Simple money systems for one-person businesses

Freelancers, cleaners, stylists, photographers, makers: compare invoicing and bookkeeping tools in plain English, and get set up before tax season.

How we work

Facts come from the source. Prices, limits and rules are checked against the vendor's or the IRS's own pages, which we link at the end of every guide.
Free options get a fair shot. If a spreadsheet or a free plan is enough for you, we say so, even though we earn nothing from it.
We tell you how we earn money. Some links are affiliate links, labelled "paid link". Read the disclosure.

Bookkeeping
FreshBooks vs QuickBooks for Freelancers: Which Fits a One-Person Business?
Comparing FreshBooks and QuickBooks for a one-person business? Current prices, plan limits, and a simple decision table for freelancers and solo service pros.
Invoicing
Best Invoicing Software for Freelancers & Solo Service Businesses (Free and Paid)
Free and paid invoicing software for freelancers compared by price, client limits and paywalled features, plus who each one actually suits.
Bookkeeping
Wave Moved Bank Connections to Pro: What Changed and 4 Alternatives for Freelancers
Wave now charges for automatic bank connections. What changed, whether Wave Pro is worth $19/month, and four alternatives for freelancers.
Bookkeeping
Free Bookkeeping Spreadsheet for Small Business (Income, Expenses & Mileage)
Download a free bookkeeping spreadsheet with income, expense and mileage logs plus monthly totals. Works in Excel and Google Sheets. No email required.
Self-employed taxes (US)
Quarterly Estimated Taxes for Freelancers: 2026-2027 Deadlines and a Simple Set-Aside System
IRS estimated tax deadlines for 2026-2027, who needs to pay, how to avoid the underpayment penalty, and a simple weekly routine for setting money aside.