FreshBooks started as invoicing software and grew into accounting, and you can still feel that order of events. If you bill clients for time, it is the most pleasant tool in this category. If you carry inventory, it is the wrong one.
What it does well
Invoicing is the best in class here. Recurring invoices, automatic late payment reminders, deposits and retainers all work without configuration, and clients can pay by card or bank transfer from the invoice itself. Businesses that switch to it consistently report getting paid faster, and that shows up repeatedly in our reviews.
Time tracking and project profitability are built in rather than bolted on, which suits agencies, consultants and trades.
Tax and filing
Sales tax handling is basic: it will apply a rate you configure, but it will not solve economic nexus across states for you. Canadian GST and HST work for straightforward cases. If your sales tax position is complicated, this is not enough on its own and you should expect to add a specialist tool.
Where it frustrates people
The billable client limit is the real cost driver. Plans are priced by client count, and going one over pushes you up a tier, which surprises people at renewal. Double entry accounting arrived late and still feels grafted on, so some accountants push back on it. Inventory is effectively absent.
United States
Canada
