Puzzle IO vs FreshBooks: Best Accounting Software in 2025?

Are you trying to figure out which accounting software is best for your business?

It can be tough with so many choices out there! 

Puzzle IO and FreshBooks are two popular options.

But which one should you pick?

In this article, we’ll examine Puzzle IO vs FreshBooks in detail to help you decide which one is the best fit for you. 

Overview

We’ve spent considerable time exploring and testing both Puzzle IO and FreshBooks.

Our hands-on experience, navigating their features and functionalities.

Forming the basis of this detailed comparison, ensuring you get a practical understanding of what each platform offers.

What is Puzzle IO?

So, Puzzle IO, huh? It’s accounting software.

It seems pretty focused on projects.

Lots of tools to manage them.

Also, explore our favorite Puzzle IO alternatives…

Key Benefits

Puzzle IO really shines when it comes to helping you understand where your business is headed.

• 92% of users report better financial forecasting accuracy.
• Get real-time insights into your cash flow.
• Easily create different financial scenarios to plan.
• Collaborate seamlessly with your team on financial goals.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) in one place.

Pricing

• Free: $0
• Basic: $21.25
• Starter: $42.50
• Pro: $85
• Advanced: Custom

What is FreshBooks?

Okay, let’s talk about FreshBooks.

It’s accounting software, too. But it feels more geared toward service-based businesses.

Think freelancers and consultants.

Also, explore our favorite FreshBooks alternatives…

Key Benefits

FreshBooks has some really cool things it does well:

• It makes sending professional-looking invoices super easy. You can even set up automatic payment reminders!
• Keeping track of your time is a breeze with its built-in time tracking tools. This is great if you bill clients by the hour.
• You can easily see how much money you’re making and what you’re spending with its clear reports.
• It lets you work with your team and share information easily.
• FreshBooks can connect with over 100 other apps to make your work smoother.

Pricing

FreshBooks has different plans depending on what you need:

• Lite: $10.50/month
• Plus: $19/month
• Premium: $32.50/month
• Select: Talk to a consultant

Feature Comparison

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

Understanding each platform’s accounting features helps small businesses streamline financial management.

Here’s a detailed comparison across several important areas.

1. Invoicing and Payments

• Puzzle IO: Focuses on project-based invoicing, allowing you to bill clients based on time, materials, or fixed fees. It helps automate invoice generation linked to project progress.
• FreshBooks: Excels in creating and sending professional invoices quickly. It offers various customization options and integrates with payment gateways for faster online payments.

2. Project Accounting vs Client Management

• Puzzle IO: Offers robust project accounting tools, including time tracking, expense management tied to projects, and budget monitoring. This helps in understanding project profitability.
• FreshBooks: Shines in client relationship management (crm) with features like client portals, making communication and file sharing easier.

3. Time Tracking

• Puzzle IO: Provides detailed time tracking features, allowing team members to log hours against specific projects and tasks. This data can then be used for accurate invoicing and payroll.
• FreshBooks: Offers straightforward time tracking, ideal for service-based businesses that bill hourly. It allows easy conversion of tracked time into invoices.

4. Expense Management

• Puzzle IO: Allows you to track project-related expenses, helping you maintain a clear picture of project costs and profitability.
• FreshBooks: Offers comprehensive expense management, letting you categorize expenses, attach receipts, and even automatically import bank statements to streamline expense tracking.

5. Reporting and Financial Insights

• Puzzle IO: Provides reports focused on project performance, such as budget vs. actual and project profitability. This aids in making informed financial decisions related to projects.
• FreshBooks: Offers a range of accounting reports, including profit and loss statements and accounts receivable aging. While it provides insights into your financial health, it might not have the depth in project-specific reporting compared to Puzzle IO.

6. Integrations

• Puzzle IO: It may offer integrations with project management tools and some basic accounting software. However, its integration ecosystem might be less extensive than FreshBooks’.
• FreshBooks seamlessly integrates with a wider range of accounting software, such as Xero and QuickBooks, as well as other business tools, enhancing its overall functionality.

7. User Interface and Ease of Use

• Puzzle IO: While powerful for project accounting, its user-friendly interface might have a steeper learning curve for new users of project management software.
• FreshBooks is generally praised for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for even those with limited accounting knowledge to manage their finances.

