What AI assistants actually recommend when buyers ask about accounting software for freelancers — measured weekly across 4 engines, published as open data.
Updated 2026-08-02 · 64 sampled answers · rolling 4-week window · methodology
Rankings are measured from sampled AI answers — never editorial, never paid. Orbator builds AI-visibility tooling; when Orbator itself appears in any category, it is measured by the same rules as everyone else.
Sample: 64 AI answers · Window: Jul 5, 2026 – Aug 2, 2026 (4-week rolling) · trend vs prior 4 weeks (48 answers)
Across 64 sampled AI answers from 4 engines, Wave is recommended most often — appearing in 81.3% of recommendations, followed by QuickBooks (79.7%) and FreshBooks (76.6%).
This is a measurement of share of voice across 4 AI engines — not an editorial pick. See the full ranking below.
| # | Product | Share | Trend | Engines | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wave wave.com Best for: AI recommends Wave most when buyers ask “best accounting software for freelancers” (100% of those answers) | 81.3% 95% CI 70–88.9% 52 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 40.4% | — | GROK 87.5%GEMINI 91.7%CLAUDE 62.5%PERPLEXITY 75% | Claim |
| 2 | QuickBooks quickbooks.intuit.com Best for: AI recommends QuickBooks most when buyers ask “best accounting software for freelancers” (100% of those answers) | 79.7% 95% CI 68.3–87.7% 51 mentions · avg pos 4.9 first pick 17.6% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 91.7%CLAUDE 75%PERPLEXITY 62.5% | Claim |
| 3 | FreshBooks freshbooks.com Best for: AI recommends FreshBooks most when buyers ask “best accounting software for freelancers” (100% of those answers) | 76.6% 95% CI 64.9–85.3% 49 mentions · avg pos 4.9 first pick 12.2% | — | GROK 87.5%GEMINI 83.3%CLAUDE 75%PERPLEXITY 66.7% | Claim |
| 4 | Zoho zoho.com Best for: AI recommends Zoho most when buyers ask “lightweight alternatives to the big expensive accounting platforms for freelancers” (100% of those answers) | 64.1% 95% CI 51.8–74.7% 41 mentions · avg pos 5.7 first pick 7.3% | — | GROK 75%GEMINI 83.3%CLAUDE 62.5%PERPLEXITY 41.7% | Claim |
| 5 | QuickBooks Solopreneur Best for: AI recommends QuickBooks Solopreneur most when buyers ask “best bookkeeping tool for solo freelancers with no accounting background” (80% of those answers) | 45.3% 95% CI 33.7–57.4% 29 mentions · avg pos 5.3 first pick 13.8% | — | GROK 75%GEMINI 66.7%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 25% | Claim |
| 6 | ZipBooks zipbooks.com Best for: AI recommends ZipBooks most when buyers ask “lightweight alternatives to the big expensive accounting platforms for freelancers” (80% of those answers) | 39.1% 95% CI 28.1–51.3% 25 mentions · avg pos 5.6 first pick 4% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 62.5%PERPLEXITY 25% | Claim |
| 7 | QuickBooks Self-Employed Best for: AI recommends QuickBooks Self-Employed most when buyers ask “best invoicing and tax tracking app for self-employed people” (70% of those answers) | 35.9% 95% CI 25.3–48.2% 23 mentions · avg pos 4.3 first pick 21.7% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 58.3%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 8 | TurboTax Best for: AI recommends TurboTax most when buyers ask “best invoicing and tax tracking app for self-employed people” (50% of those answers) | 26.6% 95% CI 17.3–38.5% 17 mentions · avg pos 9.4 first pick 11.8% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 29.2%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 9 | Bonsai Best for: AI recommends Bonsai most when buyers ask “simpler alternatives to full-featured accounting suites for independent contractors” (50% of those answers) | 23.4% 95% CI 14.7–35.1% 15 mentions · avg pos 8.4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 50%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 10 | TrulySmall Accounting Best for: AI recommends TrulySmall Accounting most when buyers ask “simpler alternatives to full-featured accounting suites for independent contractors” (30% of those answers) | 15.6% 95% CI 8.7–26.4% 10 mentions · avg pos 7.6 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 37.5% | Claim |
| 11 | Bench bench.co Best for: AI recommends Bench most when buyers ask “best bookkeeping tool for solo freelancers with no accounting background” (60% of those answers) | 15.6% 95% CI 8.7–26.4% 10 mentions · avg pos 9.4 first pick 20% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 20.8%PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 12 | Excel Best for: AI recommends Excel most when buyers ask “how do I track income and expenses as a freelancer for tax time” (80% of those answers) | 15.6% 95% CI 8.7–26.4% 10 mentions · avg pos 9.5 first pick 10% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 16.7%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 13 | Akaunting akaunting.com Best for: AI recommends Akaunting most when buyers ask “lightweight alternatives to the big expensive accounting