Head-to-head
FreshBooks vs QuickBooks vs Wave
Disclosure: we may earn a commission if you sign up through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our verdicts. Full disclosure.
Our pick: FreshBooks. FreshBooks is built for freelancers and service businesses: invoicing, time tracking, projects and proposals come first, with accountant access included on higher plans.
| Factor | FreshBooks Our pick | QuickBooks | Wave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Freelancers, consultants, service businesses | Small businesses of all kinds, including inventory | Freelancers and very small businesses |
| Free trial | 30 days | 30 days on paid plans; Free plan available | No trial; free Starter plan |
| Time tracking and projects | Time tracking, projects, estimates and proposals | Employee time on invoices from Essentials; project profitability on Plus | See official site |
| Invoicing | Automated invoices, reminders, online payments | Free plan sends 2 invoices/mo; more on paid plans | Unlimited invoices and estimates on free Starter |
| Accountant access | Up to 10 accountants at no extra cost on Plus and Premium | Access for 2 accountants on most plans; 3 on Advanced | See official site |
| Entry pricing | Lite, Plus, Premium, Select; promotional first-year pricing is offered from time to time, see the official site | Simple Start $19/mo (list $38), Essentials $42.50, Plus $70, Advanced $170 (3-month promo) | Starter free; Pro $19/mo; card payments 2.9% + $0.60 |
| Best fit | Client billing and time-based work | Growing businesses needing inventory, multi-user and deep reports | Very small budgets |
Why we pick FreshBooks
- Client-first workflow: time tracking, projects, estimates, proposals and invoices are designed around billing clients.
- Accountant-friendly: up to 10 accountants on Plus and Premium at no extra cost.
- Support: a North America-based team that, per the official site, does not transfer you between departments.
- Easy Switch: data transfer from other software.
When a competitor may fit better
- QuickBooks is a better fit if you need inventory management, many users or very deep reporting.
- Wave may suit very small businesses that want free invoicing and bookkeeping and accept per-transaction payment fees.
Verdict
If you bill clients for time and services, FreshBooks saves the most admin. Choose QuickBooks for inventory-heavy growth, or Wave when budget is the only constraint.
Read the full FreshBooks review · All comparisons
Figures come from each vendor’s own public pages at the time of writing and can vary by region, currency and promotion. Always confirm on the official sites before you buy. Last verified: 2026-10-12