FreshBooks

Wave

Wave offers genuinely free accounting and invoicing software aimed at freelancers and micro-businesses, making money on payments and payroll add-ons. It is a popular starting point for solo operators.

Xero

Xero is a cloud-first accounting platform popular outside the US, known for a clean interface, unlimited users on every plan, and a strong app marketplace. It emphasizes collaboration between businesses and their advisors.

HoneyBook

HoneyBook is a client relationship and business management platform built for independent, service-based businesses such as event professionals, photographers, coaches, and consultants. It handles lead capture, proposals, contracts, invoicing, payments, and scheduling in one workflow, with AI features for drafting emails, summarizing meeting notes, and surfacing business insights. The platform is currently available in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, and offers three subscription tiers with a free trial, positioning itself as an all-in-one alternative to juggling separate proposal, contract, and invoicing tools.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is the market-leading small-business accounting platform, handling invoicing, expenses, payroll, and tax preparation. Its ecosystem and accountant familiarity make it a default choice in the US.

ZipBooks

ZipBooks is cloud-based accounting software designed to simplify bookkeeping for small business owners and freelancers who lack formal accounting training. The platform automates invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting through an interface built around simplicity rather than accounting complexity.