OwnerUnlocked

FreshBooks review (2026): pricing, fees and who it's for

Invoicing-focused accounting software for service businesses, priced by number of billable clients.

7.9/10
OwnerUnlocked score
Best for: Solo service providers who bill clients by invoice
Cost for a new business 35%8.0
from about $23/mo
Owner ratings 30%8.4
4.2/5 average across public ratings
Spanish and support 20%6.0
Not confirmed
Openness 15%9.0
published prices, free plan or trial, app
Starting priceFrom $23/mo
Free plan or trial30 days trial
SpanishNot confirmed
SupportPhone, email in office hours; 24/7 AI chatbot
Mobile appYes
Public rating4.7/5 · App Store (10,979)

Good fit if

Solo service providers who bill clients by invoice

Pick something else if

You bill more than 5 clients yet need a plan under $43/month.

What we like

  • Lite promo: $1/month for the first year (regular $23).
  • Unlimited time tracking and mobile mileage tracking on every plan.
  • Invoices and estimates can be sent in Spanish to chosen clients.
  • 30-day free trial with no credit card; 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch out for

  • Lite caps billable clients at 5; Plus caps them at 50.
  • No team members included; each added user costs $11/month.
  • Receipt scanning and accountant access start at Plus ($43/month).

FreshBooks pricing

PlanPriceNotes
Lite$23/moPromo $1/mo for first year; 5 billable clients
Plus$43/mo80% off 3 months; 50 clients, receipt scans, accountant access
Premium$70/mo80% off 3 months; unlimited clients, project profitability
SelectCustom quoteIncludes 2 team members and lower card fees

Prices as published on Oct 4, 2026. Confirm on their site; promotions change often.

The details

Price$23/mo (Lite); $1/mo first-year promo
Free planNo free plan
UsersOwner only; +$11/mo per team member
InvoicingUnlimited invoices; client limits by plan
Bank connectionYes, all plans; reconciliation on Plus and up
Receipt capturePlus and up
Mileage trackingYes, mobile app, all plans
Payroll add-on$40/mo + $6/mo per person
Sales taxTaxes on invoices + sales tax summary report
Time trackingYes, all plans
InventoryBasic stock counts on items
Accountant accessPlus and up
1099 contractorsExpense reports only; 1099-NEC via payroll add-on
Online payment feesCards 2.9% + 30¢; ACH 1%

Before you sign up

You'll need

  • Email address and business name
  • No card for the 30-day trial; card to buy a plan
  • SSN or EIN and bank account to accept online payments

Do this first: Open your business bank account first, then connect it so transactions flow in automatically.

See where this step fits in your startup checklist →

Free option first: Very small and simple? Wave and Zoho Books have free plans, and a spreadsheet can carry you through the first months.

What users say in public ratings

Seen on Oct 4, 2026. App store ratings mostly reflect the app; Trustpilot leans toward billing and support stories.

FreshBooks alternatives

Compare all side by side

Questions

How much does FreshBooks cost?

Lite: $23/mo; Plus: $43/mo; Premium: $70/mo; Select: Custom quote. Free trial: 30 days.

Does FreshBooks have a free plan?

No free plan, but there's a free trial of 30 days.

Does FreshBooks offer help in Spanish?

We couldn't confirm Spanish support. Ask them before you sign up.

What do I need to sign up for FreshBooks?

Email address and business name; No card for the 30-day trial; card to buy a plan; SSN or EIN and bank account to accept online payments.

Is FreshBooks good for a new business?

It fits solo service providers who bill clients by invoice. Pick something else if you bill more than 5 clients yet need a plan under $43/month.

What are the alternatives to FreshBooks?

QuickBooks Online (Businesses whose accountant already works in QuickBooks); Zoho Books (New low-budget businesses wanting full accounting free); Wave (Solo owners who want free invoicing and bookkeeping); Xero (Small teams that want unlimited users at one price).

Sources

Checked Oct 4, 2026. Something out of date? Tell us. Our score is calculated from public facts; partners can't pay for a better one.