FreshBooks

FreshBooks is accounting software for small businesses and self-employed people, with invoicing at its center. Estimates and proposals can be sent for client approval and then turned into invoices without retyping the line items.

It also tracks time and expenses, accepts online payments, sends payment reminders and produces basic financial reports. The mobile app lets you send an estimate or log time away from a desk.

It suits freelancers and small firms that want quoting, invoicing and bookkeeping together. Check the client limits on each plan, and ask your accountant whether its reports cover what they need at tax time.

A trial lets you send real estimates and invoices, which is the quickest way to judge whether the layout and payment options suit your clients. Look at the reports too, since profit, unpaid invoices and time by client are what most small firms check each month.