# Tillage vs FreshBooks Comparison

This comparison helps you understand the differences between Tillage and FreshBooks for managing your agency or service business.

## Overview

| | Tillage | FreshBooks |
|--|---------|------------|
| **Focus** | Quote-to-cash for agencies | General small business accounting |
| **Best for** | Agencies, consultants, freelancers | Service + product businesses |
| **Starting price** | Free (unlimited) | ~$19/month |
| **Free tier** | Unlimited quotes, invoices, clients | Trial only |

## Quote Generation

### Tillage

- **AI-powered quoting** - Describe projects, get comprehensive quotes
- **Variance buffers** - Built-in scope creep protection
- **Profit margins** - Automatic profitability calculations
- **Client-context intelligence** - AI considers client industry and size

### FreshBooks

- **Manual quoting** - Create quotes/estimates by hand
- **No variance buffers** - Standard line items only
- **No AI generation** - All manual entry
- **Template-based** - Basic reusable templates

**Winner: Tillage** - AI generation and profitability tools save hours.

## Contract Management

### Tillage

- **Built-in contracts** - Generate from approved quotes
- **Digital signatures** - Legally binding, no extra tools
- **Payment schedules** - Deposits, milestones, recurring
- **Automated invoicing** - Invoices trigger from contract events

### FreshBooks

- **Limited contracts** - Basic proposal features
- **Separate tools needed** - DocuSign, HelloSign, etc.
- **No payment schedules** - Manual invoice creation
- **No automation** - Create invoices manually

**Winner: Tillage** - Integrated contracts eliminate tool-switching.

## Invoicing

### Tillage

- **From contracts** - Auto-generate from payment schedules
- **Recurring invoices** - Weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual
- **Smart variables** - Dynamic invoice naming
- **Automatic reminders** - Configurable follow-ups

### FreshBooks

- **Manual creation** - Or basic recurring
- **Recurring invoices** - Yes, similar capability
- **Limited variables** - Basic customization
- **Payment reminders** - Yes, automatic

**Comparable** - Both handle recurring invoicing well.

## Payment Processing

### Tillage

- **Stripe integration** - Cards and ACH
- **One-click payment** - No client login needed
- **ACH bank transfers** - Lower fees
- **Convenience fees** - Pass costs to clients
- **Automatic payments** - For recurring with consent

### FreshBooks

- **FreshBooks Payments** - Proprietary system
- **Cards and bank** - ACH available
- **Higher fees** - Often 2.9%+ on all methods
- **No convenience fees** - You absorb costs
- **Recurring billing** - Auto-charge available

**Winner: Tillage** - Lower fees, convenience fee option, more flexibility.

## Profitability Tools

### Tillage

- **Variance buffers** - Per-line-item risk percentage
- **Global profit margin** - Ensures minimum profit
- **AI-suggested pricing** - Market-appropriate rates
- **Locked pricing** - Quote prices preserved through invoicing

### FreshBooks

- **None** - Standard pricing only
- **No margin tools** - What you enter is what you get
- **No suggestions** - All manual pricing
- **No variance** - Same calculation throughout

**Winner: Tillage** - Unique profitability protection features.

## Pricing Comparison

### Tillage

| Plan | Price | Key Feature |
|------|-------|-------------|
| Free | $0/month | 1% platform fee on payments |
| Premium | $49/month | 0% fee, AI, advanced features |

### FreshBooks

| Plan | Price | Key Feature |
|------|-------|-------------|
| Lite | ~$19/month | 5 clients |
| Plus | ~$33/month | 50 clients |
| Premium | ~$60/month | 500 clients |

**Note:** FreshBooks pricing varies; check current rates.

### Cost Example: $10,000/month in Invoices

**Tillage Free:**
- Platform fee: $100 (1%)
- Stripe fees: ~$300 (cards)
- **Total: ~$400**

**Tillage Premium:**
- Subscription: $49
- Stripe fees: ~$300 (cards)
- **Total: ~$349**

**FreshBooks Plus:**
- Subscription: ~$33
- Payment fees: ~$300+
- **Total: ~$333**

Similar costs, but Tillage includes AI, contracts, and profitability tools.

## Target Audience

### Tillage is Better For

- Creative agencies
- Marketing agencies
- Consultants
- Freelancers
- Service-based businesses
- Project-based work
- Retainer management

### FreshBooks is Better For

- Product + service businesses
- Need full accounting features
- Simple invoicing needs
- Less complex projects
- Expense tracking focus

## Feature-by-Feature

| Feature | Tillage | FreshBooks |
|---------|---------|------------|
| Free tier | ✓ Unlimited | Trial only |
| AI quoting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Variance buffers | ✓ | ✗ |
| Profit margins | ✓ | ✗ |
| Built-in contracts | ✓ | Limited |
| Digital signatures | ✓ | ✗ (needs add-on) |
| Payment schedules | ✓ | ✗ |
| ACH payments | ✓ | ✓ |
| Convenience fees | ✓ | ✗ |
| Time tracking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expenses | ✗ | ✓ |
| Full accounting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Bank reconciliation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mobile app | ✗ | ✓ |

## When to Choose Tillage

Choose Tillage if you:

- Need AI-powered quote generation
- Want built-in profitability protection
- Create contracts for your projects
- Bill based on milestones
- Manage retainer clients
- Want unlimited free tier
- Focus on quote-to-cash workflow

## When to Choose FreshBooks

Choose FreshBooks if you:

- Need full accounting features
- Track expenses extensively
- Require bank reconciliation
- Need time tracking built-in
- Prefer established mobile app
- Mix products and services
- Want all-in-one accounting

## Migration from FreshBooks

Moving to Tillage:

1. Export client list from FreshBooks
2. Import to Tillage (or manual entry)
3. Set up payment processing
4. Create quote and contract templates
5. Start new projects in Tillage

Historical invoices remain in FreshBooks for records.

## Summary

**Tillage** excels at the quote-to-cash workflow for agencies with unique profitability tools, AI quoting, and integrated contracts.

**FreshBooks** is a more general accounting tool with time tracking and expense management but lacks the agency-specific features.

For agencies focused on quoting, contracts, and getting paid—Tillage is purpose-built for your workflow.

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*Try Tillage free at https://app.tillage.ai/signup*

*Related: [Pricing](/llms/pricing.txt) | [Features Overview](/llms/overview.txt) | [Getting Started](/llms/getting-started.txt)*