FreshBooks Pricing Tiers & Costs
A complete overview of FreshBooks pricing plans, additional costs, value for money, and how to pick the right plan for you. Plus, alternatives to consider and a side-by-side pricing comparison.
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FreshBooks is an accounting software offering multiple pricing tiers and subscription-based plans. Accountants and other financial professionals use FreshBooks to manage invoices, track expenses, and streamline accounting processes efficiently.
Overall, FreshBooks’s pricing structure is flexible, offering good value compared to competitors. This guide covers everything you need to know about FreshBooks’s pricing, plans, and costs to make an informed purchase decision with confidence.
How Much Does FreshBooks Cost?
FreshBooks’s paid plans start from $6.30/month for the Lite plan (for 4 months, then $21/month) and go up to $11.40/month for the Premium plan (for 4 months, then $38/month).
A free version of FreshBooks is not available, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it suitable for small businesses wanting to test the software before committing.
For larger enterprises or specific business needs, FreshBooks does offer custom pricing tiers.
FreshBooks Plans & Pricing Tiers
Here's an overview of the available FreshBooks plans:
| Plan Type | Price Per Month | What’s Included? |
| Lite | $6.30/month (for 4 months, then $21/month) | 5 billable clients, unlimited invoices, expense tracking, time tracking, estimates, and tax reports. |
| Plus | $11.40/month (for 4 months, then $38/month) | 50 billable clients, all Lite features, recurring billing, client retainers, and proposal creation. |
| Premium | $19.50/month (for 4 months, then $65/month) | Unlimited billable clients, all Plus features, project profitability, and customized email templates. |
| Select | Upon request | All Premium features, dedicated account manager, custom integrations, and advanced online payments options. |
Let’s break down the available FreshBooks’s pricing plans a bit further:
FreshBooks Lite Plan
The Lite plan is ideal for freelancers and small business owners needing basic accounting tools. It offers features like invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and the ability to create estimates. Together, these features help you streamline workflows and ensure accurate bookkeeping. However, this plan is limited by its inability to provide invoices for more than 5 clients.
FreshBooks Plus Plan
The Plus plan targets growing businesses requiring more advanced client management and billing options. It includes key features like recurring billing and client retainers, as well as sales tax-time reports and accountant access. While these are compatible qualities, this plan isn’t ideal for larger corporations, as it only allows invoicing for up to 50 clients.
FreshBooks Premium Plan
The Premium plan is designed for established businesses needing advanced accounting reports and features. It offers unlimited billable clients and adds project profitability tracking and customized email templates, making it ideal for larger businesses with extensive client bases and complex project needs. This plan doesn’t have invoicing limitations, but does only allow one team member account.
FreshBooks Select Plan
The Select plan provides extensive customization and customer support, making it ideal for larger enterprises or businesses with unique needs. It includes a dedicated account manager, custom integrations, easy data importing, and 2 additional team member accounts.
These capabilities make this plan ideal for businesses needing tailored solutions and advanced payment options. However, its custom pricing may make it more expensive than other FreshBooks plans.
FreshBooks Pricing vs. Competitors
FreshBooks is generally considered average in pricing compared to other accounting software. It offers four pricing tiers—Lite, Plus, Premium, and Select—each with a distinct set of features, catering to various business sizes.
The functionality includes invoicing, expense tracking, and project management, which are common in the industry. FreshBooks also offers integrations across all plans, but advanced options may be reserved for higher tiers. Additionally, the software’s security safeguards are consistently provided across all plans, ensuring data protection for users.
Comparison Chart: FreshBooks vs. Alternatives
Wondering how FreshBooks pricing compares to other accounting software? Here’s a comparison chart that breaks down the costs of other accounting software side-by-side:
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ramp Ramp is a finance platform for expense control, reporting, and analytics. | Best for expense management | Free demo available | From $15/user/month | Website |
| 2 |  BQE Core BQE Core is software for accounting, invoicing, project management, and more. | Best for project-based businesses | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
| 3 |  Bonsai Bonsai is a business software for self-employed freelancers handling contracts, invoices, and time tracking. | Best for freelancers | 7-day free trial | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 4 |  Planful Planful is cloud software for budgeting, forecasting, and financial management. | Best for financial planning | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
| 5 |  ZarMoney ZarMoney is a cloud-based accounting solution for accounting and inventory management. | Best for customizable invoicing | Free trial + demo available | From $20/month | Website |
| 6 |  Budgyt Budgyt simplifies budgeting for SMBs and nonprofits, eliminating spreadsheets. | Best for budget management | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
| 7 |  ZipBooks ZipBooks is free software for invoicing, billing, expenses, and reporting. | Best for small business invoicing | 30-day free trial + free plan available | From $15/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 8 |  DayZero DayZero is an accounting platform for SMBs offering automation and invoicing. | Best for startup financial planning | 30-day free trial | From $75/month (billed annually) | Website |
| 9 |  Sage 50 Accounting Sage 50 Accounting manages invoicing, payments, payroll, and reporting. | Best for comprehensive accounting needs | 30-day free trial | From $708/year | Website |
| 10 |  Keeper Keeper is a platform for secure password storage and encrypted file sharing. | Best for data security | Free demo available | From $8/client/month | Website |
Alternatives to FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a valuable accounting software, but there are plenty of other options out there. Depending on your use case, budget, team size, and other factors, you might consider shopping around for a solution that’s better suited to your needs.
