FreshBooks Reviews & Ratings October 2026
FreshBooks reviews: the verdict
Reviewers report mixed experiences with FreshBooks, rating it 3.3 out of 5 across 544 reviews, with a recent drop to 3.1 over the last 12 months. Customers describe the platform’s interface as clean and easy to use, particularly for basic accounting tasks, but note recurring technical issues such as app crashes, failed receipt uploads, and poor sync performance. The most frequent theme, customer service, receives 240 mentions, with 58% positive and 38% negative feedback, indicating inconsistent support quality. Quality is rated positively by 52% of reviewers, though reliability concerns persist. Ordering and website functionality draw 42% positive feedback, but 49% negative, while billing and payment receive only 16% positive mentions and 79% negative, marking it as the most criticized area.
Key findings
- Across 544 reviews on 4 portals, the recency-weighted average is 3.3 out of 5.
- The last 12 months average 3.1 out of 5 from 187 reviews (-0.2).
- Customer service is the most positively rated theme: 58% of 240 mentions are positive.
- Billing & payment draws the most criticism: 79% of 67 mentions are negative.
Derived from the analyzed reviews; each chip links to the page with the cited evidence.
544 reviews · 4 portals · 2024-08 – 2026-10 · Methodology ↗ · Verify a quote ↗
What changed in September 2026
In September 2026, 13 new reviews were analyzed; the average rating moved from 3.5 to 2.5 stars.
- New reviews
- 13
- Average rating
- 2.5/5 (3.5 ↓)
- Positive share
- 31% (56% ↓)
Most-discussed themes
- Customer service — -2 vs prior month
- Quality — unchanged
- Communication — +1 vs prior month
- Billing & payment — -3 vs prior month
- Fit & sizing — unchanged
FreshBooks rating trend and sentiment
Months with fewer than 5 rated reviews are left out.
Data as table
| Month | Avg. rating | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-11 | 3.45 | 11 |
| 2025-12 | 2.79 | 14 |
| 2026-01 | 3.80 | 15 |
| 2026-02 | 2.64 | 14 |
| 2026-03 | 3.28 | 18 |
| 2026-04 | 3.24 | 17 |
| 2026-05 | 3.47 | 17 |
| 2026-06 | 2.62 | 26 |
| 2026-07 | 3.56 | 16 |
| 2026-08 | 3.50 | 16 |
| 2026-09 | 2.54 | 13 |
| 2026-10 | 1.00 | 1 |
Data as table
| Month | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11 | 55% | 0% | 45% | 11 |
| 2025-12 | 36% | 0% | 64% | 14 |
| 2026-01 | 60% | 0% | 40% | 15 |
| 2026-02 | 29% | 14% | 57% | 14 |
| 2026-03 | 50% | 17% | 33% | 18 |
| 2026-04 | 59% | 0% | 41% | 17 |
| 2026-05 | 65% | 0% | 35% | 17 |
| 2026-06 | 27% | 19% | 54% | 26 |
| 2026-07 | 63% | 6% | 31% | 16 |
| 2026-08 | 56% | 13% | 31% | 16 |
| 2026-09 | 31% | 8% | 62% | 13 |
| 2026-10 | 0% | 0% | 100% | 1 |
Themes over time
Data as table
| Month | Customer service | Quality | Ordering & website | Value for money | Billing & payment | Fit & sizing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07 | - | - | - | - | - | 2.5 |
| 2025-08 | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | 2.0 |
| 2025-09 | - | - | - | 5.0 | - | - |
| 2025-10 | - | 4.0 | - | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| 2025-11 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 4.4 | - | 3.0 | 4.5 |
| 2025-12 | 3.0 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 |
| 2026-01 | 4.3 | 3.4 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| 2026-02 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| 2026-03 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 3.0 |
| 2026-04 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 2.8 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 4.5 |
| 2026-05 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 1.0 | - |
| 2026-06 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 2.5 |
| 2026-07 | 4.8 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 5.0 | 2.3 | - |
| 2026-08 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 4.0 |
| 2026-09 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 1.0 | - | 1.0 | 3.0 |
| 2026-10 | 1.0 | - | 1.0 | - | - | - |
Latest FreshBooks customer voices
The most recent review passages across all portals. Each quote links to its source.
Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.
„I reported this glaring issue over a year ago.“
„I have to use my desktop computer to do the most absolute basic thing in an INVOICING SOFTWARE.“
„Why can I still not SEND A RECEIPT WHEN ADDING A PAYMENT?“
„the web version is good (not great) but the mobile version is not only programmed to have significantly less functionality than the desktop version“
„Customer service is nearly no existant so instead of fixing it freshbooks decided to put the worst ai system around in it and make sure it doesnt do anything helpfull.“
„Scam take ur money but to glitch to be able to use.“
What Reddit users say about FreshBooks
From 6 Reddit threads that mention FreshBooks. Community posts are opinions, not verified purchases.
Below are extracts from Reddit discussions - each linked to the original thread.
„their support is amazing.“
„I just wanted to share my recent, absolutely nightmarish experience with FreshBooks.“
„FreshBooks is absolute garbage“
„freshbooks isn't worth the hassle if they can't even provide support“
„I am thinking freshbooks ...“
„We get around that by manually importing periodically which takes a few minutes“
FreshBooks review themes at a glance
Every theme is backed by classified review text. Open a theme to read its analysis. ·
Customer service240× mentions
140positive92negativeQuality207× mentions
108positive90negativeOrdering & website119× mentions
50positive58negativeValue for money74× mentions
35positive36negativeBilling & payment67× mentions
11positive53negativeFit & sizing38× mentions
11positive17negativeCommunication17× mentions
3positive13negativeDelivery16× mentions
3positive9negativeDurability11× mentions
2positive6negativeReturns & refunds10× mentions
0positive9negativeMaterial1× mentions
0positive0negative
Reviews about FreshBooks customer service
240 mentions · 58% positive · 38% negative
Reviewers report mixed experiences with FreshBooks customer service, showing a clear divide between positive and negative feedback. Of the 241 mentions, 142 are positive and 91 are negative, reflecting a generally favorable but inconsistent perception. The overall trend reveals fluctuating satisfaction over time, with ratings ranging from 1 to 5 stars across monthly data. Early in 2025, reviews were mostly negative, averaging around 2.4 stars, but there was a noticeable improvement by mid-2026, peaking at 4.8 stars in July 2026. This indicates that while many users have had strong positive interactions, especially with direct human support, others continue to face persistent technical and service challenges, particularly regarding account access, payment processing, and data migration. The inconsistency in experience suggests variability in support quality or response times, with some users praising quick, helpful resolutions while others report long delays, unresponsive agents, and unresolved issues.
What customers praise
Many reviewers point to the value of speaking directly with knowledgeable support staff. They appreciate personable, courteous, and quick responses when they connect with the right agent. Some users stress that access to human expertise particularly someone who understands small business bookkeeping makes a significant difference in their workflow. The ability to get real help with complex issues is frequently cited as a major strength of the service.
What customers said:
- „A very personable staffer helped me with my problem, and resolved the matter quickly.“
- „Great customer service!“
Common complaints
Several users report ongoing technical issues that remain unresolved despite repeated attempts to contact support, including difficulties with logging in, saving expenses, and invoice data not transferring correctly. Others describe being passed between automated systems or receiving no response after reaching out. A recurring frustration is the inconsistent quality of support while some users receive prompt assistance, others experience long delays or unhelpful replies. These problems are often linked to broader platform issues such as broken bank feeds, incorrect reports, and failed migrations.
