SoftwareDuel

FreshBooks vs Smartsheet

A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is an accounting and invoicing platform designed specifically for freelancers, self-employed professionals, and small service-based businesses. It is known for its exceptional ease of use and beautiful invoicing tools. FreshBooks focuses on making accounting simple for non-accountants who just need to track income, expenses, and get paid quickly.

Paid pricing · Get Pricing →

Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a work management platform that combines the familiarity of spreadsheets with powerful project management and collaboration features. It is widely used by enterprise teams for project tracking, resource management, and automated workflows. Smartsheet is particularly popular with teams comfortable with Excel who need more collaboration and automation capabilities.

Paid pricing · Get Pricing →

Pros

  • Easiest accounting software to learn and use — ideal for non-accountants
  • Beautiful, professional invoice templates
  • Built-in time tracking and project management
  • Excellent mobile app for tracking expenses on the go

Cons

  • Not suitable for product-based businesses needing inventory management
  • Limited features for complex accounting needs
  • More expensive than competitors for what you get on lower tiers
  • Payroll requires third-party integration

Pros

  • Familiar spreadsheet interface reduces learning curve for Excel users
  • Powerful automation and workflow capabilities
  • Strong enterprise security and compliance features
  • Excellent for managing large portfolios of projects

Cons

  • Pricing is higher than many competitors
  • Interface feels dated compared to modern tools
  • No free plan — 30-day trial only
  • Less intuitive for teams unfamiliar with spreadsheet-style tools

Our Take

Choose FreshBooks if freelancers and small service businesses wanting simple, beautiful invoicing and accounting. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.

Best For

Freelancers and small service businesses wanting simple, beautiful invoicing and accounting

Best For

Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation