FreshBooks Alternative: Due On Time vs FreshBooks
Due On Time is a simpler and cheaper FreshBooks alternative if you mainly need to send invoices, chase them with automatic reminders and get paid online: Starter is $12 a month with unlimited clients. FreshBooks is the better choice if you also want accounting, time tracking, proposals or a mobile app.
FreshBooks facts checked on 1 November 2026 on FreshBooks's own website; sources are listed below. Prices and features change, so check their site before you decide.
FreshBooks vs Due On Time at a glance
| FreshBooks | Due On Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (regular, billed monthly) | Lite $23/month (5 billable clients), Plus $43 (50 clients), Premium $70 (unlimited). Intro discounts change often. | Free plan; Starter $12/month ($120/year); Pro $27/month ($264/year) |
| Free plan | No. 30-day free trial, no card | Yes: unlimited invoices and PDF downloads, up to 3 clients, no email sending. Free invoice generator with no sign-up. |
| Card payment fee | 2.9% + $0.30 for standard cards; ACH 1% | Stripe's own fees for your country, paid from your Stripe account; Due On Time adds 0% |
| Automatic payment reminders | Yes, up to 3, before or after the due date | Yes, by email after the due date: up to 3 per invoice on Starter, unlimited on Pro |
| Automatic late fees | Yes, one-time, a percentage or a flat fee | Yes, on Pro: flat or a percent of the unpaid balance, once or repeating, with an optional cap |
| Recurring invoices | Yes, and can charge a card on file | Yes, weekly to yearly, on Starter and Pro (no automatic card charge) |
| Accounting | Yes: double-entry reports and bank reconciliation on Plus and up | No. Expense receipts with AI scanning only |
| Time tracking | Yes, all plans | No |
| Proposals and e-signatures | Plus and up | No |
| Mobile app | iOS and Android | No app; works in the phone browser |
| Extra users | $11/month per team member | One user per account |
What is FreshBooks?
FreshBooks is small business accounting software with invoicing, time tracking, expenses, proposals, payments and payroll as an add-on.
Where FreshBooks is better
- Real accounting: double-entry reports, bank reconciliation and accountant access (Plus and up).
- Time tracking and projects, with hours flowing into invoices.
- Reminders can go before the due date as well as after, and automatic late fees are on every plan (on Due On Time they are Pro only).
- Recurring invoices can charge the client's saved card automatically.
- Proposals with e-signatures, retainers, payroll (add-on) and mobile apps.
Where Due On Time is better
- Lower price: Starter is $12 a month ($120 a year) with unlimited clients, while FreshBooks Lite is $23 a month for 5 billable clients.
- A free plan with unlimited invoices and PDF downloads, and a free invoice generator that needs no account.
- Pay now uses your own Stripe account and Due On Time adds no fee on top of Stripe's.
- Fewer things to learn if invoicing and getting paid is all you need.
Should you choose FreshBooks or Due On Time?
Pick FreshBooks if you want one tool for invoicing and bookkeeping, track your time, send proposals, or work from a phone app.
Pick Due On Time if you want clean invoices, automatic reminders and online payments for less, and you do your bookkeeping elsewhere or with an accountant.
Read how automatic reminders, recurring invoices and Pay now work.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cheaper alternative to FreshBooks?
Due On Time's Starter plan is $12 a month with unlimited clients, invoice emailing, open tracking, automatic reminders, recurring invoices and Pay now. FreshBooks Lite is $23 a month at its regular price, for 5 billable clients. Due On Time does not do accounting or time tracking.
Is there a free alternative to FreshBooks?
Due On Time has a free plan with unlimited invoices and PDF downloads for up to 3 clients, and a free invoice generator that needs no account. Sending invoices by email and reminders need a paid plan.
Does Due On Time do accounting like FreshBooks?
No. Due On Time handles invoices, reminders, payments and expense receipts. For bookkeeping, use separate software or an accountant.
Can I move from FreshBooks to Due On Time?
There is no automatic import. Add your clients and open invoices in Due On Time by hand, then send new invoices from there.
Sources
All checked on 1 November 2026.