freee
フリーCloud accounting software · freee K.K.
- Fees
- Varies
- English
- No
Beginner-friendly cloud accounting built around guided workflows, popular with sole proprietors for blue-return filing and e-Tax.
Choosing accounting software as a freelancer
How freee, Money Forward Cloud, and Yayoi differ, and how to match one to how you work.
Direct answers
freee suits beginners who want guided, question-based bookkeeping; Money Forward Cloud suits those who want flexibility and integrations; Yayoi is the long-established option with strong professional familiarity — compare current plans and features, not just brand.
Key points
- All three import bank/card data, keep double-entry books, and output blue-return forms and e-Tax data.
- freee is guided and beginner-friendly; Money Forward Cloud is flexible and integration-rich.
- Yayoi has the longest track record and the widest tax-professional familiarity.
- Compare at the plan level — features and support differ by tier, and interfaces are Japanese-only.
How the three differ
The big three cloud tools do the same core job — connect to your bank and cards, categorize transactions into double-entry books, and produce the blue-return documents and e-Tax file — so the difference is in approach. freee is built around guided, question-based workflows that hide accounting jargon, which many first-time filers find the least intimidating. Money Forward Cloud exposes more of the bookkeeping and offers extensive integrations, which suits people who want flexibility or expect to grow. Yayoi is the veteran brand with desktop and cloud options and the deepest familiarity among tax accountants, so handing off to a professional later can be smoother.
None of them offer an English interface, so budget for some Japanese or a bilingual helper. Because the guided-versus-flexible trade-off is the real choice, try the workflow — most offer a trial — rather than deciding on brand or a headline price alone.
Matching one to how you work
Start from your situation. If this is your first filing and accounting feels foreign, the guided path lowers the chance of mistakes. If you juggle many income sources, need integrations with payment or invoicing tools, or expect to incorporate, favor flexibility. If you already work with a tax accountant, ask which tool they support best — professional compatibility can outweigh small feature gaps.
Whatever you pick, the value comes from consistent use: connect accounts once, reconcile monthly, and attach evidence as you go, so filing season is a review rather than a scramble. See the side-by-side comparison and the head-to-head write-ups on the main Freelance & business page to weigh specific pairs.
Who this is for
- First-time filers choosing a tool
- Freelancers comparing freee, Money Forward, and Yayoi
What this is not
- Enterprise ERP selection
- A current price quote — verify on each vendor’s page
Important cautions
- Plans, feature limits, and pricing change and interfaces are Japanese-only — verify current plan details before subscribing.
Related products & services
Money Forward Cloud
マネーフォワード クラウドCloud accounting software · Money Forward
- Fees
- Varies
- English
- No
Cloud accounting with strong automation and integrations, popular with freelancers and small companies that value flexible bookkeeping.
Yayoi
弥生Accounting software · Yayoi K.K.
- Fees
- Varies
- English
- No
A long-established accounting-software brand with desktop and cloud options, widely used and supported by tax professionals.
Frequently asked questions
Which accounting software is best for freelancers in Japan?
freee, Money Forward Cloud, and Yayoi all import bank and card data, keep double-entry books, and produce blue-return forms and e-Tax data. freee is guided and beginner-friendly; Money Forward Cloud is more flexible with broad integrations; Yayoi is the long-established option with the widest tax-accountant familiarity. All three interfaces are Japanese-only, so budget for some Japanese or a helper. Compare current plans at the tier level and try a trial rather than choosing on brand or headline price.
What is the blue return (青色申告) and is it worth it?
The blue return is a filing status that rewards proper bookkeeping. With double-entry books filed electronically, you can deduct up to ¥650,000 from your income, carry losses forward for three years, and deduct family salaries. The trade-off is more disciplined recordkeeping — which cloud accounting software largely automates. For most freelancers with steady income, the tax saving clearly outweighs the effort.