FreshBooks vs Deel: Which Payroll Software Is the Best Choice?
The right payroll software can significantly impact efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Two prominent contenders in this arena are FreshBooks and Deel, each offering distinct features tailored to meet the needs of different businesses. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between FreshBooks and Deel to help you determine which payroll software is best for your organization. Whether you’re a small business owner seeking streamlined financial management or a company with a global workforce needing comprehensive payroll solutions, understanding the strengths and functionalities of each platform is essential in making an informed decision.
What is FreshBooks?
FreshBooks started as a time-tracking and invoicing app.
However, it has evolved into an accounting automation powerhouse for small business owners. FreshBooks lets you organize your time, projects, and expenses.
Because it has some restrictions on users and clients, it’s perfect for contract professionals and freelancers who don’t need multiple users on the same dashboard.
It is now used in more than 160 countries. The company’s two primary services are time tracking and invoicing, which is the foundation of its inception.
Although FreshBooks has specific mobile app specifications (iOS 9.2 or later and Android 4.2 or later required), it can be used in mobile browsers regardless.
Top 3 Functions
- Access to resource-saving double-entry bookkeeping for all small business owners.
- A specific and affordable plan for the self-employed and freelancers is rare.
- Easy-to-understand expense management and invoicing reports.
What is Deel?
Deel is FreshBooks’ closest competitor. Like FreshBooks, it is a global recruiting platform allowing you to hire overseas contractors and employees and manage payroll in different countries.
Some things you can do with the Deel team include international recruitment, global payroll, direct employee onboarding, and compliance management.
You can hire people from over 150 countries and manage legal contracts, taxes, and benefits. Deel’s in-house team handles most of the paperwork, while its SaaS application automates HR processes.
Deel was launched in 2019 and has helped more than 15000 companies with recruitment and payroll. Popular brands like Shopify, Nike, and Subway currently use Deel to manage their distributed teams.
Top 4 Functions
- EOR Services — Hiring contractors and workers.
- Payroll for multiple countries.
- Assistance with visa and background checks.
- HIRS platform for direct employees.
Comparison Chart of FreshBooks and Deel
| Feature | FreshBooks | Deel |
| Invoicing | Offers robust invoicing features with customization options and automatic reminders | Provides invoicing capabilities with multi-currency support and automated workflows |
| Time Tracking | Includes time tracking tools for projects and tasks | Offers time tracking functionality integrated with invoicing and payroll |
| Expense Tracking | Allows users to track expenses and attach receipts | Offers expense tracking features with receipt uploading and categorization |
| Project Management | Provides basic project management features | Integrates project management tools with time tracking and invoicing |
| Payments | Accepts online payments via credit cards and ACH | Focuses on contractor management, including onboarding, contracts, and payments |
| Reporting | Offers various financial reports for business insights | Provides analytics and reports on payments, contractors, and compliance |
| Integrations | Integrates with various third-party applications | Integrates with popular tools like Slack, QuickBooks, and Zapier |
| Pricing | Subscription-based pricing with tiered plans | Pricing based on the number of active contractors and additional features |
| Contractor Management | Provides tools for managing contractors and their payments | Pricing is based on the number of active contractors and additional features |
| Compliance | Helps with tax preparation and compliance | Assists with compliance for international contractors and legal requirements |
| Rating | 4,5 🌟 | 4,1 🌟 |
Main Differences Between FreshBooks vs Deel
FreshBooks and Deel are two distinct platforms that serve different purposes in business management, mainly focusing on financial and human resources.
FreshBooks is primarily an accounting and invoicing software designed to streamline financial operations for small businesses and freelancers. It offers invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, project management, and basic accounting functionalities like creating financial reports and managing taxes.
On the other hand, Deel is a comprehensive platform specializing in global hiring and payroll solutions, catering mainly to remote teams and international freelancers. Its primary focus lies in simplifying and managing the complexities of hiring and paying remote workers across different countries, handling compliance with local labor laws and regulations, managing contracts, facilitating payments in various currencies, and providing access to legal support for employment-related matters.
While both platforms contribute to business efficiency and financial management, FreshBooks targets the needs of businesses primarily concerned with client billing, economic organization, and basic accounting tasks. In contrast, Deel addresses the challenges of managing a distributed workforce, handling international payments, and ensuring legal compliance in global employment scenarios.
Thus, the main differences lie in their core functionalities and target users, with FreshBooks being more geared towards financial management for small businesses and freelancers. At the same time, Deel serves as a comprehensive solution for remote team management and global hiring processes.
Similarities Between FreshBooks vs Deel
Despite serving different primary purposes within the business management sphere, FreshBooks and Deel share several similarities that underscore their commitment to enhancing organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Both platforms offer user-friendly interfaces and intuitive features aimed at simplifying complex processes. They prioritize automation to reduce manual tasks and streamline operations, thus saving time and resources for businesses.
- Additionally, FreshBooks and Deel both prioritize accessibility, providing cloud-based solutions that enable users to access their platforms from anywhere with an internet connection, facilitating remote work and collaboration.
- Furthermore, both platforms offer robust support systems, providing users access to customer service representatives and resources to assist with any inquiries or issues arising during platform usage.
- Moreover, they aim to enhance transparency and accountability within organizations, whether through clear invoicing and financial tracking in FreshBooks or transparent employment contracts and payment processes in Deel.
While FreshBooks and Deel serve different functions within business management, their shared commitment to user-friendly interfaces, automation, accessibility, support, and transparency highlights their dedication to empowering businesses with efficient and effective solutions.
