FreshBooks vs Xero 2023 Comparison

FreshBooks integrates with several apps commonly used by small businesses, but its integration options aren’t as vast as Xero’s. All are third-party apps that can help you further streamline your accounting and project management processes. FreshBooks and Xero aren’t at the same level of difficulty in terms of ease of use.

FreshBooks offers 60% off for the first six months and an additional 10% off if you take the annual billing option if you buy immediately. Otherwise, you can try FreshBooks for free for 30 days and choose a plan at regular prices. In addition, the client chatting and sharing capabilities make FreshBooks an appealing and personable software solution for freelancers who depend on relationships with their clients. With a fee, you can also allow your clients to pay with credit cards through FreshBooks’ online payment processing. Both QuickBooks and Xero excel at helping small businesses keep track of financial details.

Analyzing inventory will tell you what’s moving and what’s sitting on the shelves. Customer reports could reveal that it’s time to cut ties with a delinquent customer. Reports consolidate and condense the data of invoices, bills and other transactions to enable business owners to run their business better. In the world of cloud-based accounting software, it can be hard to find the right service for your company. Not all platforms have the same capabilities and there are sometimes puzzling gaps in what would otherwise be a perfect solution. In addition to user interface (UI) and navigation, we also consider the available customer support options, including live chat and email and phone support.

• Both FreshBooks and Xero have 14 out of 16 reports that we expect to see in an accounting software service.
• Xero also allows companies to be paid via invoice and it can also help businesses receive payments in time by automatically debiting customers’ bank accounts whenever invoices are due.
• This makes it a versatile tool for small businesses that need to streamline their operations.
• There’s also self-help information for frequently asked questions (FAQs) about FreshBooks features and how-tos.
• In contrast, FreshBooks appears to have put little time or effort into its reports.
• You can automatically track time using the mobile app, a browser extension or third-party apps like Trello and Asana.

FreshBooks is better geared toward freelancers and very small businesses that need to send a lot of invoices to clients. Though they have different functionalities, both made our list of the best accounting software. FreshBooks doesn’t offer quite as many connections, with just 100 partner apps. However, you’ll be able to find integrations to help you analyze data, book appointments, manage projects, run payroll and so much more. All FreshBooks plans, except for the highest-tier custom plan, come with one user.

Xero vs. QuickBooks: At a Glance

So basically, if you need a robust suite that can do it all, go for Xero. But if you want something straightforward and user-friendly that gets the job done without fuss, FreshBooks is your go-to. At the end of the day, weigh your needs and your budget, and if all else fails, flip a coin. FreshBooks’ reports may be more aesthetically pleasing and easier to navigate, but Xero’s include the level of detail needed to stay organized as your company grows. Kristy Snyder is a professional writer and editor living in Pittsburgh with over 10 years of content creation experience.

The software’s biggest drawback is its inability to manage inventory, and users wished that FreshBooks had a live chat feature. Xero and QuickBooks are two the of most popular accounting software solutions for small businesses looking to keep track of finances. While the two both offer similar features, such as tax management, financial reports, integrated payroll, inventory and file storage, the two are not without their differences. We compared Xero vs. QuickBooks when it comes to the key features, pricing, customer service and reviews to help you decide which is right for your business. You don’t have time to spend figuring out how to use complicated accounting software. With FreshBooks, you’ll confidently create invoices, input expenses, and do your bookkeeping in half the time.

Projects can be broken down in detail, with assigned deliverables and due dates. FreshBooks doesn’t let you import a schedule of fixed assets, nor does it include a fixed assets module. You can sign up and pay for a separate app, but you can’t book a journal entry like you can with QuickBooks Online because FreshBooks isn’t a double-entry accounting system. You can read more about how the two compare in our FreshBooks vs. QuickBooks Online piece. Growing, Xero’s mid-tier plan, removes restrictions on the number of transactions you can process, but doesn’t add new features.

Industry Best Customer Service

Integrates with more than 750 apps and offers live, in-house bookkeeping add-on. Xero offers this through Hubdoc so you can access your documents online. QuickBooks offers receipt and document organization with its mobile app as well as the online version. Both FreshBooks and Xero are cheaper than QuickBooks while offering many of the same functionalities. QuickBooks has more inventory management and budgeting tools than FreshBooks. QuickBooks also has a more intuitive interface than Xero as well as a desktop version.

Easier Accounting and Exceptional Support, Sounds Like the Fresh Start You’ve Been Looking For

It’s difficult to choose between FreshBooks and Xero because where one is weak the other is strong. For example, FreshBooks is weak on inventory and Xero is strong, but FreshBooks beats Xero in its easy processes 3 type of marketing information needed by marketing managers for booking invoices and expenses. The only advanced function where FreshBooks might have an edge is projects. You get a centralized place for your files and you’ll be able to control team member access.

Account Information

FreshBooks offers four plans, all available for purchase with monthly or yearly billing. Customers receive savings when they pay for an annual plan. This doesn’t mean QuickBooks Online is the right choice for all businesses, though. Xero’s unlimited-users feature makes it a winner among larger businesses and well-established small businesses that require more than five users.

You may be tempted to go with the first financial software you come across. You can also check out how FreshBooks compares to other programs and details about its function as a viable alternative on our comparison page. If you didn’t receive an email don’t forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support. While both products can get the job done, each has its own technology concept, strengths and weaknesses. Both vendors offer reporting, analytics and data visualization to meet the demands of companies that wish to become data-driven. As previously mentioned, FreshBooks treats bills as if they were an expense.

Xero vs. QuickBooks Online: Features Comparison, Pros, Cons

It’s also less expensive than QuickBooks Online and a bit easier to use, thanks to its customizable dashboard and simple layout. That said, Xero makes up for its user-friendliness shortcomings through tutorial videos and a demo company feature. There’s a reason FreshBooks made it on Zapier’s list of the best self-employed accounting software, while Xero made it on the list of the best accounting software for bigger businesses.

However, both Xero and FreshBooks are cheaper than the more popular QuickBooks software. Xero doesn’t offer the opportunity to call a representative directly for assistance. Instead, they will call you if you provide a phone number. You can reach support by raising a case (similar to filing an IT ticket) on the Xero website. Integrates with more than 100 third-party apps; limited choices for direct payroll and point-of-sale integrations.