FreshBooks
FreshBooks is cloud-based accounting software tailored for small businesses and non-accountants, offering automated invoicing, expense tracking, double-entry bookkeeping, and tax-ready reports accessible via mobile and web. It emphasizes ease-of-use with features like bank reconciliation and accountant access to streamline financial management.
Best for
- Freelancers and solopreneurs managing invoicing and expenses
- Small service-based businesses tracking time and billable hours
- Non-accountants needing simple double-entry bookkeeping
- Teams requiring mobile expense and receipt management
- Businesses preparing tax-ready reports year-round
Not ideal for
- No perpetual free tier beyond 30-day trial
- Limited to small business focus, may not scale for enterprises
- Dependent on integrations for advanced payroll and complex features
- Pricing transparency could be improved for detailed cost planning
- Learning curve for complex customizations despite basic ease-of-use
Get Started with FreshBooks
From $21/mo · 3 plans available
Visit FreshBooks →FreshBooks Overview
FreshBooks vs Top Alternatives
| Software | Rating | Starting Price | Free Tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FBFreshBooks | 4.5 ★ | $21/mo | No | |
| XXero | 4.4 ★ | $25/mo | No | Compare → |
| WaWave Accounting | 4.4 ★ | Free | Yes | Compare → |
| QQuickBooks | 4.3 ★ | $38/mo | No | Compare → |
| ZBZoho Books | 4.3 ★ | Free | Yes | Compare → |
| NSOracle NetSuite | 4.2 ★ | $99/mo | No | Compare → |
FreshBooks Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intuitive interface designed for non-accountants and small businesses
- Automates invoicing, payments, expenses, and reporting saving up to 553 hours per year
- Accurate double-entry accounting with tax-ready reports
- Mobile accessibility without PC installation required
- Secure cloud storage and online payments
- Award-winning customer support with human contact
- Strong automation reduces manual bookkeeping tasks
Cons
- No perpetual free tier beyond 30-day trial
- Limited to small business focus, may not scale for enterprises
- Dependent on integrations for advanced payroll and complex features
- Pricing transparency could be improved for detailed cost planning
- Learning curve for complex customizations despite basic ease-of-use
Pricing Plans
Lite
- 5 billable clients
- Unlimited invoices
- Expense tracking
- Basic reports
Plus
- 50 billable clients
- Time tracking
- Proposals
- Advanced reporting
Premium
- 500 billable clients
- Double-entry accounting
- Custom fields
- Team time tracking
FreshBooks Integrations
FreshBooks connects with 8 services to extend your workflow.
Who Should Use FreshBooks?
Freelancers and Solopreneurs
FreshBooks is designed primarily for owners of small client-service businesses and solopreneurs who need intuitive tools for invoicing, time tracking, and expense management. It's ideal for those who bill for time and expertise rather than complex enterprise accounting.
RecommendedSmall Businesses (1-10 employees)
The majority of FreshBooks users are small businesses with 1-10 employees, particularly those in IT services, software development, marketing agencies, and other client-service oriented businesses. 68% of users have fewer than 50 employees with revenue under $50M.
RecommendedService-Based Businesses
FreshBooks targets specific service industries like repair shops, electricians, travel agencies, and consulting firms that focus on time-based billing and project tracking. However, it definitely seems geared more to service-based businesses and doesn't handle inventory well.
RecommendedLarge Enterprises
FreshBooks lacks advanced accounting features, scalability beyond small teams, and doesn't handle large enterprises or complex operations well. It has client limits on entry plans and lacks advanced financial tools needed by bigger organizations.
Not idealWhen to Consider Alternatives
Need advanced accounting features and inventory management
FreshBooks lacks inventory tracking, advanced reporting, detailed breakdowns, and robust financial tools needed for complex operations. Users find the missing features limiting in flexibility and accounting capabilities.
Consider QuickBooks instead →Growing teams hitting client and user limits
Lite/Plus plans cap billable clients at low numbers (5-50), pushing quick upgrades, and all plans limit users to one without extra fees. Costs escalate with add-ons, extra team members, and forced upgrades due to client limits.
Consider Xero instead →Need cost-effective solution for larger scale operations
While appearing affordable initially at $17/month, add-ons, extra team members, transaction fees, and forced upgrades make FreshBooks expensive long-term. Users report escalating costs that strain budgets.
Consider Wave instead →Require heavy customization and advanced reporting
FreshBooks lacks flexible invoice templates, bulk invoice creation/editing, detailed reporting capabilities, and advanced customization options. The mobile app misses desktop functions like comprehensive reporting.
Consider Zoho Books instead →Top FreshBooks Alternatives
Xero
Cloud accounting software for small businesses with bank reconciliation and invoicing.
Wave Accounting
Wave is free small business accounting software offering double-entry bookkeeping, invoicing, and tax reports in an intuitive dashboard, designed for freelancers and SMBs to simplify finances without accounting expertise.
QuickBooks
Small business accounting software with invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting.
Zoho Books
Cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses and accountants to manage invoicing, expenses, inventory, and financial reporting in one integrated platform. Offers automation, multi-currency support, and collaboration features with flexible pricing including a free tier.
Oracle NetSuite
Oracle NetSuite is the world's leading cloud-based business management software suite that integrates ERP, financials, CRM, and ecommerce capabilities. It serves as a unified platform providing visibility, control, and agility to fast-growing organizations.