Best Small Business Accounting Apps 2026
Covering the freelancer and solopreneur tier: QuickBooks Self-Employed, FreshBooks, Wave, Bonsai, and HoneyBook. Every recommendation includes what the vendor's marketing page will not tell you.
Best for mileage deductions
QuickBooks SE
78% background GPS capture + Schedule C export
Full review →All five tools reviewed
FreshBooks
Best for
US and Canadian service freelancers who need automated invoicing, time tracking, and a polished client portal
Skip if
UK sole traders (no MTD support), inventory businesses, anyone needing payroll
Starting from: $19/mo Lite, $33/mo Plus (most freelancers)
QuickBooks Self-Employed
Best for
US freelancers who drive significant business miles and do their own taxes via TurboTax
Skip if
UK-based anyone (US product only), teams with employees, inventory businesses
Starting from: $20/mo, $35/mo with TurboTax bundle
Bonsai
Best for
Freelancers who want contracts, proposals, time tracking, invoicing, and basic accounting in one tool
Skip if
Anyone needing full double-entry accounting, UK MTD compliance, or payroll
Starting from: $21/mo Starter (annual), $32/mo Professional
HoneyBook
Best for
Creative freelancers (photographers, designers, event planners) where client experience and project pipeline matter
Skip if
Anyone needing rigorous accounting or Schedule C export — HoneyBook is a CRM first
Starting from: $16/mo Starter (annual), $32/mo Essentials
Wave
Best for
Solo freelancers and micro-businesses with basic needs and zero software budget
Skip if
UK businesses, multi-user teams, anyone who cannot tolerate a potential future paywall
Starting from: $0 (core), $16/mo Pro, $35/mo+ Payroll (US only)
Price comparison (verified 2026-05-19)
| Vendor | From | Verified | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | $0 | ✓ Verified 2026-05-19 | Try it |
| FreshBooks Lite | $19/mo | ✓ Verified 2026-05-19 | Try it |
| QuickBooks SE | $20/mo | ✓ Verified 2026-05-19 | Try it |
| Bonsai Starter | $21/mo | ✓ Verified 2026-05-19 | Try it |
| HoneyBook Starter | $16/mo | ✓ Verified 2026-05-19 | Try it |
| FreeAgent | £0 (with Mettle) | ✓ Verified 2026-05-19 | Try it |
Prices verified from vendor websites. Always confirm current pricing before purchasing. Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.