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FreshBooks vs Expensify (2024 Comparison)

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Last Update

Nov 15, 2024

We earn a commission from partner links on Keevee. Commissions do not affect our editor's opinions or evaluations.

Excellent Value For Price
4.6

0

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FreshBooks

FreshBooks offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive invoicing features, making it an excellent choice for small businesses. Its excellent customer support ensures you have the help you need when you need it.

  • User-friendly interface for easy navigation.
  • Comprehensive invoicing and billing features.
  • Excellent customer support available.
  • Limited advanced expense management features.
  • Higher cost for premium plans.

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$9.50 per month
Excellent Value For Price
4.3

0

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Expensify

Expensify excels in advanced expense tracking and receipt scanning, making it a top choice for businesses with extensive expense management needs. Its seamless integration enhances productivity and streamlines workflows.

  • Advanced expense tracking and receipt scanning.
  • Seamless integration with accounting software.
  • User-friendly mobile app for expense management.
  • Limited invoicing capabilities.
  • Learning curve for new users.

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$5 per user/month

What is FreshBooks?

FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It simplifies invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and financial reporting, making it easier for business owners to manage their finances. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, FreshBooks helps users save time and reduce the stress of financial management. It also offers integrations with popular apps, allowing seamless workflow management. Whether you're a freelancer or a small business owner, FreshBooks provides the tools you need to stay organized and efficient.

What is Expensify?

Expensify is an expense management software that streamlines the process of tracking and reporting expenses for businesses and individuals. It automates the tedious task of expense reporting by allowing users to capture receipts, track mileage, and submit expense reports with ease. Expensify's smart scanning technology extracts data from receipts, reducing manual entry and errors. It integrates with various accounting software, making it a versatile tool for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're a frequent traveler or managing a team, Expensify simplifies expense management, saving you time and effort.

Pros and Cons of FreshBooks vs Expensify

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Pros & Cons of FreshBooks

User-friendly interface
  • FreshBooks offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and manage their finances. Its intuitive design ensures that even those with limited accounting knowledge can use it effectively.
Comprehensive invoicing features
  • FreshBooks provides comprehensive invoicing features, allowing users to create professional invoices quickly and easily. Its automated billing and customizable templates save time and effort.
Excellent customer support
  • FreshBooks is known for its excellent customer support, offering various channels for users to get assistance. Its responsive support team is available to help with any issues or questions.
Limited advanced expense management
  • While FreshBooks offers expense tracking, it lacks some of the advanced features found in dedicated expense management tools. Businesses with extensive expense management needs may find it limiting.
Higher cost for premium plans
  • FreshBooks' premium plans can be more expensive compared to other accounting software. Businesses on a tight budget may need to consider the cost before committing.
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Pros & Cons of Expensify

Advanced expense tracking
  • Expensify excels in expense tracking, offering advanced features like receipt scanning and mileage tracking. Its smart scanning technology reduces manual entry, making it a top choice for businesses with extensive expense management needs.
Seamless integration
  • Expensify offers seamless integration with various accounting software, making it a versatile tool for businesses that rely on multiple tools. Its integration capabilities enhance productivity and streamline workflows.
User-friendly mobile app
  • Expensify's mobile app is user-friendly and focuses on expense management, offering features like receipt scanning and mileage tracking. It allows users to manage expenses on the go with ease.
Limited invoicing capabilities
  • While Expensify offers invoicing capabilities, its focus is primarily on expense management. Businesses with comprehensive invoicing needs may find it lacking in this area.
Learning curve for new users
  • Expensify's focus on expense management may require a bit of a learning curve for new users. Those unfamiliar with its features may need time to fully understand and utilize its capabilities.

FreshBooks vs Expensify: At A Glance

Decision FactorFreshBooksExpensify
Value to Price
Excellent4.7
Excellent4.4
Ease of Use
Excellent4.8
Excellent4.5
Functionality
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.3
Scalability
Excellent4.6
Good4.2
Integrations
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.4
Customer Support
Excellent4.7
Excellent4.3
Security
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.4
Overall Rating
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.3

FreshBooks vs Expensify: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features

FeaturesFreshBooksExpensify
Invoicing
Excellent4.8
Good4.2
Expense Tracking
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.8
Time Tracking
Excellent4.7
Excellent4.3
Financial Reporting
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.4
Receipt Scanning
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.7
Mobile App
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.5

Invoicing

FreshBooks excels in invoicing, offering customizable templates and automated billing features that make it easy to manage client payments. Its user-friendly interface allows you to create professional invoices quickly, saving you time and effort. Expensify, while offering invoicing capabilities, focuses more on expense management, which may not be as comprehensive for invoicing needs. If invoicing is a priority, FreshBooks is the better choice for its robust features and ease of use.

