Accounting Software Programs Reviews

FreshBooks Review: Accounting Software Programs

We've analyzed the best Accounting Software Programs to help you find the right solution for your needs.

2026 Accounting Software Program Reviews

Where is the best place to find accounting software?  Owning your own business has lots of ups and downs. One of the biggest struggles business owners have is getting a handle on their accounting. In the past, accounting meant long hours spent doing calculations by hand or struggling with complicated spreadsheets. That old approach often left room for errors and caused delays (and headaches). But there are better, more modern options that can help you optimize your accounting and get a handle on your business finances with zero hassle.

3.0

AVERAGE

6

Average

  • Subscription from $6.30 to $19.50 per month before extras
  • Some app and payment native integrations like banking, invoicing, and expense tracking
  • Easy sign up
  • 30-day free trial
  • 3.9-star average rating on third-party review sites

AVERAGE

3.0

On the FreshBooks website

FreshBooks is an accounting software site that promises to simplify everything about finance for your business. It's designed to help out freelance workers, "solopreneurs," businesses with employees, and businesses with contractors (so, basically, it's for everyone). According to the on-site analytics, this accounting software should save you up to 500+ hours each year and up to $7,000 in billable hours that you don't need to spend on an accountant (or waste doing the accounting yourself).

Join to see your all-in-one dashboard

To get started with FreshBooks, you'll click the "buy now and save" button at the top of the screen. This will direct you to the payment plans page right away. However, there are some annoying pop-ups. The chat window and pop-up that keeps suggesting you connect with a rep to find the right plan show up repeatedly while you're browsing. From this page, you can find the free trial for FreshBooks, though it's less obvious than the "buy now" options.

Get your free trial

To get your free trial, you just need to make an account. Once you sign up, you'll be asked to verify your email, then put in your personal and business information. The questionnaire you get is more detailed than we've seen at other accounting software sites and includes questions about turnaround times for your products and how customized your items are. From there, FreshBooks will guide you through the setup process. Between navigation, settings, business notifications, billing, client management, organization, invoicing, and bank connections, everything is on one simple dashboard.

Best Accounting Software

Choose your tier

Whether you want to work from home or check things on the go, FreshBooks has an app to allow you access to the accounting software anytime. However, depending on what plan tier you choose (from Lite, Plus, Premium, and Select), your overall access to features may be more limited.

  • The Lite version offers 5 billable clients, automated invoices, deposits and payments, budget management, online credit card and bank transfers, checkout links, time tracking, and tax reports.
  • The Plus version includes all of the features of Lite, but offers 50 billable clients, late fees, unlimited custom invoices, client retainers, automated performance dashboards, and email receipts that go directly to your account.
  • The Premium tier offers all the features of Plus and includes unlimited client information, e-signatures, business health reports, automatic bill receipt data capture, project profitability plans, and accounts payable.
  • Finally, the Select tier offers all the features of Premium and includes custom email templates and signatures, automatic client emails, and removal of FreshBooks branding on client emails, mobile mileage tracking, 2 team member accounts included, exclusive access to select support, and a custom onboarding plan.

Costs $6.30 to $19.50 per month before extras

FreshBooks has different plans depending on whether you're a freelancer or a business owner who needs more features. If you want to check out the full program, you can use the 30-day free trial to go through all the features. When you subscribe, you'll choose one of four subscription tiers. The subscriptions can be paid monthly or annually. Here's how the costs shake out:

  • Lite:
    • Monthly: $6.30
    • Yearly: $185.98
  • Plus:
    • Monthly: $11.40
    • Yearly: $336.53
  • Premium:
    • Monthly: $19.50
    • Yearly: $575.64
  • Select: no pricing listed; you have to talk to a consultant

On top of those prices, there are some extras on top of the accounting software to keep in mind. If you want advanced payments, it will be an additional $20 per month. If you want team member dashboards, it's $11 per month per person added, and the FreshBooks payroll program is $40 per month plus an extra $6 per user.

More limited selection of integrations

As for integrations, you can find plenty of apps and programs that work natively with FreshBooks' accounting software. For example, you can integrate with online payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and Gusto. You can also work with HubSpot and Zapier if you prefer. FreshBooks offers some API integrations as well. You can integrate with plenty of apps like Pidj Texting, Acuity Scheduling, Lovat Compliance LTD, Aclockk AI Time Tracking, Collectdesk, and more. Some of the apps and integrations are free, and others will need to be paid for separately (unless you already have an account with one of them).

Best Accounting Software

Easy to use, but too costly for more features

FreshBooks could work a little harder on its reputation according to what we've seen in our research. FreshBooks holds a below-average "C-" rating on the Better Business Bureau. It does a little bit better on other verified review sites like Trustpilot, where FreshBooks holds a 3.9-star average rating out of 5. On average, FreshBooks has a decent amount of praise from customers who felt that the accounting software had a minimal setup process and simplified the process of invoices, specifically. However, some customers who are bookkeepers for small businesses found the program frustrating due to the nickel-and-diming required to get a full experience that's actually helpful for a business with more than a few people.

