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Professional Services · head to head

FreshBooks vs Kantata

FreshBooks logo

FreshBooks

Professional Services

Accounting software that makes you look good

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kantata logo

Kantata

Professional Services

AI-powered professional services automation, formerly Mavenlink

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only FreshBooks has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: FreshBooks lite tier limited to 5 clients maximum; Kantata no transparent pricing tiers or rates published on the pricing page
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FreshBooks and Kantata actually diverge.

Attributes where FreshBooks and Kantata differ
AttributeFreshBooksKantata
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb
Founded2003Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Professional Services).

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 FreshBooks

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

Only in Kantata

Nothing recorded that FreshBooks does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

FreshBooks

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

Kantata

  • Reducing cost leakage in professional services operationsnot FreshBooks
  • Increasing resource utilization across global operations teamsnot FreshBooks
  • Improving revenue forecasting accuracy for pipeline planningnot FreshBooks
  • Boosting service margins through better project managementnot FreshBooks
  • Automating workflows across connected business toolsnot FreshBooks

Where each one falls short

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

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

Kantata

  • No transparent pricing tiers or rates published on the pricing page
  • Pricing is entirely custom based on company size, goals, and team structure
  • Customers must complete a form before receiving pricing information from a PSA Advisor

Pricing, plan by plan

FreshBooks

Free
  • Lite$23/month
    • Up to 5 clients
    • Core invoicing and expense tracking
  • Plus$43/month
    • Up to 50 clients
    • Client portal and estimates
  • Premium$70/month
    • Unlimited clients
    • Advanced features
  • Select$null/mo
    • Custom pricing
    • Unlimited clients
    • Dedicated support

Kantata

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Kantata review.

Which should you pick?

Choose FreshBooks if

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

Choose Kantata if

Nothing in the data separates Kantata from FreshBooks on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Kantata review

Questions people ask

Is FreshBooks or Kantata better?
Neither clearly leads. FreshBooks starts at Free and Kantata at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FreshBooks or Kantata?
FreshBooks has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for FreshBooks and On request for Kantata.
Does FreshBooks or Kantata run on more platforms?
FreshBooks runs on Web, iOS, Android. Kantata runs on Web.
Can I use FreshBooks for free?
Yes. FreshBooks has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Kantata starts at On request.
What is FreshBooks best used for?
FreshBooks is most often used for invoicing and payment processing, time tracking and expense management, multi-client project accounting. Of those, invoicing and payment processing and time tracking and expense management are not what Kantata is typically brought in for.
What can FreshBooks do that Kantata cannot?
FreshBooks covers Invoicing, Expense tracking, Time tracking, Project management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

FreshBooks: How much does FreshBooks cost?

FreshBooks offers plans starting at $23 per month for Lite (up to 5 clients), $43 for Plus (up to 50 clients), $70 for Premium (unlimited clients), and custom pricing for the Select plan. Currently offering 90% off for 3 months on all plans.

Source
Kantata: How much does Kantata cost?

Kantata does not publish standard pricing. Pricing is custom-built for each customer based on company size, business goals, and how the team works. Interested customers submit a form to discuss pricing with a PSA Advisor.

Source
FreshBooks: Does FreshBooks offer a free trial?

Yes, FreshBooks offers a free 30-day trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Source
Kantata: Is Kantata pricing based on per-seat licensing?

Kantata does not use standard per-seat pricing. Each plan is tailored to individual business requirements, company size, and team structure, determined through direct consultation with their sales team.

Source
FreshBooks: What are the add-on costs for FreshBooks?

Team members cost $11 per month per user, Advanced Payments add-on costs $20 per month, and FreshBooks Payroll costs $40 per month base plus $6 per month per user.

Source
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