On this page15 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Freshbooks vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- FreshBooks legitimacy and licensing
- FreshBooks cost
- FreshBooks payment processing fees
- Introduction
- How FreshBooks Works
- Which FreshBooks plan do you need?
- Cancellation and refunds
- FreshBooks complaints and reviews
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
FreshBooks is a legitimate accounting tool from 2ndSite Inc. of Toronto, in business since 2003, and it is best at invoicing, time tracking and getting paid by clients. Prices rose on March 5, 2026 to $23 (Lite, 5 billable clients), $43 (Plus, 50 clients) and $70 (Premium, unlimited) a month, and each extra team member adds $11 a month, so costs climb as you grow. Watch the promo terms, card fees of 2.9% plus 30 cents, and its BBB rating of D-, and compare it with free options like Wave or Zoho Books if your needs are simple.
- Company
- 2ndSite Inc., doing business as FreshBooks, 225 King St W, Toronto, Ontario; founded in 20034
- Prices
- Lite $23, Plus $43, Premium $70 a month; yearly billing takes 10% off ($248.40, $464.40, $756.00); Select is custom priced (new USD prices from March 5, 2026)2
- Client limits
- Lite 5 billable clients, Plus 50, Premium and Select unlimited; one user included (three on Select)1
- Add-ons
- Team members $11 a month each; Advanced Payments $20 a month (included in Select); FreshBooks Payroll $40 a month plus $6 per person1
- Card processing
- 2.9% plus $0.30 for standard cards; 3.5% plus $0.30 for Amex and business cards (U.S.)2
- Trial and refunds
- 30-day free trial with no credit card; pricing page promises a full refund within 30 days of purchase, while the Terms of Service call fees non-refundable after that1
- Current promo
- Lite $1 a month for the first year, or 80% off Plus and Premium for 3 months, for new customers in a campaign running September 14 to October 14, 2026; no free trial with a promo1
Pros
- Easy invoicing, estimates, time tracking and expense capture
- Phone support that reviewers often praise
- 30-day free trial with no credit card
- Built-in payroll add-on and client payment options
- Mobile app rated 4.7 on the App Store
Cons
- Client caps of 5 and 50 on Lite and Plus
- Each additional user costs $11 a month
- Prices rose in March 2026; promos end and revert to full price
- BBB rating of D-, not accredited
- Terms call fees non-refundable outside the 30-day guarantee
Best for: Freelancers and small service businesses that bill clients by the project or the hour and want simple invoicing with real phone support.
Skip it if: You need free software, many users, inventory tracking or full accounting depth, or you bill more than a handful of clients on a tight budget.
Freshbooks vs. competitors
| Company | Free plan | Entry paid plan | Card processing fee | Users on entry plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks | No, 30-day trial | $23 a month (Lite, 5 clients) | 2.9% plus $0.30 | 1 |
| QuickBooks Online | Yes, basic tracking and up to 2 invoices a month | $38 a month (Simple Start) | Not verified | 1 |
| Wave | Yes, unlimited invoices | $19 a month or $190 a year (Pro) | 2.9% plus $0.60 free, 2.9% plus $0 on Pro | Not verified |
| Zoho Books | Yes, under $50,000 revenue a year | $15 a month billed yearly, $20 monthly (Standard) | Not verified | 3 |
Freshbooks pricing at a glance
FreshBooks plans in U.S. dollars, as listed October 20262
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly (10% off) | Billable clients | Users included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | $23 | $248.40 | 5 | 1 |
| Plus | $43 | $464.40 | 50 | 1 |
| Premium | $70 | $756.00 | Unlimited | 1 |
| Select | Custom quote | Custom quote | Unlimited | 3 |
Extra team members cost $11 a month each on every plan. Advanced Payments is $20 a month and Payroll is $40 a month plus $6 per person. Promotional discounts apply only to new customers and the regular price applies once the promo ends. If you pay through the Apple App Store, monthly prices are $0.01 lower.
Freshbooks, step by step
Start a free trial
Sign up for the 30-day trial without a credit card, or buy a plan on a promo (promos skip the free trial).
Set up your business
Add your logo, connect bank accounts and import clients; pick a plan with enough billable clients.
Invoice and get paid
Send invoices and estimates, track time and expenses, and accept card or bank payments at the published processing rates.
Upgrade, downgrade or cancel
Change plans any time from Billing and Upgrade; downgrading can remove features, and FreshBooks keeps your data if you come back.
FreshBooks legitimacy and licensing
Yes. FreshBooks is run by 2ndSite Inc. in Toronto and has been in business since 2003. It sells to businesses in several currencies (USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, AUD, NZD, SGD and ZAR), and its Terms of Service were last updated October 7, 2026.
Its BBB profile shows a D- rating and no accreditation, with 4 complaints in three years; the BBB page doesn’t list the reasons for the grade. Trustpilot is more favorable at 3.7 out of 5 from 1,046 reviews.
FreshBooks cost
FreshBooks raised U.S. prices for current customers starting after March 5, 2026, with at least 30 days’ email notice. Lite is now $23 a month, Plus $43 and Premium $70, or 10% less paid yearly. Select is quoted by sales. Team members cost $11 a month each, Advanced Payments $20 a month, and Payroll $40 a month plus $6 per person.
Promotions are common. In the campaign running September 14 to October 14, 2026, Lite was $1 a month for the first year, and Plus and Premium were 80% off for 3 months. New customers only, no free trial with the promo, and you pay full price when it ends. If you already have a promo, FreshBooks applies your discount percentage to the new base price.
