The Best Invoicing & Accounting Software for Graphic Designers
The best accounting software for graphic designers should be easy to use and not require very much time to get the results that are needed. In its simples form a invoicing software should allow you to send out invoices and track the invoices that do not get paid.
No one likes to take time away from the thing they like to do work on the “books” but that is a necessity if you want to get reimbursed for the work you have done. The best software should be easy to use and need as little input as possible to make it work. I have been testing and using accounting software over the last 20 years for myself and the businesses I have been involved in and I know what works and what doesn’t.
The best accounting software for graphic designers is FreshBooks. FreshBooks was by far the easiest to use and did the best job automating the process. It also provided the most value beating out competitors that cost almost twice as much.
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My Pick - FreshBooks
FreshBooks was by far was the easiest to use and had the most options. It was the closest to a full accounting software as you can get without spending a small fortune, and it will handle all the needs of a small business.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Native integration with lots of other software
- Bookkeeping and accounting features
- Lots of useful reports
- Mobile app
- Customizable profesional invoices
Cons
- There is no free option
- Can get expensive if you have a lot of users
FreshBooks has lots of features that are essential to running your business. It can keep track of income and expenses, and can integrate with your bank account to show you where you stand.
Some of the stand-out features I liked of FreshBooks are:
- Professional Invoicing – Impress Clients with customizable professional invoices that clearly show the work you have done.
- Expenses – Never miss a expense, you can snap receipt photos, email receipts to your account, and import expenses directly from your bank account.
- Track time to the minute – You can work on multiple projects at once and log the times into FreshBooks. This will automatically add the time to invoices if you choose to bill that way.
- Set up Multiple Projects – Projects allow you share information all in one place and keep everyone updated.
- Automated Payments – You can give your clients multiple ways to pay. From credit cards to multiple other options, making it easy for your client to pay their invoices.
- Reporting – FreshBooks can track every dollar in and out of your business so you can run any report you want to diagnoses any issue you may have with cash flow. This also makes it easy at the end of the year when tax time comes around.
- Accounting – Has Double-Entry Accounting tools and reports that are the standard for all accredited accounting firms.
- Mobile – You can send invoices track expenses, and check up on projects all on the go with the FreshBooks mobile app.
- Good Customer Support – FreshBooks says that a real human will always answer your calls and help you with your questions.
Pricing:
Why Should graphic designers use invoicing software in their business?
It allows you to create and send invoices quickly and easily, keeping track of payments and outstanding balances. The right invoicing software will help streamline your business so you spend more time working on the things that actually get you paid instead of administrative work.
You can use invoice software to generate invoices for the work you have done, automatically send follow-ups, and track your overall revenue for the year.
How to choose The right Invoicing software?
Here are five key features to look for in a good invoicing software:
1. Ease of use: The software should be easy to set up and use, with a user-friendly interface.
2. Invoice customization: The software should allow you to customize your invoices to match your brand identity, including your logo, color scheme, and contact information.
3. Payment processing: The software should offer convenient payment processing options, such as online payments or integrations with popular payment processors such as PayPal or Stripe and Square.
4. Reporting: The software should provide valuable insights into your business through comprehensive reporting features. This data can help you track your progress, identify areas of improvement, and make better informed decisions about your business.
5. Pricing: Here are two most common pricing and fee structure for invoicing software.
- Monthly subscription fees
- Payment processing fees
How I picked and tested
Ease of use
I wanted to see which software was the easiest to use and most intuitive. How much accounting background did you need to have to set it up correctly.
Did it integrate into software that you already use?
I wanted to see how easy it was to integrate into accounting software stack that someone may already be using.
Was it scalable
How easy was it to scale to the size that your company grows to.
Reports
Were the reports easy to create and read.
The best free invoicing software for graphic designers - Wave
If you are looking for a good free option, Wave is a great choice. Wave accounting software is a invoicing tool for small businesses. Wave helps business owners keep track of their finances, create invoices, and manage payroll. The software offers a suite of features specifically designed for small businesses, including Wave Payroll and Wave Invoicing. The Wave accounting software is easy to use and is free, so you can decide for yourself if it will work for you.
Pros
- Accepty Payments Online
- Recurring billing
- Syncs with your banks accounts
- Can be used it for payroll
- Free to use
Cons
- Have to pay extra for some add-ons
What I liked about Wave:
- 100% free if you don’t use any addons
- Get paid via credit card if you sign up for their credit card processing service
- Wave can send overdue reminders automatically
- Has a recurring billing function
- Invoicing and payment information can sync with your account
- All Major Credit Cards are accepted: Visa, Master Card, and American Express.
