Quick Overview
- 1#1: Wave - Free cloud-based accounting software offering invoicing, expense tracking, and payments for micro businesses.
- 2#2: QuickBooks Solopreneur - Simplified accounting app for solopreneurs to track income, expenses, mileage, and taxes automatically.
- 3#3: ZipBooks - Free invoicing and accounting software with time tracking, bookkeeping, and smart reports for small businesses.
- 4#4: FreshBooks - User-friendly invoicing and accounting tool designed for freelancers and service-based micro businesses.
- 5#5: Zoho Books - Affordable online accounting software with automation, multi-currency, and inventory for growing micro businesses.
- 6#6: Invoice Ninja - Open-source invoicing platform with accounting features, client management, and payments for freelancers.
- 7#7: Manager.io - Free desktop and cloud accounting software supporting unlimited transactions, reports, and multi-currency.
- 8#8: Xero - Cloud accounting platform with bank feeds, invoicing, and payroll for small to micro businesses.
- 9#9: Akaunting - Free open-source self-hosted accounting app for invoicing, expenses, and financial reports.
- 10#10: GnuCash - Free desktop double-entry accounting software for personal finance and small business bookkeeping.
These tools were selected based on a focus on essential features for micro operations, ease of use, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they balance functionality and accessibility for businesses with limited resources
Comparison Table
This comparison table highlights top micro business accounting software—including Wave, QuickBooks Solopreneur, ZipBooks, FreshBooks, Zoho Books, and more—to guide small business owners in selecting the best tool. It breaks down key features, pricing models, and usability to help readers make informed choices aligned with their specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wave Free cloud-based accounting software offering invoicing, expense tracking, and payments for micro businesses. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | QuickBooks Solopreneur Simplified accounting app for solopreneurs to track income, expenses, mileage, and taxes automatically. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | ZipBooks Free invoicing and accounting software with time tracking, bookkeeping, and smart reports for small businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | FreshBooks User-friendly invoicing and accounting tool designed for freelancers and service-based micro businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Zoho Books Affordable online accounting software with automation, multi-currency, and inventory for growing micro businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 6 | Invoice Ninja Open-source invoicing platform with accounting features, client management, and payments for freelancers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Manager.io Free desktop and cloud accounting software supporting unlimited transactions, reports, and multi-currency. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 8 | Xero Cloud accounting platform with bank feeds, invoicing, and payroll for small to micro businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Akaunting Free open-source self-hosted accounting app for invoicing, expenses, and financial reports. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | GnuCash Free desktop double-entry accounting software for personal finance and small business bookkeeping. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 5.2/10 | 9.8/10 |
Free cloud-based accounting software offering invoicing, expense tracking, and payments for micro businesses.
Simplified accounting app for solopreneurs to track income, expenses, mileage, and taxes automatically.
Free invoicing and accounting software with time tracking, bookkeeping, and smart reports for small businesses.
User-friendly invoicing and accounting tool designed for freelancers and service-based micro businesses.
Affordable online accounting software with automation, multi-currency, and inventory for growing micro businesses.
Open-source invoicing platform with accounting features, client management, and payments for freelancers.
Free desktop and cloud accounting software supporting unlimited transactions, reports, and multi-currency.
Cloud accounting platform with bank feeds, invoicing, and payroll for small to micro businesses.
Free open-source self-hosted accounting app for invoicing, expenses, and financial reports.
Free desktop double-entry accounting software for personal finance and small business bookkeeping.
Wave
specializedFree cloud-based accounting software offering invoicing, expense tracking, and payments for micro businesses.
Unlimited free invoicing and accounting with no subscription fees or usage caps
Wave is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for micro businesses, freelancers, and sole proprietors, providing free tools for invoicing, expense tracking, receipt scanning, and basic financial reporting. It automatically reconciles bank transactions, manages sales taxes, and offers customizable invoices with payment reminders. With a mobile app and seamless integrations, Wave eliminates the need for costly accounting software while keeping bookkeeping simple and accessible.
Pros
- Completely free core accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning with no limits on customers or transactions
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with mobile app support
- Automatic bank reconciliation and sales tax calculations
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to paid competitors
- Payroll and payments features are paid add-ons with geographic restrictions (primarily US/Canada)
- No built-in inventory management or project tracking
Best For
Freelancers, sole proprietors, and micro businesses with straightforward income/expense tracking needs who prioritize zero-cost software.
Pricing
Core accounting and invoicing are free forever; Payments: 2.9% + $0.30 per credit card transaction; Payroll: $20 base + $6/active employee per month (US/Canada only).
QuickBooks Solopreneur
specializedSimplified accounting app for solopreneurs to track income, expenses, mileage, and taxes automatically.
