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5 min read
Finance

Do I Still Need QuickBooks for My Accounting?

A mini-guide for freelancers, creators and solopreneurs looking to level up their businesses.
Laura Texidor
Co-Founder & COO
It feels good to get paid what you're worth

So what do I need?

As a solopreneur, you're the CEO, the marketing department, and the chief coffee maker. You're also the head of finance, which means you've probably heard of QuickBooks. It's the big player in the accounting world, but is it the right tool for your unique business?

The short answer is: maybe not.

The longer answer is that in 2025, there are many options for bookkeeping and accounting tools, and with a new generation of apps designed specifically for the modern solopreneur - you have choices.

Let's take a look at the key differences between Investrio, QuickBooks, and Wave to help you decide which is the best fit for you.

The Old Guards: QuickBooks and Wave


QuickBooks Solopreneur

  • The Gist: QuickBooks has been around for over 30 years and is the industry standard for a reason. It's powerful, comprehensive, and has a plan designed for the self-employed. In 2025, their "solopreneur" plan has introduced features like double-entry bookkeeping, in-person payment capabilities, and enhanced sales tax tracking. They've also integrated AI to help with tasks like categorizing transactions and paying bills.
  • Strengths: QuickBooks is a robust, all-in-one solution that can handle almost anything you throw at it. It's great if you need to track detailed financial metrics, manage a growing business with employees, or work with a traditional accountant.
  • Potential Drawbacks: For many solopreneurs, QuickBooks can be overkill. It can be complex to learn, and the full suite of features might be more than you need. The cost can also add up, especially if you upgrade to a more advanced plan. While the solopreneur plan is less expensive, it still lacks some features like a balance sheet.

Wave

  • The Gist: Wave has long been the go-to for solopreneurs on a budget. It's a free platform that offers basic accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning.
  • Strengths: The price is hard to beat—it's free for core features. It's a solid choice for those just starting out who need a simple way to track income and expenses and send invoices.
  • Potential Drawbacks: Wave's free model has led to some user complaints about features being moved to paid plans. It may lack the advanced features you need as your business grows. It also isn't designed to handle your personal finances alongside your business finances, which can be a hassle for many solopreneurs who have intertwined accounts.

The New Kids on the Block: Investrio

Investrio

  • The Gist: Investrio is an AI-powered bookkeeping and finance app built from the ground up for solopreneurs, creators, coaches and anyone with a digital business. It's not just a tool for your business; it's a platform that integrates your personal and business finances in one place. It was built by solopreneurs, for solopreneurs.
  • Key Differentiators:
    • All-in-One, No-Switching: Unlike other software that separates personal and business finances, Investrio lets you track both in a single dashboard. This is a game-changer for solopreneurs who often use the same bank account for everything and want to understand their entire financial picture.
    • Proactive AI Assistant: Investrio's AI assistant, Vestie, is more than just a categorization tool. She learns your spending habits, flags new subscriptions, and helps you stay on top of due dates, acting like a CFO in your pocket.
    • Beyond Bookkeeping: Investrio goes beyond traditional accounting. It helps you find funding opportunities like grants and loans, gives you proactive insights into your business's health, and even offers a debt-payoff planner.
    • Simple & Streamlined: Investrio is built for the entrepreneur, not the accountant. Its user-friendly interface simplifies tasks like invoicing and reporting, so you can spend less time on tedious admin work and more time on what you do best.

The Verdict: A Quick Comparison for Your Solopreneur Life

So, do you still need QuickBooks if you get Investrio?

If your goal is to simplify your entire financial life, business and personal, and get a clear, intuitive view of your cash flow with the help of a smart AI assistant, Investrio is the modern solution you've been waiting for. It’s built to help you make smarter decisions, not just crunch numbers.

If you have a growing team, complex inventory, or have budget for a dedicated accountant who works exclusively with QuickBooks, it might still be a good fit. But for the vast majority of solopreneurs, the old way of doing things is no longer the best way.

Ready to find your calm? Sign up for Investrio today.

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