FreshBooks vs Deel: Functionality
Key Features of FreshBooks:
- Online account management
- Time tracking and filters
- Recurring bills and autopay
- Team Schedule
- Reminders about payment deadlines
- Track expenses
- Accounting reporting and taxes
- Automatic import of expenses
- Mobile applications
- Expense file attachments (PDF or images)
- Export to QuickBooks Desktop
- Reports
- Accounts receivable
- Integration with 70+ cloud partners
Key Features of Deel:
- Global Payroll Optimization
- Convenient platform
- Detailed invoice panel
- Easy contract management
- Supports wide access
- Deel integrates multiple tasks, such as contractor payments, global payroll management, and employer-of-record services, into a single platform.
- You can use the platform to hire employees in 90 countries without creating a legal entity.
- It easily integrates with 15 accounting platforms and HRIS and has API access to meet all user requirements.
- It reviews contracts with localized claims every quarter and compiles compliance documents.
- Data Logs
- Self-service technology
- Flexible payments
FreshBooks vs Deel: Ease of Use
FreshBooks and Deel are renowned for their user-friendly interfaces and intuitive design, which contribute significantly to their ease of use. FreshBooks provides a simple yet powerful platform for small businesses and freelancers to manage their accounting and invoicing needs effortlessly. Its clean interface and straightforward navigation make it easy for users to create and send invoices, track expenses, manage projects, and generate financial reports without requiring extensive accounting knowledge. FreshBooks prioritizes simplicity without sacrificing functionality, ensuring users can quickly adapt to the platform and focus on their core business activities.
Similarly, Deel emphasizes ease of use in its platform tailored for global hiring and payroll management. Despite the complexities involved in international employment and compliance, Deel streamlines the process with a user-friendly interface that seamlessly guides users through each step. From creating contracts to managing payments and ensuring compliance with local labor laws, Deel simplifies the often intricate tasks associated with remote team management. Its intuitive design makes it easy for employers and freelancers to navigate the platform, access necessary documents, and communicate effectively, regardless of location or time zone.
Both FreshBooks and Deel prioritize accessibility, offering cloud-based solutions that enable users to access their platforms from any device with an internet connection. This flexibility allows businesses to manage their finances or oversee global hiring processes on the go, fostering productivity and efficiency. Additionally, both platforms provide extensive support resources, including tutorials, guides, and responsive customer service teams, to assist users in navigating the platforms and addressing any issues promptly.
FreshBooks vs. Deel: Customer Support
FreshBooks
FreshBooks’ best support is access to later, more expensive plans. However, you can still get guidance on invoice templates, PayPal payments, and tips for using the FreshBooks mobile app on the contact page.
FreshBooks has an award-winning customer service team with a phone number and an email address for assistance requests. There are also plenty of instructions and tips on the FAQ page and blog pages if you need more DIY help with things like Zoho integration or getting the most out of your accounting reports.
Deel
Deel is renowned for its exceptional customer support, offering a range of resources and services to assist users with their platform-related inquiries and concerns. One of Deel’s standout features is its dedicated customer support team, which comprises knowledgeable professionals readily available to address user questions and assist. Users can contact the support team via email, live chat, or phone, ensuring that help is just a few clicks or calls away. Deel provides an account manager for each client and 24/7 in-app support.
In addition to direct support channels, Deel offers comprehensive documentation and resources to empower users to find answers to common questions and troubleshoot issues independently. Their extensive knowledge base includes tutorials, guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting articles, covering various topics related to platform usage, compliance, payment processing, and more.
FreshBooks vs Deel: Integrations
Users can integrate FreshBooks with popular payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, and Square, facilitating easy and secure transactions. Additionally, FreshBooks offers integrations with various project management tools like Trello and Asana, enabling users to streamline their workflow by syncing project data with their accounting system. Furthermore, FreshBooks integrates with CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, allowing users to manage client relationships seamlessly and synchronize customer data across different systems.
On the other hand, Deel’s integrations are tailored to support its global hiring and payroll management functionalities, focusing on tools that complement its core features. Deel integrates with HR software such as BambooHR and Workday, enabling users to synchronize employee data and streamline their onboarding processes. Additionally, Deel offers integrations with payment platforms like TransferWise and Payoneer, facilitating seamless cross-border payments and currency conversions for international freelancers and remote workers. Moreover, Deel integrates with communication tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, enabling users to collaborate effectively and communicate with their distributed teams effortlessly.
Final Decision: FreshBooks vs Deel?
The decision between FreshBooks and Deel ultimately depends on your business’s specific needs and priorities. FreshBooks would likely be the better choice if your primary focus is on managing financial aspects such as accounting, invoicing, and project tracking.
On the other hand, if your business involves global hiring, remote team management, and international payroll processing, Deel would be the more suitable option. Deel’s platform is tailored to address the complexities of managing a distributed workforce, offering features such as contract management, compliance with local labor laws, and streamlined payment processing for international freelancers and remote employees.
Consider your business requirements carefully and evaluate which platform aligns more closely with your needs. FreshBooks may be the ideal choice if financial management is your primary concern. However, if you require comprehensive solutions for global hiring and payroll management, Deel would be the preferred option. Ultimately, the best decision will be the one that helps your business operate more efficiently and effectively in the long run.
Want to know what makes a great custodial payroll system? Check out the key features to look for in our detailed guide!
