Best Free Accounting Software for Australian Tradies (2026)
The honest answer on free accounting software: the best free options are free for a reason — they cover the basics, not payroll, not BAS lodgement automation, not job management integrations. But for a sole trader just getting started, some of these are genuinely good. Here's the real picture.
By Benjy @ Tradie Scaler
Top 3 at a Glance
Free & Cheap Options — Side by Side
| Platform | Price (AUD/mo) | Free Tier | BAS Lodgement | Payroll | AU-Built | Try It |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rounded | From $18 | ✗ (free trial) | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Free Trial → |
| Wave | Free | ✓ | ✗ | Paid add-on | ✗ | Try Free → |
| Reckon One | From $8 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Free Trial → |
| Xero | From $35 | ✗ (trial only) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Free Trial → |
| Payroller | Free / from $19 | ✓ | Paid plan | ✓ | ✓ | Try Free → |
Prices AUD/month. Verified April 2026.
Free & Cheap Accounting Options — Reviewed for Tradies
Rounded isn't free — but at $18/month, it's the cheapest purpose-built Australian accounting tool for sole traders and it genuinely covers everything a one-person trade business needs: invoicing with a professional template, expense tracking with receipt capture, BAS calculations and reporting, and an income tax estimate so you know what to set aside.
Designed specifically for non-accountants. If you've been doing your books in spreadsheets and paying your accountant to fix it at tax time, Rounded will save you more than $18/month at the accountant.
Pros
- AU-built for sole traders
- Simple BAS reporting
- Receipt capture included
- Income tax estimate
- Cheapest proper AU option
Cons
- No free tier (free trial only)
- No payroll support
- Not suited to businesses with employees
Wave is the best genuinely free accounting tool for Australian sole traders who just need invoicing and basic bookkeeping. It's US-built, so it doesn't handle Australian BAS or ATO-specific compliance natively — you'll need to manage that separately or via your accountant. But for sending professional invoices, tracking income and expenses, and getting a view of your financials, it works and costs nothing.
Pros
- Free invoicing
- Expense tracking included
- Reasonable reporting
Cons
- No AU BAS support natively
- US-built — not AU compliance focus
- Payroll is a paid add-on
At $8/month, Reckon One is the cheapest AU-built option that actually handles BAS lodgement and STP payroll compliance. If you have employees and need compliant payroll but can't afford Xero, Reckon One is worth considering. The interface is dated, but the compliance features are solid.
Pros
- Cheapest AU option with BAS and payroll
- STP compliant
- AU-built with local support
Cons
- Older, less modern interface
- Fewer integrations than Xero
Payroller is primarily a payroll tool. Its free plan covers STP payroll for small businesses — genuinely free and compliant. If your primary need is payroll compliance and you're handling invoicing separately, Payroller covers the compliance piece at no cost. The paid plan adds leave management and other HR features.
Pros
- Free STP payroll
- AU-built and ATO compliant
- Easy to use
Cons
- Payroll only — no invoicing or expense tracking on free tier
Xero doesn't have a free tier, but its Starter plan is worth mentioning. 20 invoices/month, 5 bills, bank reconciliation, BAS reporting — enough for a sole trader doing moderate volume. The main reason to start with Xero even at $35: your accountant will be happier, your job management tool integrates natively, and you won't need to migrate later.
Pros
- Accountant-preferred in Australia
- Best integrations with job management apps
- BAS and payroll included
Cons
- Not free — $35/month entry
- Invoice cap on Starter plan
Running your books in a spreadsheet and hoping for the best at tax time?
Rounded is $18/month and purpose-built for exactly this situation — sole tradie, wants to know their BAS before their accountant tells them.
Try Rounded Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Wave offers free invoicing and expense tracking, but doesn't support Australian BAS lodgement natively. For AU-compliant free options, Payroller offers free STP payroll for small businesses. Most tradies with any complexity find the cheapest paid option (Rounded at $18/month or Reckon One at $8/month) is worth it for proper BAS compliance.
Yes — even as a sole trader, accounting software saves you money at tax time and keeps your BAS accurate. At minimum, you need something that tracks income, expenses, and calculates your quarterly BAS. Rounded is purpose-built for this at $18/month.
Reckon One at $8/month is the cheapest AU-built option with BAS and payroll compliance. Wave is free for basic invoicing and bookkeeping but lacks AU BAS support. Rounded at $18/month is the cheapest option purpose-built for Australian sole traders.