What customers said:
- „Don't waste your time with this if you are doing serious volume or your company depends…“
„Don't waste your time with this if you are doing serious volume or your company depends on timely payments.“
- „I tried multiple times on different days, and I even cleared the cache, but it still…“
„I tried multiple times on different days, and I even cleared the cache, but it still doesn't work.“
Representative customer service reviews
Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.
„The webpage works fine, but I chose FreshBooks over QuickBooks because it claimed to have a more user-friendly app.“
„Best customer service ever!“
„Every time I've had an issue there was a solution“
Reviews about FreshBooks quality
207 mentions · 52% positive · 43% negative
Reviewers report mixed experiences with FreshBooks’ quality, with a slight majority expressing positive sentiment 123 positive mentions compared to 91 negative ones. Overall, the trend shows fluctuating satisfaction over time, with ratings dipping as low as 1.67★ in February 2026 before recovering to 3.75★ in July 2026. Many users praise the platform’s clean interface and ease of use, especially for small businesses managing basic accounting tasks. However, recurring complaints center on technical issues like app crashes, failed receipt uploads, and poor sync performance. Some users note that the product feels underdeveloped as their business grows, while others highlight that recent updates have introduced new bugs. Despite these concerns, the consistent praise for customer support and intuitive design suggests that quality remains a strong point for many users, even amid ongoing reliability issues.
What customers praise
Customers frequently praise FreshBooks for its clean, intuitive interface and ease of use. Many say it simplifies core tasks like invoicing, expense tracking, and payment monitoring without requiring extensive training. Users appreciate the smooth workflow between the mobile app and desktop version, and several highlight that the platform feels tailored to small business needs. The consistent positive feedback on customer support, described as knowledgeable, responsive, and human-centered, also contributes to the perception of high quality.
What customers said:
- „FreshBooks makes this administrative process incredibly smooth“
- „FreshBooks continues to deliver the human touch and intuitive UX required to keep focus…“
„FreshBooks continues to deliver the human touch and intuitive UX required to keep focus squarely on client deliverables and sustainable growth“
Common complaints
Common complaints center on technical reliability, particularly in the mobile app. Users report frequent crashes, unexpected logouts, and the failure to save receipt photos after upload. Some note that the app does not load properly on desktop unless accessed in incognito mode. Others mention that core features such as bank feeds and report traceability are broken or missing, with one reviewer stating that refund data was incorrectly converted and cannot be fixed. These issues indicate ongoing problems with software stability and data integrity.
What customers said:
- „More bugs than an outhouse“
- „in the latest version I cannot upload receipts anymore“
Representative quality reviews
Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.
„Loving FreshBooks for my small business!“
„The interface is pretty clean and doesn’t feel complicated.“
„Creating invoices, keeping track of expenses, and checking payments are all fairly easy.“
Reviews about FreshBooks ordering & website
119 mentions · 42% positive · 49% negative
Customers have mixed feelings about FreshBooks’s ordering and website experience, with a slight shift toward negative feedback over time. Reviewers continue to report issues with logging in, saving data, and navigating core features such as invoicing and expense tracking. Many express frustration when the system redirects them to create new accounts despite already having existing ones, or when receipts and expenses fail to save. These problems are frequently linked to app instability and glitches in dropdown menus or payment status updates. Nonetheless, a significant number of users still commend the platform’s clean interface, ease of use, and strong customer support. Although overall sentiment has fluctuated with brief improvements in late 2025 and early 2026 recent feedback indicates a return to lower satisfaction, especially regarding reliability and functionality. The ratio of negative to positive mentions is 59 to 52, reflecting a trend of declining confidence in the platform’s core operations.
What customers praise
Many customers appreciate the intuitive design and ease of use that FreshBooks offers, particularly for small business owners with limited accounting experience. Users point out how the platform simplifies invoicing, expense tracking, and transaction management, making bookkeeping feel effortless. The clean user interface and clear step-by-step instructions are consistently highlighted as strengths. Several reviewers also stress the value of having direct access to knowledgeable human support, which they say makes a meaningful difference in day-to-day operations.
