QuickBooks Free vs Other Free Accounting Software Solutions

If you’re a solopreneur, or new small business owner, or freelancer, the right accounting tool can help you stay organized and ready for tax time. See how QuickBooks Free compares to other free options and find the best fit for your business.

A laptop shows the business overview dashboard in QuickBooks Online

How QuickBooks Free compares

QuickBooks logo

Wave logo

Zoho logo

Square logo

Core Features

Monthly Price

$0

$0

$0 (eligibility varies by region and revenue limits)

$0 (pay processing fees only)

User Included

1 user (no accountant access)

1 user (no accountant access)

1 user + 1 accountant

No set user limit

Invoices

2 per month

Unlimited

1 user + 1 accountant

No set user limit

Estimates

1 user (no accountant access)

1 user (no accountant access)

1 user + 1 accountant

No set user limit

Expense Tracking

Track business and personal expenses

Unlimited income and expense tracking 

Track expense and vendors (up to 1,000 transactions per year)

Not included

Connections

Connect 1 bank account

Manual entry and reconciliation only (auto-import requires paid plan)

Includes bank reconciliation and bank feeds in supported regions

No accounting bank feed (no bank import in Invoices; you can sync sales to external accounting)

Online Payments

Accept payments via PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, cards, and ACH (processing fees apply)

Accept payments (processing fees apply)

Via integrations

Accept card and ACH payments (processing fees apply)

Reports

Profit & loss, balance sheet, and account summary 

Basic reports including profit & loss and balance sheet

50+ reports including profit & loss and balance sheet

Basic invoicing activity reports

Additional Tools

Reports

5 trips per month

Not included

Not included (mileage handled in separate Zoho Expense app)

Not included

Receipt capture

2 per month

Not included; available as a paid add-on

Not included in core free plan (available via Zoho Expense)

Not included

Contractor management

Track 1 contractor

Track contractor payments using general income/expense categories; no dedicated 1099 module in free tier

Track contractors as vendors (advanced 1099 features may require a paid plan)

Not included as a dedicated feature (can track contractors only as generic customers)

Growth and Flexibility

Upgrade path

Seamless upgrade with QuickBooks

Upgrade to paid Wave Pro for advanced features and multi‑user access

Upgrade to paid Zoho Books plans when you outgrow transaction/user limits

Add paid Square tools (Payroll, Banking, advanced POS, etc.) as you grow.

Feature list accurate as per Wave, Zoho, and Square websites on March 26, 2026.

What to look for in free accounting software

A free accounting tool should do more than replace spreadsheets. Solopreneurs, early-stage business owners, and freelancers need simple tools to stay organized, get paid, and understand their finances. Here are the key features to look for when choosing a free solution.

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Income and expense tracking

Look for a tool that connects to your bank and automatically imports transactions. You’ll reduce manual entry and keep your records accurate.

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Invoicing and payment options

Sending invoices and accepting payments—whether by credit cards, ACH transfers, PayPal, Venmo, or Apple Pay—can help you get paid faster and improve cash flow.

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Income and expense tracking

Look for a tool that connects to your bank and automatically imports transactions. You’ll reduce manual entry and keep your records accurate.

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Expense documentation

Receipt capture and mileage tracking keep your records accurate and reduce the risk of missing valuable tax deductions.

Why freelancers, solopreneurs, and early-stage businesses choose QuickBooks Free

The best accounting software for small businesses is trusted by millions of businesses worldwide.1 No accounting experience needed—QuickBooks Free makes it easy to get started.

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Track transactions without manual entry

Connect one bank account to automatically import and categorize transactions. This keeps your books accurate and saves time.

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Send invoices and speed up payments

Create and send up to 2 professional invoices per month and accept payments through cards, ACH, PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay—so you can get paid sooner.

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Understand how your business is doing

View key reports like profit and loss, balance sheet, and account summary to see your performance at any time.

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Track expenses, mileage, and receipts

Log up to 5 mileage trips and capture up to 2 receipts per month, so your expenses are documented and ready when you need them.

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Stay prepared for tax time

Keep your income, expenses, and records in one place, making it easier to identify deductions and prepare for taxes.

Get started with
QuickBooks Free
An example of the QuickBooks Free product dashboard
Free
Start organizing your business finances for free—until you’re ready to grow
$0/mo
No credit card required
1 user
No accountant access
Invite your accountant to collaborate with you in QuickBooks by upgrading to one of our paid plans.
Top features:
  • Track business & personal expenses
    Track income and expenses and run a monthly profit and loss report to get a clear view of your business performance.
    See more
  • Accept payments
    Give customers flexible ways to pay—via PayPal,** Venmo, Apple Pay®, credit, debit, or ACH payments.
    See more
  • Invoices (limit 2 per month)
    Customize and send up to two invoices a month—or unlimited invoices if you qualify for and enable QuickBooks Payments. Accept mobile signatures, see estimate status, and convert into invoices.**
  • Estimates (limit 1 per month)
    Customize and send one estimate a month. Accept mobile signatures, see estimate status, and convert into invoices.**
  • Connect 1 bank account
    Connect 1 bank account directly to QuickBooks to automatically sync transactions for accurate, real-time data.
  • Mileage tracking (limit 5 trips)
    Automatically track miles and categorize up to 5 trips each month.**
    See more
  • Receipt capture (limit 2/month)
    Snap photos of 2 receipts each month and categorize them on the go.*
    See more
  • Top 3 reports
    Access the top 3 reports for your business: profit and loss, balance sheet, and account quick report.
  • 1 contractor
    Manage 1 contractor: Assign payments to 1099 categories, see payment history, prepare and file 1099s from QuickBooks.**
  • Manually track sales & sales tax
    Collect sales tax by adding the amount to your invoices.

Your plan

Your total
+10% off annual price
$0

Reviews that speak volumes

Discover why 88% of customers say QuickBooks helps their business be more successful.3

QuickBooks Online G2 award for top 50 accounting products: Best Software for 2022.

Top 50 Accounting & Finance Product

★★★★

4.0 (2,967 of reviews)

★★★★★

Having the online version just makes sense. There are apps that integrate with it, you can log in on your phone, [and] the data is easily accessible to both the client and the accounting team.

★★★★★

The software is very easy to use, even for people who do not have an accounting background.

Key Considerations When Choosing Accounting Software

When selecting accounting software like QuickBooks, businesses should consider their size and complexity, the accounting experience of their team, budget constraints, and long term growth plans. Smaller companies with simpler needs may prefer streamlined tools, while larger or growing organizations often require advanced features, integrations, and scalability. Balancing ease of use, affordability, and the ability to expand ensures the software will support both current operations and future success.

Frequently asked questions

Millions of small businesses have chosen QuickBooks