Freelancers need invoicing that is quick to send, easy for clients to pay and tied to the work behind it, whether that is hours tracked, a signed proposal or a project milestone. The best tool also keeps enough of a record that tax time is not a scramble.
Updated September 30, 2026 · 3 picks · selections are editorial and never sponsored
The picks here range from an invoicing-led accounting app to a client management platform and a full ledger. Decide whether you want your invoicing tool to also be your books, or whether you are happy to connect it to a separate accounting system.
Professional invoices that clients can pay online, with reminders for late payers.
Support for estimates, proposals, contracts or time tracking that feed into invoices.
Whether the tool keeps your books itself or relies on an integration with accounting software.
| Criterion |  FreshBooks |  HoneyBook |  QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Verify | Verify | Verify |
| Editorial score | Not yet scored | Not yet scored | Not yet scored |
FreshBooks is built for freelancers and solopreneurs, linking invoices to time tracking, expenses and estimates, with proposals and double-entry reports from the Plus plan.
The Lite plan limits billable clients and excludes proposals and bank reconciliation.
HoneyBook links proposals, contracts, invoices, payments and scheduling in one client flow, which suits creatives, consultants and event professionals.
It is not accounting software, the QuickBooks Online integration needs Essentials or Premium, and it operates in only four countries.
QuickBooks Online gives solo business owners customizable invoices with online payments alongside a full ledger, so invoicing and bookkeeping live in the same place.
It is a full accounting system, which may be more than a freelancer needs, and the Simple Start plan supports only one user.