General Ledger + Converter in one subscription.
See pricingRANKING · SELF-EMPLOYED AND FREELANCERS
The best accounting software for self-employed people and freelancers is ZeraBooks, because it sends your invoices and chases late ones, then does the bookkeeping from your bank statements, so the year is categorized and reconciled when your accountant asks. Setup and catch-up are free. ZeraBooks AI bookkeeping is $79 a month on the annual plan.
We make ZeraBooks · 7-day trial · $79 a month billed annually
GETTING PAID
A freelancer’s first job is the invoice. Entry plans set different limits, read on each pricing page on November 8, 2026.
| Software | Entry plan | Invoicing on that plan |
|---|---|---|
| ZeraBooks | $79/mo billed annually | Create and send invoices, payment reminders, deposits matched to invoices |
| FreshBooks | Lite, $23/mo | Invoices to 5 clients |
| Xero | Early, $27/mo | Quotes and 20 invoices |
| QuickBooks Online | Simple Start, $38/mo | Invoice and get paid, 1 user |
| Puzzle | Starter, $30/mo | Not listed on the Starter plan |
| Zoho Books | Free | See Zoho’s plan comparison |
| Wave | Starter, $0 | See Wave’s plan comparison |
FREE SETUP
Send us the year’s bank statements. On a 15-minute call we set ZeraBooks up and catch up the months, then it keeps you current.
THE RANKING
First, because both jobs are covered and the second one isn’t yours any more. Customer deposits are matched to open invoices, overdue ones get reminders, and Ask Zera categorizes and reconciles each month from your statements.
$79/mo billed annuallyInvoices + books
Built around invoicing, with client limits by plan (5 on Lite, 50 on Plus) and payroll as a $40 add-on.
$23/mo
Simple Start covers one user with AI expense categorizing, from $38 a month list.
$38/mo
A $30 Starter with 85 to 90% of transactions categorized automatically, made for startups.
$30/mo Starter
A free Starter plan for those who want to do the books themselves. See the best Wave alternatives.
$0 Starter
A free plan with paid ones from $20 a month.
Free, then $20/mo
WHAT YOUR ACCOUNTANT WILL ASK FOR
Your accountant files the return. These are the bookkeeping pieces they need from you, and ZeraBooks keeps each one current.
STARTING OUT
CATEGORIES DRAFTED FOR YOU
Generate with AI drafts a numbered chart of accounts from a short description of your business, for you to review before it is saved. How loan payments are split is on how to record loan payments.
MORE SOFTWARE RANKINGS
You need income and expenses sorted and your accounts reconciled at tax time. Software that does that for you costs less than the hours you would spend on a spreadsheet.
FreshBooks is built around invoicing; QuickBooks around the ledger. ZeraBooks does both and keeps the books for you, which is why it ranks first here.
No. ZeraBooks is not a CPA firm and files no returns; it hands you or your accountant clean, reconciled books.
See the best bookkeeping software for small business. ZeraBooks has no payroll, so payroll stays with your payroll provider.
FREE SETUP + CATCH-UP
Start the 7-day trial, or book the free setup call with last year’s statements. Every AI option is on the best AI accounting software hub.