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Head-to-head · Time Billing Software

FreshBooks vs Harvest

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score FreshBooks #2 in Time Billing Software 9.0/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 6 features Visit FreshBooks
Harvest #3 in Time Billing Software 8.8/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Harvest

FreshBooks leads on 0 checks, Harvest on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFreshBooks · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly Harvest
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresFreshBooks · 2 of 6

FreshBooks scores higher on our rubric for time billing software: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Harvest offers free plan; FreshBooks doesn't.

FreshBooks is the better fit for invoicing-led businesses adding time tracking. Harvest is the better fit for established teams needing reliable billing workflows.

  • FreshBooks fits best

    Invoicing-led businesses adding time tracking

  • Harvest fits best

    Established teams needing reliable billing workflows

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 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Harvest 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #2 in Time Billing Software #3 in Time Billing Software
Best for Invoicing-led businesses adding time tracking Established teams needing reliable billing workflows
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $23/mo $108/seat/yr
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days 30 days
Free trial length 30 days 30 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Integrations 8 integrations 50+ integrations
Features FreshBooks 2/6 · Harvest 0/6
Invoice generation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Billable rates Not checked yet Not checked yet
Time approval Not checked yet Not checked yet
Expense billing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Recurring invoices ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Client portal ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Time capture Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Billable timers and manual time entries support accurate invoicing.
  • Recurring invoices, online payments, expenses, and estimates are built in.
  • Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, and API access support flexible workflows.
  • Tracks billable time across web, desktop, mobile, and browser interfaces
  • Combines approvals, reporting, invoicing, expenses, and exports
  • Supports offline mobile tracking and integrations with major work platforms
Cons
  • There is no free plan after the 30-day trial.
  • Monthly pricing starts at $23 for Lite.
  • The listed integration set is relatively narrow.
  • The Free plan is limited to 1 seat and 2 projects
  • Advanced controls such as SAML-based SSO start at Enterprise
  • Its focus on time and billing may not suit broader business operations
Our verdict

FreshBooks combines invoicing and accounting features for freelancers, self-employed professionals, contractors, and small businesses. Its time-billing capabilities include timers and manual entries, while the wider toolkit covers invoice…

Read the review →

Harvest is time-tracking and billing software for freelancers, small businesses, professional-services firms, and larger teams. It records time against projects and tasks through web, desktop, mobile, and browser interfaces. Core workflows…

Read the review →
  1. FreshBooksTime Billing Software 9.030-day trial
  2. HarvestTime Billing Software 8.8Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • FreshBooks — where it wins

    • Billable timers and manual time entries support accurate invoicing.
    • Recurring invoices, online payments, expenses, and estimates are built in.
    • Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, and API access support flexible workflows.

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan after the 30-day trial.
    • Monthly pricing starts at $23 for Lite.
    • The listed integration set is relatively narrow.

  • Harvest — where it wins

    • Tracks billable time across web, desktop, mobile, and browser interfaces
    • Combines approvals, reporting, invoicing, expenses, and exports
    • Supports offline mobile tracking and integrations with major work platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan is limited to 1 seat and 2 projects
    • Advanced controls such as SAML-based SSO start at Enterprise
    • Its focus on time and billing may not suit broader business operations
  • FreshBooks9.0/10 · 30-day trial

    A strong invoicing-led choice with time tracking, payments, and client collaboration.

    Visit FreshBooksFull verdict →
  • Harvest8.8/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A focused time-billing suite with broad tracking, reporting, and invoicing coverage.

    Visit HarvestFull verdict →

More comparisons

All time billing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update