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FreshBooks and QuickBooks are leading accounting software solutions tailored to diverse business needs. FreshBooks best suits freelancers and solopreneurs, while QuickBooks has advanced accounting options better suited to growing and larger businesses.
I’ve tested both platforms, and in this comparison guide I’ll examine their price, ease of use, key features, integrations, and scalability to help you determine which is better for your business.
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Freshbooks vs. QuickBooks Compared
Here’s a quick head-to-head comparison to give you an overview of their differences.
| FreshBooks | QuickBooks | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $19/month | $35/month |
| Free Plan | 30-day free trial | 30-day free trial |
| Number of Users | The starter plan includes one user and five billable clients. The next plans vary from 50 to unlimited billable clients and offer the option to add additional users at $11 per month | The starter plan includes one user and one accountant. The next tiers consist of 3 to 25 users alongside an accountant |
| Inventory Management | Yes | Yes |
| Budgeting Tools | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Zapier, APIcenter, OneSaaS, etc. | Skyvia, Gusto, BILL, Loft47, etc. |
| General HR | Time and expense tracking, client portal, recurring invoices | Inventory management, tax preparation, mileage tracking, job costing |
| Customer Support | Self-service, phone, email, live chat | Live chat, email, phone, community forums |
| Read Review | FreshBooks review | QuickBooks review |
Freshbooks vs. QuickBooks Pricing Compared
Before diving into specific features, let’s compare pricing structures. Here’s a breakdown of FreshBooks and QuickBooks’ pricing tiers and free trials:
| Pricing Plans | FreshBooks | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Free Version | 30-day free trial | 30-day free trial |
| Starter | $19/month | $35/month |
| Basic | $33/month | $65/month |
| Plus | $60/month | $99/month |
| Premium | Quote-based | $235/month |
Both software solutions offer free 30-day trials and promotional discounts, making it easy for users to test them before making a commitment.
FreshBooks is small business accounting software, so its Lite plan is ideal for solopreneurs. QuickBooks’ Simple Start plan is similar but allows you to manage 1099 contractor expenses and payments. Both offer features such as multiple users, project profitability tracking, and inventory management.
While QuickBooks provides more features at higher tiers, FreshBooks is more affordable for freelancers and startups due to its lower base price for minimal clients.
Freshbooks vs QuickBooks Ease of Use
FreshBooks is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible to small business owners who may not have extensive accounting knowledge. I found the interface to be intuitive, with a dashboard that provides a quick financial health overview, allowing me to plan for upcoming expenses.
On the other hand, QuickBooks is geared towards accountants and bookkeepers familiar with double-entry accounting and advanced financial reporting. Although it has many features, it can be complex for new users and those without accounting expertise.
FreshBooks is easier for first-time users because of its streamlined interface and automated features like invoicing, accounts receivable tracking, and freshbooks payments. QuickBooks could benefit from incorporating some of FreshBooks’ user-friendly features to make it more accessible to new users.
FreshBooks is ideal for small business owners who need simple, easy-to-use accounting software. At the same time, QuickBooks is better suited for experienced accountants and bookkeepers who require advanced features and detailed financial reporting.
Freshbooks vs. QuickBooks Key Features
FreshBooks and QuickBooks are both strong accounting software options, but QuickBooks takes the crown for offering a more well-rounded and powerful feature set.
This section will explore specific areas like invoicing software, automation, general accounting, and customization to show why QuickBooks might better suit your business needs. I’ll explore how QuickBooks caters to a wider range of users, from beginners creating invoices to experienced users building complex workflows.
Freshbooks vs. QuickBooks Integrations
QuickBooks outshines FreshBooks with its extensive library of over 750 integration options, allowing users to enhance their accounting processes. In contrast, FreshBooks offers integrations with 100+ apps, which while still considerable, needs to catch up to QuickBooks’ offering.
QuickBooks’ integration ecosystem covers various aspects of business operations, including payment management, customer relationship management, and expense tracking. Users can seamlessly connect with popular platforms like Amazon, PayPal, Shopify, and Expensify, streamlining workflows and enhancing efficiency.
FreshBooks focuses more on integrations within its ecosystem, such as Gusto for payroll and G-Suite for email and contact management. While these integrations provide value, they may be limiting for businesses that require connectivity with a broader range of third-party tools.
QuickBooks’ extensive integration options offer greater flexibility and customization for businesses with diverse software needs. However, FreshBooks’ more curated set of integrations may be sufficient for smaller businesses or freelancers seeking simplicity and ease of use.
Freshbooks vs. QuickBooks Scalability
FreshBooks is tailored for solopreneurs and small teams, providing an intuitive and cost-effective solution for basic accounting tasks like invoicing and expense tracking. However, as your business grows, FreshBooks’ limited features and reporting capabilities may feel restrictive, making it better suited for smaller operations.
