FreshBooks vs Square — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of FreshBooks and Square to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Square takes the lead with a 4.4 rating and is best for brick-and-mortar businesses and restaurants. FreshBooks (4.3) is the better pick if you need freelancers and service businesses who bill for time and want the best invoicing experience..
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | FreshBooks | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.3(234) | ★★★★ 4.4(310) |
| Pricing Model | paid | freemium |
| Starter Price | $19/mo (Lite, 5 clients) | $29/mo (Plus) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web, ios, android | Web, iOS, Android, Hardware |
| Learning Curve | easy | Easy |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Freelancers and service businesses who bill for time and want the best invoicing experience. | Brick-and-mortar businesses and restaurants |
| Verdict | recommended | Best POS Ecosystem |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | FreshBooks | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Beautiful invoicing with online payments | — | |
| Time tracking | — | |
| Expense tracking with receipt capture | — | |
| Project management | — | |
| Proposals and estimates | — | |
| Double-entry accounting | — | |
| POS System | — | |
| Payment Processing | — | |
| Invoicing | — | |
| Banking | — | |
| Payroll | — |
FreshBooks
Pros
- ✓Most beautiful invoicing experience in any accounting tool
- ✓Time tracking to invoice pipeline is seamless
- ✓More intuitive than QuickBooks for non-accountants
Cons
- ✕Per-client limitations on lower tiers are frustrating
- ✕Less feature-dense than QuickBooks for complex needs
- ✕Not suitable for inventory or manufacturing businesses
Square
Pros
- ✓All-in-one ecosystem
- ✓Beautiful hardware
- ✓Easy to set up
Cons
- ✕Higher processing fees than dedicated processors
- ✕Account stability issues reported
- ✕Can freeze funds without warning
The Bottom Line
Both FreshBooks and Square are solid tools in the Accounting & Finance space. Square edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.4 vs 4.3) and is the better choice for brick-and-mortar businesses and restaurants. However, if you prioritize freelancers and service businesses who bill for time and want the best invoicing experience., FreshBooks is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.