12 Best FreshBooks Alternatives Reviewed in 2026
10 Best FreshBooks Alternatives Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 12 tools reviewed.
Managing a church's finances can be challenging. You need efficient tools to handle donations, track expenses, and manage budgets. FreshBooks might not always fit your unique needs, especially if you're looking for features specific to church management.
In my experience, finding the right software can make a big difference. You might be seeking alternatives to FreshBooks to better align with your team's specific requirements or to find a more cost-effective solution.
In this article, I'll share well-researched alternatives that cater specifically to church accounting needs. You'll get an unbiased review of each option, helping you make an informed decision.
What is FreshBooks?
FreshBooks is a church accounting software designed to simplify financial management. It's commonly used by small business owners, freelancers, and service-based professionals who need easy-to-use tools for invoicing and expense tracking. Features like invoicing, expense management, and time tracking help with efficient financial operations. Overall, FreshBooks offers value by making accounting accessible and manageable for users without extensive financial expertise.
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Best FreshBooks Alternatives Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top FreshBooks alternative selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for user privacy and data security | Free trial + free plan + free demo available | From $20/organization/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 2 | Best for invoicing with inventory tracking | 30-day free trial + free demo available | From $20/2 users/month | Website | |
| 3 | Best for church-specific management needs | Free plan available | From $72/month | Website | |
| 4 | Best for unlimited user access | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 5 | Best for unlimited free invoicing | 30-day free trial + free plan available | From $15/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 6 | Best for nonprofits with global capabilities | Free demo available | From $99/user/month, plus a $999 base fee/month | Website | |
| 7 | Best for specialized church accounting solutions | 30-day free trial upon request | $35.13/account/month | Website | |
| 8 | Best for nonprofit financial management | 15-day free trial | From $59.25/month | Website | |
| 9 | Best for affordable fund accounting | 14-day free trial | Basic plan costs $15/month, plus plan for $29/month and pro plan for $59/month | Website | |
| 10 | Best for cost-effective church accounting | Free plan available | From $0/month | Website |
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ChMeetings
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Gracely
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.5 -
Text In Church
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8
Best FreshBooks Alternatives Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best FreshBooks alternatives that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Zoho Books is an online accounting software designed for small and medium-sized businesses, providing tools for invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting. Its main user base includes accountants, business owners, and finance teams seeking efficient financial management.
Why it's a good FreshBooks alternative: Zoho Books prioritizes user privacy and data security, offering features like role-based access control and two-factor authentication. These security measures ensure your financial data is protected from unauthorized access.
The software also supports multi-currency transactions, which is beneficial for churches with international donations. Automated workflows and reminders help you manage financial tasks with ease, reducing manual errors.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated bank feeds to keep your accounts updated, customizable invoices to match your branding, and a client portal for easy collaboration. You can track project expenses and bill clients based on project hours.
Integrations include Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, PayPal, Stripe, Razorpay, G Suite, Office 365, Slack, Zapier, Avalara, and Dropbox.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated workflows
- Multi-currency support
- Strong data security measures
Cons:
- Occasional feature updates
- Learning curve for new users
ZarMoney is a cloud-based accounting software that caters to businesses, including churches, offering tools for invoicing, inventory, and financial management. It's designed for financial teams and church administrators who need reliable accounting solutions.
Why it's a good FreshBooks alternative: ZarMoney provides transparent pricing and emphasizes data security, ensuring you know exactly what you're paying for while keeping your financial data safe. Unlike FreshBooks, it offers features like inventory management and advanced reporting, which are beneficial for churches with complex financial needs.
You can customize invoices and manage your accounts payable and receivable efficiently. The software also supports multi-user access, allowing your team to collaborate effectively.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include inventory tracking to help manage church resources, customizable invoice templates to fit your church's branding, and detailed financial reporting for better decision-making. You can also set up automated workflows to save time on repetitive tasks.
Integrations include PayPal, Stripe, Square, Authorize.Net, UPS, USPS, FedEx, Google Drive, Dropbox, and QuickBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable invoices
- Supports multi-user access
- Strong data security measures
Cons:
- Occasional software updates
- Limited mobile app features
Tithe.ly is a church management software designed to support churches in managing donations, events, and communications. It serves church leaders and administrators who need tools for digital giving, member engagement, and financial management.
Why it's a good FreshBooks alternative: Tithe.ly offers solutions specifically tailored for churches, such as digital giving platforms and event management. Unlike FreshBooks, it includes features like text and mobile giving, making it easy for congregations to contribute.
