How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- QuickBooks Online tops invoicing rankings because invoices connect directly to accounts receivable, the general ledger and reporting.
- FreshBooks is the best invoicing experience for service businesses, with automated reminders and time-based billing from $23 per month.
- Zoho Invoice and Wave are free for core invoicing, making them the best starting points for businesses that invoice rarely.
- Watch invoice and client caps: Xero's cheapest plan caps invoices, FreshBooks limits billable clients by plan, and Zoho Invoice caps at 2 users and 500 invoices per year on its free tier.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 QuickBooks Online | Full accounting plus invoicing | $38 per month | No |
 FreshBooks | Service billing and reminders | $23 per month | No |
 Xero | Scalable invoicing, unlimited users | $25 per month | No |
 Zoho Invoice | Free invoicing with recurring billing | Free | Yes |
 Wave | Free invoicing with bookkeeping | Free | Yes |
 Square Invoices | Fast payment collection | Free | Yes |
 Stripe Invoicing | International and recurring billing | Free | Yes |
 Zoho Books | Affordable full accounting | Free | Yes |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best accounting software with best invoicing features
Starting price$38 per month
Free planNo
QuickBooks Online came out on top in a 2026 invoicing comparison because it connects invoicing directly with accounts receivable, the general ledger, reporting and other accounting workflows, rather than treating invoices as a standalone feature. Bank feeds with auto reconciliation, batch invoices and a wide ecosystem make it the safe US default, since most accountants already know it.
Entry pricing is listed at $38 per month in the invoicing comparison, though other guides list $30 to $35 per month for basic tiers, reflecting frequent promos that often cut 50 to 90 percent off the first few months before reverting. Price rises fast as you add users or features, and the interface is complex for invoicing-only needs. For a business that wants invoicing inside full accounting, QuickBooks Online is the strongest pick.
What we like- Invoices connect directly to accounts receivable, general ledger and reporting
- Rated 4.8 in a 2026 invoicing comparison
- Huge accountant network
- Bank feeds and batch invoices
Watch out for- Price rises fast as you add users or features
- Promos often cut the first months then revert
- Complex for simple invoicing-only needs
#2FreshBooks
Best for: Service billing and reminders4.5/5 on
G2 (981 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit freshbooks.com
Starting price$23 per month
Free planNo
FreshBooks is the best invoicing tool of the big three accounting platforms, designed for freelancers, agencies and service shops that bill clients by the hour or project. Automated payment reminders, easy invoice templates, expense tracking and a built-in timer make the billing workflow genuinely pleasant, and proposals and contracts are included for service businesses that need them.
Pricing starts at $23 per month in the invoicing comparison, with other guides listing $19 to $21 per month, again reflecting promos. Billable clients are limited by plan, inventory support is limited, and advanced reporting is thinner than QuickBooks. For a service business whose main job is getting paid on time, FreshBooks is the best invoicing experience here.
What we like- Best invoicing experience of the big three
- Automated payment reminders
- Time tracking built in
- Proposals and contracts included
- Easy invoice templates
Watch out for- Limits billable clients by plan
- Not built for inventory
- Advanced reporting is limited
- Scaling gets pricey
#3Xero
Best for: Scalable invoicing, unlimited users4.4/5 on
G2 (1,832 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit xero.com
Starting price$25 per month
Free planNo
Xero suits growing companies that need scalable invoicing with unlimited accounting users, since every plan includes unlimited users, unlike QuickBooks, which charges per seat. The interface is clean, bank reconciliation is strong, and more than 1,000 integrations make it adaptable to many workflows, with multi-currency on most plans.
Entry pricing is listed at $25 per month, rising to $27 from October 1, 2026, and the cheapest plan caps invoices, so high-volume invoicers need a higher tier. Approval workflows are basic outside core modules, and US payroll runs via Gusto. For a growing team that invoices at scale and wants everyone in the books, Xero is the best scalable pick.
