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 · 71 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: 71 AI answers · Window: Jul 5, 2026 – Aug 2, 2026 (4-week rolling) · trend vs prior 4 weeks (41 answers)
Across 71 sampled AI answers from 4 engines, QuickBooks is recommended most often — appearing in 81.7% of recommendations, followed by Wave (78.9%) and FreshBooks (73.2%).
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 | QuickBooks quickbooks.intuit.com Best for: AI recommends QuickBooks most when buyers ask “best accounting software for freelancers” (100% of those answers) | 81.7% 95% CI 71.2–89% 58 mentions · avg pos 5.3 first pick 15.5% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 92.9%CLAUDE 75%PERPLEXITY 66.7% | Claim |
| 2 | Wave wave.com Best for: AI recommends Wave most when buyers ask “simpler alternatives to full-featured accounting suites for independent contractors” (100% of those answers) | 78.9% 95% CI 68–86.8% 56 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 39.3% | — | GROK 87.5%GEMINI 89.3%CLAUDE 62.5%PERPLEXITY 70.4% | Claim |
| 3 | FreshBooks freshbooks.com Best for: AI recommends FreshBooks most when buyers ask “simpler alternatives to full-featured accounting suites for independent contractors” (100% of those answers) | 73.2% 95% CI 61.9–82.1% 52 mentions · avg pos 4.8 first pick 11.5% | — | GROK 87.5%GEMINI 82.1%CLAUDE 75%PERPLEXITY 59.3% | 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) | 62% 95% CI 50.3–72.4% 44 mentions · avg pos 5.5 first pick 6.8% | — | GROK 75%GEMINI 78.6%CLAUDE 62.5%PERPLEXITY 40.7% | 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) | 43.7% 95% CI 32.7–55.2% 31 mentions · avg pos 5.4 first pick 12.9% | — | GROK 75%GEMINI 64.3%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 22.2% | Claim |
| 6 | QuickBooks Self-Employed Best for: AI recommends QuickBooks Self-Employed most when buyers ask “simpler alternatives to full-featured accounting suites for independent contractors” (72.7% of those answers) | 39.4% 95% CI 28.9–51.1% 28 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 17.9% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 57.1%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 25.9% | Claim |
| 7 | ZipBooks zipbooks.com Best for: AI recommends ZipBooks most when buyers ask “simpler alternatives to full-featured accounting suites for independent contractors” (81.8% of those answers) | 36.6% 95% CI 26.4–48.2% 26 mentions · avg pos 5.6 first pick 3.8% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 57.1%PERPLEXITY 22.2% | 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) | 28.2% 95% CI 19–39.5% 20 mentions · avg pos 9.1 first pick 10% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 32.1%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 7.4% | Claim |
| 9 | Bonsai Best for: AI recommends Bonsai most when buyers ask “simpler alternatives to full-featured accounting suites for independent contractors” (45.5% of those answers) | 21.1% 95% CI 13.2–32% 15 mentions · avg pos 8.4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 42.9%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 10 | Excel Best for: AI recommends Excel most when buyers ask “how do I track income and expenses as a freelancer for tax time” (84.6% of those answers) | 16.9% 95% CI 9.9–27.3% 12 mentions · avg pos 8.2 first pick 16.7% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 17.9%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 11.1% | Claim |
| 11 | TrulySmall Accounting Best for: AI recommends TrulySmall Accounting most when buyers ask “simpler alternatives to full-featured accounting suites for independent contractors” (36.4% of those answers) | 15.5% 95% CI 8.9–25.7% 11 mentions · avg pos 7.4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 35.7% | Claim |
| 12 | Hurdlr Best for: AI recommends Hurdlr most when buyers ask “best invoicing and tax tracking app for self-employed people” (60% of those answers) | 15.5% 95% CI 8.9–25.7% 11 mentions · avg pos 8.6 first pick 0% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 21.4%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 13 | 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” (92.3% of those answers) | 15.5% 95% CI 8.9–25.7% 11 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 9.1% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 10.7%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 14.8% | Claim |
| 14 | 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) | 14.1% 95% CI 7.8–24% 10 mentions · avg pos 9.4 first pick 20% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 17.9%PERPLEXITY 11.1% | Claim |
| 15 | 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” (46.2% of those answers) | 12.7% 95% CI 6.8–22.4% 9 mentions · avg pos 3.9 first pick 11.1% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 14.3%PERPLEXITY 7.4% | Claim |
| 16 | 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) | 12.7% 95% CI 6.8–22.4% 9 mentions · avg pos 6.1 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 25%PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 17 | 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) | 12.7% 95% CI 6.8–22.4% 9 mentions · avg pos 6.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 14.3%PERPLEXITY 18.5% | Claim |
| 18 | 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” (76.9% of those answers) | 12.7% 95% CI 6.8–22.4% 9 mentions · avg pos 8.8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 10.7%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 11.1% | Claim |
| 19 | 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” (38.5% of those answers) | 9.9% 95% CI 4.9–19% 7 mentions · avg pos 3.2 first pick 14.3% | — | GROK 37.5%GEMINI 10.7%PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 20 | Fiverr fiverr.com | 9.9% 95% CI 4.9–19% 7 mentions · avg pos 6.8 first pick 14.3% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 10.7% | Claim |
