How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- Zoho Invoice, Wave and Invoice Ninja create professional invoices completely free.
- FreshBooks and Square Invoices pair invoice creation with payments in one flow.
- PayPal Invoicing suits anyone already paid through PayPal.
- HoneyBook and 17hats bundle invoices into client management for creatives.
- Billdu and InvoiceBerry offer simple, affordable invoice makers.
Quick comparison
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best software for creating invoices
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Zoho Invoice creates genuinely professional invoices free: unlimited invoices, customizable templates, automated payment reminders and client portals. Small businesses get invoicing that looks like it costs money. The free plan has no trial clock.
Businesses needing full accounting add Zoho Books. But for creating invoices, the free offering is the best in the category: complete, polished and actually free.
Zoho Invoice's automation extends to recurring invoices, payment reminders and late fees: the set-and-forget billing runs itself. The time tracking feeds billable hours directly. Multi-currency support handles international clients. That this is all free makes it the default recommendation for freelancers worldwide.
Zoho Invoice's client portal gives customers self-service: fewer emails back and forth. The automation runs the billing. For the free choice, it is unmatched.
Zoho Invoice's recurring automation handles retainers gracefully: set the schedule once and invoices generate, send and remind on their own. The payment gateway options cover cards, bank transfers and regional methods. For freelancers, the free tier removes the last excuse for late invoicing.
What we like- Completely free with unlimited invoices
- Professional templates
- Automated reminders
Watch out for- Zoho ecosystem focus
- Advanced accounting needs Books
- Support is ticket-based
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Wave's free invoicing lives inside free accounting: create the invoice, track it paid, see it in your books, all without subscriptions. Micro-businesses get the financial picture together. The mobile app creates invoices on the go.
The focus is US and Canada, and advanced needs outgrow it. But free invoices plus free accounting is unmatched value for the smallest businesses.
Wave's mobile app creates and sends invoices from job sites: the field billing happens immediately. The accounting integration means invoices flow into the books automatically. Receipt capture handles expenses. For micro-businesses, the free combination is unbeatable.
Wave's accounting integration keeps books current: the invoices flow through. The mobile capture handles receipts. For the micro-business, the free suite is ideal.
Wave's invoice customization keeps branding professional: logos, colors and layouts adjust easily. The automatic payment reminders nudge late payers politely. For micro-businesses, the free invoicing with real accounting behind it is the standout combination.
What we like- Free invoicing inside free accounting
- Easy for non-accountants
- Good mobile app
Watch out for- North America focused
- Advanced features are thin
- Monetizes via payments
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Invoice Ninja's free tier allows unlimited invoices and clients, which no other free tool matches. Add quotes, time tracking and expenses, plus an open-source self-hosted version. Freelancers get a complete billing toolkit free.
The design is functional, support leans community. But unlimited free invoicing with self-hosting as an option is the power user's deal.
Invoice Ninja's customization, from invoice designs to email templates, lets freelancers brand everything: the white-label on paid plans completes the professional image. The project and task tracking tie work to billing. Self-hosting keeps data private. For the technically inclined, the control is the appeal.
Invoice Ninja's open source gives control: the data stays yours. The customization is deep. For the independent, the freedom appeals.
Invoice Ninja's quote-to-invoice flow keeps the sales trail clean: approved quotes convert in one click. The client portal supports partial payments and deposits. For the privacy-conscious, self-hosting means invoice data never leaves your server.
What we like- Unlimited invoices and clients free
- Self-hosting option
- Quotes and projects included
Watch out for- Utilitarian design
- Community-leaning support
- White-label needs paid
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
FreshBooks makes invoice creation delightful: professional designs, one-click resend, automated late reminders and online payments. Service businesses send invoices clients actually enjoy receiving. The time-to-invoice is minutes.
There is no free plan, only trial, and lower tiers limit clients. But for businesses where invoice presentation wins clients, the polish justifies the subscription.
FreshBooks' client portal lets customers view, pay and track invoices self-service: the professional experience reduces payment friction. The automated reminders handle the awkward follow-ups. Time tracking integration suits service businesses. For businesses where image wins clients, the polish pays.
FreshBooks' automation handles the routine: the reminders go out. The portal impresses clients. For the service business, the polish pays.
FreshBooks' late fee automation enforces payment terms without awkward conversations: the policy applies itself. The time tracking integration turns hours into invoice line items. For service businesses, the professional client experience directly improves cash flow.
