Trusted tools, professional partners, and business resources for self-employed business owners.
Vetted partners for self-employed professionals
ContractorPros Connect
HR & Staffing
ContractorProConnect provides on-demand access to vetted independent professionals for bookkeeping, administrative support, customer service, project coordination, data entry, accounting support, and other business operations needs. No recruiting. No payroll. No long-term commitments.
10% discount on every assignment posted
Bluevine
Business Banking
Bluevine offers business checking accounts with high-yield interest, plus access to business lines of credit. Built for small businesses that want their banking and financing in one place.
Bluevine stands out for offering interest on business checking balances — a rare feature. The built-in credit line access is a bonus for businesses with occasional cash flow needs.
Relay
Business Banking
Relay is a modern business banking platform designed for small businesses and self-employed professionals. Offers multiple checking accounts, no fees, and seamless integrations with bookkeeping software.
Relay is a favorite among self-employed owners for its clean interface, fee-free structure, and ability to separate funds across multiple accounts. Strong QuickBooks and Xero sync.
Novo
Business Banking
Novo is a small business checking account built for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses. Offers instant transfers, reserve accounts, and integrations with popular business tools.
Novo is a solid choice for solo operators and early-stage businesses. The reserve accounts feature helps with tax planning by setting aside funds in advance.
Local Banking Options
Business Banking
We always recommend speaking with a local community bank or credit union in your area. Local banking relationships can provide personalized service, easier loan access, and relationship-based support that national banks often don't offer.
Do not overlook your local community bank or credit union. For SBA loans, equipment financing, and business lines of credit, local lenders often have more flexibility and faster decisions.
Wave Accounting
Accounting Software
Wave is a free accounting software built for small businesses, freelancers, and self-employed professionals. Offers invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting at no cost.
Wave is the best free accounting option for self-employed owners just getting started. The free tier covers most needs for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs. Payroll is available as a paid add-on.
Xero
Accounting Software
Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform known for its clean interface, unlimited users, and strong bank reconciliation features. Popular with service-based businesses globally.
Xero is a strong QuickBooks alternative with a cleaner interface and unlimited users on all plans. Especially popular with service businesses and those with remote bookkeeping teams.
QuickBooks Online
Accounting Software
QuickBooks Online is the most widely used accounting software for small businesses. Offers invoicing, expense tracking, payroll integration, tax prep reports, and thousands of integrations.
QuickBooks Online is the industry standard — most bookkeepers and CPAs work in QBO. If you plan to hire a bookkeeper or tax professional, QBO makes file sharing seamless. The Hive team is QuickBooks ProAdvisor certified.
Patriot Software
Payroll
Patriot Software offers affordable payroll and accounting software designed specifically for small businesses. Known for its simplicity, transparent pricing, and excellent customer support.
Patriot Software is a strong recommendation for S-Corp owners who need payroll for their reasonable salary. The pricing is transparent and lower than most alternatives, and the interface is easy to navigate.
Gusto
Payroll
Gusto is a full-service HR and payroll platform for small businesses. Handles payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR in one place with automatic tax filings.
Gusto is ideal for growing businesses with employees who need payroll plus HR and benefits in one system. It is also widely used by S-Corp owners for payroll processing and reasonable salary compliance.
eVoice
Phone Systems
eVoice provides virtual phone number services for small businesses including toll-free numbers, extensions, call forwarding, and voicemail-to-email features.
eVoice is a straightforward option for businesses that need basic phone presence with toll-free capability. Great for sole proprietors who want to appear more established.
OpenPhone
Phone Systems
OpenPhone is a business phone system built for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Gives you a dedicated business number with texting, calling, and team features — all from your existing devices.
OpenPhone is the top pick for self-employed owners who want a clean separation between personal and business calls without the cost of a traditional phone system. Works on your existing phone.
Nextiva
Phone Systems
Nextiva is a business communication platform combining VoIP, CRM, and customer experience tools. Known for its reliability and customer support.
Nextiva consistently receives high marks for customer support and uptime reliability. A solid option for businesses that depend on phone communication for client service.
RingCentral
Phone Systems
RingCentral is an enterprise-grade communication platform offering voice, video, messaging, and contact center solutions for businesses of all sizes.
RingCentral is best for businesses that have outgrown basic phone solutions and need a unified communication platform with robust features for teams.
Microsoft 365
Business Email & Domains
Microsoft 365 Business provides professional email via Outlook, Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), cloud storage via OneDrive, and Teams for collaboration.
Microsoft 365 is the right choice if your business or clients are heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. Outlook remains the preferred email client in many professional settings.
Google Workspace
Business Email & Domains
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) provides professional business email, cloud storage, video conferencing, and collaboration tools built around Google's ecosystem.
Google Workspace is the go-to for most small businesses. Your own domain email address adds instant credibility. The collaboration tools are best-in-class for remote and solo operators alike.
Namecheap
Business Email & Domains
Namecheap is a popular and affordable domain registrar offering domain registration, hosting, SSL certificates, and business email at competitive prices.
Namecheap is a reliable and budget-friendly option for domain registration. Free WhoisGuard privacy protection is included with all domains — a valuable feature for sole proprietors.
Cloudflare Registrar
Business Email & Domains
Cloudflare Registrar offers domain registration at cost — no markup over wholesale pricing. Also provides DNS management, security features, and website performance tools.
Cloudflare Registrar is the most cost-efficient way to register and manage business domains. There is no profit markup on domain pricing — you pay the true wholesale cost.
Platforms and services built by The Self-Employed Lab
Hive Tax Book
Self-employed financial intelligence — tax strategy, mortgage readiness, business operations, and more.
Mortgage Intelligence
Educational readiness system to help self-employed borrowers understand how lenders review income.
Global Remote & Tax Intelligence
Financial and tax planning insights for remote workers considering international relocation.
Bumblebee Books
Professional bookkeeping services tailored for self-employed business owners and small businesses.
Our recommendations are based on real-world experience working with self-employed business owners, tax professionals, bookkeepers, and mortgage readiness clients. Every tool and provider in the Hive Marketplace is evaluated for relevance, reliability, and value to the self-employed community.
Real-World Tested
Used and evaluated by the self-employed professionals we work with daily.
No Pay-to-Play
Listings are based on merit and community fit — not advertising fees.
Regularly Updated
We review and update recommendations as new tools and providers emerge.
Join the Hive Marketplace and connect with self-employed professionals across the country.
Powered by The Self-Employed Lab · Educational resource — not financial advice.
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