FreshBooks
Cloud-based accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses to...
Harpoon
Forward-looking time-tracking and invoicing software designed to help freelancer...
FreshBooks vs Harpoon: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of FreshBooks and Harpoon covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
FreshBooks vs Harpoon: Overview
Choosing between FreshBooks and Harpoon is a common dilemma for invoicing users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
FreshBooks starts at $23/monthly, while Harpoon also has a free option and begins at $9/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
FreshBooks is best known for extremely user-friendly interface, whereas Harpoon stands out for unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
FreshBooks
- Best for: Freelancers and consultants, Service-based small businesses
- Starting price: $23/mo
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2003
Harpoon
- Best for: Freelancers seeking profitable growth, Small agencies and design studios
- Starting price: Free
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2014
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between FreshBooks and Harpoon.
| Feature | F FreshBooks | H Harpoon |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | Unlimited invoices with customizable templates | Professional invoice generation and management |
| Time Tracking | Built-in timer with project assignment | Track time across projects and clients |
| Expense Tracking | Receipt scanning and categorization | |
| Project Management | Track project budgets and profitability | |
| Client Portal | Secure portal for client communication | |
| Recurring Billing | Plus plan and above | |
| Bank Reconciliation | Plus plan and above | |
| Double-Entry Accounting | Plus plan and above | |
| Mileage Tracking | Mobile app with GPS tracking | |
| Payment Processing | Accept credit cards and bank transfers | |
| Financial Forecasting | Plan and predict future revenue streams | |
| Project Scheduling | Schedule projects and estimate cash flow | |
| The Harpoon Method | Four-rule system for financial clarity | |
| SSL Encryption | Secure data protection like online banking | |
| Stripe Integration | Secure payment processing for client payments | |
| Team Management | Studio and Agency plans only | |
| Dashboard Analytics | Key business metrics at a glance | |
| No Software Installation | Web-based platform with automatic updates |
Features Deep Dive
Both FreshBooks and Harpoon offer core invoicing functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Invoicing, Time Tracking.
FreshBooks unique strengths: Expense Tracking, Project Management, Client Portal. This makes it ideal for freelancers and consultants.
Harpoon unique strengths: Financial Forecasting, Project Scheduling, The Harpoon Method. This makes it better suited for freelancers seeking profitable growth.
FreshBooks offers 10 core features with 8 integrations, while Harpoon provides 10 features and 2 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, FreshBooks edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, FreshBooks offers better overall user satisfaction. Harpoon remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize freelancers seeking profitable growth.
FreshBooks
Best for Freelancers and consultants and Service-based small businesses. Extremely user-friendly interface.
Try FreshBooksHarpoon
Best for Freelancers seeking profitable growth and Small agencies and design studios. Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability.
Try HarpoonPros & Cons
FreshBooks Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely user-friendly interface
- Excellent invoicing capabilities
- Built-in time tracking and project management
- Strong mobile app functionality
- Good customer support
Cons
- Limited client capacity on lower plans
- Fewer advanced accounting features than competitors
- Higher pricing compared to some alternatives
- Limited inventory management capabilities
Harpoon Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability
- Simple four-rule methodology for business management
- 14-day free trial with no credit card required
- 21% discount for annual billing
- No hidden fees or setup costs
Cons
- Starter plan limited to only 3 clients
- No free permanent plan available
- Additional team members cost $5 each beyond 20 users
- May be too simple for complex enterprise needs
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
FreshBooks
subscription- 5 billable clients
- Unlimited invoices
- Expense tracking
- 50 billable clients
- Recurring invoices
- Client retainers
- Unlimited clients
- Project profitability tracking
- Custom email templates
- All Premium features
- 2 team members included
- Dedicated account manager
Harpoon
subscription- 14-day trial
- All features included
- No credit card required
- Up to 3 clients
- Basic time tracking
- Invoicing
- Unlimited clients
- Time tracking
- Invoicing
- Multiple team members
- Advanced reporting
- Project scheduling
- Up to 20 team members
- Advanced analytics
- Custom reporting
Pricing Comparison Analysis
FreshBooks Pricing: Paid plans start at $23/monthly. 4 plans available: Lite, Plus, Premium, Select.
Harpoon Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $9/monthly. 5 plans available: Free Trial, Starter, Freelancer, Studio, Agency.
Verdict: Harpoon is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, FreshBooks may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, Harpoon is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing freelancers and consultants, FreshBooks's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose FreshBooks if you need:
- Freelancers and consultants
- Service-based small businesses
- Creative professionals
- Businesses focused on project billing
- Extremely user-friendly interface
- Excellent invoicing capabilities
Choose Harpoon if you need:
- Freelancers seeking profitable growth
- Small agencies and design studios
- Service-based businesses needing financial clarity
- Teams wanting to predict future revenue streams
- Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability
- Simple four-rule methodology for business management
Final Verdict
Choose FreshBooks if: You need freelancers and consultants or service-based small businesses. It excels at extremely user-friendly interface and excellent invoicing capabilities.
Choose Harpoon if: You prioritize freelancers seeking profitable growth or small agencies and design studios. It's particularly strong for unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability and simple four-rule methodology for business management.
Overall: FreshBooks has a slight edge with a 4.5/5 rating from 5,000 reviews. However, FreshBooks has a larger user base with 5,000 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the invoicing space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
FreshBooks vs Harpoon FAQ
What are the main differences between FreshBooks and Harpoon?
FreshBooks focuses on freelancers and consultants with extremely user-friendly interface, while Harpoon excels at freelancers seeking profitable growth with unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is FreshBooks or Harpoon better for small businesses?
Harpoon offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Harpoon's lower starting price of $9/month.
What is the pricing difference between FreshBooks and Harpoon?
FreshBooks starts at $23/month, while Harpoon starts at $9/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can FreshBooks integrate with Harpoon?
While direct integration may vary, both FreshBooks and Harpoon support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. FreshBooks integrates with PayPal, Stripe, Square, while Harpoon works with Stripe, Web browsers.
Which tool is easier to use, FreshBooks or Harpoon?
Based on user reviews, FreshBooks generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.5 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. FreshBooks is known for excellent invoicing capabilities.
Does FreshBooks or Harpoon offer better customer support?
Both FreshBooks and Harpoon provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. FreshBooks offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of FreshBooks compared to Harpoon?
FreshBooks's main advantages include: Extremely user-friendly interface, Excellent invoicing capabilities, Built-in time tracking and project management. Compared to Harpoon, it's particularly strong for freelancers and consultants.
What are the cons of FreshBooks compared to Harpoon?
FreshBooks's potential drawbacks include: Limited client capacity on lower plans, Fewer advanced accounting features than competitors. Harpoon may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from FreshBooks to Harpoon or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for invoicing in 2026?
In 2026, FreshBooks leads in this comparison with a 4.5 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. FreshBooks excels for freelancers and consultants, while Harpoon is ideal for freelancers seeking profitable growth.