On the other hand, QuickBooks is designed to scale with growing businesses, offering a more comprehensive set of accounting and reporting features. It has multiple subscription tiers that cater to different business sizes and needs, including advanced inventory management and customizable reporting.
QuickBooks also allows multi-user access, making it easier to share workloads and collaborate with employees or accountants. Additionally, it provides more advanced accounting features, such as double-entry accounting and bank reconciliation, which are essential for larger businesses.
FreshBooks vs. QuickBooks Mobile Apps
Being able to access your accounting software on the go is becoming more and more important. FreshBooks and QuickBooks have mobile apps that are available on Android and iOS.
I found FreshBooks to be a simple, solid, and reliable mobile app. Just like when I was using it on my laptop, the mobile version was easy to navigate with an appealing interface. I was able to easily access key features like expense tracking, time tracking, and invoicing.
QuickBooks’ mobile app is pretty comprehensive, but I found it took more time to get to grips with. It has advanced features, including milage tracking. While FreshBooks also has this feature, users who travel for work will appreciate QuickBooks as they can track their mileage and categorize it as a business expense – helpful for tax filings.
Freshbooks vs. QuickBooks Customer Reviews
Customers often praise FreshBooks for its ease of use, making it ideal for those new to accounting software. One user review explained that FreshBooks was a great choice for their three-person graphic design shop due to its user-friendly interface and features like invoicing and time tracking.
Several users praise QuickBooks for their excellent customer support and how easy it was to get them set up.
Customers looking for simplicity favor FreshBooks on Trustpilot, praising its user-friendly interface. On the other hand, those requiring more advanced accounting features and the ability to handle multiple functions prefer QuickBooks for its comprehensive suite of tools.
Conclusion – Freshbooks vs. QuickBooks: Which One Wins?
| FreshBooks | QuickBooks | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Winner | ❌ |
| Ease of Use | Winner | ❌ |
| Features | ❌ | Winner |
| Integrations | ❌ | Winner |
| Scalability | ❌ | Winner |
| Mobile Apps | Winner | ❌ |
| Customer Reviews | ❌ | Winner |
| Overall | ❌ | Winner |
FreshBooks shines with its user-friendly interface and budget-friendly pricing, making it ideal for freelancers, startups, or small service-based businesses. It simplifies basic accounting tasks like invoicing and expense tracking.
However, QuickBooks offers a more comprehensive suite of features, extensive integrations, and greater scalability, making it a better fit for medium to large organizations that require advanced accounting capabilities.
Ultimately, FreshBooks wins on affordability and simplicity, while QuickBooks takes the crown for features, scalability, and a wider range of satisfied users.
How We Review and Test Accounting Products
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular accounting products on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- Features: We examine the features of each accounting software to determine what capabilities are offered- such as creating, editing, and deleting transactions.
- Compliance: We evaluate accounting software based on whether it offers local compliance when it comes to payroll, taxes, documentation, and more.
- Bank Reconciliation: We test the reconciliation process to ensure transactions match bank statements accurately.
- Multi-Currency Support: We verify the accuracy of currency conversions and transactions in multi-currency environments.
- User Experience: We get hands-on with each product and act as a new user, testing each platform to gain understanding if the platform is easy to use or not.
- Reporting and Documentation: We verify the accuracy of financial reports generated by the software such as balance sheets and income statements.
- Integrations: We evaluate the integrations of each piece of software to determine how well it fits in with other key pieces in a business’s software stack, and whether its functionality can be expanded as required.
- Audit Trails: We ensure the software maintains comprehensive audit trails for tracking changes made to financial data.
How to Choose the Best Accounting Software
Many different aspects need to be considered when reviewing and comparing accounting software. Here are the main factors we focus on during our review process.
Your budget is crucial in choosing the right accounting software. Evaluate the pricing models of different software options, considering both the initial cost and the total cost of ownership. Look beyond the initial cost and consider any additional modules or add-ons necessary for your business. Compare the features and pricing of different software providers to ensure you’re getting the best value for your investment.
Ease of use is another critical factor. Ensure that the software is user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that can be easily navigated by anyone in your team, even those without extensive accounting or technical expertise.
Does the software offer a mobile app for on-the-go access? This can be a massive perk for managing tasks remotely. Remember that some advanced integrations may only be available on higher-tier plans.
The software must offer all the features you need now and in the future. Ensure your plan includes essential features like invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting. Some features may be restricted to higher-tier plans, so consider your current and future needs carefully.
Think about your business’s growth potential. Will the software you choose be scalable to accommodate your future needs? Can you easily upgrade your plan to access additional features as your business expands? You should also consider the cost of scaling. Will the added functionality fit comfortably within your budget?
Finally, consider the customer support offered by the software provider. Look for providers that offer reliable support options, such as email, phone, and chat support. User reviews should also be used to gauge the provider’s reputation for customer support.
