Alternatives · Accounting
Bonsai alternatives
Bonsai compared with 7 alternatives: FreshBooks, Moxie, Plutio, QuickBooks Online, Xero and 2 more.
Bonsai is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $9 per user / month, billed annually. 2 of the 7 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 5 more offer a free trial.
7 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 17, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| BonsaiThis tool | Free trial · from $9/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| FreshBooks | Free trial · from $23/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| Moxie | Free trial · from $10/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| Plutio | Free trial · from $15.83/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| QuickBooks Online | Free plan · from $38/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Xero | Free trial · from $27/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| Found | Free plan · from $35/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| FreeAgent | Free trial · from $27/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
Price against what you get
Bonsai starts at $9 a month for each person and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 7 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
FreshBooks, Xero and Found score higher without starting lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Bonsai
- Free trial · from $23/mo
FreshBooks
Invoicing and accounting for freelancers and service businesses
- FreshBooks starts at $23 per month, billed monthly. Bonsai starts at $9 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Bonsai lists a macOS app.
- Only Bonsai lists a browser extension.
- FreshBooks also covers payroll.
- Bonsai also covers forms.
Suits: Freelancers and consultants who bill a handful of clients for their time
- Free trial · from $10/mo
Moxie
Freelance business app: clients, projects, invoices and basic books
- Moxie starts at $10 per month, billed annually ($12 billed monthly). Bonsai starts at $9 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Bonsai lists a macOS app.
- Only Bonsai lists a browser extension.
- Moxie also covers booking links and sales pipeline.
- Bonsai also covers reports and bookkeeping.
Suits: Solo freelancers who want clients, projects and invoices in one app
- Free trial · from $15.83/mo
Plutio
All-in-one freelance app: projects, proposals, contracts and invoices
- Plutio starts at $15.83 per month, billed annually ($19 billed monthly). Bonsai starts at $9 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Plutio lists a Windows app.
- Only Bonsai lists a browser extension.
- Plutio also covers booking links and kanban boards.
- Bonsai also covers reports, bookkeeping and expense tracking.
Suits: Freelancers who want proposals, contracts, projects and invoices in one place
- Free plan · from $38/mo
QuickBooks Online
Cloud accounting from Intuit, from a free plan to 25-user Advanced
- QuickBooks Online starts at $38 per month, billed monthly. Bonsai starts at $9 per user / month, billed annually.
- QuickBooks Online has a free plan. Bonsai does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Bonsai lists a macOS app.
- Only Bonsai lists a browser extension.
- QuickBooks Online also covers payroll.
Suits: US small businesses that want their accountant working in the same books
- Free trial · from $27/mo
Xero
Cloud accounting for small businesses, with unlimited users
- Xero starts at $27 per month, billed monthly. Bonsai starts at $9 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Bonsai lists a macOS app.
- Only Bonsai lists a browser extension.
- Xero also covers payroll.
- Bonsai also covers time tracking and forms.
Suits: Small businesses that want every staff member and adviser in the books at no extra cost
- Free plan · from $35/mo
Found
Business bank account with bookkeeping and tax tools built in
- Found starts at $35 per month, billed monthly. Bonsai starts at $9 per user / month, billed annually.
- Found has a free plan. Bonsai does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Bonsai lists a macOS app.
- Only Bonsai lists a browser extension.
- Bonsai also covers time tracking and forms.
Suits: US sole proprietors who want banking and books in one app
- Free trial · from $27/mo
FreeAgent
Accounting for freelancers and small firms, built in the UK
- FreeAgent starts at $27 per month, billed monthly. Bonsai starts at $9 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Bonsai lists a macOS app.
- Only Bonsai lists a browser extension.
- Bonsai also covers forms.
Suits: Freelancers and contractors who want invoicing, time and books in one plan
Limits worth knowing in Bonsai
- Basic has no invoices, payments or expense tracking; billing starts on Essentials at $19 per user a month, billed annually.
- It is not a full accounting ledger; the QuickBooks Online and Xero integrations that fill that gap need Premium.
- Every plan is priced per user, and Elite needs at least 3 users.
- Online payments carry processing fees that vary by method; the pricing page points to a help article for the figures.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Bonsai?
The alternatives to Bonsai in this directory are FreshBooks, Moxie, Plutio, QuickBooks Online, Xero, Found and FreeAgent. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Bonsai.
Is there a free alternative to Bonsai?
Yes. QuickBooks Online and Found have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Bonsai alternatives work on Windows?
The Bonsai listing does not include a Windows app. Plutio lists one.
When were these prices checked?
Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 17, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.