Quick Overview
- 1#1: FreshBooks - Cloud-based invoicing, expense tracking, and accounting software designed for freelancers and self-employed professionals.
- 2#2: Toggl Track - Simple and accurate time tracking tool to monitor billable hours and improve productivity for solo developers.
- 3#3: QuickBooks Self-Employed - Automated income, expense, and mileage tracking with tax categorization tailored for self-employed individuals.
- 4#4: Harvest - Combined time tracking, invoicing, and expense management for freelancers to get paid faster.
- 5#5: Stripe - Secure payment processing platform enabling easy online invoicing and subscriptions for software services.
- 6#6: GitHub - Version control and collaboration platform essential for managing code repositories and showcasing portfolios.
- 7#7: Zapier - No-code automation tool connecting apps to streamline workflows like invoicing and client notifications.
- 8#8: Notion - All-in-one workspace for project management, client notes, task tracking, and documentation.
- 9#9: Calendly - Automated scheduling tool to book client meetings and discovery calls without email exchanges.
- 10#10: Invoice Ninja - Open-source invoicing app for creating, sending, and tracking invoices with payment integrations.
We ranked these tools based on feature depth, user-friendliness, integration capabilities, and overall value, ensuring a mix of industry leaders and niche solutions that deliver tangible business benefits for self-employment success.
Comparison Table
Navigating self-employed software like FreshBooks, Toggl Track, and QuickBooks Self-Employed? This comparison table streamlines the process, outlining key features, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you find the right fit for invoicing, time tracking, or financial management. Readers will gain clear insights into which tools align best with their workflow and goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FreshBooks Cloud-based invoicing, expense tracking, and accounting software designed for freelancers and self-employed professionals. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | Toggl Track Simple and accurate time tracking tool to monitor billable hours and improve productivity for solo developers. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | QuickBooks Self-Employed Automated income, expense, and mileage tracking with tax categorization tailored for self-employed individuals. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 4 | Harvest Combined time tracking, invoicing, and expense management for freelancers to get paid faster. | specialized | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 5 | Stripe Secure payment processing platform enabling easy online invoicing and subscriptions for software services. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 6 | GitHub Version control and collaboration platform essential for managing code repositories and showcasing portfolios. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 7 | Zapier No-code automation tool connecting apps to streamline workflows like invoicing and client notifications. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Notion All-in-one workspace for project management, client notes, task tracking, and documentation. | other | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 9 | Calendly Automated scheduling tool to book client meetings and discovery calls without email exchanges. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Invoice Ninja Open-source invoicing app for creating, sending, and tracking invoices with payment integrations. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
Cloud-based invoicing, expense tracking, and accounting software designed for freelancers and self-employed professionals.
Simple and accurate time tracking tool to monitor billable hours and improve productivity for solo developers.
Automated income, expense, and mileage tracking with tax categorization tailored for self-employed individuals.
Combined time tracking, invoicing, and expense management for freelancers to get paid faster.
Secure payment processing platform enabling easy online invoicing and subscriptions for software services.
Version control and collaboration platform essential for managing code repositories and showcasing portfolios.
No-code automation tool connecting apps to streamline workflows like invoicing and client notifications.
All-in-one workspace for project management, client notes, task tracking, and documentation.
Automated scheduling tool to book client meetings and discovery calls without email exchanges.
Open-source invoicing app for creating, sending, and tracking invoices with payment integrations.
FreshBooks
specializedCloud-based invoicing, expense tracking, and accounting software designed for freelancers and self-employed professionals.
Advanced automated invoicing with built-in payment chasing and client proposals that convert to invoices
FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform tailored for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small service-based businesses. It simplifies invoicing with customizable templates, time tracking, expense management, project billing, and online payments. The software also offers automated recurring invoices, financial reports, and client portals for a seamless workflow without complex accounting features.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with drag-and-drop invoicing
- Robust time tracking and project management for billable hours
- Automated payment reminders and recurring billing to improve cash flow
Cons
- Limited inventory and inventory tracking capabilities
- Reporting is basic compared to full accounting suites
- Higher-tier plans needed for unlimited clients and advanced features
Best For
Freelancers and self-employed service providers needing simple, professional invoicing, time tracking, and expense management.
Pricing
Lite ($19/mo), Plus ($33/mo), Premium ($60/mo) billed annually; 30-day free trial, no free plan.
Toggl Track
specializedSimple and accurate time tracking tool to monitor billable hours and improve productivity for solo developers.
One-click timer with visual timeline view and automatic idle detection for hassle-free, accurate time logging
Toggl Track is a user-friendly time tracking application that enables self-employed software professionals to log hours effortlessly with one-click timers, categorize time by projects and clients, and generate detailed reports for billing and productivity analysis. It supports desktop, mobile, and web platforms with offline functionality and over 100 integrations including Jira, GitHub, and calendars. Additional features like Pomodoro timers, idle detection, and profitability tracking help freelancers optimize their workflow and ensure accurate invoicing.
