FreshBooks alternative · pay once
A pay-once FreshBooks alternative for freelancers who bill by the hour
FreshBooks' 2026 price change put Lite at $23 a month for 5 billable clients and Plus at $43. If what you actually use is a timer, quotes and invoice PDFs, Proposeroo Desk does that part in your browser for $29 once, with unlimited clients on Pro.
Proposeroo Desk vs FreshBooks, side by side
An honest look, including where FreshBooks does more.
| Proposeroo Desk | FreshBooks | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29 once (Pro) · free with 1 client · Team of 5 $79 once | Lite $23/mo (5 clients) · Plus $43/mo (50 clients) · Premium $70/mo; yearly billing about 10% less; intro discounts for new signups |
| Client limit | Unlimited on Pro | 5 on Lite, 50 on Plus, unlimited on Premium |
| Time tracking | One-click timer + manual entries | Yes |
| Quotes / estimates | Quotes that convert to invoices | Yes |
| Online card payments, bank import | No. You get paid the way you already do | Yes |
| Accounting reports, accountant access | No | Plus and above |
| Account needed | No | Yes |
| Where data lives | Your browser on your device | FreshBooks' servers |
What a subscription costs you over time
Pick the tool you pay for now. These are list prices from each vendor's own pricing page, checked October 17, 2026.
Desk Pro covers unlimited clients and every v1.x update. Free with 1 client if you want to try it first.
List prices only. Not counted: intro discounts (FreshBooks currently advertises 80% off for the first 4 months), payment processing fees, taxes, add-ons, extra seats, and Harvest's usage-based charges on paid plans. Harvest also has a free plan (1 seat, 2 projects). Bonsai invoicing starts at its Essentials plan; Basic ($9 to $15/mo) tracks time but doesn't include invoices. Sources: freshbooks.com/2026-faq-price-change · freshbooks.com/pricing · getharvest.com/pricing · hellobonsai.com/pricing · honeybook.com/pricing. Prices can change; check each vendor's site. Orvian Market isn't affiliated with any vendor named here.
Which one fits you?
Both can be the right call. Here's how to pick.
Pick Proposeroo Desk if…
- You use FreshBooks mostly for time, estimates and invoices
- You have more than 5 clients and don't want to jump to $43/mo
- You want your client data on your own device, exportable as JSON and CSV
Stay with FreshBooks if…
- You want clients to pay by card online from the invoice
- You rely on bank import, expense receipts or accounting reports
- You want an accountant to log in and see your books
FAQ
How much does FreshBooks cost in 2026?
Its 2026 price-change FAQ lists Lite at $23/month, Plus at $43/month and Premium at $70/month on USD plans, with yearly plans about 10% less. New signups often see an intro discount. Check FreshBooks' site for current details.
Can I move my FreshBooks data?
You can add your clients in Proposeroo Desk in a minute, and import time from a CSV file. There's no direct FreshBooks import, so start fresh with current clients and keep FreshBooks exports for your records.
Does Proposeroo Desk take payments?
No. It makes the invoice PDF and tracks paid or overdue. Your client pays by bank transfer, PayPal or a payment link you already use, so there are no extra processing fees from us.
Is there a free option?
Yes. Desk is free with 1 client and every feature. If you only need basic invoices and don't mind an online account, Zoho Invoice also has a free plan (its pricing page lists up to 3 projects and 500 invoices a year, with Zoho branding).
More comparisons: Desk vs HarvestDesk vs HoneyBookDesk vs BonsaiWindows, no subscriptionFree quote checker
FreshBooks prices are from its public pages (freshbooks.com/pricing and its 2026 price-change FAQ), checked October 17, 2026. Zoho Invoice details are from zoho.com/us/invoice/pricing, checked the same day. Prices can change; always confirm on the vendor's site. Orvian Market is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by FreshBooks. All trademarks belong to their owners. Refunds: request one through your Gumroad receipt within 14 days of purchase.
Track the time. Send the invoice. Pay once.
Free with 1 client. Pro is $29 one time, with a 14-day refund through Gumroad.