# Harpoon vs FreshBooks

FreshBooks is a popular accounting and invoicing platform. Harpoon is a focused alternative for agencies and freelancers who want revenue goal tracking and dynamic forecasting alongside their invoicing and time tracking.

## Feature Comparison

| Feature                       | Harpoon | FreshBooks |
|-------------------------------|---------|------------|
| Revenue Goal Tracking          | Yes     | No         |
| Dynamic Revenue Forecasting    | Yes     | No         |
| Time Tracking                  | Yes     | Yes        |
| Invoicing                      | Yes     | Yes        |
| Expense Management             | Yes     | Yes        |
| Project Management             | Yes     | Yes        |
| Analytics & Reporting          | Yes     | Yes        |
| Online Payments                | Yes     | Yes        |
| Peppol E-Invoicing            | Yes     | Partial    |
| Tax Preparation                | No      | Yes        |
| Double-Entry Accounting        | No      | Yes        |
| Bank Reconciliation            | No      | Yes        |

## Key Differentiators

### Agency-Focused Revenue Planning

FreshBooks is a full-featured accounting platform. Harpoon is focused specifically on agencies and freelancers who want to [set revenue goals, forecast income, and track](/content/features/planning/index.html) their path to profitability.

### Revenue Forecasting

Harpoon converts your project activity into real-time [revenue forecasts](/content/features/analytics/index.html) tied to your yearly goal. FreshBooks has strong financial reporting, but doesn't offer forward-looking revenue targets.

### Yearly & Monthly Goal Tracking

Set a yearly revenue goal and watch Harpoon break it into dynamic monthly targets that adjust based on your actual performance throughout the year.

### Predictive Project Budgeting

Determine the potential value and cost of a project before it begins. Predict [profitability](/content/features/projects/index.html) at the start, not when it's too late to adjust.

## Pricing Comparison

### FreshBooks

From $7.60

/ month (Lite plan)

- Invoicing
- Time tracking
- Expense tracking
- Online payments
- Basic reporting
- Tax preparation

vs

### Harpoon

From $9

/ month (all features included)

- Financial planning & forecasting
- Time tracking
- Invoicing
- Expense management
- Project management
- Analytics & reporting
- Online payments

## Which Tool Is Right for You?

#### Choose FreshBooks if you...

- Need double-entry accounting and tax preparation
- Want bank reconciliation and payroll features
- Run a product-based or general small business
- Don't need revenue goal tracking or forecasting

#### Choose Harpoon if you...

- Run an agency or freelance business
- Want to set revenue goals and forecast whether you'll hit them
- Need dynamic monthly targets that adjust as you go
- Want revenue planning alongside time tracking and invoicing

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Is Harpoon a good FreshBooks alternative?**  For agencies and freelancers who want revenue goal tracking, yes. Harpoon offers [revenue goal tracking](/content/features/planning/index.html) and dynamic forecasting that FreshBooks doesn't. FreshBooks is the better choice if you need full accounting and tax preparation.

**Does Harpoon do accounting like FreshBooks?**  No. Harpoon focuses on revenue goal tracking and forecasting, not full accounting. It handles [invoicing](/content/features/invoicing/index.html), expenses, and time tracking. Many agencies use Harpoon for day-to-day revenue planning alongside a traditional accounting tool.

**Can I use Harpoon and FreshBooks together?**  Yes. Many agencies use FreshBooks for tax preparation and accounting, and Harpoon for revenue goal tracking, dynamic forecasting, and project profitability.

**How does Harpoon's pricing compare to FreshBooks?**  Harpoon starts at $9/month with all features included. FreshBooks starts at $7.60/month for its Lite plan, but feature-rich plans cost significantly more.

**What does Harpoon do that FreshBooks doesn't?**  Harpoon lets you set a yearly revenue goal, breaks it into dynamic monthly targets, and [forecasts](/content/features/analytics/index.html) whether your project pipeline will get you there. FreshBooks doesn't offer this kind of forward-looking revenue planning.

> "Harpoon takes the big picture, and really helps me plan it. But it also gives me the ground-level details I need to see what's happening today, this week, this month."
> 
> [Jim Hossler, Owner](https://www.meetjim.com/)