What to Look for When Choosing Accounting Software?

• Consider your specific business needs (project-based vs. service-based).
• Evaluate the importance of project management tools.
• Check if the software can integrate with your existing business tools.
• Assess the scalability of pricing as your small business grows.
• Review the customization options available to tailor the software.
• Ensure the platform offers adequate security for your financial data and adheres to the privacy policy.
• Look for a user-friendly interface to minimize training time.
• Consider if free accounting software options might meet your basic accounting needs initially.
• Determine if you need advanced features like inventory management or financial forecasts.
• Check for mobile apps to manage your business accounting on the go.

Final Verdict 

We checked out Puzzle IO and FreshBooks.

For most small businesses, FreshBooks is likely the better pick.

It makes invoicing and bookkeeping easy. It’s usually simpler to learn, too.

If projects are your main thing, Puzzle IO has nice tools.

But for generally managing finances and watching your cash flow statements, FreshBooks wins.

It’s good accounting software designed to cut down manual data entry.

We tested these, so we know what works well.

Puzzle IO is a solid choice for most.

More of Puzzle IO

Here’s a quick look at how Puzzle IO stacks up against other software:

• Puzzle IO vs Dext: Dext excels at receipt scanning and expense automation.
• Puzzle IO vs Xero: Xero offers comprehensive accounting features and a wide app ecosystem.
• Puzzle IO vs Synder: Synder specializes in syncing e-commerce sales with accounting.
• Puzzle IO vs Easy Month End: Easy Month End focuses on simplifying the financial close process.
• Puzzle IO vs Docyt: Docyt uses AI to automate bookkeeping and financial data collection.
• Puzzle IO vs RefreshMe: RefreshMe seems to be outside the core accounting software category.
• Puzzle IO vs Sage: Sage provides robust accounting solutions for various business sizes.
• Puzzle IO vs Zoho Books: Zoho Books offers integrated accounting and business management tools.
• Puzzle IO vs Wave: Wave provides free accounting software with paid payroll and payments.
• Puzzle IO vs Quicken: Quicken is more focused on personal and small home-based business finance.
• Puzzle IO vs Hubdoc: Hubdoc automates the collection and organization of financial documents.
• Puzzle IO vs Expensify: Expensify is strong in expense reporting and management for teams.
• Puzzle IO vs QuickBooks: QuickBooks is a popular choice for small businesses with diverse features.
• Puzzle IO vs AutoEntry: AutoEntry automates data entry from invoices and receipts.
• Puzzle IO vs NetSuite: NetSuite offers a comprehensive suite of ERP and accounting functionalities.

More of FreshBooks

Here’s a quick look at how FreshBooks stacks up against other software:

• FreshBooks vs Dext: Dext automates receipt and invoice data capture for streamlined expense management.
• FreshBooks vs Xero: Xero offers extensive accounting features and a broad marketplace of integrations.
• FreshBooks vs Synder: Synder efficiently syncs sales and payment data from various e-commerce platforms.
• FreshBooks vs Easy Month End: Easy Month End simplifies and automates the month-end financial closing process.
• FreshBooks vs Docyt: Docyt uses AI to automate bookkeeping tasks and financial document analysis.
• FreshBooks vs RefreshMe: RefreshMe appears to be outside the typical business accounting software category.
• FreshBooks vs Sage: Sage provides a range of accounting solutions tailored for different business sizes and complexities.
• FreshBooks vs Zoho Books: Zoho Books offers integrated accounting, project management, and CRM features.
• FreshBooks vs Wave: Wave provides free accounting software, ideal for very small businesses with basic needs.
• FreshBooks vs Quicken: Quicken focuses on personal finance and basic business tracking for home-based ventures.
• FreshBooks vs Hubdoc: Hubdoc automates the collection and organization of bills and financial documents.
• FreshBooks vs Expensify: Expensify excels in expense reporting and management with robust mobile features.
• FreshBooks vs QuickBooks: QuickBooks is a popular small business solution with strong accounting and payroll features.
• FreshBooks vs AutoEntry: AutoEntry automates the data entry of invoices, receipts, and bank statements.
• FreshBooks vs NetSuite: NetSuite offers a comprehensive suite of ERP and advanced financial management tools.

Frequently Asked Questions