QuickBooks vs FreshBooks
Last updated July 6, 2026
Deciding between QuickBooks and FreshBooks? Here's how they stack up on price, fit and migration effort — so you can pick the right accounting software tool without second-guessing.
Pricing disclaimer: All prices are list prices in USD, shown for general information only as of July 6, 2026, and may have changed since. Plans, tiers and features vary by region and are frequently updated by each vendor. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice — always confirm current pricing and terms on the provider's official website before you buy.
| QuickBooks | FreshBooks | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $38/mo (Simple Start) | $23/mo |
| Free tier | — | No |
| Best for | Established users on its plans | Freelancers and agencies that bill clients by project or hour. |
| Migration effort | — | Easy |
| Rating | — | 4.3 ★ |
Why teams switch from QuickBooks
- ✕Repeated annual price increases — the entry Simple Start plan now lists at $38/mo, with mid and top tiers at $75, $115 and $275/mo.
- ✕Per-plan user caps: Simple Start allows just one billable user, forcing upgrades as teams grow.
- ✕Aggressive upsells and add-on pricing (payroll, payments) that inflate the real monthly cost.
- ✕A dated, cluttered UI that many non-accountants find hard to learn.
Where FreshBooks wins
- ✓Delightful invoicing and time tracking
- ✓Very approachable for non-accountants
- ✓Good mobile app
…and where it doesn't
- ✕Plans are capped by number of billable clients
- ✕Double-entry accounting is newer and lighter
- ✕Extra fee per additional team member
The verdict on FreshBooks
FreshBooks approaches accounting from the invoicing side, which makes it a natural fit for consultants, agencies and other service businesses that live and die by getting paid on time. Time tracking, project profitability and the client portal are genuinely excellent, and the whole product is friendlier to non-accountants than QuickBooks. The trade-offs: plans are capped by the number of billable clients (the Lite tier is quite limited), and each additional team member costs extra. If your bookkeeping is inventory-heavy, look at Xero or QuickBooks instead — but for pure service billing, FreshBooks is a joy. Importing existing QuickBooks data is straightforward.
Try FreshBooksFrequently asked questions
Is FreshBooks cheaper than QuickBooks?
FreshBooks starts at $23/mo, compared with QuickBooks from $38/mo (Simple Start). Standard price: Lite $23/mo, Plus $43/mo, Premium $70/mo (US list). Heavy intro promos — up to 90% off for the first 6 months — are common. Billable-client caps per tier.
Is it hard to migrate from QuickBooks to FreshBooks?
Migration difficulty is rated Easy. Importing existing QuickBooks data is straightforward.
Who should choose FreshBooks over QuickBooks?
FreshBooks is best for: Freelancers and agencies that bill clients by project or hour. If that describes your situation, it's a strong QuickBooks alternative.
Disclosure: some links are affiliate links; QikAlt may earn a commission at no cost to you. Pricing is list price as of July 6, 2026 and may change — confirm on each vendor's site.