FreshBooks alternatives: 4 free & open-source picks
Curated, verified, and actually free. No trials, no crippled tiers. Star counts and last-activity dates checked by hand, not scraped and forgotten.
Contabilidad, facturas, gastos, tiempo y solicitudes de pago en un solo ERP; la simplicidad no sobrevivió a la migración.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installManaged Frappe Cloud signup, or the supported Frappe Docker/Bench deployment
dataSelf-hosted companies live in MariaDB site databases with site files and attachments on the server; managed-hosting data lives in the selected Frappe Cloud site.
the catch vs FreshBooksERPNext covers more accounting functions but is dramatically less simple for a freelancer, with a heavier interface and no equally polished client-facing invoicing, payments, and mobile workflow.
setupSelf-hosting is an ERP deployment rather than a desktop install: Docker or Bench, MariaDB, Redis, workers, a reverse proxy, backups, upgrades, and country-specific accounting setup.
facts verified 2026-08-11
Facturas, gastos, tiempo, pagos y un libro contable real; se ve más como back office que como página principal.
licenseGPL-3.0+
runsyour server
installDoliWamp, DoliDeb, DoliRPM, Docker, or a conventional PHP web-server installation
dataBusiness records live in MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL, while uploaded and generated documents live in Dolibarr's documents directory or mounted volume.
the catch vs FreshBooksDolibarr feels like back-office ERP software and its invoice presentation, payment onboarding, client experience, mobile polish, and low-friction time-to-invoice flow lag FreshBooks.
setupA packaged desktop-style installer exists on some platforms, but a durable deployment still needs a web server or Docker, database, HTTPS, backups, updates, and localization.
facts verified 2026-08-11
Contabilidad seria con facturas, gastos, proyectos y tarjetas de tiempo; la interfaz asume que viniste por el libro contable.
licenseGPL-2.0+
runsyour server
installDocker Compose is the shortest documented path; packages and manual Perl installation also exist
dataCompanies and accounting records live in PostgreSQL databases; uploaded or generated documents live in the configured document store or server volumes.
the catch vs FreshBooksLedgerSMB prioritizes accounting controls over FreshBooks' approachable freelancer workflow, polished invoices, client payments, mobile capture, and low-training interface.
setupThe first obstacle is a real web stack, Docker, PostgreSQL, administrator credentials, a reverse proxy and TLS for internet use, plus backups and upgrades.
facts verified 2026-08-11
Un libro contable de escritorio completo con facturas, gastos y tiempo facturable; la colaboración es la parte que no obtienes.
licenseproprietary, free
runson your machine
installNative desktop installer for Windows, macOS, or Linux
dataEach business is stored in a local .manager file backed by SQLite, including its accounting records and attached documents; the user chooses and backs up that file.
setup✓ installs clean
the catch vs FreshBooksManager Desktop keeps the business in a local file and lacks FreshBooks' easy online collaboration, client portal, managed payment collection, mobile expense capture, and hosted convenience.
facts verified 2026-08-11
last updated 2026-08-11 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
CraterStill widely recommended; last push August 2024 and the last release is four years old.
Zoho InvoiceThe free invoicing, time and expense tools are good; full accounting is not part of the product.
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERPNext | GPL-3.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 37,700 | 2026-08 |
| Dolibarr | GPL-3.0+ | one-click install | web, windows, linux, self-hosted | 7,500 | 2026-08 |
| LedgerSMB | GPL-2.0+ | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 554 | 2026-07 |
| Manager Desktop | proprietary, free | one-click install | macos, windows, linux | — | — |
They pay because client billing needs to look professional and survive audit/accountant handoff. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $276 a year.
Is there a free alternative to FreshBooks?
Yes: ERPNext, Dolibarr, LedgerSMB and 1 more. Every tool on this page is either open source or genuinely free to use long-term: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Should I just build my own FreshBooks?
Our verdict is PARCIAL. For freelancers, invoices, time tracking, and expense logs are buildable; payments, tax/accounting reports, bank feeds, client portal, and reliability make it more than trivial. If you'd rather build, the exact one-shot prompt is free at puedovibecodearlo.app/freshbooks.
