FreshBooks vs. QuickBooks: Which is best in 2024

Managing finances is important for any business, whether you’re freelancing or running a small or medium-sized company. QuickBooks and FreshBooks are two popular choices for accounting software. This guide will help you decide which one is right for you. We’ll compare how easy they are to use, their costs, features, invoicing, time tracking, and more. By the end, you’ll know which software is best for your needs. 

1. Ease of Use 

QuickBooks: 

Pros: Offers a comprehensive set of tools that can handle complex accounting needs. QuickBooks provides detailed step-by-step tutorials, which is helpful for new users. 

Cons: The interface can be overwhelming, especially for beginners or those without accounting experience. The sheer number of features can make it seem complex at first. 

FreshBooks: 

Pros: Designed for simplicity, FreshBooks is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate. It’s ideal for those who are not accountants by profession. 

Cons: While simple, it may not offer the depth of functionality that some users might need as their business grows. 

If ease of use is your primary concern, FreshBooks is the better choice due to its intuitive and straightforward interface. 

2. Pricing 

QuickBooks: 

Plans: 

Simple Start: $25/month 

Essentials: $50/month 

Plus: $80/month 

Advanced: $180/month 

Value: Offers a robust set of features that scale with your business, justifying the higher price point for more advanced plans. 

FreshBooks: 

Plans: 

Lite: $17/month 

Plus: $30/month 

Premium: $55/month 

Select: Custom pricing 

Value: More affordable, especially for freelancers and very small businesses. However, it offers fewer features at the lower pricing tiers. 

For freelancers and small businesses, FreshBooks might be more cost-effective. However, if you need more advanced features and can justify the cost, QuickBooks offers better value for growing businesses. 

3. Features 

QuickBooks: 

Strengths: A wide range of features including expense tracking, invoicing, payroll, tax preparation, and inventory management. It’s versatile and can handle more complex accounting tasks. 

Weaknesses: The abundance of features can be overwhelming, and some may be unnecessary for smaller businesses. 

FreshBooks: 

Strengths: Focuses on core features like invoicing, expense tracking, and time tracking. It’s streamlined for service-based businesses. 

Weaknesses: Lacks some of the advanced features that QuickBooks offers, such as inventory management and advanced reporting. 

 For businesses that require a full suite of accounting tools, QuickBooks is the better option. FreshBooks is better suited for those who need simpler, more specific features. 

4. Invoicing 

QuickBooks: 

Pros: Offers customizable invoicing templates, recurring invoices, and the ability to track payments. Integrates well with payment processors for quicker payments. 

Cons: The customization options, while extensive, might be more than what’s needed for simpler invoicing needs. 

FreshBooks: 

Pros: Excels in invoicing, offering beautiful, customizable templates, automatic late payment reminders, and direct payment through the invoice. Perfect for service-based businesses. 

Cons: Limited to invoicing and basic accounting; might not meet the needs of businesses requiring more complex features. 

 If invoicing is central to your business, FreshBooks is the superior choice with its easy-to-use and attractive invoicing features. 

5. Time Tracking 

QuickBooks: 

Pros: Basic time tracking features that allow you to bill clients based on hours worked. 

Cons: Time tracking is not as robust as some of its other features. 

FreshBooks: 

Pros: Offers detailed and easy-to-use time-tracking tools. You can assign time to specific projects and generate invoices based on the hours worked. 

Cons: Limited to time tracking and invoicing; may not be sufficient for businesses that need more advanced accounting features. 

 For businesses that rely heavily on billing clients by the hour, FreshBooks offers superior time-tracking capabilities. 

6. Reporting 

QuickBooks:

Pros: Offers a comprehensive set of reports, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Reports can be customized to fit your needs. 

Cons: The extensive reporting options can be overwhelming for those who only need basic reports. 

FreshBooks: 

Pros: Provides basic reports such as profit and loss statements, tax summaries, and expense reports. Easy to use and understand. 

Cons: Lacks the depth and customization options available in QuickBooks. 

 If your business requires detailed financial reporting, QuickBooks is the better choice with its extensive and customizable reports. 

7. Integrations 

QuickBooks: 

Pros: Integrates with over 650 business apps, including CRM systems, eCommerce platforms, and payment processors. Highly versatile. 

Cons: The wide range of integrations can be overwhelming to manage if you’re not familiar with them. 

FreshBooks: 

Pros: Integrates with over 200 apps, including popular tools like G Suite and Trello. Covers most of the essential integrations that small businesses need. 

