FreshBooks Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

FreshBooks has been a go-to for freelancers and small firms who want to send invoices, track time and keep their books tidy without learning accounting jargon. It suits plenty of people. But you might want something different: a tool built around UK tax, a simpler invoice-only app, open-source software you control yourself, or a suite that also handles proposals and contracts.

So here are ten FreshBooks alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Some are small, focused tools and a few are household names. I've taken every description from each tool's own website and directory listings rather than guesswork. If you'd like to see how one big name stacks up in more detail, my write-up of cloud invoicing software for small businesses goes deeper.

Invoicing and accounting software side by side

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site shows a free plan or free version. Trial only means you get a free trial but no ongoing free plan. Always check the current terms on each tool's own site, because these things change.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Akaunting	Open-source accounting	Self-hosting your own accounting with invoices and expenses	Yes
Bonsai	Freelance business suite	Proposals, contracts, time and invoices together	Trial only
FreeAgent	UK accounting	UK freelancers and small firms handling tax and invoices	Trial only
Harvest	Time tracking and invoices	Turning tracked hours into client invoices	Trial only
Invoice Ninja	Invoicing	Sending invoices and taking online payments	Yes
Moxie	Freelance business suite	Solo freelancers wanting one tool for everything	Trial only
Pandle	UK bookkeeping	Simple UK bookkeeping with VAT and invoices	Yes
QuickBooks	Accounting	Full accounting with bills, payroll and reports	Yes
Wave	Accounting and invoicing	Basic bookkeeping and invoices for solo owners	Yes
Xero	Cloud accounting	VAT, payroll and bank feeds with many integrations	Trial only

Ten invoicing and accounting tools to try instead of FreshBooks

Akaunting

Best for: Tech-comfortable owners who like open-source software and want to run their own accounting, invoices and expense tracking themselves.

Bonsai

Best for: Service businesses who want clients, proposals, contracts, time tracking and invoices managed from one workspace.

FreeAgent

Best for: UK freelancers, contractors and small firms who want accounting built around UK tax rules, plus invoices and expenses.

Harvest

Best for: Consultants and small teams who bill by the hour and want tracked time to flow straight into invoices.

Invoice Ninja

Best for: Freelancers who mainly want to create invoices, accept online payments and track time and expenses without a big accounting tool.

Moxie

Best for: Solo freelancers and consultants who want clients, projects, proposals, invoices and simple accounting in a single place.

Pandle

Best for: UK sole traders and small firms who want straightforward cloud bookkeeping, VAT returns and invoices, with a free version to start.

QuickBooks

Best for: Growing businesses who want full accounting, bills, payroll and reporting, with a free tier to look around first.

Wave

Best for: Solopreneurs and small owners who want bookkeeping basics, invoices and payments, starting on a free plan.

Xero

Best for: Small businesses who want cloud accounting with VAT, payroll and bank feeds, and who'll start with a free trial.

What matters most when picking invoicing software

Invoicing and accounting tools overlap a lot, so it helps to be clear about what you're really shopping for. These are the points that tend to decide whether a tool fits.

• Invoices only, or the whole books? Some tools send invoices and take payments, while others also do bank feeds, bills, payroll and tax reports. Pick the smallest tool that does your job.
• Where you trade. Tax rules differ by country. If you're UK-based, look for support for VAT and Making Tax Digital rather than assuming a US-built tool covers it.
• Time tracking and projects. If you bill by the hour, check that tracked time turns into invoice lines with little fuss.
• Getting clients to pay on time. Look at which online payment options a tool supports and how it chases late payers.
• Clients abroad. If you work with customers overseas, check how the tool handles invoices in other languages and money types.
• Your accountant. Ask what your accountant already uses. Sharing access with them is often the deciding factor.

Before you move your invoices and books, ask these

• Can I export my customers, past invoices and transactions in a format I can keep?
• Does it connect to my business bank account and the payment service my clients use?
• Is there a free plan or free trial, and what exactly happens when it ends?
• Will my accountant be able to log in or receive reports without any fuss?
• Does it support the tax rules for my country, such as VAT?
• How good is the help centre, and is there a person to talk to when something breaks?

Matching invoicing software to freelancers, firms and teams

• Solo freelancers often do well with an invoice-focused app or a freelance suite that bundles clients, proposals and time tracking.
• Hourly consultants usually want time tracking tied closely to invoices, so check that link first.
• UK sole traders and small firms should look at tools built around UK tax, VAT and Making Tax Digital.
• Growing teams with staff, bills and stock may need full accounting rather than a simple invoicing app.
• Technical owners who like control may enjoy open-source options they can host themselves, as long as they're happy to look after updates and backups.

If you're not sure which features matter, my notes on the invoicing app features freelancers need give you a checklist to work through.

Switching your invoicing and accounting software without a mess

• Choose a clean date to switch, such as the start of a tax month or quarter, so your records don't straddle two systems.
• Export your customer list, open invoices and opening balances from the old tool before you cancel anything.
• Keep read access to the old system until your accountant confirms the numbers match. Better still, keep an export of everything.
• Send a short note to regular clients if your invoice layout or payment link is about to change, so nobody is confused.
• Run one or two real invoices through the new tool before you move everything across.

Tax and VAT rules are specific to your situation, so please check with your accountant before you change how you record sales, VAT or expenses. Nothing on this page is accounting or tax advice.

Invoicing slip-ups worth dodging

• Choosing a full accounting suite when all you need is a simple way to send invoices.
• Skipping the free plan or free trial, then discovering the layout or workflow annoys you.
• Forgetting to check what happens to your records if you stop using the tool.
• Mixing personal and business money, which makes any tool harder to use.
• Not telling your accountant about a switch until the end of the year.
• Leaving late invoices unchased. Automatic reminders are worth switching on from day one.

The case for a smaller invoicing tool

Smaller tools tend to focus on a narrower group of people, such as freelancers, UK sole traders or hourly consultants. That can mean fewer menus, plainer language and features that match the way you work.

Before you rely on one, check that it's still being updated, read its help pages, look at how it handles exports, and try it with a few real invoices. Look at how the company describes security and where your data is stored, too.

Do you make invoicing, bookkeeping or accounting software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Choosing your next invoicing and accounting setup

Write down the three jobs you need most, such as sending invoices, tracking time and keeping VAT in order. Shortlist two tools that cover them, then run the same few real invoices through each. Choose the one that feels easiest to use every week, that your accountant is comfortable with, and that lets you take your data with you if you ever move on.

Related: working with an ai consultant ongoing support or one off project.

Frequently asked questions

What should I look for in invoicing and accounting software?

Start with the jobs you need done, such as sending invoices, taking online payments, tracking time or filing VAT. Then check tax support for your country, bank connections, exports and whether your accountant can access it.

Is there free invoicing and accounting software?

Some tools on this page show a free plan or free version on their own sites, while others offer a free trial only. Free tiers are often limited, so test one with real work before you rely on it.

Do I need full accounting software or just an invoicing app?

If you only send a handful of invoices and your accountant does the rest, a simple invoicing app may be enough. If you need bank feeds, bills, payroll or VAT, full accounting software makes more sense.

Can I move my old invoices to a new tool?

Usually you can export customers, invoices and transactions as files, then import them or keep them as a record. Check the export options before you commit, and keep a copy of everything.

Should I check with my accountant before switching?

Yes. Tax and VAT rules depend on your situation, so ask your accountant or the official tax body before you change how you record income, expenses or VAT.