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Why I won't switch from Freshbooks to FreeAgent Central
Hey,
I've posted here before about these issues, and I've found the support pretty responsive. Unfortunately it doesn't look like any of my suggestions have been taken on board / added.
I really like the potential of this system, and would not hesitate to switch over to a paid-plan if some basic issues were addressed:
I am unable to...
Coming from FreshBooks, these shortcomings in FAC are a definite turn-off, and I can guarantee there are many others in the same boat. FreshBooks itself is just OK, they clearly have some issues and it's also US-based (not UK).
FAC offers a much more complete solution (if the above was provided) and would be a far superior solution - which would bring many paying customers.
I'd just like to know the official stance on all these, and if they are even on the road map at all.
Hope this helps - thanks!
Matthew
I've posted here before about these issues, and I've found the support pretty responsive. Unfortunately it doesn't look like any of my suggestions have been taken on board / added.
I really like the potential of this system, and would not hesitate to switch over to a paid-plan if some basic issues were addressed:
I am unable to...
- add more than one contact per organisation
- create an invoice without a project
- add custom lines to an invoice (or use a pre-defined list of products/services)
- give my clients a basic area with an account statement, unpaid and paid invoices
- see a status against invoices showing when if they were 'viewed' or not
- create and send credit notes
- do a few other less major bits here and there...
Coming from FreshBooks, these shortcomings in FAC are a definite turn-off, and I can guarantee there are many others in the same boat. FreshBooks itself is just OK, they clearly have some issues and it's also US-based (not UK).
FAC offers a much more complete solution (if the above was provided) and would be a far superior solution - which would bring many paying customers.
I'd just like to know the official stance on all these, and if they are even on the road map at all.
Hope this helps - thanks!
Matthew
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Inappropriate?Matthew,
Thanks loads for your feedback.
You can already at the moment create credit notes (just create a negative valued invoice and it gets called a credit note) - by the sounds of it we haven't made that visible enough.
As for the rest, well they are indeed on our roadmap - all of them.
Development time being what it is, as I'm sure you fully appreciate, we can't go with the 'do everything Freshbooks can do and then add even more' approach.
So we have to do the best we can, progressively adding features (while also improving usability) as they rise to the top of the priority list.
As it is, so far we've prioritized the accounting and tax features since it's what's most painfully missing from existing tools like Freshbooks. For our current users, they are far more important than client login, and the rest of the missing stuff can be worked round to some extent.
If you need multiple (and customisable) invoice templates, PDF invoice generation and emailing, (proper) expense tracking, bank statement analysis, real-time accounting, comprehensive tax calculations, bills tracking and tax timeline feeds - go for FreeAgent.
If you don't need those things but instead need client login, payment gateways, ticket tracking: Freshbooks is the one to stick with.
Rest assured, we'll be speeding up development even more in 2009 and while I can't promise when we'll deliver the improvements you want, deliver them we certainly will.
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Inappropriate?Matthew,
I too am a Freshbooks user for one business but use FreeAgent for two others. I was also looking for the functions you mention but having used FreeAgent for several months now I find that it has more benefits in terms of time saving and accounting to compensate for the loss of some of the Freshbooks features.
Personally, I am glad I made the switch and will be turning off Freshbooks (which is the best stand alone invoicing app out there) for good on 31 Dec.
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?Good to know it's on the road map for sure.
Good to know that credit notes are in there somewhere, but I agree it probably needs to be easier to find :)
I think the FAC system is superior in the tax and expenses area, but it's just a tiny bit short of the mark for me at this moment in time. As you say though, time will fix this.
I'm signed up to your newsletter, so I assume you'll announce these features with much fanfare?
I think I would switch given the following:
# add more than one contact per organisation
# create an invoice without a project
Not being able to create an invoice without a project really does soak up a lot of admin time, so I reckon this is the most important thing in my mind.
Also being able to send an invoice to more than one contact greatly increases the chances of my bills getting paid, so that's a bonus too!
Anyways, I'll be keeping a close eye on things - so on your best behaviour! I'm sure I'll be back to ramble on here some more in a few months time :)
Matthew
I’m thankful
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Inappropriate?FAC can do credit notes? You're right - that one ISN'T very visible!
Luckily, I've not needed that, but a simple 'New Credit Note' button would be nice! ;-)
Next you'll be saying that FAC does statements as well! ;-) -
Inappropriate?BTW, you can send your invoice via email to more than one email address, which might be an acceptable workround for your 'more than one contact per organisation'...
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