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FreshBooks vs QuickBooks for Agencies (2026): Which Is Better?
By Red Kite Search Agency Created Updated 7 min read
Summary
Choose FreshBooks for simple invoicing and retainers. Choose QuickBooks for depth and accountant access. Prices and ratings were checked in October 2026.
FreshBooks vs QuickBooks: which is better for agencies in 2026?
FreshBooks and QuickBooks both invoice clients and track expenses. FreshBooks is simpler and built for service businesses. QuickBooks is deeper accounting with a large accountant network.
We compared price, depth, and agency fit.
| Tool | Editorial score | Review-site ratings | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks | 4.2 / 5 | G2 4.5 | 30-day free trial. Lite $23, Plus $43 and Premium $70 a month at regular prices, with an 80% discount for the first four months; Select is quoted. | Freelancers to small teams |
| QuickBooks | 3.9 / 5 | G2 4 | 30-day free trial. Regular monthly prices: Simple Start $38, Essentials $85, Plus $140, and Advanced $340 per month. New customers see 50% off for the first 3 months. | Small to mid-size agencies |
How do FreshBooks and QuickBooks compare on price?
FreshBooks has a 30-day trial and costs $23, $43, or $70 a month at regular prices. QuickBooks Simple Start costs $38, Essentials costs $85, and Plus costs $140 a month.
| Tool | Plan | Price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks | Lite | $23 per month (monthly billing) | 5 billable clients, unlimited time tracking, estimates, expense tracking |
| FreshBooks | Plus | $43 per month (monthly billing) | 50 billable clients, proposals and retainers, expense receipt scanning, accountant access |
| FreshBooks | Premium | $70 per month (monthly billing) | Unlimited clients, project profitability, bill receipt scanning, custom email templates |
| FreshBooks | Select | Custom | 2 team members included, dedicated phone support, lower payment fees, custom onboarding |
| QuickBooks | Simple Start | $38 per month (monthly billing) | 1 user plus 2 accountants, invoicing, expense categorization, automated bill pay with free ACH, AI chat |
| QuickBooks | Essentials | $85 per month (monthly billing) | 3 users plus 2 accountants, bulk invoicing, Payments AI, quarterly tax estimates, enhanced reports |
| QuickBooks | Plus | $140 per month (monthly billing) | 5 users plus 2 accountants, project profitability, budgets, inventory, classes and locations (up to 40) |
| QuickBooks | Advanced | $340 per month (monthly billing) | 25 users plus 3 accountants, advanced project financials, custom permissions, workflow automation, priority support |
Which costs less?
FreshBooks Lite costs less than QuickBooks Simple Start but allows only five billable clients. Plus and Premium add clients and features, and team members cost extra.
QuickBooks plans scale with users and features rather than client counts.
Add payment fees and team fees to both before comparing.
Run a short side-by-side test before you decide. Give both tools the same real task, time how long each takes, and ask a colleague who did not set them up to try them. The result is usually clearer than any feature table.
Which is better for agencies?
FreshBooks, for small agencies that bill by retainer, project, or hour and want simple proposals and time tracking. QuickBooks suits agencies that need fuller accounting and accountant access.
As you grow, QuickBooks tends to fit better.
Remember that you can start small. Most vendors offer a trial or a free tier, so begin with the cheapest plan that covers your real work, and upgrade only when a specific limit blocks you.
Which has stronger security and apps?
FreshBooks states PCI compliance, SSL, and backups, and has iOS and Android apps. SOC 2 and GDPR were not stated.
Check QuickBooks security details on its own review page.
Finally, think about exit costs. Check how easily you can export your data, and keep notes on how your setup is built, so a later switch does not mean starting from scratch.
How do FreshBooks and QuickBooks compare on integrations, security, and support?
Beyond price, agencies ask about connections to their other tools, what to tell clients about security, and how quickly they can get help. This is what each vendor states publicly, as checked in October 2026.
| Area | FreshBooks | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | An integration count was not stated | An app marketplace including Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, Square, HubSpot, BILL, Dext, Expensify, Fathom and QuickBooks Time; No total is stated; app integrations are capped by plan, 2 on Essentials and Plus and unlimited on Advanced |
| Security | PCI compliant; SSL encryption and automatic backups stated; SOC 2, GDPR and 2FA were not stated (the security page returned an error) | 128-bit SSL encryption, automatic backups, and 24/7 monitoring; Multi-factor authentication and user permissions; custom permissions on Advanced; SOC and ISO certifications and SSO were not stated on the pages read |
| Support | Free phone and email during the trial; Select adds dedicated phone support | Chat and phone support on paid plans, free phone support during the trial; Support hours and response times are not stated |
| Apps | iOS and Android apps | Free iOS and Android app for invoices, receipts and mileage |
What are the pros and cons of FreshBooks and QuickBooks?
