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Software · head to head

Basecamp vs FreshBooks

Basecamp logo

Basecamp

Software

Project management & team collaboration software

From
Free
Rated
-
FreshBooks logo

FreshBooks

Software

Accounting software that makes you look good

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Basecamp the free tier allows one project and 1 GB of storage; FreshBooks lite tier limited to 5 clients maximum
  • They diverge on capability: Basecamp covers Message boards, FreshBooks covers Invoicing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Basecamp and FreshBooks actually diverge.

Attributes where Basecamp and FreshBooks differ
AttributeBasecampFreshBooks
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20042003

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Basecamp

  • Message boards
  • To-do lists
  • Schedules
  • Documents & files
  • Group chat
  • Check-in questions
  • Hill Charts
  • Email forwards

Only in FreshBooks

  • Invoicing
  • Expense tracking
  • Time tracking
  • Project management
  • Payments
  • Financial reporting
  • Proposals
  • Mileage tracking

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Zapier
  • 2FA

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Basecamp

  • Project management for a small team in one placenot FreshBooks
  • Message boards and chat alongside to-dosnot FreshBooks
  • Client collaboration, since guests are not chargednot FreshBooks
  • Flat-rate project management for a larger team on Pro Unlimitednot FreshBooks

FreshBooks

  • Invoicing and payment processingnot Basecamp
  • Time tracking and expense managementnot Basecamp
  • Multi-client project accountingnot Basecamp

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Basecamp

  • The free tier allows one project and 1 GB of storage
  • Pro is $15 per user per month, so cost scales with headcount unlike the flat Pro Unlimited at $299 a month billed annually
  • Storage beyond the plan costs $50 a month per additional terabyte
  • Timesheet and the Admin Pro Pack are paid upgrades on Pro and only bundled with Pro Unlimited

FreshBooks

  • Lite tier limited to 5 clients maximum
  • E-signatures, proposals, and client retainers unavailable on Lite and Plus tiers
  • Advanced payment processing fee of £20/month on Plus tier (extra cost)
  • Email customization and project profitability tracking restricted to Premium tier and above
  • Offline mode not available; web-based only

Pricing, plan by plan

Basecamp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Basecamp review.

FreshBooks

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the FreshBooks review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Basecamp if

  • You need message boards.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want to-do lists.

Choose FreshBooks if

  • You need invoicing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want expense tracking.

Questions people ask

Is Basecamp or FreshBooks better?
Neither clearly leads. Basecamp starts at Free and FreshBooks at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Basecamp or FreshBooks?
Basecamp starts at Free and FreshBooks at Free.
Does Basecamp or FreshBooks run on more platforms?
Basecamp runs on Web. FreshBooks runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Basecamp for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Basecamp best used for?
Basecamp is most often used for project management for a small team in one place, message boards and chat alongside to-dos, client collaboration, since guests are not charged, flat-rate project management for a larger team on pro unlimited. Of those, project management for a small team in one place and message boards and chat alongside to-dos are not what FreshBooks is typically brought in for.
What can Basecamp do that FreshBooks cannot?
Basecamp covers Message boards, To-do lists, Schedules, Documents & files. FreshBooks covers Invoicing, Expense tracking, Time tracking, Project management. Both handle Slack, Zapier, 2FA.

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