platforms for freelancers” (50% of those answers) | 14.1% 95% CI 7.6–24.6% 9 mentions · avg pos 6.1 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 29.2%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 14 | Hurdlr Best for: AI recommends Hurdlr most when buyers ask “best invoicing and tax tracking app for self-employed people” (60% of those answers) | 14.1% 95% CI 7.6–24.6% 9 mentions · avg pos 9.7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 16.7%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 15 | Google Sheets sheets.google.com Best for: AI recommends Google Sheets most when buyers ask “how do I track income and expenses as a freelancer for tax time” (90% of those answers) | 14.1% 95% CI 7.6–24.6% 9 mentions · avg pos 10.9 first pick 0% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 8.3%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 16 | Xero xero.com Best for: AI recommends Xero most when buyers ask “lightweight alternatives to the big expensive accounting platforms for freelancers” (30% of those answers) | 12.5% 95% CI 6.5–22.8% 8 mentions · avg pos 6.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 16.7%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 17 | PayPal paypal.com Best for: AI recommends PayPal most when buyers ask “how do I track income and expenses as a freelancer for tax time” (40% of those answers) | 10.9% 95% CI 5.4–20.9% 7 mentions · avg pos 4.6 first pick 0% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 18 | Fiverr fiverr.com | 10.9% 95% CI 5.4–20.9% 7 mentions · avg pos 6.8 first pick 14.3% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 12.5% | Claim |
| 19 | FreeAgent freeagent.com Best for: AI recommends FreeAgent most when buyers ask “best accounting software for freelancers” (30% of those answers) | 10.9% 95% CI 5.4–20.9% 7 mentions · avg pos 7.4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 16.7%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 20 | IRS Form 1040-ES irs.gov Best for: AI recommends IRS Form 1040-ES most when buyers ask “what should I use to manage quarterly estimated taxes as a freelancer” (80% of those answers) | 10.9% 95% CI 5.4–20.9% 7 mentions · avg pos 7.4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 8.3%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 21 | Keeper Tax keepertax.com Best for: AI recommends Keeper Tax most when buyers ask “best invoicing and tax tracking app for self-employed people” (50% of those answers) | 10.9% 95% CI 5.4–20.9% 7 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 16.7%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 22 | Moxie withmoxie.com | 9.4% 95% CI 4.4–19% 6 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 16.7% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 8.3% | Claim |
| 23 | Tabby | 9.4% 95% CI 4.4–19% 6 mentions · avg pos 9.4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 16.7% | Claim |
| 24 | Expensify expensify.com Best for: AI recommends Expensify most when buyers ask “how do I track income and expenses as a freelancer for tax time” (50% of those answers) | 9.4% 95% CI 4.4–19% 6 mentions · avg pos 14.3 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 8.3%PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 25 | Stripe stripe.com Best for: AI recommends Stripe most when buyers ask “how do I track income and expenses as a freelancer for tax time” (30% of those answers) | 7.8% 95% CI 3.4–17% 5 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 8.3% | Claim |
| 26 | GnuCash gnucash.org Best for: AI recommends GnuCash most when buyers ask “lightweight alternatives to the big expensive accounting platforms for freelancers” (40% of those answers) | 7.8% 95% CI 3.4–17% 5 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 27 | NerdWallet nerdwallet.com Best for: AI recommends NerdWallet most when buyers ask “best accounting software for freelancers” (30% of those answers) | 7.8% 95% CI 3.4–17% 5 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 40% | — | GROK 37.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 28 | Zapier AI zapier.com Best for: AI recommends Zapier AI most when buyers ask “lightweight alternatives to the big expensive accounting platforms for freelancers” (50% of those answers) | 7.8% 95% CI 3.4–17% 5 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 20% | — | GROK 50%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 29 | Brightbook Best for: AI recommends Brightbook most when buyers ask “lightweight alternatives to the big expensive accounting platforms for freelancers” (40% of those answers) | 7.8% 95% CI 3.4–17% 5 mentions · avg pos 5.8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 16.7% | Claim |