Pros
- Intuitive one-click time tracking with idle detection for accuracy
- Comprehensive reports including profitability and billable hours
- Extensive integrations with tools like Jira, Trello, and QuickBooks
Cons
- Free plan lacks billable rates and advanced profitability reports
- No built-in task or project management beyond basic categorization
- Higher pricing tiers required for team collaboration features
Best For
Self-employed software developers and freelancers who need precise, effortless time tracking for client billing and productivity insights.
Pricing
Free plan for basic tracking; Starter at $9/user/month (billed annually) for billable rates and reminders; Premium at $18/user/month for advanced reporting and profitability.
QuickBooks Self-Employed
specializedAutomated income, expense, and mileage tracking with tax categorization tailored for self-employed individuals.
Background GPS mileage tracking that automatically logs business drives
QuickBooks Self-Employed is a streamlined accounting tool tailored for freelancers, gig workers, and sole proprietors to track income, expenses, and mileage on the go. It automatically imports bank transactions, categorizes expenses, and calculates mileage via GPS in its mobile app, while providing quarterly tax estimates and Schedule C reports. Designed for simplicity, it helps users maximize deductions without needing full accounting expertise.
Pros
- Seamless bank and credit card integration with auto-categorization
- GPS-powered mileage tracking that runs in the background
- Accurate quarterly tax estimates and easy Schedule C export
Cons
- Limited invoicing and payment processing capabilities
- Basic reporting lacks depth for growing businesses
- Higher cost relative to simpler free alternatives
Best For
Ideal for solo freelancers and rideshare drivers needing effortless mileage and expense tracking with tax prep.
Pricing
$15/month or $120/year (billed annually); no free tier.
Harvest
specializedCombined time tracking, invoicing, and expense management for freelancers to get paid faster.
Automatic invoice generation from tracked time entries, streamlining billing for self-employed users
Harvest is a user-friendly time tracking and invoicing tool tailored for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small teams. It enables effortless time logging via desktop timers, mobile apps, or manual entry, with automatic conversion of tracked hours into professional invoices. The platform also offers expense tracking, profitability reports, and integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Stripe, and project managers such as Asana.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick-start timers and mobile apps
- Seamless invoicing and payment collection directly from time data
- Generous free Solo plan for basic self-employed needs
Cons
- Free plan limited to 2 projects and 2 clients
- Lacks advanced CRM or task management features
- Reporting could be more customizable for complex workflows
Best For
Freelancers and solo professionals seeking simple, reliable time tracking and invoicing without enterprise-level complexity.
Pricing
Free Solo plan (1 user, 2 projects/clients); Lite $12/user/mo (annual); Pro $22/user/mo (annual) with advanced reporting and scheduling.
Stripe
specializedSecure payment processing platform enabling easy online invoicing and subscriptions for software services.
Developer-centric APIs allowing infinite customization for payment flows in software products
Stripe is a comprehensive payment processing platform designed for online businesses, enabling seamless acceptance of credit cards, digital wallets, and bank transfers via robust APIs. It supports recurring billing, invoicing, and payouts, making it ideal for monetizing software products or services. For self-employed developers, Stripe powers custom integrations into apps, websites, or SaaS tools without requiring a traditional merchant account.
Pros
- Highly flexible APIs for custom integrations
- Supports 135+ currencies and global payments
- No monthly fees—just pay per transaction
Cons
- 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fees add up for low-volume users
- Requires coding knowledge for advanced setups
- Customer support can be slow for non-enterprise users
Best For
Self-employed software developers and solopreneurs building SaaS, apps, or digital services needing reliable online payments.
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go: 2.9% + $0.30 per successful U.S. card charge; lower for ACH ($0.80 flat) and extras for international cards.
GitHub
specializedVersion control and collaboration platform essential for managing code repositories and showcasing portfolios.
GitHub Actions for native, customizable CI/CD pipelines
GitHub is a comprehensive web-based platform for version control and collaboration using Git, enabling developers to host repositories, track issues, and manage projects efficiently. It provides tools like pull requests for code review, GitHub Actions for CI/CD automation, and GitHub Pages for deploying static sites. For self-employed software professionals, it serves as a central hub for portfolio showcasing, client project management, and open-source contributions.
Pros
- Unlimited free private repositories with core features
- Powerful GitHub Actions for CI/CD without external tools
- Excellent integration for collaboration and issue tracking
Cons
- Steep learning curve for Git newcomers
- Free tier limits on Actions minutes and storage
- Occasional performance issues on large repos
Best For
Self-employed developers managing solo projects, client work, and portfolios who need reliable version control and automation.
