Top 10 Free Alternatives to FreshBooks in 2025

As FreshBooks remains a popular choice for accounting software, the landscape in 2025 offers multiple free alternatives that cater to different needs for businesses, freelancers, and self-employed professionals. Below, we delve into the top 10 free alternatives to FreshBooks, examining their features, limitations, and unique benefits.

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1. Zoho Books

Description: Zoho Books is a comprehensive accounting software that offers a free plan for small businesses with annual revenue under $50,000. It integrates seamlessly with the larger Zoho suite of business tools.
Key Features (Free Plan):
Invoicing (up to 1000 invoices per year)
Expense tracking
Bank reconciliation
Customer and vendor management
Basic reporting
Accountant access
Transaction categorization rules
Scalability: Offers paid plans for growing businesses.
Limitations: Free plan is restricted to businesses under $50,000 annual revenue.
Additional Data Points: User-friendly interface, mobile apps available, integrates with other Zoho apps, suitable for small business with basic accounting needs, has a wide array of features in the free plan.
Link: Zoho Books

2. Wave Accounting

Description: Wave Accounting is a free accounting software perfect for freelancers and very small businesses, prioritizing ease of use and fundamental accounting functions.
Key Features (Free):
Unlimited invoicing
Expense tracking
Basic accounting features
Customizable invoices
Mobile app for invoicing
Can connect to an unlimited number of bank accounts and credit cards to track expenses.
Payment Processing: Offers paid payment processing and payroll services (transaction fees apply).
Limitations: Some features, like bank transaction imports and the ability to add users, have moved to their paid plan.
Additional Data Points: Great for invoicing, user-friendly, mobile app access, ideal for freelancers, unlimited invoices, and has payment processing available (for a fee).
Link: Wave Accounting

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3. ZipBooks

Description: ZipBooks offers a free plan equipped with essential accounting and invoicing features, making it suitable for small businesses and freelancers.
Key Features (Free Starter Plan):
Unlimited invoicing
Basic reporting
Customer and vendor management
Connects to a single bank account
Can send invoices and receive payments through PayPal or Square
Project-based accounting tools
Auto syncing with a bank account
Limitations: Limited to one user and one bank account in the free plan, does not generate cash flow statements.
Scalability: Offers paid plans with more features.
Additional Data Points: Good for project categorization, user-friendly, intuitive financial reports, automates recurring invoices, offers insights at your fingertips, integrates with Gusto for payroll.
Link: ZipBooks

4. Akaunting

Description: Akaunting is a free, open-source accounting software offering a broad range of features, with capability for offline work.
Key Features (Free):
Invoicing and billing
Expense tracking
Financial reporting
Multi-user support
Customizable dashboard
Single-entry accounting
Open-source platform for customization
Supports multiple languages (45)
Offline Capability: Can be installed on a server and used offline.
Limitations: Requires self-hosting or a paid cloud service, third-party apps are available for purchase.
Additional Data Points: Suitable for offline work, customizable user roles, wide array of free features, customizable reports, available in 45 languages, open-source.
Link: Akaunting

5. GnuCash

Description: GnuCash is an open-source, free accounting software designed for personal and small business use.
Key Features (Free):
Double-entry accounting
Budgeting tools
Financial reporting
Customizable reports
Tracks both personal and business finances
Customization: Highly customizable due to its open-source nature.
Limitations: Requires some accounting knowledge to use effectively and may not be suitable for users who prefer a more intuitive interface.
Additional Data Points: Open-source, highly customizable, suited for small teams, double-entry accounting, provides budgeting tools.
Link: GnuCash

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6. SlickPie

Description: SlickPie is a free accounting software focusing on automation, suitable for small businesses.
Key Features (Free Starter Plan):
Automated invoice reminders
Invoice and customer management
Financial reporting
A modern and clean user interface
Can manage up to 10 companies
Connects to unlimited bank and credit card accounts
Limitations: Free plan limited to 10 companies, email support only.
Additional Data Points: Good for automation, user-friendly, offers unlimited user accounts, bank/credit card connections, free and paid plans available, customer invoicing features.
Link: SlickPie

