# FreshBooks: what it does, who it is for and alternatives > FreshBooks: Invoicing, expenses and accounting built for freelancers and service businesses. Source: https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/freshbooks · Updated 2026-10-20 · Free from Stepthrough (https://learn.ynteractive.com) Updated October 20, 2026 · By [Robert Breen](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/about) Invoicing, expenses and accounting built for freelancers and service businesses. [Finance & accounting](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/finance-accounting) · Free trial Official site: [freshbooks.com](https://www.freshbooks.com) ## What FreshBooks does FreshBooks lets you track billable time and expenses, then pull them straight onto client invoices with taxes calculated. Receipts can be scanned with the mobile app, bank transactions imported and categorized, and clients can pay online by card or bank transfer with automatic reminders. It connects to apps like Zapier, Gusto and HubSpot, and has an API for custom integrations. ## Who FreshBooks is for - Freelancers - Bookkeepers - Agency owners - Consultants ## Key features - Invoices that pull in tracked time and expenses, plus recurring invoices - Receipt scanning in the mobile app and bank transaction import - Billable time tracking and project profitability - Online card and bank transfer payments with automated reminders - Double-entry accounting, bank reconciliation and financial reports ## Privacy and data FreshBooks says it protects browser traffic with 256-bit SSL encryption and maintains PCI DSS Level 1 compliance with an independent annual audit. Source: [FreshBooks’s own page](https://www.freshbooks.com/policies/security-safeguards). Before you put client data in, check your company’s AI rules and the plan’s data settings. ## Learn FreshBooks free on Stepthrough - Guide: [QuickBooks Online alternatives](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/alternatives/quickbooks-online) ## Alternatives to FreshBooks Other AI finance and accounting tools in the directory. - [**QuickBooks Online**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/quickbooks-online) Free trial Small business accounting with Intuit Assist AI that categorizes transactions and chases invoices. - [**Xero**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/xero) Free trial Cloud accounting for small businesses with bank feeds, invoicing and the JAX AI assistant. - [**Ramp**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/ramp) Free plan Corporate cards and spend management with AI that codes expenses and flags policy issues. - [**Expensify**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/tool/expensify) Free plan Scan receipts and submit expenses automatically, with an AI concierge. - [**Wave**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/finance-accounting#tool-wave) Free plan Free accounting and invoicing for very small businesses, with paid payments and payroll. - [**Brex**](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/finance-accounting#tool-brex) Free plan Corporate cards, expenses and travel with AI that handles receipts and reviews. [All 30 AI finance and accounting tools](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/finance-accounting) ## Frequently asked questions **What is FreshBooks?** Invoicing, expenses and accounting built for freelancers and service businesses. FreshBooks lets you track billable time and expenses, then pull them straight onto client invoices with taxes calculated. Receipts can be scanned with the mobile app, bank transactions imported and categorized, and clients can pay online by card or bank transfer with automatic reminders. It connects to apps like Zapier, Gusto and HubSpot, and has an API for custom integrations. **Who is FreshBooks for?** FreshBooks fits freelancers, bookkeepers, agency owners and consultants, and other office teams with the same job to do. **Is FreshBooks free?** FreshBooks has a free trial, then it is a paid tool. Plans change often, so check the official pricing page before you commit. **What are some alternatives to FreshBooks?** Other AI finance and accounting tools include QuickBooks Online, Xero, Ramp, Expensify and Wave. **Is FreshBooks safe for work data?** FreshBooks says it protects browser traffic with 256-bit SSL encryption and maintains PCI DSS Level 1 compliance with an independent annual audit. Check your own company’s rules, and use a business plan with training turned off for client data. ## “Listed on Stepthrough” badge Add this badge to the FreshBooks website, press page or docs. It links to this page, so your visitors can see the listing. Copy the HTML ```text Listed on Stepthrough ``` Checked against FreshBooks’s official site on October 20, 2026: [source 1](https://www.freshbooks.com), [source 2](https://www.freshbooks.com/policies/security-safeguards). Spotted something out of date? Email [rbreen@ynteractive.com](mailto:rbreen@ynteractive.com). Listings are free; [submit your AI tool](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/submit). [The full AI tools directory](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools) · [Finance & accounting](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/ai-tools/finance-accounting) · [Tool comparisons](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/compare)