FreshBooks alternative

Billy vs. FreshBooks: an AI assistant instead of client caps

FreshBooks is popular with US freelancers — nice design, time tracking, solid invoicing. The catches: the Lite plan ($23/month) allows only 5 billable clients, and there is no AI assistant that creates invoices and chases payment.

Billy starts at €9 a month with no client cap — and the AI assistant creates invoices from prompts, sends them, and runs your payment reminders automatically.

Why freelancers pick Billy over FreshBooks

FreshBooks makes you pay for growth: more clients, higher plan — and archiving a client does not free up a slot. Billy scales through automation, not limits.

  • No client cap — FreshBooks' entry plan allows 5, and archived clients count towards it
  • Invoice from a prompt instead of a form — FreshBooks markets no AI feature at all
  • EU- and US-compliant invoices, in German and English
  • Extra team members included — FreshBooks charges $11 per person per month
  • From €9 instead of from $23 — less than half

Billy vs. FreshBooks at a glance

Comparison of Billy and FreshBooks
BillyFreshBooks
AI & automation
Create an invoice from an AI promptYescore featureNo
Has an AI assistant at allYesNomarkets no AI features
Automatic payment remindersYesfrom the entry planYesup to 3, all plans
AI receipt capture (OCR)Nodeliberately notYes
Design & interface
Ready-made invoice designsYeswith live previewPartially3 designs
Custom brandingYeslogo, colors, layoutPartiallycolors yes, but only 2 fonts
No vendor branding in emailsYesPartiallyPremium ($70) and up
International & compliance
Germany & Austria (§14 UStG / §11 öUStG)YespreconfiguredNoNorth America focus
Invoices in GermanYesYes16 languages; document text only
Limits & price
No client capYesNoLite 5, Plus 50 — archived clients count
Extra users includedYesNo+$11 per user/month
Entry price (net/month)from €9 — no client capLite $23 (5 clients), Plus $43 (50), Premium $70

FreshBooks pricing and feature claims per the vendor, verified on July 31, 2026. Prices net; subject to change.

When FreshBooks is the better choice

To be fair: FreshBooks' time tracking and project billing are mature — if you bill by the hour and want everything in one tool, it is a well-rounded package. Billy bets on the AI assistant instead and lets you track hours elsewhere.

See all FreshBooks alternatives

Frequently asked questions

How much does FreshBooks cost?
FreshBooks Lite is $23/month (max 5 billable clients), Plus is $43 (50 clients), Premium is $70 (unlimited) — as of July 2026. Note that archived clients still count towards the cap, and every extra team member is $11/month. Billy starts at €9/month with no client cap.
Does FreshBooks have an AI assistant?
No. FreshBooks markets no AI feature on its features page at all; what is automated is recurring invoices and payment reminders, plus receipt text recognition. There is no assistant that builds an invoice from a sentence — which is exactly Billy's core feature.
What is the main difference between Billy and FreshBooks?
FreshBooks is a classic freelancer tool with time tracking and per-plan client caps, and it markets no AI features. Billy is an AI invoicing app with no client cap: invoices from prompts, plus EU- and US-compliant templates. Both send automatic payment reminders.
Can I try Billy for free?
Yes — 7 days free, no credit card. There is no permanently free plan.

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