FreshBooks starts from invoicing clients and tracking time. QuickBooks starts from the full set of books. Both can do much of what the other does, so the choice comes down to how you earn your money and who needs access.
The short verdict
- Pick FreshBooks if you sell services to a small number of clients, bill by the hour or project, and want proposals, retainers and time tracking close to your invoices.
- Pick QuickBooks if you have many customers, sell products, need inventory, or your accountant already works in it.
Prices and plans
US prices in US dollars, as of October 2026. Both run discounts for the first months. Prices differ by country and change often, so check the linked pages.
- Lite: 23 dollars a month, up to 5 billable clients.
- Plus: 43 dollars a month, up to 50 billable clients, adds bank reconciliation, double-entry reports and accountant access.
- Premium: 70 dollars a month, unlimited clients, adds project profitability and accounts payable.
- Select: custom price, with lower card fees and 2 team member accounts included.
- Extra team members: 11 dollars a month each.
- Free: 0 dollars, 1 user, 2 invoices a month unless you turn on QuickBooks Payments.
- Simple Start: 38 dollars a month, 1 user.
- Essentials: 85 dollars a month, 3 users.
- Plus: 140 dollars a month, 5 users, adds inventory and project profitability.
- Advanced: 340 dollars a month, 25 users.
The differences that matter
Clients and users
FreshBooks limits billable clients on its cheaper plans. If you have 6 clients, Lite is already too small. QuickBooks limits users instead of clients. One person with 200 customers fits on Simple Start. Three people with 10 clients need Essentials.
Accounting depth
Bank reconciliation, double-entry reports and accountant access arrive in FreshBooks Plus. If your accountant wants to log in, Lite will not work. QuickBooks includes accountant access from Simple Start, for up to 2 accountants.
Client work
FreshBooks puts time tracking, estimates, deposits and recurring invoices in every plan, with proposals and retainers from Plus. That suits agencies, consultants and trades who quote, then bill against the quote. QuickBooks adds employee time to invoices from Essentials, and project profitability in Plus.
Getting paid online
FreshBooks lists its card fee at 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction and bank transfers (ACH) at 1%, as of October 2026, on its pricing page. QuickBooks Payments sets its own rates. Check them on the QuickBooks Payments page or in your account before you compare, because the fee on each invoice can matter more than the monthly price.
Payroll
Both sell US payroll at extra cost, as of October 2026. FreshBooks Payroll is 40 dollars a month plus 6 dollars per person. QuickBooks payroll is sold in bundles, starting with Simple Start at 88 dollars a month plus 6.50 dollars per employee. See QuickBooks vs Gusto for another way to set up payroll.
How to decide
- Count your billable clients this year, and next year if you grow.
- Count the people who need to log in, including your accountant.
- Decide whether you sell time, projects or products.
- Compare the payment fee on a typical invoice in each tool.
- Try both for a month with your real invoices.
Whichever you choose, the invoice itself still needs to be clear. See how to write an invoice and the payment terms examples. If neither tool fits, compare more options in QuickBooks alternatives for small business, or read FreshBooks vs Wave for a lower-cost pairing.