Let’s face it — as an entrepreneur or small business owner, you wear a lot of hats. From marketing and sales to operations and customer service, your time is stretched thin. Bookkeeping might not be the most glamorous task on your list, but it’s essential to keep your business healthy and thriving.
At Your Bookkeeper On Call, we support business owners who want to take charge of their finances — whether you’re doing it all yourself or getting expert help when you need it. To make your life easier, we’ve rounded up five free or affordable tools that can help you stay on top of your bookkeeping without breaking the bank.
1. Wave Accounting — Best Free Accounting Software for Beginners
If you’re just getting started and want an intuitive, easy-to-use accounting system, Wave is a fantastic choice. It’s completely free for core features and built specifically with small businesses and solopreneurs in mind.
✅ Best for: Sole proprietors, freelancers, service-based businesses
💸 Cost: Free (with optional paid add-ons like payroll)
🛠️ Key Features: Invoicing, expense tracking, reporting, bank connections
Why we love it: It’s clean, simple, and gives you just what you need without overwhelming you with features you don’t.
2. Google Sheets (with Templates) — Flexible & Familiar
Sometimes, old-school is the best school. If you’re more comfortable using spreadsheets, Google Sheets can be a powerful tool when set up properly. You can find plenty of free bookkeeping templates online to get started, or we can help you create a custom one that fits your workflow.
✅ Best for: Those who prefer a hands-on, customized approach
💸 Cost: Free
🛠️ Key Features: Customizable reports, collaborative sharing, access from any device
Pro tip: Use Google Sheets with automation tools like Zapier to sync data from PayPal, Stripe, or your online store.
3. QuickBooks Online Simple Start — Industry Standard for a Reason
When you’re ready to grow and need a bit more functionality, QuickBooks Online is worth the investment. The Simple Start plan is affordable and gives you access to a full suite of tools designed to scale with your business.
✅ Best for: Entrepreneurs with growing or more complex businesses
💸 Cost: Starts at $30/month (often discounted for new users)
🛠️ Key Features: Mileage tracking, cash flow dashboard, integrations with banks and apps
Why it’s worth it: It’s widely used by accountants, so if you ever hand off your books, transitioning will be seamless.
4. Expensify — Simplify Receipt and Expense Management
If you find yourself with a pile of crumpled receipts in your glove compartment, it’s time to let Expensify help. This app scans, categorizes, and organizes your expenses — and even matches them to your credit card transactions.
✅ Best for: Anyone managing lots of receipts or travel expenses
💸 Cost: Free for individuals (with optional upgrades)
🛠️ Key Features: Receipt scanning, mileage tracking, expense reports
Bonus: You can email receipts directly to your Expensify account — perfect for on-the-go entrepreneurs.
5. Clockify — Track Time to Track Your Worth
If you charge by the hour or want to understand where your time goes, Clockify is a must-have. It’s a time-tracking tool that lets you log billable hours, track tasks, and generate reports — all for free.
✅ Best for: Freelancers, consultants, or service-based business owners
💸 Cost: Free (with optional paid upgrades)
🛠️ Key Features: Time tracking, project management, reporting
Pro tip: Time-tracking isn’t just for billing. It helps you understand what parts of your business are most profitable — and where you might be wasting energy.
Take Control Without Doing It All Alone
Using these tools can help you stay organized, reduce financial stress, and feel more confident in your numbers. But remember — just because you’re a DIY entrepreneur doesn’t mean you have to do it all by yourself.
At Your Bookkeeper On Call, we offer live, on-demand bookkeeping help and coaching. Whether you want a quick check-in, hands-on training, or full-service support, we’re here to meet you wherever you are in your financial journey.
🚀 Ready to make your DIY bookkeeping easier?
📞 Book a free discovery call or browse our DIY Coaching Plans
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