FreshBooks

FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers. It provides invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, estimates, project management, and reporting, with built-in online payments. The service emphasizes ease of use and client collaboration, offering features such as customizable invoicing templates, recurring invoices, automatic payment reminders, and a client portal.

FreshBooks was founded in 2003 by Mike McDermott in Toronto, Canada, originally as an invoicing solution for self-employed professionals and small teams. It evolved into a broader cloud accounting platform with additional features for project management, time tracking, and expense management, and it remains a standalone product competing in the small business accounting market.

The software is delivered on a subscription basis and is accessible through web browsers as well as native mobile applications for iOS and Android. Core capabilities include invoicing and estimates, time tracking with timers, expense capture and receipt scanning, multi-currency support, and a range of reports such as profit and loss and tax-ready summaries. In addition, FreshBooks supports online payments through integrated processors and can automate late-payment reminders and recurring billing. It also offers integrations via APIs and connectors, commonly used with tools like Stripe, PayPal, and automation platforms such as Zapier.

FreshBooks is positioned alongside other cloud accounting solutions such as QuickBooks Online and Xero, targeting freelancers, service-based businesses, and small teams that prioritize straightforward invoicing and client collaboration over broader enterprise functionality.