| 30 | EFTPS Best for: AI recommends EFTPS most when buyers ask “what should I use to manage quarterly estimated taxes as a freelancer” (70% of those answers) | 7.8% 95% CI 3.4–17% 5 mentions · avg pos 11.6 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 31 | CoCountant cocountant.com Best for: AI recommends CoCountant most when buyers ask “best invoicing and tax tracking app for self-employed people” (40% of those answers) | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15% 4 mentions · avg pos 1 first pick 25% | — | GROK 25%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 32 | Wave Payroll waveapps.com | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15% 4 mentions · avg pos 5.3 first pick 25% | — | GROK 37.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 33 | PCMag pcmag.com Best for: AI recommends PCMag most when buyers ask “accounting software for freelancers vs full small business accounting tools — what is the difference” (40% of those answers) | 4.7% 95% CI 1.6–12.9% 3 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 34 | FreeTaxUSA freetaxusa.com Best for: AI recommends FreeTaxUSA most when buyers ask “what should I use to manage quarterly estimated taxes as a freelancer” (30% of those answers) | 4.7% 95% CI 1.6–12.9% 3 mentions · avg pos 17 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 8.3% | Claim |
| 35 | Plutio plutio.com Best for: AI recommends Plutio most when buyers ask “lightweight alternatives to the big expensive accounting platforms for freelancers” (40% of those answers) | 4.7% 95% CI 1.6–12.9% 3 mentions first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 36 | HoneyBook honeybook.com | 3.1% 95% CI 0.9–10.7% 2 mentions · avg pos 5.5 first pick 50% | — | GROK 25% | Claim |
| 37 | Manager | 3.1% 95% CI 0.9–10.7% 2 mentions · avg pos 5.5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 38 | Deel deel.com Best for: AI recommends Deel most when buyers ask “simpler alternatives to full-featured accounting suites for independent contractors” (30% of those answers) | 3.1% 95% CI 0.9–10.7% 2 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 39 | Turbo Tax Self-Employed turbotax.intuit.com Best for: AI recommends Turbo Tax Self-Employed most when buyers ask “what should I use to manage quarterly estimated taxes as a freelancer” (40% of those answers) | 3.1% 95% CI 0.9–10.7% 2 mentions first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 40 | Webgility webgility.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 1 first pick 100% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 41 | Kashoo Best for: AI recommends Kashoo most when buyers ask “lightweight alternatives to the big expensive accounting platforms for freelancers” (30% of those answers) | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 3 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 42 | Manager.io manager.io | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 43 | Odoo odoo.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 44 | Harvest getharvest.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 45 | Hiveage hiveage.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 46 | Square Invoices squareup.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 47 | Invoice Ninja invoiceninja.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 48 | ADP adp.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 49 | TaxSlayer Self-Employed taxslayer.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 18 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 50 | FlyFin | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 21 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 51 | Bonsai Tax bonsai.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 22 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 52 | Mercury mercury.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions · avg pos 24 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 53 | Etsy etsy.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 54 | Hello Bonsai hellobonsai.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 55 | Paychex paychex.com Best for: AI recommends Paychex most when buyers ask “what should I use to manage quarterly estimated taxes as a freelancer” (30% of those answers) | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 56 | ProfitBooks profitbooks.net | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 57 | Sage sage.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.3% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
Reading the numbers: Share is a point estimate on 64 sampled answers, so each row also shows its 95% CI — the Wilson score interval around that share. When two products' intervals overlap, the gap between them isn't statistically meaningful at this sample size. First pick is the share of a product's recommending answers where it was named first, which separates “always mentioned” from “usually the top recommendation”. Full methodology.
Independence: Orbator customers are badged for disclosure. Customer status does not affect prompts, sampling, extraction, or ranking — see the methodology. Your product on this list? Claim it to see the prompts behind your rank and track it weekly.
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