Accounting · Head to head
FreshBooks vs QuickBooks Online: which is better?
Short answer
FreshBooks costs less in the first year ($276 vs $456). Pick FreshBooks for freelancers invoicing clients; pick QuickBooks Online for US small-business bookkeeping standard.
| Fact | FreshBooks | QuickBooks Online | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers invoicing clients | US small-business bookkeeping standard | — |
| Free plan | No, 30-day trial | No, 30-day trial | Tie |
| Entry plan | Lite: $23 / mo | Simple Start: $38 / mo | FreshBooks |
| Mid plan | Plus: $43 / mo | Essentials: $85 / mo | FreshBooks |
| Top plan | Premium: $70 / mo | Advanced: $340 / mo | FreshBooks |
| 1st year | $276 | $456 | FreshBooks |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Tie |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which is cheaper, FreshBooks or QuickBooks Online?
FreshBooks costs less in the first year ($276 vs $456).
| 1st year | FreshBooks | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $276 | $456 |
| Mid | $516 | $1,020 |
| Top | $840 | $4,080 |
Which has the better free plan, FreshBooks or QuickBooks Online?
Neither stands out: FreshBooks: No, 30-day trial; QuickBooks Online: No, 30-day trial.
Should you pick FreshBooks or QuickBooks Online?
Pick FreshBooks if
- you want freelancers invoicing clients
- you can pay $23 / mo from day one
Pick QuickBooks Online if
- you want US small-business bookkeeping standard
- you can pay $38 / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks pricing | freshbooks.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
| QuickBooks Online pricing | quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare