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Professional Services · head to head

FreshBooks vs Melio

FreshBooks logo

FreshBooks

Professional Services

Accounting software that makes you look good

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Melio logo

Melio

Accounting & Finance

Simple business payments

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: FreshBooks lite tier limited to 5 clients maximum; Melio go (free) plan limited to one user only
  • They diverge on capability: FreshBooks covers Invoicing, Melio covers Vendor payments.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FreshBooks and Melio actually diverge.

Attributes where FreshBooks and Melio differ
AttributeFreshBooksMelio
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Mobile app
CategoryProfessional ServicesAccounting & Finance
Founded20032018

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

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 Melio

  • Vendor payments
  • Card to check
  • Payment scheduling
  • Approval workflows
  • QuickBooks sync
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero
  • FreshBooks

What people use each for

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

FreshBooks

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

Melio

  • Accounts payable automationnot FreshBooks
  • Bill management and payment schedulingnot FreshBooks
  • Multi-vendor payment processingnot FreshBooks
  • Invoice receivables and payment collectionnot 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

Melio

  • Go (free) plan limited to one user only
  • ACH charges £0.50 per transaction beyond monthly allowance (5-50 free depending on plan)
  • Card payment fees range from 2.9% to 2.9% plus £75 maximum
  • International payments limited to select currencies only
  • NetSuite integration only available in Unlimited plan (£80/month minimum)

Pricing, plan by plan

FreshBooks

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the FreshBooks review.

Melio

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Melio 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 Melio if

  • You need vendor payments.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app.
  • You also want card to check.
Melio review

Questions people ask

Is FreshBooks or Melio better?
Neither clearly leads. FreshBooks starts at Free and Melio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FreshBooks or Melio?
FreshBooks starts at Free and Melio at Free.
Does FreshBooks or Melio run on more platforms?
FreshBooks runs on Web, iOS, Android. Melio runs on Web, Mobile app.
Can I use FreshBooks for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Melio is typically brought in for.
What can FreshBooks do that Melio cannot?
FreshBooks covers Invoicing, Expense tracking, Time tracking, Project management. Melio covers Vendor payments, Card to check, Payment scheduling, Approval workflows.
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