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Head-to-head · Time Billing Software

FreshBooks vs Paymo

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score FreshBooks #2 in Time Billing Software 8.4/10 From $23/mo · 30-day trial ✓ 2 of 6 features Visit FreshBooks
Paymo #8 in Time Billing Software 6.7/10 Free plan · paid from $5.90/user/mo (annual) · 15-day trial Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Paymo

FreshBooks leads on 2 checks, Paymo on 1, and 0 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 · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly Paymo
  • Most featuresFreshBooks · 2 of 6

FreshBooks scores higher on our rubric for time billing software: 8.4 against 6.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

Paymo offers free plan; FreshBooks doesn't. FreshBooks offers recurring invoices; Paymo doesn't publish it. FreshBooks offers client portal; Paymo doesn't publish it.

FreshBooks is the better fit for invoicing-led businesses adding time tracking. Paymo is the better fit for small teams wanting low-cost project billing.

  • FreshBooks fits best

    Invoicing-led businesses adding time tracking

  • Paymo fits best

    Small teams wanting low-cost project billing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature FreshBooks 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Paymo 6.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 6.7
Ranking #2 in Time Billing Software #8 in Time Billing Software
Best for Invoicing-led businesses adding time tracking Small teams wanting low-cost project billing
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published $5.9/user/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Free trial length 30 days 15 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Integrations 8 integrations 14 integrations
Features FreshBooks 2/6 · Paymo 0/6
Invoice generation Not published Not published
Billable rates Not published Not published
Time approval Not published Not published
Expense billing Not published Not published
Recurring invoices ✓ (best) Not published
Client portal ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Time capture Not published Not published
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.
  • Free plan includes unlimited time tracking and unlimited invoices.
  • Combines task views, scheduling, workload planning, expenses, and invoicing.
  • Runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
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 client and 2 projects.
  • Advanced planning features require the Plus or Pro plans.
  • Paymo does not offer refunds.
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 →

Paymo is an online work and project management platform for small businesses and teams that bill for client work. It brings task management, project planning, team scheduling, time tracking, estimates, expenses, invoicing, online payments,…

Read the review →
  1. FreshBooksTime Billing Software 8.4From $23/mo · 30-day trial
  2. PaymoTime Billing Software 6.7Free plan · paid from $5.90/user/mo (annual) · 15-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.

  • Paymo — where it wins

    • Free plan includes unlimited time tracking and unlimited invoices.
    • Combines task views, scheduling, workload planning, expenses, and invoicing.
    • Runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan is limited to 1 client and 2 projects.
    • Advanced planning features require the Plus or Pro plans.
    • Paymo does not offer refunds.
  • FreshBooks8.4/10 · From $23/mo · 30-day trial

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

    Visit FreshBooksFull verdict →
  • Paymo6.7/10 · Free plan · paid from $5.90/user/mo (annual) · 15-day trial

    A low-cost billing workspace that connects tracked time, projects, expenses, and invoices.

    Visit PaymoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All time billing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update