho Books, Wave and Xero for freelancers provide competitive options tailored to self-employed needs³. When it comes time to choose software, we recommend considering integration with payment processors, ease of use and customer support.

The right bookkeeping solution helps to simplify tax filing, provide insights into cash flow and make sure that financial health is kept intact so freelancers can focus on growing their business instead of managing paperwork.⁴

Is QuickBooks Self-Employed Right for You?

Determining if QuickBooks Self-Employed is right for you? That depends on your specific business needs. QuickBooks Self-Employed is designed for freelancers, contractors and sole proprietors, and provides tools for expense tracking, invoicing and tax reporting.¹ It integrates with bank accounts to automatically categorize transactions, which can simplify tax time. However, it may not meet the needs of all self-employed professionals. Some alternatives, like Bonsai or Keeper Tax, provide additional features such as project management, automated expense capture or stronger reporting capabilities.²

We recommend evaluating your workflow, financial complexity and reporting requirements so you can accurately determine whether QuickBooks Self-Employed is the best fit or if a more tailored solution would better support your business operations.⁴

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QuickBooks vs Alternative Fees

When it comes time to evaluate accounting software self employed professionals can rely on pricing and features are one of the biggest deciding factors. QuickBooks Self-Employed is no doubt a popular choice, but alternatives like Bonsai, Keeper Tax and Zoho Books provide competitive pricing with specialized tools tailored for freelancers and sole traders.

Each platform offers unique strengths, such as automated tax deduction tracking to comprehensive project and client management. So let’s compare costs and free trial options, so you can figure out what works best for you.

Software	Starting Price (per month)	Free Trial	Key Features
QuickBooks Self-Employed	$151	Yes1	Basic income & expense tracking, tax estimates, mileage tracking1,4
Bonsai	$152	7 days2	Automated tax write-offs, expense categorization, IRS-ready reports3
Keeper Tax	$20 - $303	30 Days3	Invoicing, expense tracking, client portal, multi-currency support3
Zoho Books	$203 Free monthly account is available with limited features	14 days3	Inventory management, invoicing, reporting, scalable for growing businesses⁵

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Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. The Wise Business account is designed with international business in mind, and makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in currencies.

Signing up to Wise Business allows access to BatchTransfer which you can use to pay up to 1000 invoices in one go. This is perfect for small businesses that are managing a global team, saving a ton of time and hassle when making payments.

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• Mid-market rate: Get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees on international transfers

• Global Account: Send money to countries and hold multiple currencies, all in one place. You can also get major currency account details for a one-off fee to receive overseas payments like a local

• Access to BatchTransfer: Pay up to 1000 invoices in one click. Save time, money, and stress when you make 1000 payments in one click with BatchTransfer payments. Access to BatchTransfer is free with a Wise Business account

• Auto-conversions: Don't like the current currency exchange rate? Set your desired rate, and Wise sends the transfer the moment the rate is met

• Free invoicing tool: Generate and send professional invoices

• No minimum balance requirements or monthly fees: US-based businesses can open an account for free. Learn more about fees here

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Final Thoughts

Choosing the right accounting solution for self-employed professionals is crucial for efficiency, accuracy and financial growth. While QuickBooks Self-Employed is a well-known option, alternatives such as Bonsai, Keeper Tax, Zoho Books and ZarMoney provide features tailored to freelancers, contractors, and sole proprietors.¹

The above tools will help you simplify bookkeeping software for the self-employed, enhance project management, and produce reliable financial reports for your business.² But, you should evaluate features, costs, integration capabilities, and workflow compatibility first, so you can select a platform that best supports your unique business needs.³

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can self-employed accounting software integrate with payment platforms?

Yes, many modern accounting solutions designed for self-employed professionals can integrate directly with payment platforms such as Wise Business, PayPal, Stripe and various bank accounts.¹

Are there mobile apps for freelancers to manage finances?

Absolutely. Many accounting alternatives to QuickBooks Self-Employed, such as Bonsai, Keeper Tax and ZarMoney, provide fully functional mobile apps.¹ The apps allow freelancers to track expenses, send invoices, and view financial reports from anywhere, which is crucial for professionals who are constantly on the move.² Users can snap photos of receipts, categorize them and log transactions instantly, which reduces the likelihood of lost or forgotten expenses.³

How secure is accounting software for self-employed professionals?

Security is a top priority for accounting software providers catering to self-employed individuals.¹ Platforms like Keeper Tax, Bonsai and Zoho Books use encryption protocols, secure servers, and regular software updates to protect sensitive financial data.² On top of that, many offer two-factor authentication and role-based access controls to prevent unauthorized use.³ Freelancers and sole proprietors can safely store client data, bank details and tax information without worrying about breaches or data loss.

Can project management tools track billable hours?

Yes. Several accounting solutions for freelancers integrate with project management tools that track time and expenses for individual projects.¹ This confirms that billable hours are accurately captured for invoicing, which helps to reduce disputes and missed revenue.² Self-employed professionals can assign tasks, set deadlines and monitor the time spent on each activity while automatically syncing that data with their accounting platform.³

Do accounting alternatives support tax deductions for freelancers?

Yes, one of the most powerful features of accounting software for self-employed professionals is automatic identification of deductible expenses.¹ Platforms like Bonsai and Keeper Tax categorize expenses such as office supplies, software subscriptions, travel and equipment, so it’s easier to track deductions.²

Are there free alternatives to QuickBooks Self-Employed?

Yes, there are free or low-cost alternatives that cater specifically to self-employed professionals.¹ Tools like Wave and Zoho Books provide core accounting features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting at no cost.² Zoho Books and Wave are good recommendations for freelancers, sole proprietors, or small business owners with limited budgets who still want reliable bookkeeping capabilities.³ If you’re just starting, these specific alternatives can meet essential accounting needs, so you can stay organized and professional without paying high subscription fees.

Can freelancers switch from QuickBooks Self-Employed to another platform easily?

Yes, most accounting alternatives provide tools to migrate data from QuickBooks Self-Employed.¹ Users can export historical income, expenses and client records in compatible formats. But before you jump the gun, you should consider this: before switching, freelancers should verify that transaction categories, tax settings and client data align with the new platform³. Migrating data allows professionals to maintain accurate financial history, generate consistent reports and continue managing their business without disruption.

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Sources:

1. Alternative to QuickBooks Self-Employed | Hello Bonsai
2. Best QuickBooks Self-Employed Alternatives | O2B Technologies
3. Best QuickBooks Self-Employed Alternatives | Keeper Tax
4. Guide to QuickBooks Self-Employed | Sagenext