QuickBooks Alternatives for Graphic Designers: Compare Top 5

You are a graphic designer, not a bookkeeper. Many freelancers find accounting software like QuickBooks overwhelming, confusing, and expensive. If you are tired of complex features or messy spreadsheets, you need a streamlined financial solution.

This guide reviews the top five QuickBooks alternatives for graphic designers. We compare them based on the core needs of a creative solopreneur: simple invoicing, accurate time tracking, and organized expense management.

Find the tool that helps you get paid fast and reduces your tax stress.

QuickBooks Alternatives for Graphic Designers: Quick Overview

The options below prioritize the invoicing and expense needs of the creative professional first, providing a clear path away from complex software.

Alternative	Key Features	Best For	Pricing
FreshBooks	Integrated Time Tracking, Superior Expense Management, and Customizable Invoicing.	Creative Solopreneurs prioritizing ease of use, organization, and getting paid fast.	Paid Tiers Start Low
HoneyBook	Built-in CRM, Contracts, & Proposals. Focuses on client-side workflow.	Designers needing a robust CRM to handle client bookings and contracts.	Mid-Range Paid Tiers
Wave	Free Basic Accounting, Invoicing. Paid add-ons for automation (receipt scanning, bank feeds).	Budget-focused freelancers who need a free entry point and basic accounting.	Free (Paid for Payments/Add-ons)
Xero	Automated Bank Feeds, Advanced Reporting	Growing teams that prioritize accounting depth and future scale.	Low-Mid Paid Tiers
Dubsado	Scheduling, Forms, Proposals, Client Portal	Service-based creatives needing heavy pre-invoice workflow automation.	Mid-Range Paid Tiers

1. FreshBooks

• Key Strength: World-class customer support and superior expense management for small business owners.
• Pricing: Tiers available at low prices, 30-day free trial.

FreshBooks is an all-in-one platform built specifically for service-based solopreneurs and freelancers like design studios. It simplifies core financial tasks (invoicing, expense tracking, and time logging), allowing you to focus on client work. Users value FreshBooks for its intuitive interface and its responsive support team.

Key Benefits for Graphic Designers

• Easy Accountant Handoff: Maintain organized invoices and expenses year-round to streamline communication with your tax professional.
• Mobile Expense Management: Scan receipts with the mobile app to automatically categorize business costs and maximize your tax deductions.
• Seamless Time Tracking: Log billable hours directly against projects using a simple timer, then convert tracked time into a professional invoice efficiently.
• Professional Invoicing: Create customized, professional invoices that reinforce your brand. Automated reminders and online payment options ensure faster cash flow.

Expert Tip: FreshBooks is optimized for users transitioning from manual methods. Selecting an entry-level plan provides the tools needed right now: turning time and work into paid invoices.

2. HoneyBook

• Key Strength: Robust client relationship management (CRM) for the entire booking process.
• Pricing: Mid-range paid tiers, often with an annual commitment discount.

HoneyBook is a client management platform that streamlines the workflow from initial client inquiry to final payment. It is a favored tool in the creative industries because it excels at contract management and automated bookings. 

Users who prioritize comprehensive tools for mobile expense tracking, detailed tax reporting, and high-level accounting may find a dedicated financial-focused application a better fit for their back-office needs.

Key Benefits for Graphic Designers

• All-in-One Client Portal: Centralize all client communication, files, and payment details in a single, professional hub.
• Automated Contracts: Send legal contracts for services and securely collect e-signatures to protect your business and start projects faster.
• Scheduling Tools: Allow clients to book consultation calls or project kickoff meetings directly through your dedicated scheduling page.
• Streamlined Payments: Handles invoicing and online payments while being integrated into your client management workflow.

3. Wave

• Key Strength: Basic accounting and invoicing are provided at no monthly cost.
• Pricing: Free core software. Paid services for payments, payroll, and premium add-ons.

Wave offers an accessible entry point for budget-conscious graphic designers or part-time freelancers. You can use their software to send unlimited invoices, track income, and manage expenses without a subscription fee. 

While the free plan is appealing, the non-subscription model prioritizes basic features and self-service support over the advanced tools required for scaling, such as integrated time tracking.

Key Benefits for Graphic Designers

• Zero Monthly Fee: Start managing your business finances immediately without budget constraints.
• Basic Accounting Included: Access a full, double-entry accounting system suitable for foundational tax preparation.
• Simple Invoicing: Easily create and send professional invoices and estimates, and accept online payments (for a processing fee).
• Premium Automation Features: Automated features such as receipt scanning ($8/month) and bank transaction imports are available as paid add-ons or as part of the Pro Plan.

4. Xero 

• Key Strength: Scalable platform featuring strong, automated bank feeds and widely supported by accountants.
• Pricing: Low-to-mid paid tiers, often restricting the number of invoices or bills on the cheapest plan.

Xero is a robust accounting platform highly favored by accountants for its strong bank connection features. It is a cloud solution designed for businesses anticipating significant growth. 

Because Xero leans heavily into full accounting and complex reporting, designers who prioritize simple expense management and ease of use often find that a platform built for solopreneurs offers a faster path to organized books. The platform also restricts certain core accounting functions (like “classes” and detailed reporting customization) to higher-cost plans.

Key Benefits for Graphic Designers

• Strong Financial Reporting: Gain access to advanced reports, including cash flow forecasts, for financial visibility as your business scales.
• Accountant Friendly: Xero is widely supported and often recommended by professional accountants for businesses focused on growth.
• Automated Bank Rules: Set up rules to automatically categorize expenses from your bank feed, saving time on repetitive bookkeeping tasks.
• Inventory Tracking: Provides useful features for your design business if you sell physical goods, such as printed media or specialized products.

5. Dubsado

• Key Strength: Business management software with a heavy focus on lead capture, scheduling, and contracts.
• Pricing: Mid-range paid tiers with free user accounts included.

Dubsado is business management software tailored for service-based industries, especially creatives and consultants. It excels at the pre-invoice workflow: getting the client booked and the project scoped. It includes invoicing, proposals, and a client portal, making it a powerful tool for streamlining client onboarding processes.

However, users who bill by the hour or prioritize detailed tax preparation should note that Dubsado focuses less on core financial tracking.

Key Benefits for Graphic Designers

• Automated Scheduling: Easily embed scheduling pages so clients can book calls without time-consuming email exchanges.
• Custom Forms & Workflows: Use forms to collect design requirements, streamline onboarding, and set up automated project workflows.
• Professional Proposals: Send comprehensive proposals that bundle estimates, contracts, and payment schedules into one professional document.
• Client Portal: Give clients a dedicated space to review documents, make payments, and access project files.

How to Select Accounting Software That Matches Your Needs?

Choosing the right tool means matching its capabilities directly to your daily workflow. For most graphic designers, this decision involves balancing simplicity with core financial tasks. Focus on the platform that most efficiently handles the crucial steps: tracking time, logging expenses, and processing client payments.

Decision Criteria	Key Question for Designers
Simplicity vs. Scale	Do you need an easy-to-use tool today, or a complex one your accountant can scale with later?
Workflow Focus	Do you spend more time chasing payments (need strong invoicing) or managing client contracts (need a strong CRM)?
Budget Sensitivity	Do you require the lowest possible cost (Wave) or are you willing to invest in superior support and automation?
Tax Prep Support	Does the software excel at organizing expenses and mileage for easy tax write-offs?
Support Quality	When you face a critical billing issue, will the company provide you with quick, human assistance?

The right accounting software choice depends entirely on your needs as a creative professional. Most designers benefit significantly from tools prioritizing ease of use, automated invoicing, and tax-ready expense tracking.