inv.so vs FreshBooks (2026 Comparison)
inv.so and FreshBooks serve different needs. inv.so is simple invoicing for creatives. FreshBooks is full accounting software for small businesses.
This comparison helps you choose: simple invoicing or full accounting.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | inv.so | FreshBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Simple invoicing | Full accounting |
| Price | $9/month | $17-55/month |
| Invoicing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Expense Tracking | ❌ | ✅ |
| Time Tracking | ❌ | ✅ |
| Reports | Basic | Advanced |
| Design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Simplicity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
inv.so Overview
What It Is
inv.so is:
- Simple invoicing tool
- Built for designers and creators
- Minimal, fast, beautiful
- No accounting bloat
Best for: Creatives who just need invoicing.
Key Features
✅ Fast invoicing — Create invoice in under 2 minutes
✅ Simple tracking — Draft, sent, paid status
✅ Stripe integration — Card payments included
✅ Clean design — Modern, minimal interface
✅ No bloat — Just invoicing, nothing more
Pricing
- Free: 3 sends
- Pro: $9/month (unlimited)
FreshBooks Overview
What It Is
FreshBooks is:
- Full accounting software
- Invoicing + expenses + time tracking
- Built for small businesses
- More features, higher price
Best for: Small businesses that need full accounting.
Key Features
✅ Invoicing — Professional invoices
✅ Expense tracking — Track business expenses
✅ Time tracking — Track hours worked
✅ Reports — Financial reports
✅ Tax preparation — Tax reporting
✅ Client portal — Client management
Pricing
- Lite: $17/month
- Plus: $32/month
- Premium: $55/month
Detailed Comparison
Invoicing
inv.so:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fastest workflow (under 2 minutes)
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best design (modern, minimal)
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Simplest interface
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Built for creatives
FreshBooks:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good invoicing
- ⭐⭐⭐ Professional design
- ⭐⭐⭐ More complex
- ⭐⭐⭐ Built for businesses
Winner: inv.so — Faster, simpler, better design.
Expense Tracking
inv.so:
- ❌ No expense tracking
- Just invoicing
FreshBooks:
- ✅ Expense tracking
- ✅ Receipt management
- ✅ Expense categorization
- ✅ Expense reports
Winner: FreshBooks — Only if you need expense tracking.
Time Tracking
inv.so:
- ❌ No time tracking
- Just invoicing
FreshBooks:
- ✅ Time tracking
- ✅ Hourly billing
- ✅ Time reports
Winner: FreshBooks — Only if you need time tracking.
Reports
inv.so:
- Basic income tracking
- Simple monthly summaries
- No complex reports
FreshBooks:
- Advanced financial reports
- Profit & loss statements
- Tax reports
- Custom reports
Winner: FreshBooks — Only if you need complex reports.
Design & UX
inv.so:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Modern, minimal
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fast, intuitive
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Built for designers
FreshBooks:
- ⭐⭐⭐ Clean, professional
- ⭐⭐⭐ Good UX
- ⭐⭐ More features = more complex
Winner: inv.so — Better design, faster workflow.
Price
inv.so:
- $9/month
- Just invoicing
FreshBooks:
- $17-55/month
- Full accounting
Winner: inv.so — 2-6x cheaper.
When to Choose inv.so
Choose inv.so if:
✅ You just need invoicing — No expenses or time tracking
✅ You value speed — Fast workflow matters
✅ You want simplicity — No bloat, just invoicing
✅ You're a creative — Built for designers/creators
✅ You want to save money — $9 vs $17-55/month
✅ You handle expenses separately — Use spreadsheet or separate app
Most creatives should choose inv.so.
When to Choose FreshBooks
Choose FreshBooks if:
✅ You need expense tracking — Track business expenses
✅ You need time tracking — Track hours for billing
✅ You need tax reports — Detailed tax reporting
✅ You need financial reports — Profit & loss, etc.
✅ You're running a business — Full accounting needs
✅ Price isn't primary concern — $17-55/month is fine
Only if you actually need accounting features.
The Bottom Line
For Most Creatives: inv.so
Why:
- Faster workflow
- Better design
- Simpler interface
- Lower price
- Built for creatives
Most creatives just need invoicing. inv.so is perfect.
For Small Businesses: FreshBooks
Why:
- Expense tracking
- Time tracking
- Tax reports
- Financial reports
- Full accounting
Only if you actually need accounting features.
Recommendation
For 90% of creatives: Choose inv.so
- You just need invoicing
- inv.so is faster, simpler, cheaper
- Better design
- Built for you
For 10% who need accounting: Choose FreshBooks
- You need expense tracking
- You need time tracking
- You need tax reports
- You're running a full business
Most people should choose inv.so.
Cost Comparison
inv.so
Monthly: $9
Annual: $108
What you get: Simple invoicing
FreshBooks
Monthly: $17-55
Annual: $204-660
What you get: Full accounting
inv.so is 2-6x cheaper. You're paying for features you may not need.
Ready to try the simpler option? Try inv.so free — 3 free sends, then $9/month.