Could offer more features with the base price

While the pricing seems great, especially if you're a single freelancer, the reality is that FreshBooks' accounting software might miss the mark if you need more than the basic tracking features. If you're hoping to manage more than 5 clients, get payment structures set up for individual employees or contractors, or get multiple access points for the account, you'll end up paying a lot more than the base price. For these reasons, it isn't as competitive as some accounting software platforms that include more features for the subscription cost.

On the FreshBooks website

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Find Accounting Software?

Owning your own business has lots of ups and downs. One of the biggest struggles business owners have is getting a handle on their accounting. In the past, accounting meant long hours spent doing calculations by hand or struggling with complicated spreadsheets. That old approach often left room for errors and caused delays (and headaches). But there are better, more modern options that can help you optimize your accounting and get a handle on your business finances with zero hassle.

Modern accounting software has transformed this process by automating calculations and keeping records in real time. It can even connect to your bank accounts and track expenses as they happen. These improvements mean that your business can now manage its finances faster and more accurately. So, when you get to the tough part of the year (yeah, we all hate tax season), your numbers are all ready to go.

Accounting software can make a big difference for anyone, but it's especially helpful if you own a small business. Instead of worrying about lost receipts or trying to track your payroll yourself, accounting software helps you keep everything in one easy-to-read dashboard. For many small businesses, having your finance tools for payments, taxes, and more all in one program saves time, giving you more freedom to focus on growing your company.

One of the biggest advantages of accounting software today is the support that comes with it. Many platforms include tutorials, built-in guides, and even access to live experts who can answer questions. This way, if you're totally new to accounting software (or changing over from a software that's completely different from the newer ones out there), you can jump right in without the extra learning curve. And, if you do feel comfortable with finance, some programs also provide detailed reports on cash flow, profit margins, and other key data, giving you a clearer picture of how your company is doing and what steps to take next.

Plus, accounting software also offers flexibility and savings that make it an attractive option. Cloud-based platforms allow access from anywhere, so you can check accounts on the go. Some services offer features that can grow along with your business, too, so as you level up, you don't need to worry about finding new or different accounting software all over again.

If you're ready to find the right program so you can cut down on wasted time, keep finances secure, and gain peace of mind knowing that your records are accurate, we totally get it. Here are some factors to consider before you start crunching numbers:

For small businesses that need efficiency and reliability, accounting software has become one of the smartest investments available. Whether you're starting your first business or you've been building an empire for years now, solid accounting software can make the difference between a smooth fiscal year and a high-stress end-of-year audit. To help you make the best choice for your business, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top accounting software platforms available today. This way, you can hand off the finances to the experts and focus on making your mark in the business world!

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Accounting Software Program FAQ

What is accounting software used for?
Accounting software is a computer program that helps record a company's financial transactions. This includes accounts payable, bookkeeping, payroll, inventory, reconciliations, time sheets, and much more.
Do you need to be an accountant to use accounting software?
No, in fact many account software companies have made their product specifically for small businesses who don't have an in-house accountant and need to be able to manage their finances on the platform without prior knowledge of how it all works. Of course, it is helpful to have an accounting background, but it is not at all necessary.
How much does accounting software cost?
Most accounting software companies give you the option to pay month-to-month or a lump sum each year. When you pay yearly, you usually end up paying less than you would monthly. You can typically expect to pay between $200 and $1,000 yearly for an accounting software built for small businesses. The number of users, features, and integrations are what make the biggest difference between what different companies charge.
Does every company need to use accounting software?
It is highly recommended! Keeping all of your financial information backed up on a software platform that calculates taxes, payroll, does invoicing, monitors sales, and more, is a safe thing to do because it helps eliminate human error that can easily happen when dealing with so many details. Making a mistake with your accounting can be very costly to a business, so using accounting software is becoming the standard.
How do I know which accounting software is right for my business?
Nearly all accounting software companies allow you to try their product for 30 days without charge. This is a great way to test out their platform and make sure they have all the features your company needs.
Does accounting software ever need to be updated?
If you're using accounting software that gets a big update, it's usually included in the cost you are already paying. If they add options for additional features, this may come with a separate price, but either way you don't have to worry about doing updates yourself.
How do I learn how to use new accounting software?
It may take a bit of time to get used to all of the functions offered by your accounting software. The companies that create accounting software for small businesses work hard to make sure their platform is intuitive and easy to learn. If you have questions, it is a great idea to contact their customer service team for help.
Is it possible to have a company customize an accounting software package for me?
Yes! Some companies are able to give you customized features and integrations that work for your particular industry. To do this, you'll work directly with the accounting software company to build out a platform that caters to your needs. The cost for this will be determined by the complexity of your software package.

Compare Any 2 Products

Wave
FreeAgent
Sage 50
LessAccounting
Zoho Books
FreshBooks
Xero
Kashoo
Quickbooks
Oracle Netsuite
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