Lite
Save ~20% with annual billing
What's included:
- 5 billable clients
- Unlimited invoices
- Expense tracking
- Time tracking
- Basic reports
- Payment processing
Complete pricing breakdown for FreshBooks. Compare plans, features, and find the best value.
FreshBooks starts at $23/month for the Lite plan. 4 plans available.
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $23/mo | 5 billable clients, Unlimited invoices |
| Plus ★ | $43/mo | 50 billable clients, Recurring invoices |
| Premium | $70/mo | Unlimited clients, Project profitability tracking |
| Select | Free | All Premium features, 2 team members included |
Save ~20% with annual billing
Save ~20% with annual billing
Save ~20% with annual billing
| Tool | Starting Price | Free Tier | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F FreshBooks Current | $23/mo | Freelancers and consultants | ||
| Z Zoho Invoice | Free | Small businesses needing professional invoicing | Compare | |
| FB FreshBooks | $21/mo | Freelancers and solopreneurs managing invoicing and expenses | Compare | |
| X Xero | $25/mo | Small businesses | Compare | |
| Wa Wave Accounting | Free | Freelancers and solopreneurs tracking income and expenses | Compare | |
| W Wave | Free | Small business owners starting out with limited budgets | Compare |
FreshBooks sits in the mid-range at $23/mo, balancing features against cost. It's neither the cheapest nor most expensive option, making it suitable for teams that need solid functionality without enterprise-level pricing.
Lite plan ($23/mo) — the only paid tier, includes all premium features
FreshBooks lacks advanced accounting functionality essential for scaling businesses, missing inventory tracking, advanced financial reporting, and sophisticated tax breakdowns. There's no built-in payroll in the U.S. and integration with Gusto costs extra.
Compare QuickBooks pricingAll plans have a one-user limit by default, and adding team members incurs substantial additional fees per person. This structure penalizes growth and makes FreshBooks uneconomical for collaborative teams.
Compare Xero pricingThe biggest complaint is that costs escalate dramatically as your business grows, with total bills climbing quickly through add-ons, transaction fees, and team member charges. Users report being forced into higher pricing tiers earlier than expected.
Compare Wave pricingLower-tier plans cap the number of billable clients (5-50 depending on the plan), which forces freelancers and small agencies to upgrade sooner than necessary. Users cannot batch-create multiple invoices at once.
Compare Zoho Books pricingFreshBooks offers a tiered pricing model designed to accommodate businesses at different stages of growth. Starting at $21 per month, the plans are structured based on the number of billable clients and required features. Understanding each tier's value is crucial for making an informed decision about which plan best suits your business needs.
The Lite plan, priced at $21 monthly, is ideal for solo entrepreneurs or freelancers with up to 5 billable clients. It includes core features like unlimited invoicing, expense tracking, and time tracking. However, it has limitations on client management and reporting capabilities. For growing businesses, the Plus plan at $38 per month expands client capacity to 50 and adds more advanced features like recurring invoices and multiple team members.
The Premium plan, at $65 per month, is recommended for established small businesses requiring comprehensive financial management. This tier offers unlimited billable clients, advanced reporting, and advanced payment features. For enterprises with complex needs, the Select plan offers custom pricing with dedicated support and advanced integrations.
Hidden costs to consider include additional user fees ($11 per user monthly) and potential payment processing charges. While FreshBooks' pricing might seem higher compared to some alternatives, the time saved through automation often justifies the investment. They frequently offer promotional discounts, such as 50% off for the first few months, which can make the transition more financially attractive.
When comparing FreshBooks to competitors like QuickBooks or Wave, its pricing is competitive, especially for service-based professionals. The key is to evaluate not just the monthly cost, but the potential productivity gains and reduced administrative overhead the software provides.
| Feature | Lite | Plus | Premium | Select |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invoicing Unlimited invoices with customizable templates | ||||
| Time Tracking Built-in timer with project assignment | ||||
| Expense Tracking Receipt scanning and categorization | ||||
| Project Management Track project budgets and profitability | ||||
| Client Portal Secure portal for client communication | ||||
| Recurring Billing Plus plan and above | ||||
| Bank Reconciliation Plus plan and above | ||||
| Double-Entry Accounting Plus plan and above | ||||
| Mileage Tracking Mobile app with GPS tracking | ||||
| Payment Processing Accept credit cards and bank transfers |
FreshBooks offers solid value for its feature set. It's best suited for Freelancers and consultants and Service-based small businesses. Starting at $23/mo, it's accessible for most budgets.
FreshBooks emerges as an exceptional accounting solution for service-based professionals and small businesses seeking a user-friendly, comprehensive financial management platform. Its strengths lie in intuitive design, robust invoicing capabilities, and integrated time tracking that can dramatically reduce administrative overhead.
While the software excels for freelancers and small service businesses, it may not be ideal for larger enterprises or businesses requiring complex accounting features. Companies needing advanced inventory management, multi-company accounting, or extensive financial reporting might want to explore alternatives like QuickBooks Online or Xero.
Our final recommendation is that FreshBooks is an excellent choice for solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small service-based businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Its pricing, while slightly higher than some competitors, is justified by the time-saving features and professional-grade tools. The 30-day free trial allows you to thoroughly evaluate whether the platform meets your specific business needs.
On a 5-point scale, we rate FreshBooks a solid 4.5/5 for its target market. The platform successfully balances ease of use, powerful features, and affordability, making it a top recommendation for service professionals looking to streamline their financial management.
Starts at $38/mo — pricier but recommended when: complex financial operations.
Compare pricingSimilar pricing at $25/mo. Consider if: growing teams & collaboration.
Compare pricingStarts at Free vs $23/mo. Better for: budget-conscious businesses.
Compare pricingStarts at Free vs $23/mo. Better for: high volume client management.
Compare pricingFreshBooks costs $23/month for the Lite plan. 4 plans available ranging up to $70/month.
No, FreshBooks doesn't offer a permanent free plan. Pricing starts at $23/month for the Lite plan. However, they may offer a free trial period.
The Lite plan ($23/mo) includes: 5 billable clients; Unlimited invoices; Expense tracking; Time tracking. Higher tiers add more advanced features.
FreshBooks is affordable for small teams at $23/mo. Best for: Freelancers and consultants and Service-based small businesses. Highly rated (4.5/5).
FreshBooks starts at $23/mo vs Zoho Invoice at Free. FreshBooks is more affordable. Compare features side-by-side to decide.
Yes, most invoicing tools including FreshBooks offer 10-20% discounts when you pay annually instead of monthly. This can save you approximately $55 per year depending on your plan.