You can manage church events and track attendance, ensuring better community engagement. The software also provides tools for creating personalized church apps, enhancing connectivity with your congregation.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include custom church apps that enhance member engagement, text and mobile giving for convenient donations, and event management tools to streamline planning. You can also track attendance and manage communication with your congregation.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Rock RMS, Planning Center, Church Community Builder, Elvanto, Breeze, EasyTithe, Pushpay, Realm, and FellowshipOne.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Text and mobile giving
- Custom app creation
- Church-specific giving tools
Cons:
- Limited reporting features
- May require technical knowledge
IconCMO is a cloud-based church management software offering tools for communication, membership, donations, and accounting. It's designed for church managers who need to handle various administrative tasks efficiently.
Why it's a good FreshBooks alternative: With unlimited user access at no extra cost, IconCMO provides an affordable solution for churches with multiple staff members. You can manage financial records through fund accounting tailored for churches, ensuring compliance with IRS and FASB regulations.
The software supports multi-site organizations, making it versatile for different church setups. Its user-friendly interface simplifies complex tasks like donation processing and event registration.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include fund accounting tailored for churches, automatic upgrades and nightly backups, and compliance with IRS and FASB regulations. You can manage donations through text and e-giving, ensuring secure and efficient processing.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Church Community Builder, PayPal, Stripe, Constant Contact, Mailchimp, QuickBooks Online, Vanco, Shelby Systems, and Tithe.ly.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Multi-site support
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive fund accounting
Cons:
- Data export limitations
- Limited mobile app capabilities
ZipBooks is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses and nonprofits, offering tools for invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting. It's aimed at church administrators and small business owners who need an efficient way to manage their finances.
Why it's a good FreshBooks alternative: ZipBooks offers church management with features like invoicing, expense tracking, and project management. It provides a free plan that includes unlimited invoicing, which is ideal for churches on a budget.
The software also offers financial reporting that helps you make informed decisions. With Zipbooks, you can easily manage your finances and keep track of your church's fiscal health.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include project management to keep your tasks organized, smart tagging for easy categorization of expenses, and a time tracking tool to monitor productivity. You can also generate beautiful, detailed reports to gain insights into your financial data.
Integrations include PayPal, Square, Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Gusto, Stripe, QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed financial reports
- Project management tools
- Smart tagging for expenses
Cons:
- May require technical knowledge
- Limited advanced features
NetSuite is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that caters to nonprofits, offering solutions for financial management and organizational efficiency. It's used by nonprofit organizations seeking to manage financials, donor relations, and operational data in one system.
Why it's a good FreshBooks alternative: NetSuite supports nonprofits with global capabilities, providing tools for multi-currency management and global financial consolidation. It offers comprehensive ERP functionalities that help manage donor relationships and track donations globally.
NetSuite includes grant management features that are essential for nonprofit operations. You can also benefit from real-time analytics and reporting, which aid in informed decision-making.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include real-time dashboards for financial insights, customizable reporting to meet specific needs, and grant management for tracking funding. You can also manage budgets and forecasts to ensure financial stability.
Integrations include Salesforce, Shopify, Avalara, Concur, Adaptive Insights, Expensify, Oracle, HubSpot, Celigo, and Dell Boomi.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive ERP features
- Real-time analytics
- Global financial management
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve
- Complex implementation process
Elexio is a church management software that caters to churches by offering accounting and administrative tools. It's designed for church leaders and administrators who need to manage finances, member data, and church activities.
Why it's a good FreshBooks alternative: Elexio provides specialized church accounting solutions, with features tailored for church financial management that FreshBooks doesn't offer. It includes fund accounting and contribution tracking, which are vital for churches.
You can manage member information alongside financial data, ensuring a holistic view of your church's operations. Elexio also offers event management tools, helping you coordinate church activities effectively.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include fund accounting to track church finances accurately, contribution tracking to manage donations, and member management to keep your congregation organized. You can also use event management tools to plan and execute church activities seamlessly.
Integrations include QuickBooks, PayPal, Stripe, Church Community Builder, Planning Center, Tithe.ly, Vanco, Pushpay, Realm, and EasyTithe.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed contribution tracking
- Supports fund accounting
- Comprehensive member management
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Steeper learning curve
Aplos is a cloud-based software designed for nonprofits and churches, offering solutions for accounting, donor management, and fundraising. It's tailored for nonprofit administrators and church treasurers who need to manage finances and donor relations effectively.
Why it's a good FreshBooks alternative: Aplos specializes in nonprofit financial management, providing fund accounting and donor management features that FreshBooks lacks. You can track donations and create detailed reports to ensure transparency with your donors.
Aplos offers budgeting tools that help you plan and allocate resources efficiently. It also includes event registration features, making it easier to manage church events and fundraising activities.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable reporting to tailor financial insights to your needs, online donation tools to facilitate giving, and event registration management to streamline planning. You can also use budgeting tools to keep your financial plans on track.