7. Manager.io

Description: Manager.io offers free desktop-based accounting software featuring a wide array of capabilities.
Key Features (Free):
Desktop and cloud access
Cash and accrual accounting
Manages purchase orders
Tracks accounts receivable and payable
Invoicing
Generates various reports including inventory, fixed assets, customer reports.
Tracks inventory
Creates tax codes for different items
Additional Data Points: Offers both desktop and cloud software, extensive reporting capabilities, can track inventory, supports cash and accrual accounting, advanced features.
Link: Manager.io

8. Brightbook

Description: Brightbook is a free accounting software targeting freelancers and self-employed professionals.
Key Features (Free):
Invoicing
Expense tracking
Straightforward tools
Suitable for remote teams
Additional Data Points: Ideal for freelancers, simple and easy to use, suitable for virtual teams.
Link: Brightbook

9. Zoho Invoice

Description: Zoho Invoice is a free invoicing software, perfect for creating and managing professional invoices.
Key Features (Free):
Create professional invoices
Customize invoices with branding
Online invoice management
Suitable for small businesses
Additional Data Points: User-friendly interface, customizable invoices, online software.
Link: Zoho Invoice

10. NCH Express Accounts

Description: NCH Express Accounts is a free desktop accounting software for small businesses with up to five employees.
Key Features (Free):
Generates quotes
Sends invoices
Tracks expenses
Generates 20+ financial reports
Suitable for small businesses with limited needs
Additional Data Points: Desktop-based, numerous report generation options, can generate quotes and invoices.
Link: NCH Express Accounts

These are some of the top free alternatives to FreshBooks for 2025. Each has its strengths, so the best choice depends on your specific business needs.

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FAQ

1. What is Zoho Books and is it free?

Zoho Books is a comprehensive accounting software that offers a free plan for small businesses with revenues under $50,000 per year. The free plan includes invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, customer and vendor management, and basic reporting. Learn more about Zoho Books

2. How does Wave Accounting cater to freelancers and small businesses?

Wave Accounting is free and popular among freelancers and very small businesses due to its easy-to-use interface and essential features like unlimited invoicing, expense tracking, and customizable invoices. Explore Wave Accounting

3. What makes ZipBooks a good choice for small businesses and freelancers?

ZipBooks offers a free plan with unlimited invoicing, basic reporting, project-based accounting tools, and the ability to connect to a single bank account, making it ideal for small businesses and freelancers. Discover ZipBooks

4. Can Akaunting be used offline, and what features does it offer?

Yes, Akaunting can be installed on a server and used offline. It provides invoicing, expense tracking, financial reporting, multi-user support, and a customizable dashboard. Learn more about Akaunting

5. Is GnuCash suitable for small business use and what features does it offer?

GnuCash is open-source and designed for both personal and small business use. It features double-entry accounting, budgeting tools, financial reporting, and customizable reports. Explore GnuCash

6. What automation features does SlickPie offer?

SlickPie focuses on automation and offers features like automated invoice reminders, customer management, financial reporting, and connecting to unlimited bank and credit card accounts. Check out SlickPie

7. What types of businesses benefit from using Manager.io?

Manager.io is suited for businesses that need both desktop and cloud access, cash and accrual accounting, extensive reporting, and inventory tracking. Learn more about Manager.io

8. How does Brightbook cater to freelancers and self-employed professionals?

Brightbook provides easy-to-use accounting tools, invoicing, expense tracking, and is suitable for remote or virtual teams, making it ideal for freelancers and self-employed individuals. Discover Brightbook

9. What are the key features of Zoho Invoice?

Zoho Invoice offers free invoicing software that allows users to create and manage professional invoices, customize them with branding, and handle online invoice management. Learn more about Zoho Invoice

10. Is NCH Express Accounts suitable for small businesses and what features does it offer?

NCH Express Accounts is desktop-based and suitable for small businesses with five or fewer employees. It includes features like generating quotes, sending invoices, tracking expenses, and generating over 20 financial reports. Explore NCH Express Accounts

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.