Pros and Cons of FreshBooks: Is It the Best Accounting Software?

FreshBooks built its reputation on being the friendliest invoicing tool for freelancers and service businesses. That reputation is largely earned — but "best" depends heavily on what your business actually needs. Here's a balanced look.

Pros

• Clean, approachable interface. FreshBooks is genuinely easy to pick up without an accounting background.
• Strong invoicing and time tracking. Built-in timers and project tracking make it a natural fit for consultants who bill hourly.
• Good client communication tools. Clients can view, comment on, and pay invoices directly, which cuts down on email back-and-forth.
• Solid mobile app. Sending an invoice or logging an expense from a phone works well.

Cons

• Client-count pricing. Plans are gated by how many billable clients you have, which can push growing businesses into a higher tier faster than expected.
• Limited inventory management. Product-based businesses tracking stock will outgrow it quickly.
• Fewer advanced accounting features compared to tools built for double-entry bookkeeping at scale, which matters more as your business grows and your accountant needs deeper reports.
• Add-on costs. Payroll, advanced payments, and some integrations carry their own fees on top of the base plan.

Where myBooks fits

If what draws you to FreshBooks is the simplicity, but you also need inventory tracking, GST/VAT-ready reports, or multi-user access without hitting a client-count wall, it's worth comparing myBooks — the same ease of use, without the same ceiling as you grow.