Here is where each tool helps agencies and where it can get in the way, based on plan details and public feedback.
FreshBooks pros
- A 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Plus costs $43 a month for 50 billable clients with proposals and retainers.
- Premium adds unlimited clients and project profitability at $70 a month.
- Unlimited time tracking on every plan and iOS and Android apps.
FreshBooks cons
- Lite allows only 5 billable clients and has no proposals or retainers.
- Prices shown are the regular monthly prices; the page also shows an 80% discount for the first four months.
- Team members cost $11 a month per user, and payment fees are 2.9% plus $0.30 per card transaction.
- Security details and an integration count were not stated (the security page returned an error).
QuickBooks pros
- The most common accounting tool among accountants and bookkeepers.
- Free accountant access, with 2 or 3 accountants included.
- A large app marketplace and AI features for categorizing and reconciling.
- Project profitability on Plus and Advanced, with a 30-day free trial.
QuickBooks cons
- Regular prices are about double the promotional price shown for the first 3 months.
- Each plan limits users: 1 on Simple Start, 3 on Essentials, 5 on Plus, 25 on Advanced.
- Project profitability needs Plus; time tracking plan inclusion is not clearly stated.
- G2 reviewers rate it lower than Xero and FreshBooks.
What do reviewers say about FreshBooks and QuickBooks?
G2 shows FreshBooks at 4.5 from 980 reviews. QuickBooks has its own G2 score on its review page.
| Tool | Source | Rating | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks | G2 | 4.5 / 5 | 980 |
| QuickBooks | G2 | 4 / 5 | 3,827 |
Reviewer themes for FreshBooks
- G2 shows FreshBooks at 4.5 from 980 reviews.
- Reviewers value simple invoicing and time tracking.
- FreshBooks states it is PCI compliant.
Reviewer themes for QuickBooks
- G2 shows QuickBooks Online at 4 from 3,827 reviews.
- G2 comparison data rates Xero higher than QuickBooks Online.
- G2 reviewers recommend Xero for unlimited users and stronger bank reconciliation automation.
How does setup differ between FreshBooks and QuickBooks?
Getting value from either tool depends on how you set it up, and the first steps differ. Here is the practical starting point for each.
FreshBooks: Run a month of invoices in the 30-day trial.
QuickBooks: Start with your accountant. Agree the chart of accounts and the classes or locations you will use to separate clients, before you enter any data.
What should agencies check before choosing between FreshBooks and QuickBooks?
Small details in plans and limits decide whether a tool works in practice. Check these points for each tool during a trial on a real client account.
Before you buy FreshBooks
- Count billable clients.
- Add team member fees.
- Use the trial.
- Check payment fees.
Before you buy QuickBooks
- Budget for the regular price, not the 3-month promotion.
- Count users against the limit on each plan.
- Confirm which plan includes time tracking.
- Ask your accountant which plan they prefer.
How should you test FreshBooks and QuickBooks before deciding?
The fairest test is to run both tools on the same real client account for two weeks, with the same people, and compare the results rather than first impressions.
What to measure
- How long it takes a new team member to be productive in FreshBooks versus QuickBooks.
- How often people open each tool without being reminded.
- Whether the plan you need includes the features you tested, not just the entry price.
- How a client reacts if you invite them to either tool.
- How much time the team spends on notifications, setup, and cleanup each week.
Which should you choose: FreshBooks or QuickBooks?
Choose FreshBooks for simple invoicing and retainers. Choose QuickBooks for depth and accountant access.
Ask your accountant which they prefer.
Choose FreshBooks if
- You bill by project, retainer, or hour.
- You want simple invoicing.
- You want a 30-day trial.
Skip FreshBooks if
- You have more than 50 clients on a low plan.
- You need deep accounting.
- You need security detail confirmed.
Choose QuickBooks if
- Your accountant or bookkeeper already works in QuickBooks.
- You need full bookkeeping, tax tools, and a large app marketplace.
- You need project profitability and are happy to pay for Plus.
Skip QuickBooks if
- You want accounting without per-user limits.
- You only need invoicing and time tracking.
- You want the highest-rated option on G2.
Frequently asked questions
- Is FreshBooks or QuickBooks better?
- FreshBooks for simplicity, QuickBooks for depth.
- Which is cheaper?
- FreshBooks Lite, with client limits.
- Which has a free trial?
- Both offer trials.
- Which has retainers?
- FreshBooks from Plus.
- Which is better for larger agencies?
- QuickBooks.
Sources
Prices, plan limits, and ratings were gathered in October 2026 from:
- FreshBooks pricing page
- QuickBooks pricing page
- G2