FreshBooks vs ServiceM8
FreshBooks
Cloud accounting and invoicing for freelancers and small businesses
From$23/mo
LiteVerified Sep 26, 2026
ServiceM8
Lightweight job management app for small trades teams
From$0/mo
FreeVerified Sep 24, 2026
How they differ
| Feature | FreshBooks | ServiceM8 |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $23/moLite | $0/moFree |
| Free plan | Not stated | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Not stated |
| Scheduling & dispatch | — | |
| Invoicing & payments | ||
| Accounting & bookkeeping | — | |
| Suits | plumbers, HVAC companies, electricians, roofers, landscapers | plumbers, HVAC companies, electricians, roofers, landscapers |
Users on the horizontal axis. Entry plans only, from verified prices; yearly prices divided by 12; vendor minimums applied. Taxes and add-ons excluded.
FreshBooks
Strengths
- 30-day free trial with no credit card required
- Three published monthly tiers, from Lite to Premium
- Promotional discounted pricing available for new subscribers
Drawbacks
- Regular (non-promotional) pricing is noticeably higher than the introductory rate
- Top Select tier is custom/quote-only
ServiceM8
Strengths
- Free plan available for very low job volumes
- Simple, uncluttered mobile app that's fast to learn
- Flat plan pricing rather than per-user fees
Drawbacks
- Fewer built-in marketing and CRM features than larger competitors
- Job volume limits on lower tiers can force an upgrade quickly
Frequently asked questions
What do FreshBooks and ServiceM8 have in common?
Both cover invoicing & payments.
Is FreshBooks cheaper than ServiceM8?
On entry plans for one user, FreshBooks costs $23 a month and ServiceM8 $0, so ServiceM8 is cheaper to start. The gap changes with team size and billing terms; see the chart above.