Sphere vs FreshBooks
    Pricing, Payment Fees & Features

    No client caps, no per-user fees, and lower invoice payment fees: 0.8% ACH vs. FreshBooks' 1%.

    Best Value

    Sphere

    $25
    per month
    Unlimited clients & users
    Monthly Price
    $25/mo
    Free Plan
    Unlimited Billable Clients
    Unlimited Invoices
    Unlimited Users
    Branded Invoices
    Credit Card Fees (Online Invoice Payments)
    2.9% + $0.30
    ACH/Bank Transfer Fees (Online Invoice Payments)
    0.8%
    Double-Entry Accounting
    Chart of Accounts
    Financial Reporting

    FreshBooks

    $23
    per month
    Lite plan: 5 billable clients, 1 user
    Monthly Price
    $23/mo
    $43/mo for up to 50 clients
    Free Plan
    No free plan
    Unlimited Billable Clients
    Limited to 5 on $23 plan
    Unlimited Invoices
    Unlimited Users
    Requires $11/mo per team member
    Branded Invoices
    Credit Card Fees (Online Invoice Payments)
    2.9% + $0.30
    3.5% + $0.30 for Amex
    ACH/Bank Transfer Fees (Online Invoice Payments)
    1%
    Double-Entry Accounting
    Chart of Accounts
    Financial Reporting

    Lower Payment Processing Fees = More Money in Your Pocket

    Invoice payment processing fees can add up fast. Here's how much you save with Sphere compared to FreshBooks, all processed through Stripe.

    ACH / Bank Transfer Fees

    For large payments, ACH bank transfers are the preferred method. But percentage fees can eat into your revenue, especially on $5,000+ invoices.

    Sphere
    0.8%
    $80.00
    on $10K payment
    FreshBooks
    1%
    $100.00
    on $10K payment
    You save $20 per $10,000 payment
    Process 10 large ACH payments per year? That's $200 in your pocket instead of payment fees.

    Credit Card Fees

    For smaller or urgent payments, credit cards are convenient. Sphere offers the same low rate for all card types, including Amex.

    Sphere
    2.9% + $0.30 (all cards)
    $29.30
    on $1K payment
    FreshBooks
    2.9% + $0.30
    3.5% + $0.30 for Amex
    $29.30
    on $1K payment
    $35.30 (Amex)
    No Amex surcharge
    Sphere charges 2.9% + $0.30 for all card types including Amex, so you never pay extra when a client reaches for their Amex.

    Real Savings for Small Business Owners

    A 3-person team billing more than 5 clients pays $65/month on FreshBooks Plus ($43 plan + 2 team members at $11). The same team pays $25/month on Sphere, saving $480 a year before counting lower ACH fees.

    Why Choose Sphere?

    No Client or User Caps

    FreshBooks' pricing climbs as you add clients and team members. Sphere's $25 Basic plan includes unlimited clients and unlimited users.

    Lower Fees, Backed by Stripe

    Sphere's payment processing runs on Stripe, with a lower ACH rate than FreshBooks and no Amex surcharge.

    AI-Powered

    Ask Sphere's AI Financial Assistant anything about your numbers in plain English, from monthly profit to your biggest expenses.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does FreshBooks cost?

    FreshBooks' US plans are Lite at $23/month for up to 5 billable clients, Plus at $43/month for up to 50 clients, and Premium at $70/month for unlimited clients (regular prices). Each additional team member costs $11/month.

    What are FreshBooks' invoice payment processing fees?

    FreshBooks Payments charges 2.9% + $0.30 for most credit cards, 3.5% + $0.30 for American Express, and 1% for ACH/bank transfer payments. On a $10,000 ACH payment, that's $100 in fees.

    Is Sphere cheaper than FreshBooks?

    For most businesses, yes. Sphere's Basic plan is $25/month with unlimited clients and unlimited users. On FreshBooks, billing more than 5 clients requires the $43/month Plus plan, and each additional team member is $11/month. Sphere also charges 0.8% for ACH payments vs. FreshBooks' 1%, with no Amex surcharge.

    Is Sphere a good FreshBooks alternative?

    Yes. Sphere is a FreshBooks alternative with no cap on billable clients, unlimited users included, built-in card and ACH invoice payments powered by Stripe, lower ACH fees, and an AI financial assistant that answers questions about your data.

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