FreshBooks review & overview

Invoicing-first accounting built for freelancers and service businesses; very easy time tracking, proposals and client billing.

FreshBooks sits in the invoicing & accounting space and is most often picked for freelancers, service businesses, invoicing. Below is a quick, no-fluff overview to help you decide if it fits.

Key facts

Who it's for

FreshBooks makes most sense for freelancers.

• Freelancers
• Service businesses
• Invoicing

Key features

What you actually get with FreshBooks, drawn from independent reviews and the vendor's own documentation:

• Invoicing-first workflow with recurring invoices and payment reminders
• Built-in time tracking and project/proposal tools
• Expense tracking and double-entry accounting on higher tiers
• Client portal for billing and approvals
• Add-on payroll and advanced payments

Integrations

FreshBooks connects with FreshBooks Payments, Stripe, PayPal, Gusto, Zapier and G Suite.

What makes it stand out

Built around getting invoices out and paid, ideal for service-based solopreneurs.

Who it's best for

Freelancers and small service businesses focused on invoicing and time billing.

Strengths & trade-offs

The honest balance for FreshBooks, from independent reviews rather than its sales page. We go deeper in the full FreshBooks review.

Strengths

• + Very easy to use for freelancers and service businesses
• + Strong time-tracking-to-invoice flow
• + 30-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee

Trade-offs

• - Lite plan caps billable clients at 5; Plus at 50
• - Extra team members cost ~$11/mo each
• - Double-entry accounting only on higher tiers

Notable facts

Concrete, checkable details rather than marketing claims:

• FreshBooks Payments charges 2.9% + $0.30 per Visa/Mastercard/Discover, 3.5% + $0.30 for Amex, 1% for US ACH
• Annual billing applies a ~10% discount
• Additional team members cost ~$11/mo each

See FreshBooks alternatives →