Expense Tracking

Expensify shines in expense tracking, providing advanced features like receipt scanning and mileage tracking that simplify the process. Its smart scanning technology reduces manual entry, making it a top choice for businesses with extensive expense management needs. FreshBooks also offers expense tracking, but its focus is more on overall accounting. If expense tracking is your main concern, Expensify is the superior option for its specialized features.

Time Tracking

FreshBooks offers a comprehensive time tracking feature that allows users to log hours and manage projects efficiently. Its integration with invoicing makes it easy to bill clients for time worked. Expensify, while offering time tracking, is more focused on expense management, which may not be as robust for time tracking needs. If time tracking is essential, FreshBooks provides a more integrated solution.

Financial Reporting

FreshBooks provides detailed financial reporting features that help users gain insights into their business performance. Its reports are easy to generate and customize, making it a valuable tool for financial analysis. Expensify also offers financial reporting, but its focus is primarily on expense data. If comprehensive financial reporting is important, FreshBooks is the better choice for its in-depth capabilities.

Receipt Scanning

Expensify excels in receipt scanning, offering smart scanning technology that extracts data from receipts with accuracy. This feature reduces manual entry and errors, making it a valuable tool for businesses with high volumes of receipts. FreshBooks also offers receipt scanning, but its focus is more on overall accounting. If receipt scanning is a priority, Expensify is the superior choice for its advanced technology.

Mobile App

Both FreshBooks and Expensify offer mobile apps that allow users to manage their finances on the go. FreshBooks' app is user-friendly and provides access to key features like invoicing and expense tracking. Expensify's app focuses on expense management, offering features like receipt scanning and mileage tracking. If you need a comprehensive mobile app for accounting, FreshBooks is the more versatile choice.

Pricing Comparison of FreshBooks and Expensify

To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of FreshBooks and Expensify. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your finances.

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FreshBooks Pricing Plans

Lite
For freelancers and startups
$9.5

per month

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Lite includes:
  • Track unlimited expenses to manage your finances effectively.
  • Send unlimited estimates to set clear client expectations.
  • Get paid with credit cards and bank transfers (ACH) seamlessly.
  • Run reports for an easy tax time and financial overview.
Plus
For growing small businesses
$16.5

per month

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Includes Lite, plus:
  • Set up recurring invoices and client retainers for consistent billing.
  • Automatically capture receipt data for accurate record-keeping.
  • Invite your accountant for seamless collaboration and support.
  • Run financial and accounting reports for detailed insights.
Premium
For established businesses
$30

per month

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Includes Plus, and:
  • Track project profitability to optimize business performance.
  • Customize email templates with dynamic fields for personalization.
  • Automatically capture bills and receipt data for efficiency.
  • Access advanced financial reports for strategic planning.
Select
For large enterprises
Contact sales
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Includes Premium, and:
  • Access to lower credit card transaction fees for cost savings.
  • Remove FreshBooks branding from client emails for professionalism.
  • 2 team member accounts included for collaborative work.
  • A dedicated number for exclusive Select support for priority service.
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Expensify Pricing Plans

Collect
For Small Businesses
$5

per user/month

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Collect includes:
  • Expensify Cards with Smart Limits for controlled spending.
  • Bill pay and invoicing to streamline financial operations.
  • Expense approvals to ensure compliance and accuracy.
  • Third-party card feeds and reconciliation for seamless integration.
Control
For Large Enterprises
$9

per user/month

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Includes Collect, plus:
  • Certinia and Workday sync for enhanced HR and finance operations.
  • Multiple expense approvers for complex organizational structures.
  • SAML/SSO for secure and simplified user access.
  • Admin-enforced controls for robust policy enforcement.

Our Rating Methodology

We thoroughly test each accounting software, evaluating key features like ease of use, functionality, and scalability. We also analyze user reviews to ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each of the seven evaluation factors is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you avoid poor-quality tools and make informed decisions.

Decision FactorScoring Weight
Value to Price
20%
20%
Ease of Use
20%
15%
Functionality
20%
25%
Scalability
20%
15%
Integrations
20%
10%
Customer Support
20%
10%
Security
20%
5%

FreshBooks or Expensify: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?

Choose FreshBooks If You Need ...

  • User-friendly accounting solution

    If you are a small business owner looking for a user-friendly accounting solution, FreshBooks is the ideal choice. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features make it easy to manage your finances efficiently.

  • Comprehensive invoicing needs

    If you have comprehensive invoicing needs, FreshBooks is the better choice. Its robust invoicing features, including customizable templates and automated billing, make it easy to create professional invoices quickly.

Choose Expensify If You Need ...

  • Advanced expense management

    If you require advanced expense management features, Expensify is the superior choice. Its smart scanning technology and mileage tracking simplify the process, making it ideal for businesses with extensive expense management needs.

  • Seamless integration with accounting software

    If you need seamless integration with accounting software, Expensify is the better option. Its integration capabilities enhance productivity and streamline workflows, making it a versatile tool for businesses that rely on multiple tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.