Freshbooks vs OpenProject vs Quickbase vs Smartsheet Comparison
Freshbooks
Starting at $8 /month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Medium Business
FreshBooks' cloud-based accounting software makes it easy for anyone to invoice, manage payments, and track time from anywhere. It's simple, clean interface means you can categorize and invoice faster, so you can get bac…
OpenProject
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
OpenProject is a collaborative project management software for planning, tracking, and reporting on projects. It emphasizes usability – before users start a project, they need a tool that enables them to start working ef…
Quickbase
Starting at $35 /user/month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Quickbase is a no-code project management platform that empowers teams to build, automate, and optimize workflows without complex coding. Designed for businesses of all sizes, it enables users to create custom applicatio…
Smartsheet
Starting at $9 /month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Smartsheet is a dynamic project management tool that simplifies tracking and planning for teams of all sizes. Offering a user-friendly interface, it’s designed to adapt to your unique workflows, whether you're managing s…
OpenProject leads on user satisfaction with a 4.2-star rating across 61 reviews.
Freshbooks vs OpenProject vs Quickbase vs Smartsheet — at a glance
| Feature | Freshbooks | OpenProject | Quickbase | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Reviews | 4,589 | 61 | — | 8,464 |
| Starting price | $8 /month | Contact for pricing | $35 /user/month | $9 /month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Accounting Software | Project Management Software | Project Management Software | Project Management Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Online, Business Hours | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | — | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 |
| Data residency | Global | Global | Global | US |
Key differences between Freshbooks and OpenProject
- Pricing: Freshbooks starts at $8 /month. OpenProject pricing is not publicly listed.
- User satisfaction: OpenProject scores higher with a 4.2-star average.
- Deployment: Freshbooks supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; OpenProject supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Mac.
Compare Freshbooks vs OpenProject vs Quickbase vs Smartsheet — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Accounting Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for small businesses needing simple, integrated invoicing and time tracking.
- You are a freelancer or small business owner seeking easy invoicing and expense management.
- You want a user-friendly platform with minimal setup and a clean, intuitive interface.
- You value responsive, personalized customer support and built-in time tracking features.
- Your business requires advanced financial reporting and deep customization options.
- You need integrated payroll functionality within your accounting software.
Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
Best for building custom no-code workflows in medium to large enterprises.
- You need to rapidly create tailored project management apps without coding.
- Your team requires strong workflow automation to reduce manual tasks.
- You want seamless integration with tools like Salesforce and Slack.
- You are a freelancer or very small team needing simple task management.
- You prefer out-of-the-box project management without customization or complexity.
Best for teams needing customizable, spreadsheet-style project management with automation.
- You require flexible workflows adaptable to complex project plans and diverse teams.
- You want strong project management features like Gantt charts, dashboards, and resource tracking.
- You value automation to reduce manual errors and save time in project execution.
- Your team needs extensive offline functionality due to unreliable internet access.
- You prefer simple, ready-to-use workflows without investing time in customization or training.
Freshbooks typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business. OpenProject tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | FreshBooks' cloud-based accounting software makes it easy for anyone to invoice, manage payments, and track time from anywhere. It's simple, clean interface means you can categorize and ... Read More about Freshbooks | OpenProject is a collaborative project management software for planning, tracking, and reporting on projects. It emphasizes usability – before users start a project, they need a tool that ... Read More about OpenProject | Quickbase is a no-code project management platform that empowers teams to build, automate, and optimize workflows without complex coding. Designed for businesses of all sizes, it enables ... Read More about Quickbase | Smartsheet is a dynamic project management tool that simplifies tracking and planning for teams of all sizes. Offering a user-friendly interface, it’s designed to adapt to your unique ... Read More about Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
|
|
Free Trial Availability | ||||
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||||
Best Company Size | 1-50 employeesSmall businesses | 10 to 500 employees | 50-1,000 employeesMedium to Large Enterprises | 50-500 employees501-5,000 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Streamlined Invoicing: FreshBooks automates invoicing, allowing you to send professional-looking invoices in just a few clicks. You’ll appreciate how quickly you can get paid, improving your cash flow.
- Time Tracking Made Easy: With built-in time tracking features, both you and your team can easily log billable hours. This not only ensures accurate billing but also helps in managing project timelines effectively.
- Expense Management Simplified: FreshBooks enables users to effortlessly categorize and track expenses by snapping photos of receipts. This means less time spent on paperwork and more time focusing on strategic initiatives.
- Comprehensive Project Management Features: OpenProject offers a wide range of tools, including Gantt charts, task management, time tracking, and agile boards, supporting various project management methodologies.
- Open-Source Flexibility: As an open-source platform, OpenProject allows organizations to customize the software to meet their specific needs, providing flexibility in workflows and integrations.
- Collaborative Tools: The platform includes features like forums, wikis, and document sharing, fostering effective team collaboration and knowledge sharing throughout the project lifecycle.
- Empower Your Team: Quickbase allows teams to build custom applications without needing extensive coding skills, enabling them to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. I’ve seen firsthand how this democratizes app development, letting everyone contribute.
- Rapid Deployment: With Quickbase, you can quickly create and deploy applications tailored to your business needs. This means you can respond to changing market conditions or internal requirements faster than ever before, ensuring you stay ahead of the competition.
