4.6$30/moQuickBooks Online
Best for: full accounting
Full-featured accounting with largest ecosystem.

If FreshBooks isn't the right fit—because you need full accounting, free software, or a different workflow—these alternatives offer strong options.
Read our FreshBooks review for full details on features, pricing, and pros and cons.
Who should switch and which alternative fits best.
FreshBooks is built for freelancers; teams look for alternatives when they need full double-entry accounting (QuickBooks, Xero), free software (Wave), or different value (Zoho Books, Kashoo). QuickBooks and Xero offer more depth; Wave offers free accounting; Zoho Books offers strong value.
Common reasons teams look for a change.
FreshBooks is optimized for invoicing and time tracking. QuickBooks and Xero offer full double-entry accounting and reporting.
Wave is free for core accounting; Zoho Books and Kashoo can be lower cost for similar simplicity.
QuickBooks and Xero have larger app marketplaces; Zoho fits the Zoho suite.
Editorially ranked alternatives we recommend.
4.6$30/moBest for: full accounting
Full-featured accounting with largest ecosystem.
4.5$15/moBest for: QuickBooks alternative
Full cloud accounting with clean UI.
4.3FreeBest for: free accounting
Free accounting and invoicing for small business.
4.4$15/moBest for: value and projects
Affordable with projects and client portal.
4.2QuoteBest for: simple bookkeeping
Simple bookkeeping for small business.
Side-by-side at a glance.
| Software | Best for | Starting price | Standout feature | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FreshBooks | freelancers | $19/mo | Freelancer-focused; time tracking | Read review |
QuickBooks Online | full accounting | $30/mo | Largest ecosystem; full depth | Read review |
Xero | QuickBooks alternative | $15/mo | Clean UI; accountant-friendly | Read review |
Wave | free accounting | Free | Free core accounting | Read review |
Zoho Books | value and projects | $15/mo | Value; automation | Read review |
Kashoo | simple bookkeeping | Quote | Simplicity | Read review |
When to choose each alternative.
Best for full accounting
QuickBooks offers full accounting depth and the largest US ecosystem. For businesses that outgrow FreshBooks.
Best QuickBooks alternative
Xero offers full cloud accounting with a clean UI. Strong alternative with lower entry price.
Best for free accounting
Wave provides free accounting and invoicing. For freelancers who want to minimize cost.
Best for value and projects
Zoho Books offers projects and client portal at good value. Good for Zoho users.
Best for simple bookkeeping
Kashoo offers straightforward bookkeeping. Simpler, often cheaper option.
What to look for when comparing options.
If you bill clients or track time, choose software with strong invoicing, payment links, and optional time tracking. FreshBooks and Wave excel for freelancers; QuickBooks and Xero scale for larger teams.
Most small businesses need P&L, balance sheet, and tax-ready exports. All major options provide these; compare report customization and accountant access.
Accounting should connect to your bank, payroll, ecommerce, or time tools. QuickBooks has the largest US app marketplace; Xero and Zoho have strong ecosystems too.
Free options (Wave) suit very small needs; paid tiers add users and features. Compare base price plus per-user or per-client limits before committing.
QuickBooks and Zoho tie you to their ecosystem; Xero and FreshBooks are more standalone. Choose based on whether you want one vendor or best-of-breed.
Head-to-head comparisons to narrow your choice.
More ways to explore.
Quick answers.