TimeGoals vs FreshBooks: Do You Need Accounting Software, or Just Time Tracking + Invoicing?

FreshBooks is accounting software that happens to include time tracking, not a time tracker that happens to include invoicing. That distinction is the whole comparison — which one you need depends on how much of your bookkeeping you actually want to run through the same tool.

The short version

FreshBooks is built for freelancers and small businesses who want invoicing, expense tracking, and lightweight accounting (financial reports, accountant access, retainers) in one place — and it has no free plan. TimeGoals is a leaner tool focused specifically on time tracking and client invoicing, with a free tier to start on.

Pricing comparison

| | TimeGoals | FreshBooks | |---|---|---| | Free plan | Yes — 1 project, core tracking | No free plan | | Entry plan | $12/mo — unlimited projects, invoicing | $23/mo (Lite) — 5 billable clients, invoicing, expenses | | Mid plan | $29/mo — team features, API access | $43/mo (Plus) — 50 clients, proposals, retainers, financial reports | | Client limits | Unlimited clients on paid plans | Capped by plan (5 / 50 / unlimited) |

Pricing as published by FreshBooks at time of writing; FreshBooks frequently runs promotional discounts on list price for the first few months.

Where FreshBooks wins

• Deeper accounting features. Financial reports, accountant access, client retainers, and proposals go further than a pure time-and-invoice tool if you want fewer separate tools for your books.
• Established payment infrastructure. Mature invoicing and payment-collection tooling, with add-ons for advanced payment processing and even payroll.
• Good fit if you're already outgrowing spreadsheet bookkeeping and want one platform to handle more of your finances, not just client billing.

Where TimeGoals wins

• A free plan to actually start on. FreshBooks has no free tier — you're paying (even at a promotional discount) from day one. TimeGoals lets you track and invoice for real before you pay anything.
• No client caps on paid plans. FreshBooks' plans are gated by number of billable clients (5 on Lite, 50 on Plus); TimeGoals doesn't cap client count.
• Simpler, cheaper entry point. If you don't need proposals, retainers, or financial reporting, TimeGoals' $12/mo gets you unlimited projects and invoicing without paying for accounting features you won't use.

Bottom line

If you want your invoicing tool to also be your lightweight bookkeeping system, FreshBooks does more. If you specifically want time tracking that turns cleanly into client invoices — without paying for proposal tools and financial reports you won't touch — TimeGoals is the more focused, and cheaper, option.

Try TimeGoals free → No credit card required, 1 project on the house.