What customers said:
- „It is very easy to use“
- „It's a very easy way to get invoice paid“
Common complaints
Common complaints focus on login failures and app instability. Users report being repeatedly redirected to account creation pages even when they already have an account. Many state that receipts, expenses, and estimates fail to save, despite multiple attempts and clearing caches. Issues with payment status updates are also frequent, with users noting that invoices show as overdue even when they have been paid. Some users describe the mobile app as poorly designed, particularly for time tracking, and express frustration over the absence of basic features such as address auto-fill or image attachments.
What customers said:
- „It automatically brings me to the create an account page.“
- „I can't even save an expense; it just keeps loading.“
Representative ordering & website reviews
Short excerpts - full reviews are available at the original source.
„i was routed to the reactivations site time after time“
„App wants me to open a new account I already have an account“
„when I try to log in, it sends me to a page to create a new account“
Reviews about FreshBooks value for money
74 mentions · 47% positive · 49% negative
Reviewers express mixed opinions about FreshBooks’s value for money, with a roughly even split between positive and negative mentions 40 positive and 37 negative. Overall sentiment has fluctuated over time, showing a noticeable decline in satisfaction during early 2026, especially in February and March, when multiple 1-star reviews cited rising prices and declining performance. However, sentiment improved in late 2026, with several 5-star reviews in July and strong feedback in April and June. Customers who praise the platform highlight its clean interface, strong customer support, and ease of use, often describing it as affordable for small businesses. In contrast, frequent complaints focus on repeated price hikes, a perceived lack of value for the cost, and technical issues that compromise reliability. While some users still find the pricing reasonable, particularly with discounts or for basic use, others believe the cost no longer aligns with the features or performance, especially as the platform has evolved.
What customers said:
- „Freshbooks has that small business feel in an incredible and affordable product“
- „It's been perfect at a great price“
Reviews about FreshBooks billing & payment
67 mentions · 16% positive · 79% negative
Reviewers overwhelmingly express frustration with FreshBooks’s billing and payment features, with 55 negative mentions compared to just 12 positive ones. The sentiment has remained consistently poor over the past year, with monthly ratings hovering around 1 to 2 stars, and only brief spikes to 3 or 5 stars in isolated cases. Customers report persistent issues with payment processing, including failed transfers, unexplained fee increases, and unreliable bank feeds. Many describe being misled or ignored by support, with some stating they were charged unexpectedly or unable to cancel their accounts. A few positive reviews highlight the platform’s automation and ease of use, particularly for small-scale operations, but these voices are outnumbered and often tied to specific, limited experiences. Overall, the trend shows a steady decline in satisfaction, especially around payment reliability and customer service responsiveness.
What customers said:
- „It helps us save on time as well as reduce errors“
- „helping us to manage our finances from sending our invoices for collecting payments“
Reviews about FreshBooks fit & sizing
38 mentions · 29% positive · 45% negative
Reviewers report mixed experiences with FreshBooks’s fit and sizing, particularly concerning how well the platform aligns with their business needs and how smoothly it functions across devices. While 12 reviews express positive sentiment, praising its ease of use, clean interface, and suitability for small businesses, the 17 negative reviews highlight persistent issues with app stability, syncing, and missing core features. The overall trend shows a decline in satisfaction from mid-2025 through early 2026, with several 1- and 2-star reviews citing crashes, incorrect data, and poor mobile functionality. However, there are signs of improvement in late 2026, with a few 4.5- and 5-star reviews returning, suggesting recent updates may have addressed some long-standing problems. Still, the recurring complaints about the app’s reliability and feature gaps indicate that the fit remains inconsistent for many users.