AI Assistant that automatically categorizes expenses and generates quarterly tax estimates
QuickBooks Solopreneur is a simplified accounting platform designed specifically for solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and micro businesses with one user. It automates expense tracking, invoicing, and mileage logging by connecting to bank accounts and using AI for categorization. The tool provides real-time profit insights and quarterly tax estimates, making it easy to stay compliant without hiring a bookkeeper.
Pros
- AI-powered transaction categorization and automation
- Seamless bank and credit card integrations for real-time syncing
- Instant tax estimates and simple invoicing tools
Cons
- Limited to single-user access, no team collaboration
- Lacks advanced features like inventory management or payroll
- Basic reporting compared to full QuickBooks versions
Best For
Freelancers and solopreneurs seeking effortless, automated bookkeeping for basic income, expense, and tax needs.
Pricing
$20/month (no free tier, billed monthly or annually)
ZipBooks
specializedFree invoicing and accounting software with time tracking, bookkeeping, and smart reports for small businesses.
Free unlimited beautiful invoices with integrated time tracking and client profitability insights
ZipBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform tailored for micro businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs, offering streamlined invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and basic bookkeeping. It emphasizes ease of use with a modern interface and provides automatic bank reconciliation and profitability insights. The software stands out with its generous free tier, making professional invoicing accessible without upfront costs.
Pros
- Generous free Starter plan with unlimited invoices and basic accounting
- Intuitive, modern interface that's quick to learn
- Beautiful, customizable invoice templates with payment tracking
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics in lower tiers
- No built-in payroll or inventory management
- Customer support primarily email-based with no live chat
Best For
Solopreneurs and micro businesses (1-5 employees) needing simple invoicing, time tracking, and basic bookkeeping on a budget.
Pricing
Starter: Free (unlimited invoices, up to 5 clients); Smarter: $17/user/month (unlimited clients, advanced invoicing); Sophisticated: $37/user/month (full bookkeeping, profitability tracking); billed annually.
FreshBooks
specializedUser-friendly invoicing and accounting tool designed for freelancers and service-based micro businesses.
Project tracking with built-in profitability analysis to see real-time income vs. expenses per client or project
FreshBooks is a user-friendly cloud-based accounting platform tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and service providers, focusing on streamlined invoicing, time tracking, and expense management. It allows users to create professional invoices, accept online payments, track billable hours on projects, and handle basic bookkeeping without needing accounting expertise. While it offers solid reporting and client portals, it prioritizes simplicity over advanced financial features like double-entry accounting.
Pros
- Intuitive interface that's easy for non-accountants to use
- Powerful invoicing with automation, recurring billing, and client portals
- Integrated time tracking and project profitability insights
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting tools like double-entry or inventory management
- Pricing scales quickly based on client volume
- Reporting lacks depth compared to full-scale accounting software
Best For
Freelancers, solopreneurs, and service-based micro businesses needing simple invoicing and time tracking without complex bookkeeping.
Pricing
Starts at $19/month (Lite: 5 clients), $33/month (Plus: 50 clients), $60/month (Select: unlimited); billed annually with 30-day free trial.
Zoho Books
specializedAffordable online accounting software with automation, multi-currency, and inventory for growing micro businesses.
Deep integration with the Zoho One ecosystem for unified CRM, email, and project management
Zoho Books is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for small businesses, providing essential tools like invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, inventory management, and financial reporting. It supports multi-currency transactions, project tracking, and automation for workflows such as approvals and reminders. With strong mobile accessibility and integrations across the Zoho suite and third-party apps, it's scalable for growing micro businesses.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Excellent integrations with Zoho apps and 50+ third-party services
- Affordable pricing with robust features for the cost
Cons
- Free plan severely limited and region-specific
- Customer support not 24/7 for lower tiers
- Advanced reporting and customization require higher plans
Best For
Micro businesses and freelancers needing simple, cloud-based accounting with seamless CRM and app integrations.
Pricing
Free plan (limited, revenue <₹50K/month in India); paid plans start at $20/month (Standard, annual billing) up to $240/month (Ultimate).
Invoice Ninja
specializedOpen-source invoicing platform with accounting features, client management, and payments for freelancers.
Fully open-source self-hosting option for unlimited use and complete data ownership at no cost
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing and billing software tailored for freelancers and micro businesses, enabling users to create professional invoices, quotes, and recurring bills. It supports expense tracking, time logging, client management, and payment processing via integrations like Stripe, PayPal, and ACH. Available as a free self-hosted solution or affordable cloud-hosted plans, it emphasizes simplicity for basic accounting needs without full-scale bookkeeping complexity.
Pros
- Free self-hosted open-source version with no client limits
- Strong invoicing tools including templates, recurring billing, and payments
- Multi-currency support and easy integrations with payment gateways
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup knowledge
- User interface feels somewhat dated and cluttered
- Lacks advanced accounting like double-entry bookkeeping or inventory
Best For
Freelancers and solopreneurs needing straightforward invoicing and payment tracking without complex financial reporting.