- Get Paid within one day for credit card payments.
- You can process credit card payments over the phone, online, or in person through their software.
- Has the option to sync with their free accounting software so your bookkeeping is already done.
Pricing: Free
Bonsai- best all-in-one Freelance invoicing software
Bonsai is an all-in-one software that allows you to focus on your passion and not your paperwork. This tool can help make you look more professional. Their CRM software is very good and it allows you to keep all your information about your customers in one place.
Each one of their custom contracts are vetted by legal professionals to be sure that the language is correct and meets all regulatory requirements.
Pros
- can accept lots of different payment options
- manage everything with one app
- Invoice automation is very good
- Lots of useful reports
- Mobile app
- Customizable professional invoices
Cons
- can get expensive
- Some hidden fees
If you are looking for an all-in-one software that can take the place of your current CRM software, accounting software, and invoicing system that combines them all into one place. Bonsai is the best software for you.
- Custom CRM software
- All their software works together and moves down the pipeline as it progresses.
- Invoice tracking to manage overdue invoices
- Has a CRM software that allows you to store your customers information
- No limit to the number of invoices you can send
Pricing:
Why you should trust me
I have been using invoicing and accounting software for over 20 years as a freelancer and as a business manager. In that time I spent hundreds of hours immersed in the software studying the reports and using it to send invoices and writing custom code to get it to do what I wanted it to do.
what to expect out of the best accounting software for graphic designers?
1. Get paid faster
A good invoicing software will send out the invoice as soon you are done with the work. This make it much easier to get paid because your work is still fresh in your clients mind.
2. Has a credit card processing option.
All of my top picks have the ability to process credit card payments. This makes it even easier for your client to compensate you for the work done.
3. Time tracking ability
If you are being paid by the hour you want to be sure to account for every hour. Most accounting software has a time tracking function that you can start and stop as you are working on the project
4. Professional looking invoices
As the old saying goes “perception is reality” if you look like a professional and your invoices portray that, you will be treated as a professional. If you send out a hand written invoice the assumption is that you are not a professional and your work is not worth as much.
5. Control your finances
The best invoicing software allows you to control your finances. With a quick glance you are able to see your cash flow, how much business you have on the books, and how many invoices are outstanding and need to be followed up on.
6. Be more productive
The less time you have to spend working on your finances the more time you can spend working on the work that is fun and makes you the money.
7. Send payment reminders
8. Accept online payments
The easiest accounting software for graphic designers
The easiest accounting software to use for graphic designers is FreshBooks. When it comes to accounting software, FreshBooks is widely considered to be the easiest to use. Its intuitive interface and straightforward features make it a popular choice for small businesses and freelance professionals. Setting up an account is quick and easy, and users can begin creating invoices within minutes. FreshBooks is designed to be used by people with little or no accounting experience. This makes it an ideal choice for business owners who want to save time and avoid headaches. While there are other accounting software options on the market, FreshBooks remains the clear leader in terms of ease of use.
How to decide on what accounting software is best for you graphic design company?
A good accounting software should make it easy to create and send invoices. It should be able to track payments and provide alerts when payments are due. The software should also allow you to customize invoices with your company logo and branding. In addition, a good invoicing software should be able to integrate with your accounting software to make tracking expenses and income easier. Finally, the software should offer excellent customer support in case you have any questions or encounter any problems.
What software do most graphic designers use?
The software that most graphic designers use for accounting is FreshBooks according to a study by a leading consulting firm. In my experience FreshBooks is the easiest to use and provides the best value for the price.
What accounting software is best for freelancing?
The best accounting software for most freelancing is FreshBooks. There are a variety of software options available for creating invoices, and the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
If you need a simple invoice solution that is quick and easy to use, then a program like Wave or Zoho Invoice may be a good option. These programs offer a variety of templates and allow you to customize your invoices with your company logo and branding.
If you require more comprehensive invoicing features, such as the ability to track payments or generate reports, then a program like FreshBooks or QuickBooks Accounting may be a better fit. These programs offer a wide range of features and can be customized to meet the specific needs of your business.
Ultimately, the best software for making invoices is the one that meets your specific needs in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Conclusion
Accounting software has come a long way in last couple years. Now you can get a free version or pay very little for something 10 years ago would have cost $1,000.00 of dollars.
What surprised me the most about my research was that the most expensive option was not the best. This was a pleasant surprise and really shows how far software has come.