Pricing
Free tier with unlimited private repos (limited minutes/storage); Pro at $4/user/month for enhanced features; higher tiers for teams.
Zapier
otherNo-code automation tool connecting apps to streamline workflows like invoicing and client notifications.
No-code connections to over 6,000 apps via simple, customizable Zaps
Zapier is a no-code automation platform that enables users to create 'Zaps'—automated workflows connecting over 6,000 apps and services without programming. For self-employed professionals, it automates repetitive tasks like lead management, invoicing, social media posting, and email follow-ups across tools such as Gmail, QuickBooks, and Slack. It supports multi-step zaps, conditional logic, and scheduling, making complex integrations accessible to non-technical users.
Pros
- Vast library of over 6,000 app integrations
- Intuitive no-code drag-and-drop interface
- Significant time savings on repetitive tasks
Cons
- Task limits on lower plans can restrict heavy users
- Pricing scales quickly with high-volume usage
- Steeper learning curve for advanced multi-step zaps
Best For
Self-employed professionals juggling multiple tools who want to automate workflows without coding expertise.
Pricing
Free plan (100 tasks/mo); Starter $19.99/mo (750 tasks); Professional $49/mo (2,000 tasks); Team/Enterprise custom pricing.
Notion
otherAll-in-one workspace for project management, client notes, task tracking, and documentation.
Block-based pages that let you mix text, databases, embeds, and toggles infinitely for custom dashboards
Notion is an all-in-one workspace tool that combines note-taking, databases, task management, kanban boards, and wikis into a highly customizable platform. Self-employed users can create interconnected pages for client tracking, project planning, invoicing templates, and personal knowledge bases. Its modular block system enables building tailored solutions without coding, making it a versatile hub for solopreneur workflows.
Pros
- Extremely versatile all-in-one tool for notes, tasks, and databases
- Thousands of free templates tailored for self-employed workflows
- Generous free plan with unlimited pages for individuals
Cons
- Steep learning curve for building complex databases and automations
- Performance slows with large workspaces or many embeds
- Limited native offline access and mobile app glitches
Best For
Solopreneurs and freelancers who want a single, customizable app for managing projects, clients, notes, and content creation.
Pricing
Free for personal use (unlimited pages, 5MB file uploads); Personal Pro $10/user/month (unlimited everything, version history).
Calendly
otherAutomated scheduling tool to book client meetings and discovery calls without email exchanges.
Intelligent routing forms that automatically direct invitees to the appropriate event type or team member based on their selections
Calendly is a popular online scheduling tool that allows users to create shareable booking links where clients can self-schedule meetings based on real-time calendar availability. It integrates with major calendars like Google, Outlook, and Apple, automatically blocking off times to prevent double-bookings and sending confirmations. For self-employed professionals, it eliminates back-and-forth emails, offering customizable event types, workflows, and professional branding to streamline client interactions.
Pros
- Intuitive setup with minimal learning curve
- Seamless calendar integrations and automation
- Customizable booking pages for professional appearance
Cons
- Free plan lacks key features like unlimited event types
- Higher tiers required for advanced workflows and removals of Calendly branding
- Pricing scales poorly for occasional team needs
Best For
Self-employed freelancers, consultants, and coaches who need simple, reliable client scheduling without managing emails.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Essentials at $8/user/mo; Professional at $12/user/mo; Teams at $16/user/mo (billed annually).
Invoice Ninja
specializedOpen-source invoicing app for creating, sending, and tracking invoices with payment integrations.
Fully open-source self-hosting for unlimited use without subscription fees or data lock-in
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing platform tailored for freelancers and small businesses, enabling the creation of professional invoices, quotes, and proposals. It supports expense tracking, time logging, client management, and integration with payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal for seamless online payments. Available as a free self-hosted solution or affordable cloud-hosted plans, it emphasizes customization and data ownership.
Pros
- Free self-hosted open-source version with no usage limits
- Comprehensive invoicing tools including recurring billing and multi-currency support
- Strong integrations for payments, accounting, and automation
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and server management
- Interface feels somewhat dated compared to modern competitors
- Cloud version limits free plan to 50 clients
Best For
Freelancers and solopreneurs seeking a customizable, cost-effective invoicing solution with full data control via self-hosting.
Pricing
Free self-hosted (open-source); cloud plans: Free (basic, 50 clients), Pro $10/month, Enterprise $20/month.
Conclusion
The top 3 tools stand out for their unique strengths, with FreshBooks leading as the overall best, offering a seamless blend of invoicing, expense tracking, and accounting tools. Toggl Track follows closely, excelling in time monitoring for productivity, while QuickBooks Self-Employed impresses with automated tax categorization, each serving distinct needs within the self-employed space.
Start with FreshBooks today to streamline your business operations—its cloud-based features make invoicing, expense management, and organization effortless, helping you focus on what you do best.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison