FreshBooks Review

Introduction

Get organized and get paid—without learning accounting. FreshBooks is cloud accounting for consultants and service businesses that turns invoicing, expense capture, and reporting into a few simple clicks. Since 2003, this platform has helped over 30 million users manage invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting without needing accounting expertise. For retirepreneurs launching consulting practices or service-based businesses, FreshBooks offers an intuitive alternative to complex accounting systems.

Its straightforward interface and automated features let you focus on serving clients rather than wrestling with bookkeeping, making it ideal for those starting retirement businesses who want professional financial management without the steep learning curve.

 

Key Features & Benefits

• Professional invoicing: Custom branding, automatic reminders, ACH/credit card payments—faster cash flow. Create polished invoices that enhance your credibility and get you paid on time.

• Effortless expense capture: Snap receipts on mobile; auto-categorization helps maximize deductions. Simply photograph receipts with your device and FreshBooks organizes everything for tax time.

• Time → invoice in one click: Built-in tracker converts hours to invoices—no manual math. Perfect for consultants who bill hourly but want to eliminate timesheet calculations.

• Know your numbers: Simple P&L, tax summaries, and expense reports for instant clarity. Understand exactly where your retirement business stands financially without accounting expertise.

• Work anywhere: Full-featured mobile apps for invoicing, receipts, and mileage. Manage your finances from anywhere, supporting the flexible lifestyle many retirepreneurs seek.

• Recurring revenue made easy: Automated retainer/subscription billing for predictable income. Set up recurring invoices once and create consistent revenue streams.

• Collaborate with your accountant: Secure access for your CPA; integrates with payroll (e.g., Gusto). Grant your accountant or bookkeeper access to review your books, making tax time significantly easier.

Send your first invoice today—most users do it within an hour of signup.

 

Pricing

Plan	Monthly Cost	Best For	Key Features
Lite	$21/month	Solo consultants starting out	5 billable clients, invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, estimates, tax reports
Plus	$38/month	Growing service businesses	50 billable clients, recurring billing, proposals, retainers, all Lite features
Premium	$65/month	Established businesses	Unlimited clients, project profitability tracking, advanced templates, all Plus features
Select	Custom pricing	Larger operations	Dedicated account manager, custom integrations, premium support, all Premium features

30-day free trial available for all plans, plus 30-day money-back guarantee.

Note on promos: FreshBooks often offers introductory discounts; terms change over time.

ROI Snapshot: If FreshBooks saves you 1 hour/month at a $75 effective hourly rate, Lite pays for itself 3× over—before faster payments.

Our Recommendation: Start with Lite if you're testing your retirement business concept with a handful of clients. Upgrade to Plus once you have recurring consulting arrangements or 5+ active clients. Choose Premium when you're running multiple concurrent projects and need profitability insights across clients.

Security & Privacy

Bank-level encryption, secure payment processing, and accountant-role access. You control what's shared and can export your data anytime.

 

Pros & Cons

 

How It Works

1. Create your account and customize your profile.
   Set up your business information, upload your logo, and customize invoice templates in under 15 minutes. The setup wizard guides you through each step.

2. Add your clients and set billing preferences.
   Input client contact information and establish whether you'll bill hourly, by project, or recurring. You can also set default payment terms and preferred payment methods.

3. Track time and expenses as you work.
   Use the built-in timer to log billable hours or photograph receipts with the mobile app. FreshBooks automatically organizes everything for easy invoicing.

4. Generate and send invoices with one click.
   Convert tracked time and expenses into professional invoices instantly. Send them via email directly from the platform and receive notifications when clients view them.

5. Get paid and track cash flow.
   Clients pay via ACH/credit card from the invoice link; your dashboard updates automatically with outstanding invoices and key metrics.

 

Comparison with Competition

Feature	FreshBooks	QuickBooks Online	Zoho Books
Best For	Service businesses & consultants	Comprehensive accounting needs	Budget-conscious small businesses
Entry Price	$21/month	~$25/month	Lower (~$15/month)
Ease of Use	✅ Excellent - minimal learning curve	❌ Steeper learning curve	✅ Good - moderate learning curve
Time Tracking	✅ Seamlessly integrated with billing	❌ Add-on feature	✅ Included but less intuitive
Multi-User Pricing	❌ $11/month per additional user	✅ Often included in plans	✅ Better multi-user value
Mobile Experience	✅ Highly rated mobile apps	✅ Strong mobile functionality	✅ Good mobile apps
Invoicing Focus	✅ Best-in-class customization	✅ Professional but less flexible	✅ Good customization
Integrations	✅ 150+ apps including payroll	✅ Extensive integrations	✅ Full Zoho ecosystem

Bottom line: Choose FreshBooks if ease-of-use and client billing are your top priorities. Pick QuickBooks Online for deeper accounting (inventory, advanced reporting). Consider Zoho Books if budget matters most and you're comfortable with a modest learning curve.

