For a solo consultant, FreshBooks and QuickBooks solve overlapping problems — sending invoices, tracking expenses, getting paid — but they were built for different jobs. FreshBooks grew up as an invoicing tool for service businesses; QuickBooks grew up as accounting software that happens to send invoices too. That difference shows up more than the price does.
Quick Verdict
At the tiers most solo consultants would actually use, FreshBooks and QuickBooks cost about the same — so price isn’t really the decision. FreshBooks is built around the client relationship: proposals, a client portal, and invoicing that looks like it came from a service business. QuickBooks is built around the books: deeper tax handling and accounting reports, with client-facing features as an afterthought. Pick based on which side of that line you spend more time on.
| Feature | FreshBooks | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (realistic solo tier) | $43/mo — Plus, up to 50 clients | $38/mo — Simple Start, 1 user |
| Free plan | Trial only | Trial only |
| Client portal | Yes | Limited |
| Proposals & estimates | Yes | No |
| Time tracking | Included | Essentials tier and up ($75/mo) |
| Tax & accounting depth | Basic | Strong — 1099s, deeper reports |
| Support | Email / chat | Email / chat, phone on higher tiers |
FreshBooks
FreshBooks reads like it was designed by someone who’s actually sent a consulting invoice: proposals and estimates feed straight into the invoice, clients get their own portal to view and pay, and time tracking is there without an add-on. The tradeoff is that once your tax situation gets more complex than “one person, one set of books,” FreshBooks’ accounting tools feel thin.
Pros
- Client portal and proposals built for service-business workflows
- Time tracking included without a pricier tier
- Invoicing and estimates feel designed for non-accountants
Cons
- Lighter tax and accounting depth than QuickBooks
- Lite tier caps at 5 clients — most active consultants will need Plus
- Extra team members cost $11/mo each
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QuickBooks
QuickBooks is accounting software first, which is exactly why so many accountants already know it — if you’ll eventually hand books off to a bookkeeper or file more complex taxes, that familiarity matters. It’s less interested in the parts of your workflow that happen before the invoice: proposals, a branded client portal, and estimates aren’t really QuickBooks’ focus.
Pros
- Deeper tax tools, including 1099 contractor management
- Widely used by accountants and bookkeepers — easy to hand off
- Scales into full bookkeeping if your business grows past solo
Cons
- No real client portal or proposal tools
- Time tracking requires the Essentials tier ($75/mo) or higher
- Steeper learning curve for someone without accounting background
Ready to try QuickBooks?
Start a free trial and see the accounting tools in action.
Both tools focus on invoicing and books — neither handles contracts, a branded client portal experience, or full CRM the way a dedicated client-management platform does. If you need more than invoicing, see our comparisons of HoneyBook vs. Bonsai for consultants or HoneyBook vs. Dubsado for a fuller client-management setup.
Best For
Consultants Managing the Client Relationship
FreshBooks’ proposals and client portal fit consultants who want invoicing to feel like part of the service, not an afterthought.
Best For
Consultants Who Need Real Tax Depth
QuickBooks’ 1099 tools and deeper reports suit consultants managing subcontractors or more complex tax situations.
Best For
A Small, Steady Client Base
FreshBooks’ Lite plan drops to $23/mo for up to 5 clients — enough for a consultant with a handful of ongoing retainers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from QuickBooks to FreshBooks (or the other way) without losing my accounting history?
Both let you export your data, but full accounting history doesn’t transfer cleanly between platforms. Most consultants export invoices and reports as PDFs or CSVs for their records and start fresh in the new tool, bringing in an accountant if a formal migration matters.
Do I need QuickBooks even if I use FreshBooks for invoicing?
Not necessarily. FreshBooks alone covers invoicing, expenses, and basic reports for most solo consultants. You’d add QuickBooks, or a bookkeeper, once your tax situation gets more complex than FreshBooks’ lighter accounting tools can handle.
Which one is easier to use if I’m not an accountant?
FreshBooks is generally friendlier for someone without an accounting background, since it’s built around invoicing and client work first. QuickBooks assumes more comfort with accounting concepts, especially past the Simple Start tier.
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