FreshBooks payment processing fees
When clients pay invoices online through FreshBooks Payments, U.S. businesses pay 2.9% plus $0.30 per standard card payment and 3.5% plus $0.30 for American Express, commercial and business cards. These rates went up with the 2026 price change. Bank transfer (ACH) fees and dispute fees are listed in FreshBooks’ support center. On a $1,000 invoice paid by standard card, the fee is $29.30.
Introduction
Managing finances is often the most dreaded part of running a small business or freelancing career. Enter FreshBooks, a cloud-based accounting solution designed specifically to make billing and bookkeeping painless for non-accountants. In this comprehensive FreshBooks Review, we analyze why this platform has become a favorite for self-employed professionals across the US.
With its focus on design and usability, FreshBooks promises to save you hundreds of hours on paperwork annually. But is it robust enough for your growing business? We dive into the details below.
How FreshBooks Works
FreshBooks operates on a double-entry accounting system, ensuring accuracy and compliance while hiding the complex jargon behind a user-friendly interface. Once you sign up, the platform guides you through a quick setup process where you can add your company details, logo, and link your bank accounts.
The core of the system revolves around automation. You can set up recurring invoices, automatically send payment reminders to late clients, and snap photos of receipts which the software then digitizes and categorizes. The dashboard provides a real-time snapshot of your financial health, showing outstanding revenue, total profit, and spending at a glance. It bridges the gap between simple spreadsheets and complex enterprise software, making it highly accessible for those without a finance background.
What customers say about Freshbooks
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Friendly, quick phone and chat support
- Easy invoicing and simple daily bookkeeping for non-accountants
- Polished invoices with automatic payment reminders
- A well-rated mobile app
Common complaints
- Client payments held for days before they reach the bank
- Hard-to-find cancellation and repeated redirects when closing an account
- Prices that rise as you add clients and team members, and the 2026 price increase
- Reconciliation and reporting problems for more complex books
Which FreshBooks plan do you need?
The biggest limit is billable clients: Lite covers 5, Plus 50, and Premium and Select have no cap. Every plan includes one user (Select includes three), so a two-person business on Plus pays $43 plus $11, or $54 a month before payroll or payments add-ons. If you outgrow a client cap, you have to move up a tier.
Cancellation and refunds
You can upgrade, downgrade or cancel from Billing and Upgrade in your account. The pricing page promises a full refund if you ask within 30 days of purchase. Outside that window, the Terms of Service say fees are non-refundable, billing disputes must be raised in writing within 90 days, and any refund or credit is capped at three months of fees.
Cancellation trouble is a repeated Trustpilot complaint, so get written confirmation and check your card statement the following month.
FreshBooks complaints and reviews
On Trustpilot, the most common praise is for friendly, fast support and easy invoicing. The most common complaints are client payments held for several days, difficulty canceling, rising costs as you add clients and users, and reconciliation or reporting errors for businesses with more complex books. Users who need full accounting often move to QuickBooks Online or work with an accountant.
Alternatives to Freshbooks
- Wave Free invoicing and bookkeeping with unlimited invoices, a good fit if you only need the basics and can live without phone support.
- Zoho Books Free for businesses under $50,000 in yearly revenue and cheaper per user as you add staff. Read review
- QuickBooks Online Better if your accountant uses it or you need inventory and deeper accounting reports.
- Spreadsheet and invoice templates If you bill only a few clients a month, a template and a separate payment link may cost nothing.
Freshbooks reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is FreshBooks free?
No. FreshBooks has a 30-day free trial with no credit card, but no permanent free plan. Wave, Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online offer free tiers with limits.
How much is FreshBooks per month?
Lite is $23, Plus $43 and Premium $70 a month in U.S. dollars, or 10% less billed yearly. Extra users are $11 a month each.
Did FreshBooks raise its prices?
Yes. New prices took effect for current customers after March 5, 2026, with at least 30 days' email notice. Card processing fees for U.S. businesses also rose to 2.9% plus $0.30.
What is the difference between FreshBooks Lite and Plus?
Lite lets you bill up to 5 clients; Plus raises that to 50 and adds more features. Premium removes the client cap.
Does FreshBooks do payroll?
Yes, FreshBooks Payroll is an add-on at $40 a month plus $6 per person paid.
Can I get a refund from FreshBooks?
The pricing page offers a full refund within 30 days of purchase. After that, the Terms of Service say fees are non-refundable and cap any refund or credit at three months of fees.
What are FreshBooks' credit card fees?
For U.S. businesses, 2.9% plus $0.30 per standard card payment and 3.5% plus $0.30 for American Express and business cards.
Is FreshBooks better than QuickBooks?
FreshBooks is simpler for invoicing and time tracking; QuickBooks Online offers more accounting depth and is more widely used by accountants. QuickBooks Simple Start lists at $38 a month versus $23 for FreshBooks Lite.
What is FreshBooks' BBB rating?
D-, and it is not accredited. The BBB profile shows 4 complaints in the last three years.
How do I cancel FreshBooks?
Go to Billing and Upgrade in your account to change or cancel your plan, and keep the confirmation. Ask for a refund within 30 days of purchase if you want your money back.
Sources (10)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- FreshBooks: Pricing (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FreshBooks: Price change 2026 FAQ (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FreshBooks: Terms of Service (last updated October 7, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: FreshBooks business profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: FreshBooks reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Apple App Store: FreshBooks Invoicing App (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FreshBooks Support: Transaction fees for FreshBooks Payments (USD) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Wave: Pricing (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Zoho Books: US pricing (accessed October 12, 2026)
- QuickBooks: Online plans and pricing (accessed October 12, 2026)
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