Top 5 Bookkeeping Apps for Contractors in 2026

Choosing accounting software is usually about as fun as a root canal.

But if you pick the wrong one, you’re in for a year of frustration. Some are too simple (glorified spreadsheets), and some are too complex (requiring a degree in accounting to navigate).

If you are a contractor, freelancer, or someone who bills by the "job" or "project," your needs are different. You don't just need a P&L; you need to know if Job A made money.

Here is the landscape for 2026.

1. QuickBooks Self-Employed (The Giant)

Best for: People who love TurboTax.

• The Good: It’s everywhere. Your accountant knows it. It tracks mileage automatically and integrates tightly with TurboTax for filing.
• The Bad: It is "tax-first," not "business-first." It’s great at telling you what you owe Uncle Sam, but terrible at telling you which projects are profitable. Use this if your only goal is compliance.

2. FreshBooks (The Invoicer)

Best for: Creatives and Agencies.

• The Good: Beautiful invoices. Clients love paying them. The time-tracking features are excellent if you bill hourly.
• The Bad: The expense tracking can feel a bit disconnected from the projects. It can get pricey as you add more clients.

3. Wave (The Free One)

Best for: Bootstrappers with $0 budget.

• The Good: It’s free. Really free. You can send invoices and scan receipts without a monthly fee (mostly).
• The Bad: No project/job costing support in the free tier (and barely in the paid). It’s a general ledger. If you buy 10 buckets of paint, Wave just says "Supplies." It doesn't tell you which house you used them on.

4. Xero (The Accountant's Choice)

Best for: Growing small businesses with payroll.

• The Good: Extremely powerful. Better interface than QuickBooks Online. Handles inventory and payroll well.
• The Bad: Overkill for most solo operators. You’ll spend hours setting up your chart of accounts.

5. Quorum (The Project-First Choice)

Best for: Contractors, Installers, and Project-Based Freelancers.

• The Good: Quorum is built backwards from the others. Instead of starting with a "General Ledger," it starts with a Job.
  • You create a Job.
  • You add a contact.
  • Everything you buy, every mile you drive, and every note you take is linked to that Job.
• The Result: You open the app and see "Kitchen Remodel: $1,200 Profit." No digging. No tagging. It just works the way you think.

Verification

The best app is the one you actually use.

If you find yourself dreading opening QuickBooks, try something simpler. The goal isn't to be an accountant; the goal is to run a profitable business.