Best Accounting Apps for Creatives and Freelancers
You started your business to design, write, shoot, or create—not to wrestle with spreadsheets. For creative sole traders in Australia, the accounting software market is crowded. This guide cuts through the noise to find the tools that respect your time, your aesthetic, and your bank account.
Who this is for:
- Graphic Designers & Illustrators
- Photographers & Videographers
- Copywriters & Journalists
- Social Media Managers & Influencers
Quick Comparison: The Top 3 Contenders
| App | Model | Cost | Best For… |
| Sole App | Specialist App | **$14.99/mo (Flat)** | Freelancers wanting low cost & control |
| Hnry | Service + App | 1% of Income (Capped) | People who want zero admin (but pay for it) |
| Xero | Accountant Platform | ~$35–$75/mo | Agencies & Studios with staff |
| FreshBooks | Global App | ~$24–$43/mo | International freelancers |
1. Sole App – Best for Value & Simplicity
Sole is the minimalist choice, built specifically for the “Company of One.” If you are a freelancer who wants to track income, snap receipts, and stay compliant without paying for bloated features you’ll never use, this is it.
Why Creatives Love It:
- Flat Fee: Unlike Hnry, we don’t take a percentage of your hard-earned fees. Whether you land a $500 gig or a $50,000 contract, your price stays at $14.99.
- Subscription Tracking: Easily track recurring expenses like Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and hosting.
- Visual Dashboard: A clean, modern interface that doesn’t look like a 1990s accounting ledger. It’s built for people who appreciate good UI.
The Vibe: Fast, modern, and stays out of your way so you can get back to the work that matters.
2. Hnry – Best for “Set and Forget”
Hnry is a unique service that acts as your accountant and your software in one. You use their bank account for client payments, and they deduct your tax and super before paying you the rest.
- The Pros: They lodge your tax return and BAS for you. You never have to worry about a surprise tax bill.
- The Cons (The “Percentage Trap”): Hnry charges 1% + GST of your revenue (capped at $1,500/year).
- If you turnover $100k, you pay them **$1,100** a year.
- With Sole, you pay just $179.88 a year.
- The Verdict: Ask yourself if having someone file your return is worth the extra $900+ every single year.
3. Xero – Best for Growing Agencies
If your freelance gig is turning into a full-scale studio with employees and complex assets, Xero is the industry standard.
- Why Upgrade?: Essential if you hire full-time staff and need automated Superannuation and Payroll (included in their new 2026 plans).
- The Downside: It’s expensive. For a solo photographer or copywriter, Xero’s $35 “Ignite” plan limits you to 20 invoices—meaning most busy freelancers get bumped up to the **$75/mo “Grow” plan**. That’s a lot of money for features you might not need yet.
What to Look for in Creative Accounting Software
- Professional Invoicing: Your invoice is a touchpoint of your brand. It needs to be clean, professional, and customizable.
- Expense Snapping: Creatives have dozens of small expenses—coffees with clients, props for shoots, software subs. You need a mobile app that scans receipts instantly so you don’t lose the deduction.
- GST Tracking: Once you hit that $75,000 threshold, GST becomes a reality. Your app should track this in real-time so you aren’t scrambling at the end of the quarter.
Summary
- Choose Hnry if: You are terrified of tax and don’t mind paying a $1,500 “peace of mind” tax to have a service handle everything.
- Choose Xero if: You are building an agency and need to manage staff payroll.
Choose Sole App if: You are a solo creative who wants to keep your overheads low, your admin fast, and your business professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Sole compare to Hnry for an Australian creative?
A: The main difference is the pricing model. Hnry charges a 1% + GST fee on your income (capped at $1,500/year). If you earn $100k, you pay Hnry $1,100**. Sole charges a flat **$14.99/mo ($179.88/year), meaning you save over $900 annually while retaining full control over your business records and tax planning.
Q: Is Xero too complex for a solo photographer or designer?
A: For many, yes. Xero is built for agencies and includes complex “bloatware” like payroll and inventory. In 2026, Xero’s Ignite Plan (~$35/mo) limits you to just 20 invoices. Most busy creatives are forced onto the **$75/mo Grow Plan**. Sole gives you unlimited invoicing and quotes for a fraction of that cost.
Q: Can I claim my Adobe Creative Cloud and equipment on tax?
A: Absolutely. Any software used for work (Figma, Adobe, hosting) is a 100% tax deduction. For hardware, the $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off has been extended through to 30 June 2026. This means if you buy a new camera or laptop under $20,000, you can deduct the full amount in your 2025–26 tax return.
Q: What is the current ATO travel rate for 2026?
A: For the 2025–26 financial year, the ATO cents per kilometre rate is 88 cents. Sole allows you to track these trips directly against your projects, ensuring you capture every work-related kilometre to shoots or client meetings.
Q: Will my accountant accept reports from the Sole App?
A: Yes. Sole generates standard Excel and CSV reports that every Australian accountant can use. You can also provide your accountant with Free Guest Access to your Sole account, so they can grab the data they need for your BAS or tax return without interrupting your creative flow.