Pricing
Free self-hosted; cloud-hosted Free plan (50 clients), Pro at $12/mo (unlimited clients/invoices), Enterprise at $24/mo (priority support, API access).
Manager.io
specializedFree desktop and cloud accounting software supporting unlimited transactions, reports, and multi-currency.
Unlimited transactions, customers, and invoices in the free desktop version with no usage caps
Manager.io is a free, open-source desktop accounting software tailored for small businesses, providing essential tools like invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, inventory management, and financial reporting. It supports multi-currency transactions, GST/VAT compliance, and unlimited customers or invoices without restrictions. Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, it offers optional cloud hosting for remote access.
Pros
- Completely free with no limits on users, invoices, or transactions
- Offline desktop app with full customization via built-in scripting
- Comprehensive features including payroll, inventory, and multi-currency support
Cons
- Dated interface that may feel clunky compared to modern web apps
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations and setup
- Cloud version requires paid subscription for remote/multi-device access
Best For
Tech-savvy micro business owners, freelancers, or solopreneurs needing powerful, unlimited accounting tools without ongoing subscription costs.
Pricing
Free forever for self-hosted desktop edition; Cloud hosting from $19/month.
Xero
specializedCloud accounting platform with bank feeds, invoicing, and payroll for small to micro businesses.
Automated bank feeds with AI-powered reconciliation for effortless transaction matching
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for small businesses, providing tools for invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, payroll, and financial reporting. It offers real-time collaboration with unlimited users and integrates with over 1,000 third-party apps for enhanced functionality. Ideal for micro businesses seeking scalability without on-premise installations, it emphasizes automation and mobile accessibility.
Pros
- Seamless bank feeds and automatic reconciliation save time
- Unlimited users across all plans enable team collaboration
- Extensive integrations with 1,000+ apps for customization
Cons
- Pricing tiers can feel steep for very basic micro needs
- Payroll features limited or extra-cost in some regions
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting and customizations
Best For
Micro businesses with growing teams needing scalable cloud accounting and app integrations.
Pricing
Early ($15/mo: basics, limited invoices/bills); Growing ($42/mo: unlimited most features); Established ($78/mo: advanced inventory/payroll); annual discounts available.
Akaunting
specializedFree open-source self-hosted accounting app for invoicing, expenses, and financial reports.
Open-source self-hosting model allowing unlimited use without subscription fees and total data sovereignty
Akaunting is a free, open-source accounting software tailored for small businesses, providing essential tools like invoicing, expense tracking, bill management, and financial reporting. It supports self-hosting on your own server for full data control, with optional premium modules for advanced features such as inventory and CRM. While primarily web-based with a modern interface, it emphasizes customization and privacy over plug-and-play simplicity.
Pros
- Free open-source core with no usage limits
- Self-hosting ensures complete data ownership and privacy
- Extensible via affordable modules for inventory, projects, and more
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and server maintenance
- Free version has limited customer support
- Interface feels functional but not as intuitive as cloud-native competitors
Best For
Tech-savvy solopreneurs and micro businesses seeking a cost-free, customizable accounting solution with full data control.
Pricing
Free self-hosted version; Akaunting Cloud hosting starts at €5/month for Standard plan (up to €19/month for Enterprise).
GnuCash
specializedFree desktop double-entry accounting software for personal finance and small business bookkeeping.
Rigorous double-entry accounting system that handles stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and multiple currencies in a no-cost package
GnuCash is a free, open-source desktop accounting software that employs double-entry bookkeeping for personal and small business financial management. It supports tracking of accounts, expenses, income, assets, liabilities, multiple currencies, stocks, and mutual funds, with tools for bank reconciliation, budgeting, and customizable reports. Designed for users seeking robust local financial control without cloud dependencies.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no usage limits or subscriptions
- Powerful double-entry accounting with support for investments and multi-currency
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux) and extensive reporting tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface and accounting concepts
- No mobile app or native cloud sync, limiting remote access
- Outdated user interface that feels clunky compared to modern alternatives
Best For
Tech-savvy micro business owners or freelancers who prioritize free, powerful desktop accounting and are willing to invest time in learning double-entry bookkeeping.
Pricing
Free (fully open-source with optional donations)
Conclusion
The reviewed tools span a range of features, with Wave leading as the top choice for its free cloud-based invoicing, expense tracking, and payments tailored to micro businesses. QuickBooks Solopreneur standout for automated tracking of income, expenses, mileage, and taxes, ideal for solopreneurs seeking simplicity. ZipBooks impresses with free invoicing, time tracking, bookkeeping, and smart reports, offering robust tools for growth. Together, they highlight the best options for micro businesses.
Take the first step—try Wave today for a free, all-in-one solution that aligns with micro business needs, or explore QuickBooks Solopreneur or ZipBooks to find the perfect fit for your specific workflow.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison