FreshBooks vs Deel: Which Payroll Software Is the Best Choice?

Choosing 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 the best choice for your organization. Whether you're a small business owner seeking streamlined financial management or a company with a global workforce in need of comprehensive payroll solutions, understanding the strengths and functionalities of each platform is essential in making an informed decision.

What is FreshBooks?

FreshBooks started out as a time-tracking and invoicing app.

However, over time, 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 to have multiple users on the same dashboard.

It is now used in more than 160 countries. The company's two main services are time tracking and invoicing, which turned out to be 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

1.       Access to resource-saving double-entry bookkeeping for all small business owners.
2.       A specific and affordable plan for the self-employed and freelancers is rare.
3.       Easy-to-understand expense management and invoicing reports.

What is Deel?

Deel is FreshBooks' closest competitor. Similar to FreshBooks, it is a global recruiting platform that allows you to hire overseas contractors and employees and manage payroll in different countries.

Some of the 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

1.       EOR Services — Hiring contractors and workers.
2.       Payroll for multiple countries.
3.       Assistance with visa and background checks.
4.       HIRS platform for direct employees.

Comparison Chart of FreshBooks and Deel

Main Differences Between FreshBooks vs Deel

FreshBooks and Deel are two distinct platforms serving different purposes in the realm of business management, particularly focusing on financial and human resources aspects, respectively.

FreshBooks is primarily an accounting and invoicing software designed to streamline financial operations for small businesses and freelancers. It offers features such as 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 particularly to remote teams and international freelancers. Its main 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, financial organization, and basic accounting tasks, whereas 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, while Deel serves as a comprehensive solution for remote team management and global hiring processes.

Similarities Between FreshBooks vs Deel

FreshBooks and Deel, despite serving different primary purposes within the business management sphere, 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 with access to customer service representatives and resources to assist with any inquiries or issues that may arise during platform usage.
• Moreover, they both aim to enhance transparency and accountability within organizations, whether it be through clear invoicing and financial tracking in FreshBooks or through transparent employment contracts and payment processes in Deel.

Overall, 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 also has API access to meet all user requirements
• It reviews contracts with localized claims on a quarterly basis and provides a compilation of compliance documents
• Data Logs
• Self-service technology
• Flexible payments

FreshBooks vs Deel: Ease of Use

FreshBooks and Deel are both renowned for their user-friendly interfaces and intuitive design, contributing significantly to their ease of use. FreshBooks excels in providing 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 that 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 guides users through each step seamlessly. 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 both employers and freelancers to navigate the platform, access necessary documents, and communicate effectively, regardless of their location or timezone.

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 things like using invoice templates, PayPal payments, and tips for using the FreshBooks mobile app on the contact page.

FreshBooks has an award-winning customer service team that includes both 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, comprised of knowledgeable professionals who are readily available to address user questions and provide assistance as needed. Users can reach out to 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 a wide range of 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.

FreshBooks vs Deel: Pricing

FreshBooks

Deel

Final Decision: FreshBooks vs Deel?

The decision between FreshBooks and Deel ultimately depends on the specific needs and priorities of your business. If your primary focus is on managing financial aspects such as accounting, invoicing, and project tracking, FreshBooks would likely be the better choice.

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.

In summary, consider your business requirements carefully and evaluate which platform aligns more closely with your needs. If financial management is your primary concern, FreshBooks may be the ideal choice. 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.