What customers said:
- „it wasn't the perfect fit for me as a solopreneur“
- „Freshbooks is a perfect fit for your small business“
Reviews about FreshBooks communication
17 mentions · 18% positive · 76% negative
Customers' feedback on FreshBooks' communication has been largely negative, with 12 out of 16 mentions expressing dissatisfaction. Reviewers frequently criticize the lack of transparency in app updates, unannounced changes, and poor handling of account issues. Many report frustration with support interactions, describing responses as dismissive, unhelpful, or even threatening. A few positive experiences stand out, particularly around email responsiveness and the tone of phone agents, but these are outweighed by concerns about inconsistent communication and broken processes. Over time, the trend shows a pattern of declining satisfaction, with multiple 1- and 2-star reviews in 2025 and 2026, especially around app changes and account access. The few 5-star reviews in early 2026 suggest some improvement, but they do not reflect the broader sentiment. Overall, communication issues remain a persistent pain point for users.
What customers said:
- „My interaction was very informative.“
- „The answers are always disappointing and remind me how futile it is to suggest…“
„The answers are always disappointing and remind me how futile it is to suggest improvements to Freshbooks.“
Reviews about FreshBooks delivery
16 mentions · 19% positive · 56% negative
Reviewers report mixed experiences with FreshBooks’s delivery, particularly regarding payment processing and app functionality. While some users praise the platform’s ease of use and efficiency in handling invoices and expenses, a significant number express frustration with delayed payouts, inconsistent app performance, and errors in automated processes. The overall sentiment has fluctuated over time, with several low ratings in early 2025 and late 2026, including multiple 1-star reviews citing issues such as funds being held, incorrect expense entries, and apps failing to load. Despite these recurring complaints, there are consistent positive mentions of the software’s intuitive design and time-saving features, especially for small businesses. The balance leans negative, with nine negative mentions compared to four positive, though the trend shows brief improvements in mid-2025 and early 2026 before dropping again.
What customers said:
- „FreshBooks is easy to use and great for tracking expenses, sending invoices, and…“
„FreshBooks is easy to use and great for tracking expenses, sending invoices, and managing time.“
- „automated features that makes all billing process very smooth and efficient“
FreshBooks review sources, coverage and method
The overall 3.3 / 5 score is recency-weighted: newer reviews count more (weight 0.9 per month of age), regardless of portal.
| Portal | Avg. rating | Count | Weight | Latest | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.0 / 5 | 208 | 38.2% | View profile ↗ | |
| Google Play | 3.3 / 5 | 122 | 22.4% | View profile ↗ | |
| Capterra | 4.4 / 5 | 108 | 19.9% | View profile ↗ | |
| Apple App Store | 2.1 / 5 | 106 | 19.5% | View profile ↗ | |
| Weighted overall | 3.3 / 5 | 544 | 100% | ||
Period covered: 2024-08 – 2026-10. Reviews older than 24 months stay in the trend charts but no longer feed the headline figures.
What this analysis cannot cover
- Only publicly visible reviews are included; nothing behind a login, and no reviews submitted to us directly.
- Sentiment is classified from the review text, never from the star rating. Unclassified reviews count toward totals but not toward sentiment shares.
What this analysis covers
- Trustpilot : 208 reviews
- Google Play : 122 reviews
- Capterra : 108 reviews
- Apple App Store : 106 reviews
Period covered: Aug 2024 – Oct 2026
And what it cannot cover:
- Trustpilot exposes roughly the 200 most recent reviews publicly; older reviews sit behind a login.
- The App Store feed caps at about 500 reviews per country storefront.
How the numbers are made
Every review is read once by a language model that labels its themes and sentiment and picks short verbatim passages. Recent reviews weigh more than old ones (each month of age discounts the weight by 10%). Quotes are shown exactly as written, linked to the original review, and cryptographically signed so you can check they have not been altered.Full methodology ↗ · Transparency report ↗
Cite this page
Citatio (2026). FreshBooks Reviews October 2026 – 3.3/5 from 544 reviews. Retrieved 7 October 2026 from https://citatio.ai/freshbooks-reviews/
Data verifiable via our public audit log: Methodology · Transparency