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Head-to-head · Freelance Invoicing Software

FreshBooks vs Bonsai

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score FreshBooks #2 in Freelance Invoicing Software 9.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit FreshBooks
Bonsai #4 in Freelance Invoicing Software 8.8/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Bonsai

FreshBooks leads on 0 checks, Bonsai on 1, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFreshBooks · 9.1/10
  • Lowest starting priceBonsai · $9/user/mo
  • Free trialboth

FreshBooks scores higher on our rubric for freelance invoicing software: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Bonsai is cheaper to start at $9/mo against $23/mo.

FreshBooks is the better fit for established freelancers managing billing and client work. Bonsai is the better fit for freelancers wanting an all-in-one workspace.

  • FreshBooks fits best

    Established freelancers managing billing and client work

  • Bonsai fits best

    Freelancers wanting an all-in-one workspace

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature FreshBooks 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Bonsai 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #2 in Freelance Invoicing Software #4 in Freelance Invoicing Software
Best for Established freelancers managing billing and client work Freelancers wanting an all-in-one workspace
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $23/mo $9/user/mo (best)
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days 7 days
Free trial length 30 days 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Mobile, Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Chrome extension
Integrations 8 integrations 8 integrations
Features FreshBooks 5/5 · Bonsai 5/5
Recurring invoices ✓ ✓
Online payments ✓ ✓
Time tracking ✓ ✓
Expense tracking ✓ ✓
Client portal ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile apps Ios and android Ios and android
Our review
Pros
  • Combines recurring invoices, online payments, and estimates or proposals
  • Tracks billable time, expenses, and receipts alongside client projects
  • Offers client portals and invoicing, expense, and time tools on mobile
  • Recurring invoices support weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly schedules
  • Combines invoicing, time and expense tracking, and a client portal
  • Integrates with QuickBooks Online, Xero, Stripe, and PayPal
Cons
  • Lite starts at $23 per month, with higher tiers at $43 and $70
  • No free plan is available
  • Its wide accounting and project toolkit may be more than basic invoicing needs
  • Invoicing and payments start at the Essentials plan
  • The lowest annual price requires annual billing
  • Elite requires a three-user minimum
Our verdict

FreshBooks brings invoicing and accounting together for freelancers, self-employed professionals, contractors, and small businesses. It covers the work around getting paid as well as creating invoices: estimates, proposals, retainers,…

Read the review →

Bonsai brings invoicing into a wider workspace for freelancers, agencies, and other client-based businesses. Alongside invoices and online payments, it covers project and client management, time and expense tracking, contracts, proposals,…

Read the review →
  1. FreshBooksFreelance Invoicing Software 9.130-day trial
  2. BonsaiFreelance Invoicing Software 8.87-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • FreshBooks — where it wins

    • Combines recurring invoices, online payments, and estimates or proposals
    • Tracks billable time, expenses, and receipts alongside client projects
    • Offers client portals and invoicing, expense, and time tools on mobile

    Where it doesn't

    • Lite starts at $23 per month, with higher tiers at $43 and $70
    • No free plan is available
    • Its wide accounting and project toolkit may be more than basic invoicing needs

  • Bonsai — where it wins

    • Recurring invoices support weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly schedules
    • Combines invoicing, time and expense tracking, and a client portal
    • Integrates with QuickBooks Online, Xero, Stripe, and PayPal

    Where it doesn't

    • Invoicing and payments start at the Essentials plan
    • The lowest annual price requires annual billing
    • Elite requires a three-user minimum

More comparisons

All freelance invoicing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update