Cons: Fewer integrations compared to QuickBooks, which might be a limitation as your business grows. 

For businesses that rely on multiple platforms, QuickBooks offers more integration options, making it easier to connect all your systems. 

8. Customer Support 

QuickBooks: 

Pros: Offers support via phone, chat, and email. Comprehensive help centre with tutorials and videos. 

Cons: Some users report long wait times and inconsistent support quality. 

FreshBooks: 

Pros: Known for its excellent customer support. Offers support via phone and email, with quick response times. 

Cons: Limited to basic support options; might not be sufficient for complex issues. 

 If customer support is a priority, FreshBooks offers more responsive and personalized support. 

9. Mobile App 

QuickBooks: 

Pros: A powerful mobile app that mirrors the desktop version. Allows you to send invoices, track expenses, and run reports from your phone. 

Cons: The app’s complexity can be a downside for users who only need basic functionality. 

FreshBooks: 

Pros: A user-friendly app designed for quick tasks like invoicing and time tracking. Perfect for on-the-go business owners. 

Cons: Limited in features compared to the QuickBooks app. 

If you need a full-featured mobile app, QuickBooks is better. If you prefer a simpler, more focused app for basic tasks, FreshBooks is ideal. 

10. Scalability 

QuickBooks:

Pros: Highly scalable, with plans that grow with your business. Offers an enterprise version for larger businesses. 

Cons: The higher-tier plans can be expensive, especially for small businesses. 

FreshBooks: 

Pros: Suitable for freelancers and small businesses. The Select plan offers more features for growing businesses. 

Cons: May feel limiting as your business expands and requires more advanced features. 

 For businesses anticipating significant growth, QuickBooks offers better scalability and more advanced features. 

11. Security 

QuickBooks:

Pros: Uses 128-bit SSL encryption and offers two-factor authentication. Trusted by millions of businesses. 

Cons: Some users may find the security setup complex. 

FreshBooks: 

Pros: Uses 256-bit SSL encryption and regular security audits. Also offers two-factor authentication. 

Cons: A newer company with a shorter track record compared to QuickBooks. 

Both QuickBooks and FreshBooks offer strong security features, ensuring your data is safe. 

12. Customization 

QuickBooks:

Pros: Offers extensive customization options for invoices, reports, and the dashboard. Flexible and adaptable to unique business needs. 

Cons: The extensive customization options might be unnecessary for simpler businesses. 

FreshBooks: 

Pros: Offers basic customization options that are easy to use. Suitable for businesses with straightforward needs. 

Cons: Limited in comparison to QuickBooks, which might be restrictive as your business grows. 

 If you need a highly customizable solution, QuickBooks is the better option. 

Choosing the Right Software for Your Business 

When choosing between QuickBooks and FreshBooks, consider your specific business needs: 

Choose QuickBooks if: You have a business that is growing and needs many different tools. QuickBooks helps with detailed reports and connecting to other apps. It can handle complex tasks and grow as your business grows. 

Choose FreshBooks if: You are a freelancer or run a small business. FreshBooks is easy to use for invoicing and tracking time. It is simple and helps with the basic tasks you need. 

To sum up, QuickBooks is best if you need many features and want your business to grow. FreshBooks is better if you want simple and easy-to-use tools. Pick the one that fits your business needs best. 

Evaluate Your Business Needs and Leverage Expert Guidance from Global FPO 

Choosing the right accounting software is only part of managing your finances. Working with a service provider like Global FPO can give you expert help and advice. We can support you with software like QuickBooks or FreshBooks. At Global FPO, we help businesses handle their accounting and make things run smoothly. Whether you’re starting out or expanding, we can help you use your software better and reach your goals. 

FAQs 

1. What is QuickBooks?  

QuickBooks is an accounting software that helps businesses with tasks like tracking expenses, creating invoices, and managing payroll. It’s good for businesses that need lots of features. 

2. What is FreshBooks?  

FreshBooks is another accounting software. It’s easy to use and helps with invoicing and time tracking. It’s best for small businesses and freelancers. 

3. Which is easier to use, QuickBooks or FreshBooks?  

FreshBooks is easier to use. It has a simple design, while QuickBooks has lots of features that can be hard for beginners. 

4. How much do QuickBooks and FreshBooks cost?  

QuickBooks plans start at $25 per month, while FreshBooks plans to start at $17 per month. FreshBooks is cheaper, but QuickBooks offers more features. 

5. Can I track time with these software options?  

Yes, both QuickBooks and FreshBooks let you track time. FreshBooks has better tools for this, especially if you bill by the hour.