Billing & Invoicing Software · Accounting Software

FreshBooks vs QuickBooks Online

Both are billing & invoicing software and accounting software. The short answer: choose FreshBooks if you are freelancers and service businesses billing clients for time; choose QuickBooks Online if you are small businesses in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

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FreshBooks logo FreshBooksQuickBooks Online logo QuickBooks Online
Best forFreelancers and service businesses billing clients for timeSmall businesses in the US, UK, Canada and Australia
Free planNo (trial may exist)No (trial may exist)
PricingSee providerSee provider
Built for IndiaGlobalGlobal
CategoriesBilling & Invoicing Software, Accounting SoftwareBilling & Invoicing Software, Accounting Software
Strengths
  • Very easy invoicing
  • Time tracking built in
  • Good client experience
  • Large accountant and app ecosystem
  • Strong reporting
  • Good bank integrations
Watch out for
  • Pricing tiers limit billable clients
  • Less suited to inventory businesses
  • Availability and features vary by country
  • Costs rise with add-ons
Visit FreshBooksVisit QuickBooks Online

Which should you choose?

FreshBooks: Invoicing-first accounting software with time tracking, expenses and client portals.

QuickBooks Online: Widely used cloud accounting software with invoicing, expenses, bank feeds and an accountant ecosystem.

The best way to decide is to run the same week of real work through both — most offer a free plan or trial — and compare how long tasks take, what your team prefers, and the total cost for your number of users including renewal pricing.

Not sure either fits? See all billing & invoicing software compared.