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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    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

    M1

    Score7.7 out of 10
    N/AM1, from ECI Software Solutions headquartered in Ft. Worth, is an all-in-one manufacturing ERP software solution, built for small and medium-sized discrete manufacturers.N/A
    Pricing
    FreshBooksM1
    Editions & Modules
    Lite
    $21
    per month
    Plus
    $38
    per month
    Premium
    $65
    per month
    Select
    Custom Pricing
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    FreshBooksM1
    Free Trial
    YesNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    YesNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details10% discount for annual pricing.—
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    FreshBooksM1
    Considered Both Products
    FreshBooks
    No answer on this topic
    ECI Software Solutions
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    69%
    Would buy again
    9 Answers
    80%
    Would buy again
    24 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    82%
    Delivers good value for the price
    9 Answers
    96%
    Delivers good value for the price
    24 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    54%
    Happy with the feature set
    7 Answers
    87%
    Happy with the feature set
    26 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    64%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    7 Answers
    62%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    13 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    62%
    Implementation went as expected
    8 Answers
    50%
    Implementation went as expected
    13 Answers
    Features
    FreshBooksM1
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    9.1
    35 Ratings
    18% above category average
    M1
    7.3
    18 Ratings
    3% below category average
    API for custom integration9.330 Ratings7.415 Ratings
    Plug-ins9.026 Ratings7.111 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    10.0
    41 Ratings
    20% above category average
    M1
    8.1
    27 Ratings
    4% below category average
    Single sign-on capability10.01 Ratings8.615 Ratings
    Role-based user permissions10.041 Ratings7.727 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    7.5
    57 Ratings
    4% below category average
    M1
    7.2
    28 Ratings
    4% below category average
    Dashboards9.057 Ratings7.326 Ratings
    Standard reports8.855 Ratings7.228 Ratings
    Custom reports4.82 Ratings7.127 Ratings
    General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
    Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    7.5
    56 Ratings
    2% below category average
    M1
    7.5
    26 Ratings
    3% below category average
    Accounts payable8.041 Ratings7.825 Ratings
    Accounts receivable9.455 Ratings7.526 Ratings
    Cash management7.03 Ratings00 Ratings
    Bank reconciliation7.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Expense management6.651 Ratings00 Ratings
    Time tracking7.642 Ratings00 Ratings
    Multi-currency support7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Regulations compliance6.021 Ratings00 Ratings
    Self-service portal9.13 Ratings00 Ratings
    Global Financial Support00 Ratings7.59 Ratings
    Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings7.716 Ratings
    Journals and Reconciliations00 Ratings6.821 Ratings
    Configurable Accounting00 Ratings7.618 Ratings
    Standardized Processes00 Ratings7.719 Ratings
    Order Management
    Comparison of Order Management features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    9.5
    49 Ratings
    25% above category average
    M1
    7.8
    26 Ratings
    2% below category average
    Pricing8.839 Ratings7.726 Ratings
    Order entry9.337 Ratings8.326 Ratings
    Credit card processing9.741 Ratings7.310 Ratings
    Cost of goods sold10.01 Ratings7.917 Ratings
    Order Orchestration00 Ratings7.913 Ratings
    Payroll Management
    Comparison of Payroll Management features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    6.3
    8 Ratings
    17% below category average
    Pay calculation00 Ratings6.58 Ratings
    Benefit plan administration00 Ratings4.83 Ratings
    Direct deposit files00 Ratings7.55 Ratings
    Inventory Management
    Comparison of Inventory Management features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    8.2
    26 Ratings
    3% above category average
    Inventory tracking00 Ratings8.326 Ratings
    Automatic reordering00 Ratings8.715 Ratings
    Location management00 Ratings7.521 Ratings
    Subledger and Financial Process
    Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    7.4
    21 Ratings
    2% below category average
    Billing Management00 Ratings8.420 Ratings
    Cash and Asset Management00 Ratings8.217 Ratings
    Travel & Expense Management00 Ratings5.09 Ratings
    Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting00 Ratings7.213 Ratings
    Period Close00 Ratings7.921 Ratings
    Project Execution Management
    Comparison of Project Execution Management features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    6.3
    16 Ratings
    12% below category average
    Project Planning and Scheduling00 Ratings7.916 Ratings
    Task Insight for Project Managers00 Ratings7.810 Ratings
    Project Mobile Functionality00 Ratings4.67 Ratings
    Definable Resource Pools00 Ratings4.89 Ratings
    Grants Management
    Comparison of Grants Management features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    2.7
    2 Ratings
    93% below category average
    Award Lifecycle Management00 Ratings2.72 Ratings
    Procurement
    Comparison of Procurement features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    7.1
    18 Ratings
    0% below category average
    Bids Analyzed and Compared00 Ratings6.27 Ratings
    Contract Authoring00 Ratings7.64 Ratings
    Contract Repository00 Ratings6.46 Ratings
    Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated00 Ratings7.710 Ratings
    Supplier Management00 Ratings7.518 Ratings
    Risk Management
    Comparison of Risk Management features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    5.2
    4 Ratings
    26% below category average
    Risk Repository00 Ratings6.52 Ratings
    Control Management00 Ratings6.14 Ratings
    Control Efficiency Assessments00 Ratings4.94 Ratings
    Issue Detection00 Ratings4.13 Ratings
    Remediation and Certification00 Ratings4.33 Ratings