What we like- Unlimited users on all plans
- Clean interface and strong bank reconciliation
- 1,000 plus integrations
- Multi-currency on most plans
Watch out for- Cheapest plan caps invoices
- Entry price rises to $27 from October 1, 2026
- Approval workflows are basic outside core modules
- Payroll via Gusto in the US
#4Zoho Invoice
Best for: Free invoicing with recurring billing4.7/5 on
G2 (365 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit zoho.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Zoho Invoice is the best free invoicing tool for businesses that invoice moderately, offering free invoicing with recurring billing, capped at 2 users and 500 invoices per year on the free tier. Templates are clean, automation covers recurring invoices and reminders, and the Zoho ecosystem connection makes it easy to graduate to Zoho Books for full accounting later.
The caps are the limit: businesses that pass 500 invoices per year or need a third user must move to a paid plan or to Zoho Books. Features are also limited outside the Zoho ecosystem in some cases. For a small business or freelancer starting out, Zoho Invoice's free tier is the best no-cost invoicing entry point.
What we like- Free invoicing with recurring billing
- Capped at 2 users and 500 invoices per year on the free tier
- Clean templates
- Part of the Zoho ecosystem
Watch out for- Free tier caps users and invoices
- Limited outside the Zoho ecosystem in some cases
- No full accounting depth without Zoho Books
#5Wave
Best for: Free invoicing with bookkeeping4.3/5 on
G2 (328 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit waveapps.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Wave is free for core accounting, invoicing and receipt features, making it the best free all-round option for very small businesses and solo operators. Setup is simple, invoices look professional, and the lack of a monthly subscription for core functions removes the pressure to justify a paid plan before revenue arrives.
Paid support costs extra, payroll costs extra, integrations are fewer than rivals, and payment processing fees apply when clients pay online. For a solo operator or micro business that needs invoicing plus basic bookkeeping at no monthly cost, Wave is the best free pick.
What we like- Free for core accounting, invoicing and receipt features
- Simple setup
- Good for very small businesses and solo operators
- No monthly subscription for core functions
Watch out for- Paid support
- Payroll costs extra
- Fewer integrations than rivals
- Payment processing fees apply
#6Square Invoices
Best for: Fast payment collection4.7/5 on
G2 (217 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit squareup.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Square Invoices suits retail and service businesses that also take payments in person or online, with fast payment collection, deposits and milestone billing built in. The free tier covers basic invoicing, and point of sale integration means a business that sells in person and invoices online can run both from one system.
Transaction fees apply on every payment, larger tiers cost up to about $149 per month depending on scale and extras, and accounting depth is thinner than QuickBooks or Xero. For a business whose priority is getting paid fast, in person or online, Square Invoices is the best collection tool here.
What we like- Free tier for invoices
- Fast payment collection with deposits and milestones
- In-person payments and point of sale integration
- Flexible invoicing
Watch out for- Transaction fees apply
- Larger tiers cost up to about $149 per month
- Less accounting depth than QuickBooks or Xero
#7Stripe Invoicing
Best for: International and recurring billing4.1/5 on
G2 (25 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit stripe.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Stripe Invoicing charges no monthly fee, starting at 0.4 percent per paid invoice, with advanced recurring billing and international payments that suit online businesses selling across borders. For a software or services business with global customers, Stripe's payment infrastructure and currency support beat simpler invoicing tools.
There is no full accounting included, so it pairs with accounting software rather than replacing it, the per-invoice fee adds up at high volume, and setup is more technical than rivals. It also rated lower than the leaders in a small business invoicing comparison. For online businesses with recurring or international billing, Stripe Invoicing is the best payments-first pick.
What we like- No monthly fee, starting at 0.4 percent per paid invoice
- Advanced recurring billing
- International payments
- Strong for online businesses
Watch out for- No full accounting included
- Per-invoice fee adds up at high volume
- Setup is more technical than rivals
- Rated lower for small business invoicing
#8Zoho Books
Best for: Affordable full accounting4.4/5 on
G2 (329 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit zoho.com
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Zoho Books is the affordable full accounting pick for users already in the Zoho ecosystem or wanting strong value, with a free plan for solopreneurs and paid plans from $15 to $40 to $60 per month depending on features. Recurring invoices, multi-currency, solid automation and project accounting are included, giving small businesses accounting depth that Zoho Invoice alone lacks.
