Quick verdict
Our take in a nutshell.
FreshBooks focuses on the needs of freelancers and service-based businesses. Invoicing is straightforward and looks professional; time tracking and expense management tie into client billing. The interface is one of the easiest to get started with.
We like FreshBooks for usability and the way it handles the freelance workflow: track time, log expenses, send invoices, and get paid. Reporting is sufficient for most solos and small teams, though it's less deep than QuickBooks or Xero for complex accounting.
If you're a freelancer or small service business that prioritizes simplicity and client-facing tools over heavy accounting depth, FreshBooks is a strong fit.
Rating breakdown
How we scored this product.
Features
4.4Strong invoicing, time tracking, and expense management. Less depth than full accounting suites for complex books.
Pricing
4.5Clear tiered pricing; entry tier is affordable for freelancers. Higher tiers add clients and features.
Ease of Use
4.8One of the easiest accounting-style tools to use; minimal learning curve for invoicing and time tracking.
Support
4.5Help center and support; generally responsive. Good for small teams and solos.
Integrations
4.4Integrates with common tools for payments, time tracking, and productivity. Fewer integrations than QuickBooks or Xero.
Pros and cons
What we liked and what to watch for.
Pros
- Excellent invoicing and client billing
- Very user-friendly interface
- Time tracking built in and tied to invoicing
- Good for freelancers and service businesses
Cons
- Less robust for larger or more complex accounting needs
- Fewer integrations than QuickBooks or Xero
- Reporting depth is more limited
Who this software is best for
Ideal users and use cases.
FreshBooks is best for freelancers and service businesses that want simple, professional invoicing, time tracking, and expense management. It fits solos and small teams that bill by project or hour.
Who should avoid it
Businesses that need heavy inventory, multi-entity books, or very advanced reporting may find FreshBooks limiting. Consider QuickBooks or Xero for those use cases.
Pricing overview
What to expect to pay.
FreshBooks uses tiered plans starting around $19/month. Plans scale by number of clients and features; time tracking and other tools are included on relevant tiers.
Lite starts with a small client set; Plus and Premium add more clients and features. Compare client limits and included features to your expected volume.
FreshBooks is competitively priced for freelancers and small service businesses. It's often more affordable than QuickBooks for solos; compare client limits and features to Wave and Zoho Books.
Starting price: $19/mo
Key features
What stands out.
- Invoicing
Create and send professional invoices; set up recurring invoices and payment reminders. Client-facing experience is polished.
- Time tracking
Track time by project and client; bill hours directly to invoices. Good for freelancers who bill by the hour.
- Expenses and receipts
Log expenses and attach receipts; categorize for reports and tie to clients or projects.
- Client portal
Clients can view invoices and pay online, reducing back-and-forth and speeding up payment.
Integrations
Plays well with your stack.
FreshBooks connects to payment processors, productivity tools, and some payroll and time-tracking apps. The list is smaller than QuickBooks or Xero but covers many freelancer needs.
- Stripe and other payment gateways
- G Suite and productivity tools
- Some payroll and time tracking
- Ecommerce (limited)
Alternatives
Other options we review.
QuickBooks OnlineBroader accounting features; better for complex books.
XeroFull accounting with clean UI; more depth than FreshBooks.
WaveFree invoicing and accounting; simpler feature set.
Zoho BooksGood value and automation; strong Zoho ecosystem fit.
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FreshBooks FAQs
Quick answers.