Harpoon
Forward-looking time-tracking and invoicing software designed to help freelancer...
FreshBooks
Cloud-based accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses to...
Harpoon vs FreshBooks: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Harpoon and FreshBooks covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Harpoon vs FreshBooks: Overview
Choosing between Harpoon and FreshBooks is a common dilemma for invoicing users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Harpoon offers a free tier and starts at $9/monthly, while FreshBooks begins at $23/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Harpoon is best known for unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability, whereas FreshBooks stands out for extremely user-friendly interface. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Harpoon
- Best for: Freelancers seeking profitable growth, Small agencies and design studios
- Starting price: Free
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2014
FreshBooks
- Best for: Freelancers and consultants, Service-based small businesses
- Starting price: $23/mo
- Category: invoicing
- Founded: 2003
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Harpoon and FreshBooks.
| Feature | H Harpoon | F FreshBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Time Tracking | Track time across projects and clients | Built-in timer with project assignment |
| Invoicing | Professional invoice generation and management | Unlimited invoices with customizable templates |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Features Deep Dive
Both Harpoon and FreshBooks offer core invoicing functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Time Tracking, Invoicing.
Harpoon unique strengths: Financial Forecasting, Project Scheduling, The Harpoon Method. This makes it ideal for freelancers seeking profitable growth.
FreshBooks unique strengths: Expense Tracking, Project Management, Client Portal. This makes it better suited for freelancers and consultants.
Harpoon offers 10 core features with 2 integrations, while FreshBooks provides 10 features and 8 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
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
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
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
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
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
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Harpoon Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $9/monthly. 5 plans available: Free Trial, Starter, Freelancer, Studio, Agency.
FreshBooks Pricing: Paid plans start at $23/monthly. 4 plans available: Lite, Plus, Premium, Select.
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 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
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
Final Verdict
Choose Harpoon if: You need freelancers seeking profitable growth or small agencies and design studios. It excels at unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability and simple four-rule methodology for business management.
Choose FreshBooks if: You prioritize freelancers and consultants or service-based small businesses. It's particularly strong for extremely user-friendly interface and excellent invoicing capabilities.
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.
Harpoon vs FreshBooks FAQ
What are the main differences between Harpoon and FreshBooks?
Harpoon focuses on freelancers seeking profitable growth with unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability, while FreshBooks excels at freelancers and consultants with extremely user-friendly interface. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Harpoon or FreshBooks 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 Harpoon and FreshBooks?
Harpoon starts at $9/month with a free tier available, while FreshBooks starts at $23/month. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Harpoon integrate with FreshBooks?
While direct integration may vary, both Harpoon and FreshBooks support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Harpoon integrates with Stripe, Web browsers, while FreshBooks works with PayPal, Stripe, Square.
Which tool is easier to use, Harpoon or FreshBooks?
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. Harpoon is known for simple four-rule methodology for business management.
Does Harpoon or FreshBooks offer better customer support?
Both Harpoon and FreshBooks provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Harpoon offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Harpoon compared to FreshBooks?
Harpoon's main advantages include: Unique focus on financial forecasting and profitability, Simple four-rule methodology for business management, 14-day free trial with no credit card required. Compared to FreshBooks, it's particularly strong for freelancers seeking profitable growth.
What are the cons of Harpoon compared to FreshBooks?
Harpoon's potential drawbacks include: Starter plan limited to only 3 clients, No free permanent plan available. FreshBooks may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Harpoon to FreshBooks 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. Harpoon excels for freelancers seeking profitable growth, while FreshBooks is ideal for freelancers and consultants.