- Seamless Integration: The platform integrates effortlessly with existing tools and systems, allowing your organization to maintain its current infrastructure while enhancing capabilities. This flexibility ensures that users can leverage their favorite tools without disruption.
- Streamlined Collaboration: With Smartsheet, teams can easily collaborate in real-time, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. I’ve seen how this fosters transparency and accountability within projects, making it easier for managers to keep track of progress.
- Customizable Dashboards: Smartsheet offers customizable dashboards that allow you to visualize project data at a glance. This feature empowers executives to make informed decisions quickly, as they can monitor key metrics without digging through extensive reports.
- Automation Capabilities: By automating repetitive tasks, Smartsheet saves time and reduces errors. Administrators will appreciate how this feature allows them to focus on higher-value activities rather than getting bogged down with manual processes.
Best fit
- 1-50 employees
- Martech, SaaS, Consulting, Freelancing, Creative Services
- Small Business Owners, Freelancers, Accountants, Project Managers, Financial Administrators
- 10 to 500 employees
- Construction, Engineering, IT Services, Education, Nonprofit Organizations
- Project Managers, Team Leads, Operations Managers, IT Project Coordinators, Construction Managers
- 50 to 1,000 employees
- SaaS, Consulting, Fintech, and Revtech
- Project Managers, Business Analysts, Operations Managers, and IT Administrators
- 50-5,000 employees.
- Industries include Project Management, IT Services, Marketing Technology (Martech), Financial Technology (Fintech), Consulting, and SaaS.
- Typical users are Project Managers, Operations Managers, Marketing Coordinators, IT Directors, and Business Analysts.
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Users may seek alternatives to Freshbooks due to its pricing structure, as smaller businesses or freelancers might find more cost-effective solutions that offer essential features without the added expense.
- Some users might require more advanced project management capabilities, prompting them to explore alternatives that integrate robust task tracking and collaboration tools within their invoicing software.
- A desire for greater customization options can lead users to consider other platforms that allow for personalized invoicing templates and tailored workflows to better fit their unique business needs.
- Organizations seeking dedicated customer service and guaranteed uptime may opt for commercial project management solutions that offer 24/7 support and service level agreements.
- Teams relying on a diverse set of tools might prefer platforms that offer a wide range of pre-built integrations with third-party applications to streamline workflows.
- Companies managing large teams and complex projects may look for software that provides advanced resource allocation, forecasting, and utilization tracking capabilities.
- Users may seek alternatives to Quickbase due to its pricing structure, which some find to be on the higher side compared to other low-code platforms that offer similar functionalities at a more competitive rate.
- Organizations requiring advanced features or integrations might explore alternatives that provide more robust capabilities, particularly in areas like data analytics or third-party software connectivity.
- Teams looking for a more user-friendly interface may consider other options, especially if they find Quickbase's learning curve steep for non-technical users or new team members.
- Users may seek alternatives to Smartsheet due to budget constraints, as some organizations find more cost-effective project management solutions that fit their needs without compromising essential features.
- Teams looking for specialized tools might consider alternatives that offer specific functionalities tailored for industries like construction or software development, which may not be as robust in Smartsheet.
- Some users may desire a more intuitive user interface and simpler navigation, leading them to explore alternatives that prioritize ease of use and require less training for team members.
Software Demo
Demo |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.
How do Freshbooks, OpenProject, Quickbase and Smartsheet Compare on Features?
Total Features | 17 Features | 22 Features | 10 Features | 21 Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Freshbooks, OpenProject, Quickbase and Smartsheet on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
Pricing Option | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting From |
|
|
|
|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
|
|
Pricing Page | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
|
|
API Support |
|
|
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
ISO 27001 | — | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
Freshbooks vs OpenProject vs Quickbase User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | No reviews available for this product | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights FreshBooks as an easy-to-use, efficient accounting tool ideal for small businesses and freelancers, with praise for its customer support and core features but some concerns about reporting depth and occasional technical issues. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 17 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Quickbase's flexibility and automation, though some users note usability challenges. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Smartsheet’s flexibility, collaboration features, and powerful project management tools, tempered by concerns about learning curve and offline limitations. What buyers like
Common complaints
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers | ![]() FreshBooks | ![]() Bahn ![]() Suelzle Kopf ![]() Nokia | ![]() Amazon ![]() P and G ![]() Fresenius | ![]() Pfizer ![]() Whirlpool ![]() Western Digital |
|---|
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | ![]() 3 Screenshots | ![]() 5 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos | ![]() 2 Videos | ![]() 3 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
|---|
Related Blogs and Articles for Project Management Software
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Freshbooks or OpenProject?
- OpenProject edges out the other on user ratings (4.2 vs 4.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Freshbooks and OpenProject offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Freshbooks and OpenProject offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Freshbooks vs OpenProject?
- Freshbooks starts at $8 /month. OpenProject starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Freshbooks?
- Top alternatives to Freshbooks include Xero, Zoho Books, Quickbooks, FreeAgent, QuickFile.
- What are the top alternatives to OpenProject?
- Top alternatives to OpenProject include Quickbase , Smartsheet, ClickUp, Freshbooks, Jira.
