If you’re looking for alternative accounting software options to FreshBooks, here are a few worth checking out:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
How to Choose the Right FreshBooks Plan
When deciding which FreshBooks plan to go with, you’ll want to consider the added value and potential drawbacks that come with each option. Scrolling through long lists of features can quickly lead to confusion and uncertainty, so here are a few factors to keep in mind as you evaluate and assess your options:
FreshBooks Scalability and Team Size
Evaluating FreshBooks scalability in relation to your team’s size and growth trajectory is vital to ensuring you have the right plan for your company.
For freelancers or small teams managing up to 5 clients, the Lite plan offers essential features without overwhelming complexity. As your team grows to handle more clients, the Plus plan, supporting up to 50 clients, becomes more suitable.
If you’re starting out as a larger team with an extensive client base, you may find the Premium plan more ideal, offering unlimited clients and advanced features. On the other hand, if your business has unique requirements, the Select plan offers customization to meet specific needs.
Need expert help selecting the right tool?
With one-on-one help, we guide you to your top software options. Narrow down your software search & make a confident choice.
Industry-Specific FreshBooks Features
Once you know which plan your company falls into, it’s important to know which features you’re looking for that best suit your needs.
For creative industries, FreshBooks offers project profitability tracking, beneficial for teams managing multiple projects. This feature is also available in the Premium plan, which supports unlimited clients. For service-based businesses, the recurring billable hours and client retainers in the Plus plan further enable efficient client management.
However, if your industry requires custom solutions, the Select plan’s tailored integrations may be your best fit.
FreshBooks Integration Capabilities
Next to features, it's also important for any accounting software to connect with your existing tech stack to ensure smooth workflows.
FreshBooks offers native integrations with popular tools like G Suite, PayPal, and Stripe, supporting efficient data exchange across platforms. It also connects with third-party integration tools like Zapier, expanding its compatibility with other applications.
Additionally, FreshBooks provides an API, allowing you and your team to build custom integrations for specific needs, enhancing the software's adaptability to your unique processes.
FreshBooks Security Safeguards
Lastly, regardless of your chosen software, it’s imperative to look into security offerings before making a final decision.
FreshBooks provides strong security safeguards across all plans, including data encryption, secure servers, and regular backups, making sure your information remains confidential and safe. While security features remain consistent across plans, higher-tier plans, like Select, may offer additional custom security measures.
Evaluating these safeguards helps ensure that FreshBooks provides the necessary protection for your financial operations.
Need expert help selecting the right tool?
With one-on-one help, we guide you to your top software options. Narrow down your software search & make a confident choice.
FreshBooks Pricing FAQs
Here are answers to a few common questions about FreshBooks pricing:
What additional costs should I anticipate with FreshBooks?
Additional costs with FreshBooks may include charges for extra users beyond the plan’s limit. Some integrations or advanced features may also require additional fees or subscriptions. It’s important to review the specific plan details to understand any potential extra costs that might apply to your usage.
Are there any discounts or promotions available for FreshBooks?
FreshBooks offers a 10% discount when you choose annual billing instead of monthly billing. Occasionally, FreshBooks may provide promotional discounts or trials for new users. You can access these offers directly on their website or through promotional emails.
How often does FreshBooks change its pricing structure?
FreshBooks does not frequently change its pricing structure. However, when changes occur, they are usually communicated well in advance to existing users. The specific timing and details of the last pricing change are not publicly available on the FreshBooks website.
Can I upgrade or downgrade my FreshBooks plan at any time?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your FreshBooks plan at any time. Changes to your plan are typically effective immediately, allowing you to adjust your subscription based on your current business needs without delay.
Does FreshBooks offer a money-back guarantee?
FreshBooks offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. If you’re not satisfied with the service within the first 30 days, you can request a full refund. This policy provides assurance for users trying out the software for the first time.
Are there any hidden fees with FreshBooks plans?
FreshBooks is transparent about its pricing, and there are no hidden fees associated with its plans. All costs are outlined in the plan details, ensuring you know what you’re paying for upfront. However, it’s advisable to review the terms for any additional services or features you opt to use.
Is FreshBooks Good Value?
In my opinion, FreshBooks offers good value for small to medium-sized businesses, especially in creative and service-based industries. Its ease of use and strong invoicing features are standout characteristics, making it easy for businesses to manage finances efficiently.
The pricing tiers are well-structured, allowing businesses to scale as they grow, with options like the Lite plan for freelancers and the Premium plan for larger teams. While the support is reliable and onboarding is straightforward, some advanced features are limited to higher-tier plans.
Nonetheless, businesses needing project profitability or mileage tracking or customized solutions will find FreshBooks beneficial. However, those requiring extensive inventory management might consider alternatives.
Overall, FreshBooks provides a balanced mix of functionality and affordability, making it a valuable tool for many business environments.
Verdict: FreshBooks is a worthwhile investment for businesses seeking efficient accounting management with scalable pricing options.
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