FreshBooks

• FreshBooks has four plans with varying client limits: Lite supports 5 clients, Plus supports 50 clients, and both Premium and Select support unlimited clients 
• The software works independently on web and mobile browsers, and offers native mobile apps for iOS and Android 
• All plans include unlimited time tracking, unlimited expense tracking, and automated bank import for seamless financial management 
• Double-entry accounting reports, bank reconciliation, and accountant access are available on Plus, Premium, and Select plans for advanced financial management 
• For users with higher accounting needs, the Premium and Select plans include project profitability analysis and accounts payable features 
• The Select plan includes 2 team member accounts at no extra charge, dedicated phone support, and Advanced Payments at no additional cost 

The right time to upgrade to any plan depends on your current operating costs against your desired business growth. Upgrading from Lite to Plus or Premium shifts the focus from basic invoicing and expense tracking to comprehensive financial management and accounting. The Plus and Premium plans offer advanced features like double-entry accounting, project profitability tracking, and accountant access, which suit small businesses with growing accounting needs.  

Lite Plan — $6.90/month 

Who It’s For: 

It works well for freelancers and solo professionals who are just starting their invoicing and expense tracking journey. For those seeking essential billing tools without significant cost, it offers a good choice.  

What You Should Know: 

Lite gives you the basic tools to manage invoicing and clients. It includes unlimited invoices, recurring billing, and up to 5 billable clients. You also get expense tracking, bank import, and basic reports. As your business grows, the client limit and reporting features can become restrictive, making an upgrade necessary.  

Key Features: 

• Send invoices to up to 5 clients
• Track expenses
• Create and send estimates
• Accept payments (cards, ACH, digital wallets, Buy Now Pay Later)
• Generate tax-time reports

Plus Plan — $12.90/month 

Who It’s For: 

It serves freelancers and small business owners who are growing their client base and need more comprehensive accounting features. This plan works best when your invoicing needs exceed basic tracking and you require accounting capabilities.  

What You Should Know: 

Plus includes everything in Lite and expands client capacity while adding accounting tools. You get better reporting, expense tracking features, and the ability to work with an accountant. It’s usually the plan businesses move to once basic invoicing is no longer enough.  

Key Features: 

• Send invoices to up to 50 clients
• Expense tracking
• Proposals and client retainers
• Financial and accounting reports
• Expense receipt scanning
• Accountant access

Premium Plan — $21.00/month 

Who It’s For: 

It serves established small businesses and consultants who manage unlimited clients and require advanced financial management capabilities. This plan is ideal for businesses that need comprehensive project profitability analysis and accounts payable management.  

What You Should Know: 

Premium includes all Plus features and removes client limits. It also adds tools for tracking profitability and managing expenses in more detail, making it suitable for higher-volume operations.  

Key Features: 

• Unlimited clients
• Project profitability tracking
• Expense and bill tracking with receipt capture
• Advanced reporting
• Custom email templates and branding removal

Select Plan — Custom Pricing 

Who It’s For: 

It's designed for enterprise-level businesses and organizations with advanced accounting requirements, high transaction volumes, or specialized business needs.  

What You Should Know: 

Select includes all Premium features along with lower payment fees, support, and help with onboarding and data transfer. It is suited for businesses that need more hands-on support and flexibility.  

Key Features: 

• Lower transaction fees
• Dedicated support
• Data migration support (Easy Switch)
• Advanced payments included
• Additional team member access 

Overall rating: 4.3/5 

• FreshBooks is often seen as a good fit for freelancers and small service businesses because it is easy to use and covers the basics well 
• Some reviewers also say it gets pricey compared with alternatives, especially as you move to higher plans 
• Overall, users tend to like the value for invoicing and expense tracking, but pricing concerns show up once businesses need more features 

• Payment processing can add extra cost. FreshBooks charges transaction fees on online payments, and the fee depends on the payment type 
• The Buy Now offer is a promotional discount, not a permanent price. It gives 70% off for 4 months for eligible new customers who buy a qualifying subscription during the promotion period 
• The online payments offer has its own rules. It says eligible subscribers can get up to $250 back in online payment fees for 60 days, so payment usage can still affect total cost 
• The surcharging pilot is also separate. FreshBooks says accepted participants receive six months of surcharging at no additional platform cost during the pilot period 

Going for the right FreshBooks plan depends on your client base size, accounting needs, and the level of support and reporting your business requires 

• It is recommended to start with the 30-day free trial, which gives you access to FreshBooks features before you commit to a paid plan 
• The Lite plan is best suited for freelancers and solo professionals with up to 5 clients and basic invoicing needs 
• Once your client base grows beyond 5 clients, the Plus plan becomes a better fit because it supports up to 50 clients and adds more accounting features 
• The Premium plan is a stronger choice for businesses that need unlimited clients and more advanced reporting and project-based tools 
• The Select plan is designed for businesses that want custom support, onboarding, and more tailored service 
• Annual billing may also help reduce overall cost compared with paying monthly 

FreshBooks is a good fit for businesses and freelancers that need simple invoicing, payment tracking, and an easy-to-use interface. Reviewers consistently praise its ease of use, while also pointing out limits in reporting, customization, and mobile functionality.  

Ease Of Use: 5/5 

Users repeatedly describe FreshBooks as simple, fast, and reliable. They say invoice creation is straightforward, alerts for overdue payments are helpful, and the interface makes day-to-day billing tasks easy to manage.  

Value For Money: 4/5 

Many reviewers feel FreshBooks offers strong value for smaller teams because it saves time and supports core billing needs. However, some users say it can feel expensive as a business grows, especially when adding more users or needing more advanced features.  

Functionality: 4/5 

FreshBooks covers the essentials well, including invoicing, expense tracking, and payment tools. Reviewers also mention that reporting and customization are somewhat limited, and the mobile app could be stronger compared with the desktop version.  

FreshBooks delivers simplicity and comprehensive invoicing and accounting capabilities. At the same time, organizations with specialized needs in automation, design, or budget may get similar advantages from exploring alternatives.  

The right FreshBooks plan is determined by your client base size and accounting needs. The Lite plan is suitable for freelancers and solo professionals managing a small number of clients. When you grow your client base beyond 5 clients or need advanced accounting features like double-entry accounting and project profitability, moving to Plus or Premium makes sense. Pick the plan based on how many clients you manage, the accounting complexity you require, and whether you need dedicated support.  

How much does FreshBooks cost?  

FreshBooks offers four plans: Lite at $6.90/month, Plus at $12.90/month, Premium at $21.00/month, and Select with custom pricing.  

Does FreshBooks offer a free trial?  

Yes, FreshBooks offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required, giving you full access to all features.  

How many clients can I manage on each plan?  

Lite plan supports up to 5 billable clients. Plus plan supports up to 50 billable clients. Premium and Select plans support unlimited billable clients.  

Does FreshBooks charge transaction fees?  

FreshBooks does not charge transaction fees on any plan. However, Stripe and PayPal charge standard processing fees of approximately 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. The Select plan offers access to lower credit card processing fees.  

What payment methods does FreshBooks accept?  

All FreshBooks plans accept credit and debit cards, ACH bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Buy Now Pay Later options from Affirm and Afterpay.  

Can I have team members on my account?  

Yes. Team members can be added to any plan for $11/month per person. The Select plan includes 2 team member accounts at no extra charge.  

Does FreshBooks have mobile apps?  

Yes. FreshBooks offers native mobile apps for both iOS and Android, allowing you to send invoices, track time, scan receipts, and manage payments on the go.