FreshBooks alternative
Backbone vs. FreshBooks: an AI assistant and time tracking 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.
Backbone (formerly Billy) starts at €19 a month incl. VAT, with unlimited clients and projects, time tracking with hours onto the invoice, and an AI assistant that drafts invoices and asks before sending. The catch on our side: Backbone is built for freelancers in Germany and Austria, not for a US-based business.
When German and Austrian freelancers pick Backbone over FreshBooks
FreshBooks makes you pay for growth: more clients, higher plan — and archiving a client does not free up a slot. In Backbone the plans differ by people and volume, not by client count.
- Unlimited clients and projects — FreshBooks' entry plan allows 5, and archived clients count towards it
- Draft an invoice from one sentence instead of a form — FreshBooks markets no AI feature at all
- Invoices in German or English in EUR, USD, GBP or CHF, with a mandatory-detail check under §14 UStG or §11 UStG
- Time tracking with hours-vs-target per client and hours straight onto the invoice; a small team comes with Studio (€29)
- From €19 incl. VAT instead of from $23 — and no client cap
Backbone vs. FreshBooks at a glance
| Backbone | FreshBooks | |
|---|---|---|
| AI & automation | ||
| Create an invoice from an AI prompt | YesBackbone AI, asks before sending | No |
| Has an AI assistant at all | Yes | Nomarkets no AI features |
| Automatic payment reminders | Yesdunning with interest; own schedule from Studio | Yesup to 3, all plans |
| AI receipt capture (OCR) | Yesupload receipts, AI reads vendor, date, amount, VAT | Yes |
| Design & interface | ||
| Ready-made invoice designs | Partiallytwo templates (Basic, Minimal), live preview | Partially3 designs |
| Custom branding | Partiallylogo, accent color, two templates | Partiallycolors yes, but only 2 fonts |
| No vendor branding in emails | Partiallyyour logo and accent color in the email | PartiallyPremium ($70) and up |
| International & compliance | ||
| Germany & Austria (§14 UStG / §11 öUStG) | Yesmandatory-detail check while you write | NoNorth America focus |
| Invoices in German | Yes | Yes16 languages; document text only |
| Limits & price | ||
| No client cap | Yesunlimited clients and projects | NoLite 5, Plus 50 — archived clients count |
| Extra users included | PartiallySolo: 1 user; small team from Studio (€29) | No+$11 per user/month |
| Entry price (net/month) | from €19 incl. VAT — unlimited clients | Lite $23 (5 clients), Plus $43 (50), Premium $70 |
FreshBooks pricing and feature claims per the vendor, verified on July 31, 2026, prices net. Backbone details per back-bone.io as of October 9, 2026; Backbone prices incl. VAT. Subject to change.
Backbone in detail
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. Backbone has time tracking now too, but no US bookkeeping and no sales-tax features: for a business in the US, FreshBooks is the better choice. Backbone fits if you are based in Germany or Austria and bill US clients in English and USD.
See all FreshBooks alternatives