Part of running a successful creative business is crunching numbers – ensuring your bookkeeping practices and accounts are on point. Accounting software can simplify and automate the process, but which platform should you go for?
There are well over 100 cloud accounting software apps available, each with different features and pricing. As a creative entrepreneur, you may have unique needs in addition to financial management, such as time-tracking capabilities for client projects, integration with project management tools, and the ability to manage client contracts through your accounting system.
To help you narrow the search for the right accounting app, here are five that will tick many of your boxes. We’ve compared the main features of the entry-level plans.
QuickBooks
One of the most popular accounting solutions in the market, QuickBooks offers powerful financial tools for freelancers and small businesses. It simplifies those essential tasks – bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, and tax prep—and integrates with apps like Shopify and Etsy.
Notable entry plan features:
- Income Tax and Self Assessment preparation.
- Expense tracking and receipt scanning.
- Mileage tracking.
- Invoicing.
- Connects to your bank to import and categorise transactions.
- Mobile app to help you manage your finances on the go.
Entry plan: Sole Trader at £10 per month. A very lucrative special offer is currently available, reducing this price to £1 for six months.
FreshBooks
FreshBooks is well-suited to creative entrepreneurs, particularly freelancers, thanks to its built-in project management tools, time-tracking feature, automated invoicing and seamless payment processing.
Notable entry plan features:
- Unlimited invoices for up to five clients.
- Recurring billing.
- Expense tracking.
- Quotes.
- Time tracking.
- Project management.
- Mileage tracking.
- Tax time reports.
Entry plan: Lite at £15 per month, with 50% off for three months (so £7.50 per month while you get up and running).
Xero
Xero aims to simplify financial management, allowing you to access your business’s financial information from anywhere. It has a user-friendly interface and integrates with many different applications to streamline your workflow.
Notable entry plan features:
- Invoicing and quotes (up to 20 per month).
- Bill management for tracking up to ten bills.
- Bank reconciliation.
- VAT submission directly to HMRC.
- Receipt capture through Hubdoc.
- Cashflow insights.
Entry plan: Ignite at £16 per month, currently priced at just £1.60 per month for six months, saving £86.40.
HoneyBook
Popular with independent creative businesses like social media managers and web designers, HoneyBook is an all-in-one client management and business operations platform. It streamlines processes like contracts, invoicing, project management, and client communication so you can focus less on administrative tasks and more on doing the work you love.
Notable entry plan features:
- Unlimited clients and projects with dedicated workspaces.
- Customisable proposal and invoice templates.
- Accepts online payments.
- Interactive proposals and contracts with e-sign functionality.
- Calendar integration.
- Basic reporting.
- Up to two live lead capture forms.
Entry plan: Starter at $36 per month. If paying annually, you’ll get two months free.
FreeAgent
Tailored specifically for creative and technology businesses, FreeAgent integrates various financial and business management tasks in one platform, like invoicing, time tracking and project management.
Notable entry plan features:
- Invoicing.
- Expense management.
- Integrated time tracking tools.
- Project management with insights on income, expenses and profitability.
- Bank feeds for automatic transaction imports and reconciliation.
- Tax management for Self Assessment.
Entry plan: Sole Trader at £19 per month, currently priced at £9.50 per month for six months as a special deal for new clients.
The right accounting software can take the hassle out of managing your creative business finances, letting you focus on what you do best. While entry-level plans cover the basics like invoicing, expense tracking, and tax prep, premium plans unlock even more—think deeper reporting, smart automation, and seamless integrations to keep the numbers running smoothly as your creative business scales.
Finding the perfect fit depends on your needs. Whether it’s time tracking, project management, or getting paid faster, there will be a tool to help you stay on top of your finances without the headache. The five we’ve outlined above are a good starting point!
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