Integrations include QuickBooks, PayPal, Stripe, Salesforce, Mailchimp, DonorPerfect, Planning Center, Constant Contact, Gusto, and Tithe.ly.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Efficient event registration
- Customizable financial reports
- Strong donor management features
Cons:
- Limited offline capabilities
- Occasional software updates
Flockbase is a church management software designed to assist churches in managing their financial records and membership data. It caters to church administrators and treasurers who need a simple solution for accounting and congregation management.
Why it's a good FreshBooks alternative: Flockbase offers affordable fund accounting specifically for churches, making it a cost-effective choice for managing church finances. It includes features tailored for churches, like membership tracking and contribution reports.
You can easily manage funds with a focus on transparency and accountability. The software simplifies financial reporting, which is essential for church treasurers.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include membership management for tracking congregation details, contribution tracking to monitor donations, and easy-to-use financial reports. You can manage church directories and schedules effectively.
Integrations include QuickBooks, PayPal, Stripe, Tithe.ly, Vanco, Church Community Builder, EasyTithe, Pushpay, Realm, and Planning Center.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Focus on fund accounting
- Easy membership management
- Simplifies financial reporting
Cons:
- Basic user interface
- Limited advanced features
Wave Accounting is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for churches, providing features such as invoicing, payments, payroll, and expense tracking. It's designed for church managers who need an easy way to manage finances, including donations and tax receipts.
Why it's a good FreshBooks alternative: Wave Accounting offers a cost-effective solution with a free plan that includes essential accounting features. Unlike FreshBooks, it provides comprehensive tools for managing church-specific finances at no cost.
The invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll capabilities help you maintain financial health without the need for a paid subscription. You can connect your bank accounts for automatic transaction imports, making bookkeeping even easier.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable expense categories, a mobile app for receipt scanning, and performance insights through graphs and reports. You can manage cash flow effectively and ensure timely payroll without legal complications.
Integrations include PayPal, Shoeboxed, Etsy, Zapier, HubSpot, Google Sheets, Stripe, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and Square.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable expense categories
- Simple payroll management
- Easy bank connections
Cons:
- May lack complex reporting
- No phone support
Other FreshBooks Alternatives
Here are some additional FreshBooks alternatives that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Sage 50
For nonprofit grant and fund tracking
- PowerChurch Plus
For all-in-one church management
FreshBooks Alternatives Selection Criteria
When selecting the best FreshBooks alternatives to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points related to church accounting software products, like managing donations and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Manage donations and contributions
- Track expenses and budgeting
- Generate financial reports
- Support fund accounting
- Provide payroll management
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Automated donation tracking
- Customizable financial dashboards
- Mobile giving solutions
- Event management integration
- Multi-campus support
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Easy navigation
- Responsive design
- Accessible help resources
- Customizable dashboards
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates
- Webinars and live demos
- Support from chatbots
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Multiple support channels
- Response time
- Knowledge base access
- Dedicated account managers
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Pricing transparency
- Cost versus features offered
- Availability of free plans
- Discounts for nonprofits
- Flexibility in pricing plans
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction rating
- Frequency of updates
- Feedback on customer support
- Ease of use feedback
- Feature satisfaction
Why Look For a FreshBooks Alternative?
While FreshBooks is a good choice of church accounting software, there are a number of reasons why some users seek out alternative solutions. You might be looking for a FreshBooks alternative because…
- You need specialized church accounting features
- FreshBooks lacks multi-currency support for donations
- Your team requires better integration with church management tools
- You need more advanced reporting capabilities
- FreshBooks doesn’t offer adequate support for fund accounting
- Your team needs more affordable pricing options
If any of these sound like you, you’ve come to the right place. My list contains several church accounting software options that are better suited for teams facing these challenges with FreshBooks and looking for alternative solutions.
FreshBooks Key Features
Here are some of the key features of FreshBooks, to help you contrast and compare what alternative solutions offer:
- Invoicing: Create customizable invoices with options for recurring billing.
- Payments: Accept online payments to improve cash flow.
- Time Tracking: Automate tracking of billable hours.
- Expense Management: Log expenses and receipts for tax preparation.
- Client Management: Organize client information and manage projects.
- Mileage Tracking: Automatically track mileage for deductions.
- Accounting Reports: Generate financial reports like profit & loss statements.
- Estimates and Proposals: Create detailed proposals and convert them to invoices.
- Project Management: Facilitate team collaboration and project due dates.
- Mobile Access: Use iOS and Android apps for on-the-go management.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching church accounting software, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.