Top 10 Free Alternatives to QuickBooks in 2025

As businesses continue to look for cost-effective accounting solutions, 2025 has introduced several powerful free alternatives to QuickBooks. Each option presents unique features catering to specific needs, whether for freelancers, small businesses, or self-employed individuals. This article provides a detailed comparison of the top 10 free QuickBooks alternatives, helping you make an informed decision based on key features and suitability.

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1. Zoho Books

Description: A comprehensive accounting software with a robust free plan for small businesses. It is part of the larger Zoho suite.
Key Features:
Free for businesses with less than $50,000 annual revenue.
Includes accountant access, transaction categorization rules.
Allows up to 1,000 invoices per year.
Offers scalability with paid tiers for growing businesses.
Mobile app functionality.
Best For: Small businesses needing a feature-rich free option that can scale with their growth. Learn more about Zoho Books

2. Wave Accounting

Description: A free accounting software ideal for freelancers and small businesses. It is known for its easy invoicing capabilities.
Key Features:
Free invoicing, income, and expense tracking.
Unlimited estimates and invoices with customization options.
Mobile app for on-the-go management.
Payment processing options (transaction fees apply).
Open API for custom integrations.
Best For: Freelancers and businesses that need easy invoicing and basic accounting. Explore Wave Accounting

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3. ZipBooks

Description: A free accounting software that provides financial insights. It is good for basic bookkeeping.
Key Features:
Free bank account connection.
Intuitive financial reports.
Recurring invoice automation.
Basic project-based accounting tools.
Unlimited customers and vendors.
Best For: Small businesses and startups looking for insights and easy financial management. Discover ZipBooks

4. Odoo

Description: Highly customizable open-source accounting software.
Key Features:
Offers a free version with limited features.
Highly customizable and scalable.
Ideal for businesses looking for tailored solutions.
Includes modules for accounting, CRM, and more.
Strong community support.
Best For: Businesses needing a flexible and customizable accounting solution. Check out Odoo

5. Brightbook

Description: A free accounting software tailored for freelancers and self-employed individuals.
Key Features:
Straightforward tools for freelancers.
Easy to use interface.
Suitable for remote and virtual teams.
Free invoicing and expense tracking.
Simple bookkeeping.
Best For: Freelancers, self-employed individuals, and remote teams. Learn more about Brightbook

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6. GnuCash

Description: An open-source, free accounting software for personal and business use.
Key Features:
Open-source and free to use.
Tracks personal and business finances.
Budgeting tools for financial planning.
Customizable accounting features.
Desktop-based software.
Best For: Small businesses that value control and customization of open-source software. Explore GnuCash

7. Manager.io

Description: Free desktop-based accounting software with a simple user interface.
Key Features:
Free to use as desktop software.
User-friendly interface.
Suitable for small businesses.
Offers a range of accounting functionalities.
Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Best For: Businesses needing desktop-based accounting software without the cloud. Discover Manager.io

8. Akaunting

Description: Free, open-source, and online accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Key Features:
Free and open-source.
Online access.
Offers invoicing, expense tracking, and accounting.
Payroll features.
Designed for global use.
Best For: Small businesses and freelancers that need an open-source, online accounting solution with payroll capabilities. Check out Akaunting

9. SlickPie

Description: A free accounting software that automates bookkeeping tasks.
Key Features:
Auto-reminders for unpaid invoices.
Clean, modern user interface.
Automated bookkeeping features.
Expense management tools.
Invoicing capabilities.
Best For: Businesses that need to automate their accounting tasks. Learn more about SlickPie

10. YavaBook

Description: Cloud-based free accounting platform.
Key Features:
Cloud-based platform.
Intuitive invoicing tools.
Expense tracking capabilities.
Real-time financial reporting.
Designed for small businesses.
Best For: Startups and SMEs needing an all-in-one free accounting solution. Discover YavaBook

This list provides a variety of free accounting software options that can serve different business needs, from freelancers to small businesses and startups. Be sure to explore each option to find the one that best suits your specific requirements.

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FAQ

1. What is Zoho Books?

Zoho Books is a comprehensive accounting software with a robust free plan, especially suited for small businesses. It includes features such as accountant access, transaction categorization rules, and mobile app functionality. Learn more about Zoho Books

2. How does Wave Accounting support freelancers?

Wave Accounting is ideal for freelancers and small businesses, offering free invoicing, income and expense tracking, and unlimited estimates and invoices. It also features a mobile app for convenience. Discover Wave Accounting

3. What features does ZipBooks offer?

ZipBooks offers free bank account connection, intuitive financial reports, recurring invoice automation, project-based accounting tools, and unlimited customers and vendors, making it perfect for small businesses and startups. Find out more about ZipBooks

4. Is Odoo customizable?

Yes, Odoo is a highly customizable open-source accounting software that provides a free version with limited features. It includes modules for accounting, CRM, and other business needs. Explore Odoo

5. Who is Brightbook best for?

Brightbook is tailored for freelancers and self-employed individuals, offering simple tools for invoicing, expense tracking, and bookkeeping. It features an easy-to-use interface suitable for remote and virtual teams. Learn more about Brightbook

6. What makes GnuCash unique?

GnuCash is an open-source, free accounting software that tracks both personal and business finances. It features budgeting tools, customizable accounting functions, and is desktop-based. Discover GnuCash

7. What platforms does Manager.io support?

Manager.io is free desktop-based accounting software available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of accounting functionalities for small businesses. Learn more about Manager.io

8. How does Akaunting help small businesses?

Akaunting is free, open-source, online accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers. It offers invoicing, expense tracking, accounting, and payroll features. Explore Akaunting

9. What are the advantages of using SlickPie?

SlickPie automates bookkeeping tasks with features like auto-reminders for unpaid invoices, a modern user interface, expense management tools, and invoicing capabilities, making it suitable for businesses needing accounting automation. Learn more about SlickPie

10. What is YavaBook suitable for?

YavaBook is a cloud-based free accounting platform designed for small businesses. It offers intuitive invoicing tools, expense tracking, and real-time financial reporting.

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.