| 21 | FreeAgent freeagent.com Best for: AI recommends FreeAgent most when buyers ask “best accounting software for freelancers” (30% of those answers) | 9.9% 95% CI 4.9–19% 7 mentions · avg pos 7.4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 14.3%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 22 | 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) | 9.9% 95% CI 4.9–19% 7 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 14.3%PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 23 | 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” (53.8% of those answers) | 9.9% 95% CI 4.9–19% 7 mentions · avg pos 12.7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 10.7%PERPLEXITY 11.1% | Claim |
| 24 | 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) | 8.5% 95% CI 3.9–17.2% 6 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 16.7% | — | GROK 50%PERPLEXITY 7.4% | Claim |
| 25 | Moxie withmoxie.com | 8.5% 95% CI 3.9–17.2% 6 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 16.7% | — | GROK 50%GEMINI 7.1% | Claim |
| 26 | Tabby | 8.5% 95% CI 3.9–17.2% 6 mentions · avg pos 9.4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 14.3% | Claim |
| 27 | EFTPS Best for: AI recommends EFTPS most when buyers ask “what should I use to manage quarterly estimated taxes as a freelancer” (61.5% of those answers) | 8.5% 95% CI 3.9–17.2% 6 mentions · avg pos 11.5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 3.6%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 11.1% | Claim |
| 28 | 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% 95% CI 3–15.4% 5 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 14.8% | Claim |
| 29 | NerdWallet nerdwallet.com Best for: AI recommends NerdWallet most when buyers ask “best accounting software for freelancers” (30% of those answers) | 7% 95% CI 3–15.4% 5 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 40% | — | GROK 37.5%PERPLEXITY 7.4% | Claim |
| 30 | 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% 95% CI 3–15.4% 5 mentions · avg pos 5.8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 14.3% | 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) | 5.6% 95% CI 2.2–13.6% 4 mentions · avg pos 1 first pick 25% | — | GROK 25%PERPLEXITY 7.4% | Claim |
| 32 | Wave Payroll waveapps.com | 5.6% 95% CI 2.2–13.6% 4 mentions · avg pos 5.3 first pick 25% | — | GROK 37.5%PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 33 | FreeTaxUSA freetaxusa.com Best for: AI recommends FreeTaxUSA most when buyers ask “what should I use to manage quarterly estimated taxes as a freelancer” (30.8% of those answers) | 5.6% 95% CI 2.2–13.6% 4 mentions · avg pos 16.5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 10.7% | Claim |
| 34 | 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” (30.8% of those answers) | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.7% 3 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 7.4% | Claim |
| 35 | Deel deel.com Best for: AI recommends Deel most when buyers ask “simpler alternatives to full-featured accounting suites for independent contractors” (36.4% of those answers) | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.7% 3 mentions · avg pos 8.3 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 7.1% | Claim |
| 36 | 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) | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.7% 3 mentions first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 7.4% | Claim |
| 37 | 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” (38.5% of those answers) | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.7% 3 mentions first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 7.4% | Claim |
| 38 | HoneyBook honeybook.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.7% 2 mentions · avg pos 5.5 first pick 50% | — | GROK 25% | Claim |
| 39 | Manager | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.7% 2 mentions · avg pos 5.5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 40 | TaxSlayer Self-Employed taxslayer.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.7% 2 mentions · avg pos 15.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 7.1% | Claim |
| 41 | Mercury mercury.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.7% 2 mentions · avg pos 24 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 42 | Webgility webgility.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 1 first pick 100% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 43 | Kashoo Best for: AI recommends Kashoo most when buyers ask “lightweight alternatives to the big expensive accounting platforms for freelancers” (30% of those answers) | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 3 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 44 | Manager.io manager.io | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 45 | Odoo odoo.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 46 | Harvest getharvest.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 3.6% | Claim |
| 47 | Hiveage hiveage.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 48 | Square Invoices squareup.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 3.6% | Claim |
| 49 | Invoice Ninja invoiceninja.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 3.6% | Claim |
| 50 | ADP adp.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 3.6% | Claim |
| 51 | IRS2Go | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 52 | Wingspan wingspan.app | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 13 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 53 | FlyFin | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 21 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 3.6% | Claim |
| 54 | Bonsai Tax bonsai.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions · avg pos 22 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 55 | Etsy etsy.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 56 | Hello Bonsai hellobonsai.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 57 | Notion AI notion.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 58 | Paychex paychex.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 59 | ProfitBooks profitbooks.net | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
| 60 | Sage sage.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 3.6% | Claim |
| 61 | Wise wise.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.6% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 3.7% | Claim |
Reading the numbers: Share is a point estimate on 71 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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