Found vs FreshBooks: Banking-First vs Invoicing-First for Freelancers
Short answer
Found is a US business bank account with bookkeeping, tax estimates and invoicing built in; the base plan is $0 and paid tiers are $35 and $80 a month. FreshBooks is invoicing and accounting software from $23 a month (Lite, 5 billable clients) to $70 (Premium, unlimited). Found only supports US-based businesses, and the owner needs a Social Security number.
Last checked 21 Oct 2026 · Prices from found.com/pricing and freshbooks.com/pricing
Quick comparison
| Feature | Found | FreshBooks |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Business bank account with bookkeeping and tax tools | Invoicing and accounting software |
| Free plan | Yes | No (free trial) |
| Who can sign up | US-based businesses; owner needs an SSN | Not restricted on the pricing page |
| Invoicing | Unlimited, on every plan | Every plan; client limit on Lite (5) and Plus (50) |
| Real-time tax estimates | Every plan | Not listed on the pricing page |
| Accountant access | In-app collaboration listed | Plus and Premium |
| Payroll | Contractor 1099s; no payroll listed | Add-on |
Prices
Found (pricing):
- Found: $0. Business banking and Mastercard debit card, team cards, up to 20 sub-accounts called Pockets, expense categorisation and P&L, real-time tax estimates, contractor W-9s and 1099s, unlimited invoicing.
- Found Plus: $35 a month or $315 a year (Found says this saves 25%). Adds advanced bookkeeping and tax tools and 1.50% APY on balances up to $20,000.
- Found Pro: $80 a month or $720 a year. Adds 2.50% APY on all balances, 1% cash back on card purchases, free paper checks, $10 domestic wires and a dedicated account manager.
- Fees to know: domestic wires $15 ($10 on Pro), paper checks $1 (free on Pro). Plus and Pro have a 30-day free trial.
FreshBooks (pricing):
- Lite: $23 a month, 5 billable clients.
- Plus: $43 a month, 50 billable clients, financial and accounting reports, accountant access.
- Premium: $70 a month, unlimited billable clients.
- Select: custom pricing.
- Add-ons: Advanced Payments $20 a month, team members $11 a month each, Payroll $40 a month + $6 per person.
- Payments: 2.9% + 30¢ per card payment, 1% per ACH bank transfer.
- Free trial: 30 days. The pricing page showed 80% off for 4 months on 21 Oct 2026.
Bank account vs accounting software
Found combines the business bank account and the bookkeeping app: transactions are categorised in the account, and tax is estimated as money comes in. FreshBooks sits on top of whichever bank you use and focuses on invoicing, client billing, payments and accounting reports you can share with an accountant.
Eligibility settles it for many creators. Found requires a US residential address and an SSN; sole proprietors don’t need an EIN, but LLCs, corporations and partnerships need an EIN and active state registration (Found help). Creators based outside the US, including in India, can’t open a Found account.
Who each fits, based on published features and pricing
This is a reading of each vendor’s published plans and prices, not a tested recommendation. Neither product has been tested hands-on for this page.
- Found’s published features fit US-based sole proprietors and small LLCs who want free business banking with bookkeeping and tax set-asides in one app.
- FreshBooks’ published features fit freelancers and small agencies who invoice many clients, want accountant access, keep their existing bank, or don’t meet Found’s US eligibility rules.
What this page doesn’t cover
This comparison uses official pricing and help pages. It doesn’t judge app quality, categorisation accuracy or support, because those need hands-on use. This is general information, not tax or financial advice.
Official sites: FreshBooks pricing · Found pricing
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Found outside the US?
No. Found's help centre says it only supports US-based businesses, and you need a Social Security number (SSN) to verify your identity when opening an account.
Is Found really free?
Found's base plan costs $0 and includes business banking with a debit card, up to 20 Pockets, expense categorisation and P&L, real-time tax estimates, contractor 1099s and unlimited invoicing. Found Plus is $35 a month ($315 a year) and Found Pro $80 a month ($720 a year). Some actions cost extra, such as sending domestic wires ($15, or $10 on Pro) and paper checks ($1, free on Pro).
How much does FreshBooks cost?
FreshBooks lists Lite at $23 a month (5 billable clients), Plus at $43 (50 clients) and Premium at $70 (unlimited clients), plus a custom-priced Select plan. On 21 Oct 2026 its pricing page showed a limited-time offer of 80% off for 4 months; check the page for the current offer.
What are the card fees for invoices?
FreshBooks lists 2.9% + 30¢ per card payment and 1% per ACH bank transfer. Found's help centre says card payments on Found invoices go through a Stripe account you create via Found, and Stripe's fees apply; Stripe's standard US card rate is 2.9% + 30¢.
Can my accountant use them?
FreshBooks lists accountant access on Plus and Premium. Found lists in-app collaboration with your accountant among its bookkeeping features.