 

Testimonials

"FreshBooks transformed how I manage my consulting practice. I went from spending 3+ hours weekly on invoicing and expense tracking to less than 30 minutes. The automatic payment reminders alone have improved my cash flow significantly—clients pay 40% faster than when I sent manual invoices."
— Michael R., Retirement Business Consultant, 62

"As someone who avoided accounting software for years, I was amazed at how quickly I got up and running. Within my first day, I'd sent my first three invoices. The mobile app means I can capture receipts immediately instead of losing them in my wallet. It's given me confidence that my books are actually organized."
— Patricia L., Marketing Strategist, 58

 

Final Verdict

FreshBooks delivers exactly what retirepreneurs need: simple, professional financial management without accounting complexity. The platform's intuitive design, excellent time tracking, and automated invoicing make it particularly valuable for service-based retirement businesses where client billing is central to operations.

✅ Best for: Solo consultants, coaches, and service professionals aged 55+ who want professional invoicing and expense tracking without learning complex accounting software. Ideal if you bill clients hourly or by project and value mobile accessibility.

❌ Not ideal for: Businesses needing inventory management, multiple team members, or advanced manufacturing accounting. Also not the most cost-effective choice if you require several user accounts.

💡 Ready to simplify your retirement business finances? Start your 30-day free trial of FreshBooks to experience how simple accounting can be. With the money-back guarantee, you can test whether it fits your consulting practice risk-free.

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✅ Frequently Asked Questions

Is FreshBooks affordable for retirees on a fixed income?

FreshBooks starts at $21/month, with promotional pricing often available. Promotions vary; check current offer. For most retirement consulting businesses, the time saved on invoicing and bookkeeping easily justifies the cost. The 30-day free trial and money-back guarantee let you test it risk-free before committing.

How difficult is FreshBooks to learn for someone not tech-savvy?

FreshBooks is widely recognized as the easiest accounting software to learn, with most users sending their first invoice within an hour of setup. The interface uses plain language instead of accounting jargon, and the setup wizard guides you step-by-step. Many users in their 60s and 70s successfully manage their books without prior accounting software experience.

Can I use FreshBooks if I'm just starting my retirement business with only 2-3 clients?

Absolutely. The Lite plan supports up to 5 billable clients for $21/month, making it perfect for testing your retirement business concept. You can upgrade as you grow without losing any data or starting over.

How does FreshBooks compare to free options like Wave?

While Wave is free, FreshBooks offers significantly better time tracking integration, more customizable invoicing, superior mobile apps, and phone support on higher plans. For service-based businesses where time tracking is essential, FreshBooks saves enough time to justify the cost.

What kind of support is available if I get stuck?

Email and chat on all plans; phone support on Premium and Select with fast response times. Their support team consistently receives high ratings for responsiveness and helpfulness. Additionally, they provide extensive video tutorials and help articles designed for non-accountants.

Will my accountant be able to work with FreshBooks at tax time?

Yes, FreshBooks is designed for accountant collaboration. You can grant your CPA read-only access to review your books, and the platform generates all standard tax reports including profit and loss statements and expense summaries. Most accountants are familiar with FreshBooks and appreciate its organized reporting.

Can I track business mileage for tax deductions with FreshBooks?

Yes, the FreshBooks mobile app includes mileage tracking that automatically calculates deductions based on IRS standard mileage rates. Simply start tracking when you begin a business trip, and the app logs the distance and calculates the tax-deductible amount.

Does FreshBooks handle estimates and proposals?

Yes—build estimates and proposals, send for approval, then convert to invoices in one click. This streamlines the sales process for consultants who need formal proposals before starting work.

Can I accept retainers or deposits?

Yes—collect deposits up front and set up recurring invoices for ongoing retainers. This helps create predictable cash flow for your retirement business.

What about 1099 contractors?

Track contractor costs in FreshBooks and export for year-end 1099 prep; for issuing 1099s, integrate with payroll/compliance tools or work with your CPA.

Can I switch from QuickBooks or another tool?

You can import clients, items, and other data via CSV; your accountant can help migrate historical data if needed. FreshBooks support can guide you through the transition process.