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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Catalyst, by EBM Software

    Score7.8 out of 10
    N/ACatalyst from EBM Software in Minneapolis is a cloud-based business performance application suite, designed to provide an environment and workflow for understanding business profitability.N/A

    FreshBooks

    Score9.2 out of 10
    Small Businesses (1-50 employees)
    FreshBooks is an accounting service for small businesses. The solution enables users to send and manage invoices, track billable time and collect online payments. The vendor’s value proposition this that their solution provides a straightforward service that simplifies the billing process.

    $21

    per month

    Pricing
    Catalyst, by EBM SoftwareFreshBooks
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    Lite
    $21
    per month
    Plus
    $38
    per month
    Premium
    $65
    per month
    Select
    Custom Pricing
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Catalyst, by EBM SoftwareFreshBooks
    Free Trial
    YesYes
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoYes
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
    Additional DetailsFlexible and tiered pricing structures available - monthly, 1-3-5- contracts, and more10% discount for annual pricing.
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Catalyst, by EBM SoftwareFreshBooks
    Considered Both Products
    EBM Software
    No answer on this topic
    FreshBooks
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    69%
    Would buy again
    9 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    82%
    Delivers good value for the price
    9 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    54%
    Happy with the feature set
    7 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    64%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    7 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    62%
    Implementation went as expected
    8 Answers
    Features
    Catalyst, by EBM SoftwareFreshBooks
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of Catalyst, by EBM Software and FreshBooks
    Feature
    Catalyst, by EBM Software
    -
    Ratings
    FreshBooks
    9.1
    35 Ratings
    18% above category average
    API for custom integration00 Ratings9.330 Ratings
    Plug-ins00 Ratings9.026 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of Catalyst, by EBM Software and FreshBooks
    Feature
    Catalyst, by EBM Software
    -
    Ratings
    FreshBooks
    10.0
    41 Ratings
    20% above category average
    Single sign-on capability00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Role-based user permissions00 Ratings10.041 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Catalyst, by EBM Software and FreshBooks
    Feature
    Catalyst, by EBM Software
    -
    Ratings
    FreshBooks
    7.5
    57 Ratings
    4% below category average
    Dashboards00 Ratings9.057 Ratings
    Standard reports00 Ratings8.855 Ratings
    Custom reports00 Ratings4.82 Ratings
    General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
    Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Catalyst, by EBM Software and FreshBooks
    Feature
    Catalyst, by EBM Software
    -
    Ratings
    FreshBooks
    7.5
    56 Ratings
    2% below category average
    Accounts payable00 Ratings8.041 Ratings
    Accounts receivable00 Ratings9.455 Ratings
    Cash management00 Ratings7.03 Ratings
    Bank reconciliation00 Ratings7.02 Ratings
    Expense management00 Ratings6.651 Ratings
    Time tracking00 Ratings7.642 Ratings
    Multi-currency support00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    Regulations compliance00 Ratings6.021 Ratings
    Self-service portal00 Ratings9.13 Ratings
    Order Management
    Comparison of Order Management features of Catalyst, by EBM Software and FreshBooks
    Feature
    Catalyst, by EBM Software
    -
    Ratings
    FreshBooks
    9.5
    49 Ratings
    25% above category average
    Pricing00 Ratings8.839 Ratings
    Order entry00 Ratings9.337 Ratings
    Credit card processing00 Ratings9.741 Ratings
    Cost of goods sold00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Catalyst, by EBM SoftwareFreshBooks
    Small Businesses
    No answers on this topic
    QuickBooks Self-Employed (discontinued)
    Score4.2 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    No answers on this topic
    MYOB
    Score8.3 out of 10
    Enterprises
    No answers on this topic
    Microsoft Dynamics GP
    Score5.4 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Catalyst, by EBM SoftwareFreshBooks
    Likelihood to Recommend
    7.9
    (2 ratings)
    7.6
    (75 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.6
    (18 ratings)
    Usability
    8.8
    (2 ratings)
    9.6
    (20 ratings)
    Availability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (2 ratings)
    Performance
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    7.8
    (2 ratings)
    6.0
    (11 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    CPA Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Catalyst, by EBM SoftwareFreshBooks
    Likelihood to Recommend
    EBM Software
    [Catalyst, by EBM Software] is well suited to track invoices from vendors to get them paid on time to avoid late fees. [Catalyst, by EBM Software] is less appropriate when paying vendor because that is not a function they currently have. If the system was an all in one system that could track and pay your invoices it would be an amazing software.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreshBooks
    I recommend FreshBooks to anyone running a service-based business that needs invoicing, time reporting, and accounting tools. FB is adept in all three of these scenarios and isn't overly complicated like similar accounting packages I have used. I love how I can write estimates and proposals, manage the business development process from the software, and quickly convert prospects to invoiced clients.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    EBM Software
    • The GUI is easy to navigate on the iPad mini, which we use for charting.
    • The options are simple so there is very little room for mistakes.
    • Charting is easy and the setup allows for necessary fields that must be completed so charting stays uniform.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreshBooks
    • Invoicing - FreshBooks basically ensures our accountants spend less time on invoices via its automated invoicing system, which sends invoices to our customers and clients alike and also send them regular reminders for them to pay up their bills.
    • Collecting business insights - FreshBooks enable our company analysts measure our business performances via data reports provided by FreshBooks' intuitive dashboard. Allowing us do a comparative analysis of key business metrics of a current month against past months and determine if the business is growing.
    • Expense tracker - We have recently embraced FreshBooks as an expense tracker for teams at our company branch. Thusfar, FreshBooks has performed very well, making our expense management a perfect operation; ensuring teams do not exceed their planned budget and also eliminating the need for tracking expenses on excel spreadsheets.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    EBM Software
    • The browser closes unexpectedly at times when refreshing the page and you get logged out
    • The incorrect vendor is chosen by Catalyst a few times
    • The Catalyst file is occasionally not placed on time in the folder
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreshBooks
    • I can brand invoices with my business logo, but I might like to change colours of the invoices themselves to match the rest of my business documents. That isn't a major point at all, but it's something that I'd like to see.
    • Freshbooks doesn't remember the categories that similar expenses were previously assigned to. It would be nice if Freshbooks would suggest a category for an already saved vendor, to ensure the consistency of expense reporting.
    • The home page of a Freshbooks account has a great graph display of expenses and income, but it only shows the last 6 months. This is still very useful, but I'd like to be able to see this kind of graph for different periods of time.
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    EBM Software
    No answers on this topic
    FreshBooks
    At the current needs of our business, FreshBooks suits us perfectly - it allows online access by our accountant to the system for GST purposes, easy input of expenses and tracking of Profit and Loss statements. FreshBooks customer service is great as well - very understanding and accommodating.
    Read full review
    Usability
    EBM Software
    Well.... when it works... it's good. When it doesn't it is very frustrating for our staff.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreshBooks
    FreshBooks is very easy to use even for novices. If you're looking for an online accounting software that is full of features, has great aesthetics and is user-friendly, then this is definitely the software for you. I've been using it for several years now and despite being tempted to switch by other vendors, I like the feel of FreshBooks and it's mobile features.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    EBM Software
    No answers on this topic
    FreshBooks
    FreshBooks is easy to use and always works!
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    EBM Software
    The support for Catalyst is great and they are usually within the 48 hour response time. There could be a little quicker upload time for invoices that are submitted. They usually show up until the next day on the system and sometimes gives us a stress on time. Overall, the support is quite good
    Incentivized
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    FreshBooks
    I think the support level for FreshBooks is on par with a 6 because the folks behind this application do a fairly good job at providing support for their customer base. I still don't think they are at an elite level when it comes to supporting but are getting there although too slow in my opinion.
    Incentivized
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    Implementation Rating
    EBM Software
    No answers on this topic
    FreshBooks
    I haven't changed my mind since my first evaluation. Freshbooks is still meeting my needs, easy to use, etc.
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    EBM Software
    [Catalyst, by EBM Software] is a very easy system to use and is very user friendly. It gives you different ways of researching an invoice and not just one. Catalyst also helps to allow us to research an invoice within seconds and eliminates a lengthy and confusing process. It is a great software for first time users to learn quickly and efficiently.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreshBooks
    FreshBooks does very well in comparison, especially since it is free software for Barclays bank users. Sage software is much worse than FreshBooks. However, Xero and QuickBooks, the market leaders, are still ahead with usability, additional features, reporting, and connection with third-party software providers. We chose FreshBooks as it does everything we require from this type of software.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    EBM Software
    • Catalyst is better than pencil and paper data analysis. But the app can be very frustrating when it's not working the way it did last week.
    • The GUI is very simple. Sometimes too simple, like there is no way to go back in and edit SOAP note options.
    • New feature roll-outs are mandatory. I understand that no one would opt in to being the guinea pig, but it would be nice if you weren't the first user to try it.
    • The integration with billing software has streamlined the billing notes and saved us money over having two separate systems.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    FreshBooks
    • In reality, we do not implement all of its use at the moment in order to determine an adequate ROI.
    • In our approach to the use of the system, it seems to us a considerable time saving by achieving the integration of the Mexican subsidiary with its parent located in the US.
    • Financial reports meet the necessary USGAAP requirements.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    FreshBooks Screenshots

    Screenshot of the dashboardScreenshot of an invoice overviewScreenshot of an example of a customizable invoiceScreenshot of an invoice appearing across devicesScreenshot of expensesScreenshot of time tracking