Freelancer Bookkeeping Cost Calculator
Most freelancers underprice their own time. This free calculator shows the real yearly cost of three ways to handle your books — doing it yourself, using an AI bookkeeping tool, or hiring a bookkeeper — using your own numbers. Updated for 2026.
How this is calculated (assumptions)
- DIY: your hours × 52 weeks × your hourly rate (the income you give up).
- AI tool: ~$20/mo subscription (scaled slightly by volume) + the value of the ~65% of time it saves you.
- Hire a bookkeeper: ~$200/mo base + ~$1.50 per transaction (typical US freelance ranges), + ~0.5h/week of your time staying in the loop.
Estimates only, based on publicly typical pricing as of 2026. Your real costs will vary.
Informational only — not financial, tax or legal advice. Some links on this site are affiliate links.
Next: see our best bookkeeping software for the self-employed and AI vs traditional accounting guides.