Nonari vs FreshBooks, feature by feature.
How to move from FreshBooks to Nonari.
Realistic timeline — most teams are running a parallel close within two weeks. Numbers below are based on what other Nonari customers actually took, not optimistic vendor estimates.
Export from FreshBooks
FreshBooks → Settings → Data Export → request CSV exports of clients, invoices, expenses. Email takes ~30 min to arrive. Total time: 1 hour including waiting.
Map clients + invoices into Nonari
Nonari's CSV import handles FreshBooks' column structure. Clients become Contacts. Outstanding invoices migrate with their original dates so your aging report does not zero-out.
Set up the things FreshBooks did not cover
Inventory (if you sell physical goods), multi-branch (if you have more than one location), AI bookkeeper, FBR or local tax integration. These are the reasons you are switching.
Run parallel for one billing cycle
Issue invoices in both tools for a month. Confirm AR aging matches, expense categorisation is consistent, time tracking carries over if you use it. Most service businesses find clean parity in 2-3 weeks.
The features FreshBooks does not have.
The honest part.
No software wins on everything. If any of these matter more than what Nonari does well, stay with FreshBooks — we will not pretend otherwise.
Project + time tracking workflow
FreshBooks is built around projects, billable hours, and retainer billing. If you are still primarily a service business with hours-based revenue, their UX is sharper than ours for that specific motion.
Invoice design templates
FreshBooks has more polished default invoice designs and easier branding controls. We are catching up here but if visually-polished invoices are your differentiator, audit ours before switching.
Client communication features
FreshBooks has built-in client portals for proposals, estimates, and contracts. Nonari's customer portal is more accounting-focused (statements, payments, invoices) — less project-collaboration.
Migration questions, answered.
I love FreshBooks for time tracking. Will I lose that?
Honestly, FreshBooks does time tracking better than we do today. We have a Billable Time module that tracks hours by project and feeds into invoices, but it is functional rather than delightful. If timesheet-driven billing is the core of your business, audit our Billable Time before committing.
How does pricing compare for a 3-person service business?
FreshBooks Lite ($19/mo) limits you to 5 clients. Plus ($33/mo) gives 50 clients. Premium ($60/mo) is unlimited. Nonari's free tier covers up to 100 invoices/month; Business at $35/mo gives unlimited clients + 10 users + AI bookkeeper + multi-currency. For 3-5 person service teams, Nonari Business is usually cheaper than FreshBooks Plus.
Can I import my FreshBooks historical data?
Clients and outstanding invoices import cleanly via CSV. Historical paid invoices import too but most teams just take their opening trial balance instead — keeps the migration to a weekend rather than two weeks.
Does Nonari handle US 1099 contractors like FreshBooks?
We store contractor tax info and generate annual 1099 summaries, but we do not auto-file with the IRS the way FreshBooks does on their higher tiers. If 1099 filing is critical for you, this is a real gap.
My business is half-services, half-products. Which fits better?
Once products account for more than ~20% of revenue, FreshBooks starts feeling stretched. Nonari handles both equally — services invoice through the same engine that handles product sales, with inventory + WAC behind the scenes.
I just need invoicing. Is Nonari overkill?
Yes, frankly. If you are a solo freelancer issuing 20 invoices a month with no inventory, no multi-currency, no multi-branch, no AI ambitions — FreshBooks Lite ($19/mo) is the better fit. Come back to us when you grow into the bigger pains.
Outgrown FreshBooks? Start fresh.
Free tier, no credit card. Import your FreshBooks CSV, post a test invoice, see if Nonari fits your new shape.