FreshBooks VS QuickBooks Comparison

QuickBooks Online and FreshBooks are among the most popular small business accounting software programs, providing millions of customers with cloud-based accounting solutions. We’ve pitted FreshBooks vs. QuickBooks in this head-head comparison to help you determine which — if any — is best for your business.

QuickBooks Online and FreshBooks both offer basic accounting features, but each brings additional benefits to the table, from advanced features to intuitive UIs.

We’ve tested the software and done our research to give you a better understanding of what each accounting software offers and which will be most beneficial for your small business. Keep reading to find out more.

Don’t have time to read the whole post? Are you looking for a different accounting option? Check out our top-rated accounting solutions to see our favorite recommendations.

FreshBooks VS QuickBooks Comparison Summary

Both FreshBooks and QuickBooks Online are intuitive programs that offer the basic features you’d expect from accounting software. However, FreshBooks doesn’t move beyond the basics and is more suitable for independent contractors, freelancers, and service-based industries. QBO is a more scalable option for larger businesses seeking more robust accounting features.

FreshBooks Overview

FreshBooks is easy-to-use cloud-based accounting software that boasts basic accounting features. The dashboard provides information critical to your business, including total profits, revenue streams, and outstanding revenue. From there, you can move on to invoicing clients, preparing and sending estimates, tracking expenses, reconciling bank accounts, tracking time, assigning projects, and performing other essential functions. And if you get stuck, FreshBooks is known for its outstanding customer support.

While FreshBooks lacks advanced features, such as inventory management, it is ideal for freelancers, micro-businesses, and small businesses needing simple accounting and basic features.

QuickBooks Overview

QuickBooks Online vs. FreshBooks comes with a wider breadth of features and complex accounting capabilities that small business owners need. In addition to basic accounting features, you’ll also find more advanced features, including inventory management. Built-in lending through QuickBooks Capital and QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping service for outsourcing bookkeeping tasks are two unique features you won’t find with FreshBooks.

QuickBooks Online is also at the top of its class for invoicing, offering numerous automations and customizations. Progress invoicing and multilingual invoicing is also available. Add in hundreds of integrations and strong reporting, and QuickBooks Online is an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes that need robust accounting software.

What’s The Difference Between FreshBooks & QuickBooks Online?

Both FreshBooks and QuickBooks offer standard accounting features. However, QuickBooks has an advanced feature set that’s suitable for businesses with complex accounting needs. FreshBooks is known for its ease of use and good customer service and is a suitable choice for contractors, freelancers, and others that need only basic accounting.

Both FreshBooks & QuickBooks Online Offer…

Only FreshBooks Offers…

Only QuickBooks Online Offers…

FreshBooks VS QuickBooks Pricing

FreshBooks offers three different pricing levels that range from $17-$55/month. The larger plans provide you with more features and billable clients. All plans support one user, and additional users can be added for $10/month per user. A 30-day free trial is available. Custom plans are available for businesses that can’t find what they need with FreshBooks’ other plans.

QuickBooks Online has four pricing plans ranging from $30-$200/month. The more expensive the plan, the more features you’ll have access to. The higher-priced plans also include more users (up to 25) with no add-on costs. QuickBooks Online offers a 30-day free trial to test out the software.

FreshBooks VS QuickBooks Features

QuickBooks Online and FreshBooks share some of the same features, but QBO’s features are more developed and robust. For example, both software companies offer invoicing, but QuickBooks Online has some of the best invoice customizations and automations available. QuickBooks Online also boasts a number of advanced features you won’t find with FreshBooks, including inventory tracking, built-in lending, and budgeting.

FreshBooks does offer a better client portal as well as a proposal feature and the unique ability for customers to comment directly on estimates and invoices. However, without full inventory, tax support, or class tracking, FreshBooks isn’t at QBO’s level yet in terms of features.

Make sure to check out our comprehensive QuickBooks Online and FreshBooks reviews to see what features each has to offer.

Do Users Like FreshBooks Or QuickBooks More?

This is one category QuickBooks Online should not want to win, yet here it is. QuickBooks Online has received many user complaints regarding poor customer service, bugs, and even unauthorized charges. However, the software has also received praise for its numerous features, intuitive UI, hundreds of integrations, and mobile apps.

On the other hand, FreshBooks has received much fewer customer complaints. However, some users have voiced issues over higher monthly subscription costs, bugs and crashes in the software, and a lack of reports. Several users state that they like the original FreshBooks Classic better than the version released in recent years. But many users praise FreshBooks for its ease of use and customer support.

Should I Choose FreshBooks Or QuickBooks?

Which one is right for you? Let’s break it down again:

Choose FreshBooks If…

Choose QuickBooks If…

FreshBooks VS QuickBooks Comparison: The Final Verdict

QuickBooks Online is a full accounting package rolled into handy, cloud-based software that offers more developed features, more integrations, and strong security. QuickBooks Online is ideal for small businesses wanting strong accounting and features. For these reasons, it not only beats FreshBooks in this match-up but is also one of our top choices for small businesses here at Merchant Maverick.

But just because QuickBooks Online is the winner here does not mean it’s the best choice for your company. FreshBooks is a good choice for small businesses that want easy-to-use software with excellent customer support, strong mobile apps, and quick templates. Unique features such as proposals and being able to chat on estimates could also come in handy for some business types.

Or perhaps neither seems to be the right fit. If you’re still on the fence, check out our alternatives to QuickBooks and our alternatives to FreshBooks. After doing your research, be sure to take advantage of the free trials that accounting software companies offer, and feel free to reach out with any questions you have along the way.

QuickBooks VS FreshBooks FAQs