A FreshBooks alternative for freelancers who bill hours

FreshBooks is accounting software with time tracking inside. If what you really use is the timer and the invoice, here is what FreshBooks currently charges and a lighter option that keeps just those two together.

Last updated November 3, 2026

Why freelancers look for a FreshBooks alternative

FreshBooks prices by billable clients, not just by features: Lite stops at 5 clients, and the client limit counts active and archived clients. Its introductory discount runs for 4 months, after which list prices apply. Freelancers have been asking for alternatives for years; a long-running r/freelance thread about a FreshBooks price change recommends Harvest, Wave and QuickBooks Online (thread).

FreshBooks’ published prices (checked November 3, 2026)

Plan	Shown on freshbooks.com/pricing
Lite	$23/mo list (80% off for 4 months): invoices to 5 clients, expenses, estimates, card and bank payments
Plus	$43/mo list: 50 clients, proposals, retainers, accounting and tax-time reports, accountant access
Premium	$70/mo list: unlimited clients, bill receipt scanning
Select	Custom: lower card fees, project profitability, 2 team members included
Add-ons	Team members 1/mo each; Advanced Payments $20/mo (included in Select); Payroll $40/mo + $6/user

Source: freshbooks.com/pricing. FreshBooks also offers a 30-day free trial with no card. Prices can change; check the page before deciding.

Do you need accounting, or just billing?

Need books, bank feeds, expenses and tax reports? Stay with an accounting suite such as FreshBooks.
Mostly tracking hours and sending invoices? A time-and-invoice tool is simpler, and your accountant can work from exported invoices.
Want everything free? A tracker plus a hourly invoice template works for a few clients.

How Hourledge fits

Timer first. Start in one tap, fix a forgotten start time, add past time as a duration like 1:30.
Unlimited clients and projects during early access, with rates per client and project.
Invoices from unbilled time. One tap makes a draft with dated lines and optional tax, then a PDF with your logo, bank details and a Stripe or PayPal pay link.
Status tracking. Draft, sent, paid, overdue.
Price. Free during early access. One simple flat price later, no per-seat fees.

Comparing more tools? See time tracking and invoicing software for freelancers or the Harvest alternative guide.

Where FreshBooks is still the better fit

Hourledge is for one person and does not do accounting: no expenses, bank import, estimates, proposals, retainers, payroll, tax reports or native mobile apps (it runs in the phone browser). There is no FreshBooks import yet.

Questions

How much does FreshBooks cost?

Its pricing page (checked November 3, 2026) lists Lite at $23/month for 5 billable clients, Plus at $43/month for 50, Premium at $70/month for unlimited clients, and Select with custom pricing. It shows 80% off for the first 4 months. Team members are 1/month each, and Advanced Payments is a $20/month add-on except on Select.

Does FreshBooks have time tracking?

Yes. FreshBooks lists unlimited time tracking in its plan comparison, alongside invoicing, expenses and accounting reports.

Is Hourledge a full FreshBooks replacement?

No. Hourledge covers time tracking and invoicing only. It has no expenses, bank import, estimates, proposals, tax reports or double-entry accounting. If you need those, keep FreshBooks or use an accounting tool alongside Hourledge.

Can I import my FreshBooks data?

Not yet. Hourledge imports the Harvest time CSV only. Export your FreshBooks records before you cancel and start tracking new work in Hourledge.

Is Hourledge free?

Yes. Free during early access. One simple flat price later, no per-seat fees.

Start free See pricing

Free during early access. One simple flat price later, no per-seat fees.