    Logistics
    Comparison of Logistics features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    4.0
    10 Ratings
    55% below category average
    Transportation Planning and Optimization00 Ratings2.24 Ratings
    Transportation Execution Management00 Ratings2.54 Ratings
    Trade and Customs Management00 Ratings4.73 Ratings
    Fulfillment Management00 Ratings4.98 Ratings
    Warehouse Workforce Management00 Ratings5.58 Ratings
    Manufacturing
    Comparison of Manufacturing features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    7.1
    27 Ratings
    5% below category average
    Production Process Design00 Ratings5.519 Ratings
    Production Management00 Ratings7.422 Ratings
    Configuration Management00 Ratings7.119 Ratings
    Work Execution00 Ratings7.720 Ratings
    Manufacturing Costs00 Ratings7.626 Ratings
    Supply Chain
    Comparison of Supply Chain features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    8.1
    20 Ratings
    10% above category average
    Forecasting00 Ratings7.814 Ratings
    Inventory Planning00 Ratings7.720 Ratings
    Performance Monitoring00 Ratings8.715 Ratings
    Product Lifecycle Management
    Comparison of Product Lifecycle Management features of FreshBooks and M1
    Feature
    FreshBooks
    -
    Ratings
    M1
    5.9
    9 Ratings
    22% below category average
    Proposal Management00 Ratings4.96 Ratings
    Product Master Data Management00 Ratings7.09 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    FreshBooksM1
    Small Businesses
    QuickBooks Self-Employed (discontinued)
    Score4.1 out of 10
    Zoho One
    Score9.1 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    MYOB
    Score8.3 out of 10
    Zoho One
    Score9.1 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Microsoft Dynamics GP
    Score5.4 out of 10
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Score4.8 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    FreshBooksM1
    Likelihood to Recommend
    7.6
    (75 ratings)
    7.7
    (30 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    7.6
    (18 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    Usability
    9.6
    (20 ratings)
    6.0
    (30 ratings)
    Availability
    10.0
    (2 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Performance
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Support Rating
    6.0
    (11 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    CPA Rating
    7.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    FreshBooksM1
    Likelihood to Recommend
    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
    ECI Software Solutions
    The M1 ERP is tailored for small to medium organizations, offering good features at least in the components utilized by my organization such as customizable workflows, user-friendly dashboards, ability to process orders, and track the entire orders lifecycle. It also has good customer interaction features in the CRM part. It provides robust data security, and offers scalable modules to grow with your business. Implementation is not challenging if you don't have so many customizations in the software.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    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
    ECI Software Solutions
    • Allows for component parts to be scheduled independently through the plant
    • Once parts are built, it is easy to duplicate/reuse parts across they quoting and ordering modules and customers
    • If used properly and consistently, M1 will provide accurate job cost analysis to determine estimating, training, efficiency and other issues.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    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
    ECI Software Solutions
    • Some of the functions are pretty detailed - and so they take a while to generate screens and pages in reports.
    • We actually use it for 2 companies we own - and it would be nice if the inter company communication was a little smoother. It's hard to share some data, and not everything is possible to be shared.
    • Customized reports need to backed up before any updates to M1 or they're lost. It seems M1 overwrites the report folders everytime you run an update - so you have to keep track of what you've changed in Crystal Reports and restore it.
    Incentivized
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    Likelihood to Renew
    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
    ECI Software Solutions
    No answers on this topic
    Usability
    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
    ECI Software Solutions
    Because it would be helpful if ECI would provide better documentation, communication and workflows to understand how each field interacts within the system and how each of those touch other areas within M1. It would also be useful if ECI would provide prescheduled training for how to customize things with M1 through Design Studio
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    FreshBooks
    FreshBooks is easy to use and always works!
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ECI Software Solutions
    No answers on this topic
    Support Rating
    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
    Read full review
    ECI Software Solutions
    Support has been great and timely
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    FreshBooks
    I haven't changed my mind since my first evaluation. Freshbooks is still meeting my needs, easy to use, etc.
    Read full review
    ECI Software Solutions
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    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
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    ECI Software Solutions
    M1 is light years ahead in overall cost and proficiency. It allows so much more control and flexibility as compared to its competitors. When choosing M1 we went through many demos and M1 was the only ERP that met our needs and still does. We also control our own data which is a big plus for us.
    Incentivized
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    Return on Investment
    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
    ECI Software Solutions
    • Time savings having to only enter certain information once and have it follow through the entire order process from quote to cash
    Incentivized
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    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

    M1 Screenshots

    Product screenshotProduct screenshot