Web work is fun, but getting paid is important too, and if you’re an independent there’s no accounting department to handle that for you. A relatively new application, Cashboard, offers a new take on this essential activity perfect for those who use the web as their operating system.
Cashboard handles more of the process than most time-tracking applications. It covers creating and sending client estimates, tracking time (either by direct data entry, through using a Mac dashboard widget, or through integration with a standalone OS X application – there’s no Windows integration yet), and creating, sending, and tracking invoice status. It does all this in a fairly obvious interface of tabs and tables.
There are lots of little touches here that make it obvious that Cashboard is being built by web workers for web workers. One that will be big for many users is Basecamp integration: if you use Basecamp, Cashboard can share projects and tasks, and then invoice for time that you record in Basecamp. Other nice finishing bits include multi-currency support, weekly timesheet entry for quick catchup when you’ve been lazy about recording things, and an accounting view that shows you outstanding invoices.
You can try Cashboard with one project for free. Paid plans (which are half price while they’re in beta) run from $7/month for 7 active projects to $40/month for 100 active projects.
I haven’t tried it yet, but wonder how it compares to Freshbooks.
Thx.
My take is that Freshbooks is aiming a bit more at the SMB market, and Cashboard a bit more at the consultant and creative market, with their current feature sets. But there’s certainly a lot of overlap between the two.
I’ve been evaluating Cashboard for a week or so now. Freshbooks used to be my invoicing solution but I’ve since moved on. Why?
- Estimates
Freshbooks doesn’t do estimates. Cashboard does, and it even puts all of your estimate items right into a project when you start working on it. I can compare all of my estimates to my actual times.
- Collaboration
It’s easy to add my employees to projects and bill them out at a lower rate than I’m working at.
- Interface
I hate the Freshbooks interface! It’s very confusing and I get lost a lot. Both programs are pretty complex but for some reason I just like Cashboard more.
It seems like they’re really working fast to add features to Cashboard too. Look at their information site to see all the new announcements.
[...] to this Web Worker Daily-post, Cashboard looks like a good choice for freelancers and small business owners looking for an online [...]
Man, Don nails it. I hate the Freshbooks interface too! I have no idea why these guys get held up as a benchmark for usability. To me, this UI looks like an intranet app in the mid-90′s.
eros-amatoriali 2007-05
Я Лильчонок, мне 19 лет
Хрупкая изящная брюнетка хочу познакомиться с парнем не замороченным и без комплексов для встреч
номер аськи и мои фотки ЗДЕСЬ
[...] time tracking, and invoicing application Cashboard has added some new features since the last time we looked at them. Changes in the last six months or so include fully customizable templates for estimates and [...]
Hey all..
FYI – an iPhone Timer widget is now available for Cashboard.
[...] So it’s refreshing to see that Cashboard, an invoicing and time-tracking app we’ve covered previously, has just unveiled a dynamic pricing structure that can adjust as your requirements [...]