Features are limited outside the Zoho ecosystem in some cases, integrations are fewer than QuickBooks, and payroll features are limited in some regions. For a small business that wants full accounting with strong invoicing at a low price, Zoho Books is the best value pick.
What we like- Free plan for solopreneurs
- Paid plans from $15 to $60 per month depending on features
- Recurring invoices and multi-currency
- Solid automation
- Project accounting included
Watch out for- Limited outside the Zoho ecosystem in some cases
- Fewer integrations than QuickBooks
- Limited payroll features in some regions
How we chose
We ranked invoicing features first, then accounting depth, price and caps, using a 2026 invoicing comparison that rated QuickBooks Online 4.8, FreshBooks 4.6, Xero 4.5, Zoho Invoice 4.2, Wave 4.0, Square Invoices 3.8 and Stripe Invoicing 3.2. QuickBooks tops the list because invoices feed accounts receivable and reporting directly, FreshBooks tops the experience ranking for service billing, and Xero tops the scalability ranking with unlimited users.
We also weighed caps and promos carefully. Xero's cheapest plan caps invoices, FreshBooks limits billable clients, Zoho Invoice's free tier caps at 2 users and 500 invoices per year, and all three major platforms run frequent promos that make sticker prices unreliable. Confirm the current price on the vendor pricing page before committing. No tool here was used hands-on for live invoicing for this guide.
What to check before you commit
Count your invoices and clients first. A free tier that caps at 500 invoices per year is generous for a freelancer and useless for a business sending 200 invoices a month, while a per-seat platform that charges for every user punishes growing teams. Match the cap structure to your volume, not just the headline price.
Then confirm payment costs: card processing fees, ACH fees and per-invoice fees like Stripe's 0.4 percent add up, and they vary by plan. Run the trial on real invoices, including a recurring invoice and a late payment reminder, and confirm your accountant can work in the tool before committing, since switching accounting systems mid-year is painful.
Frequently asked questions
What accounting software has the best invoicing features?
QuickBooks Online ranks first for invoicing inside full accounting, since invoices connect directly to accounts receivable, the general ledger and reporting. FreshBooks offers the best invoicing experience for service businesses, and Zoho Invoice offers the best free invoicing with recurring billing.
Is there free accounting software with invoicing?
Yes. Zoho Invoice is free with recurring billing up to 2 users and 500 invoices per year, Wave is free for core accounting and invoicing, Square Invoices offers a free tier, Stripe Invoicing charges no monthly fee, and Zoho Books offers a free plan for solopreneurs.
How much does invoicing software cost?
Entry prices run from free for Zoho Invoice, Wave and Square Invoices to $23 per month for FreshBooks, $25 per month for Xero, and $38 per month for QuickBooks Online, with Stripe Invoicing charging 0.4 percent per paid invoice. Promos often cut the first months, so confirm the renewal price.
What is the difference between invoicing software and accounting software?
Invoicing software creates and sends invoices and collects payments, while accounting software adds the general ledger, bank reconciliation, reporting and tax preparation. Tools like QuickBooks, Xero and Zoho Books combine both, while Square Invoices and Stripe Invoicing focus on billing and payments.
Can I automate invoice reminders?
Yes. FreshBooks is rated best for automated payment reminders, QuickBooks and Xero automate follow-ups and recurring invoices, and Zoho Invoice includes recurring billing and reminders on its free tier. Set reminder timing carefully, since aggressive reminders can strain client relationships.
Do these tools handle sales tax?
Yes, with limits. Most tools support sales tax or VAT calculations, but rules vary by state and region, and complex multi-state tax needs may require an add-on or accountant review. Confirm tax handling for your locations before relying on automatic calculations.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.