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Freshbooks Review: Pros, Cons, Features & Pricing

Freshbooks is a church accounting software that simplifies financial management by offering intuitive invoicing and expense tracking. It best serves small to medium-sized churches and non-profit organizations that require straightforward financial oversight, like youth ministries and community outreach programs. Freshbooks offers value by allowing your team to focus on mission-driven activities without getting bogged down by complex financial tasks.

In this article, you'll discover Freshbooks's features, pros and cons, pricing, and best and worst use cases. We understand your dedication to efficient and effective church management, and we've got insights to help you achieve your goals.

FreshBooks Evaluation Summary

Simplifies finances for small churches with easy invoicing and tracking.
Rating
4.5 /5
Pricing
  • From $23/month
  • 30-day free trial

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

FreshBooks Overview

In my opinion, Freshbooks is a solid option for churches looking for straightforward accounting software. It outshines competitors with its user-friendly interface and efficient invoice management. While its feature set may not be as extensive as some other platforms, it excels in simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for small to medium-sized churches. 

For those who value simplicity and effective customer support, Freshbooks is a worthy consideration. However, for larger organizations needing more detailed transaction tracking and reporting, other options might better serve those needs.

How We Test & Score Tools

We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.

Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.

Core Functionality (25% of final scoring)

The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.

Standout Features (25% of final scoring)

Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.

We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.

Ease of Use (10% of final scoring)

We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.

Onboarding (10% of final scoring)

We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.

Customer Support (10% of final scoring)

We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.

Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring)

Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.

Value for Money (10% of final scoring)

Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.

Core Features

Invoicing:

Freshbooks lets you create and send professional invoices quickly. Customize templates to suit your church's branding, making your financial interactions more personal.

Expense Tracking:

You can easily track and categorize expenses, helping you manage your church's budget efficiently. Snap photos of receipts and attach them directly to expenses for better record-keeping.

Time Tracking:

Track time spent on various church activities or projects, ensuring accurate billing and time management. This feature is especially useful for managing volunteer hours.

Reporting:

Freshbooks offers basic financial reports that give you a clear view of your church's financial health. Access income statements and expense reports with just a few clicks.

Estimates:

Create detailed estimates for church projects or events, and convert them into invoices once approved. This helps you manage project finances from start to finish.

Client Portal:

Your team can provide clients or church members with a portal to view invoices and payment history. This transparency builds trust and streamlines communication.

Ease of Use

Freshbooks stands out for its user-friendly interface, making it a breeze for your team to navigate. The clean design and intuitive layout mean you won't waste time hunting for features. Even those with minimal accounting experience can manage church finances with ease. Its straightforward setup and accessible help resources ensure you get up and running quickly. Compared to other options, Freshbooks simplifies tasks like invoicing and expense tracking, making it a favorite for busy church staff.

Integrations

Integrations include FreshCurrencies, Cash Flow Frog, Approveit, Tallyfor, Syft Analytics, FreshBooks Payroll, Gusto, SurePayroll, Payment Evolution, NiceJob, Acuity Scheduling, and Gmail and Microsoft Outlook Add-Ons.

FreshBooks Specs

  • 2-Factor Authentication
  • Accounts Payable
  • Accounts Receivable
  • API
  • Balance Sheet
  • Billing/Invoicing
  • BitCoin
  • Budgeting
  • Calendar Management
  • Contact Management
  • CRM Integration
  • Customer Management
  • Dashboard
  • Data Export
  • Data Import
  • Data Visualization
  • Expense Tracking
  • External Integrations
  • Forecasting
  • General Account Ledger
  • Inventory Tracking
  • Multi-Currency
  • Multi-User
  • Notifications
  • P&L
  • PayPal
  • Payroll
  • SAP Integration
  • Stripe
  • Supplier Management
  • Tax Management

FreshBooks FAQs

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Joshua Gordon
By Joshua Gordon

I've spent 15+ years at the intersection of ministry, editorial leadership, and content strategy. As Editor at Black & White Zebra, I help church leaders build lasting ministries. I founded Lazarus Books, which produces books and content for mission-driven organizations. In 2020, I co-authored the bestseller Stunned by Grace. I studied Theology and Leadership at Rocky Mountain College and have served as a lay pastor since 2019.