Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.
At a glance
Starting price: ~$22/mo (Lite (5 billable clients); Plus and Premium tiers scale up — verify at vendor)
Time tracking: Native (Built into the dashboard — no add-on needed)
Client portal: Included (Clients can view and pay invoices directly)
Payroll: Via Gusto (Not native)
Who FreshBooks is best for
Freelancers, service-based agencies, consultants, and time-billable service businesses where invoicing and time-tracking are as important as accounting.
Pros
Best-in-class invoicing and client-portal experience
Native time tracking — most natural fit for hourly billers
Retainer billing built in
Strong mobile app for on-the-go invoicing
Cons
Lite tier limits billable clients to 5 — upgrading to Plus unlocks unlimited
CPA-side workflow less mature than QuickBooks Online or Xero
Smaller integration ecosystem than QBO
U.S. payroll requires Gusto integration
FreshBooks requirements
Service businesses, freelancers, agencies
Online subscription
FreshBooks alternatives
QuickBooks Online(Intuit) — Most U.S. SMBs working with a CPA. Default for retail, e-commerce, contractors, professional services when you don't have a specific reason to choose something else. Read reviewGet started at Intuit →
QuickBooks Solopreneur(Intuit) — Sole proprietors, single-member LLCs filing on Schedule C, side-hustle operators, and 1099 contractors who want business/personal separation and mileage tracking. Read reviewGet started at Intuit →
Xero(Xero) — Service businesses (agencies, consultancies, professional services), project-based operators, multi-currency businesses, and operators with CPA partners who prefer Xero. Read reviewGet started at Xero →
Bottom line
FreshBooks — Best invoicing + accounting combination for freelancers and agencies. Best for: Freelancers, service-based agencies, consultants, and time-billable service businesses where invoicing and time-tracking are as important as accounting.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.
Questions about FreshBooks
Who is FreshBooks best for?
FreshBooks is built for freelancers, consultants, agencies, and service businesses where invoicing and time-tracking are the core workflow — especially those billing by the hour or project.
How much does FreshBooks cost?
Regular pricing runs $23–$70/month across three tiers: Lite (5 clients), Plus (50 clients), and Premium (unlimited clients). Promotional pricing is frequent, so check current rates at FreshBooks directly.
Does FreshBooks charge for additional users?
Yes. Plans include one user, and each additional team member is $11/month as an add-on across all plans, which can get expensive for larger teams.
Does FreshBooks handle payroll?
FreshBooks has no native payroll. Gusto and other providers integrate to add payroll, which is a separate cost.
What makes FreshBooks stand out?
Its best-in-class invoicing — professional templates, automatic payment reminders, late-fee automation, and a client portal — plus built-in time tracking tied directly to invoices and project profitability tracking. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How we rate
Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).
Scored consistently across every product and independent of any compensation. Full methodology →
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