What we like- The prettiest invoices with least effort
- Late-payment reminders
- Good mobile apps
Watch out for- No free tier
- Client limits on lower plans
- Accounting is lighter
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Square Invoices is free for the millions on Square: create estimates, convert to invoices, accept cards and ACH, all reconciled in Square. Service businesses already taking Square payments add invoicing with zero new systems.
Processing runs through Square, customization is basic. But the integration for existing sellers is smooth and free.
Square Invoices' integration with the Square ecosystem means invoices, POS sales and online orders reconcile together: the unified commerce view helps. The card-on-file billing suits retainers. For Square sellers, the free invoicing is the obvious choice.
Square Invoices' ecosystem integration unifies commerce: the reconciliation is clean. The free tier is generous. For the Square seller, the choice is obvious.
Square Invoices' estimates convert to invoices automatically on acceptance: the sales workflow stays in one place. The automatic card-on-file charging suits subscriptions and retainers. For Square merchants, the unified reporting across sales channels simplifies bookkeeping.
What we like- Free for Square users
- Estimates convert to invoices
- Payments integrated
Watch out for- Square processing required
- Basic customization
- Less for non-sellers
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
PayPal Invoicing reaches anyone with email: create and send invoices free, clients pay with PayPal or cards, global coverage included. The familiarity means clients pay without new accounts.
PayPal's transaction fees and occasional account holds are the complaints. Features stay basic. But for freelancers whose clients already use PayPal, the friction is near zero.
PayPal Invoicing's global reach means clients pay in their currency with familiar methods: the friction is minimal. The mobile app manages invoicing on the go. For freelancers with international clients already on PayPal, it is the path of least resistance.
PayPal Invoicing's familiarity speeds payment: clients trust the brand. The global reach helps. For the international freelancer, the path is easy.
PayPal Invoicing's recurring invoices handle subscription-style billing: the automation runs quietly. The mobile notifications alert you the moment clients pay. For freelancers with global clients, the familiar payment experience reduces friction.
What we like- Free invoicing for PayPal's huge user base
- Clients pay easily
- Global reach
Watch out for- PayPal fees on payments
- Account holds happen
- Basic invoice features
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
HoneyBook wraps invoices in the client experience: proposals, contracts, questionnaires and invoices flow together in branded workflows. Photographers, designers and event planners look professional effortlessly.
It costs a subscription and focuses on creatives. Simple invoicing does not need this. But for client-facing creative businesses, the unified workflow lifts the entire engagement.
HoneyBook's workflow automation connects the client journey: inquiry to proposal to contract to invoice without manual handoffs. The templates speed up the professional presentation. For creatives, the cohesive experience wins business.
HoneyBook's templates accelerate the professional setup: the workflows are designed. The client experience wins business. For the creative, the cohesion matters.
HoneyBook's smart files combine proposals, contracts and invoices: clients move through the whole engagement in one document flow. The payment reminders are automated and polite. For creatives, the cohesive journey wins repeat business.
What we like- Invoices inside beautiful client workflows
- Proposals to contracts to invoices
- Creative-industry focus
Watch out for- Subscription cost
- Creative-focused
- Overkill for simple invoicing
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Billdu makes mobile invoicing genuinely good: create and send professional invoices from the phone in under a minute. Field workers, trades and mobile services bill on the spot. The simplicity suits non-office work.
Desktop depth and advanced features trail the bigger tools. But for mobile-first invoicing, Billdu's focus shows.
Billdu's expense tracking complements the mobile invoicing: the field worker's finances stay organized. The multi-language support suits diverse teams. For mobile-first businesses, the phone-centric design is right.
Billdu's mobile design suits field work: the invoicing happens on-site. The expenses stay organized. For the mobile business, the phone-first approach fits.
Billdu's delivery tracking confirms invoice receipt: the read receipts end the 'I never got it' excuses. The multi-currency support handles international work. For mobile-first businesses, the phone-centric workflow matches how they operate.
What we like- Excellent mobile invoice creation
- Simple and fast
- Good for field workers
Watch out for- Smaller vendor
- Advanced features are thin
- Pricing tiers
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
InvoiceBerry keeps invoicing simple and cheap: create invoices, track payments, manage clients without complexity. Micro-businesses get organized fast.
Features stay basic and integrations are few. But the simplicity-to-price ratio suits the tiniest businesses perfectly.
InvoiceBerry's simplicity means invoices go out in minutes: the learning curve is near zero. The client management basics suffice for micro-businesses. For the simplest needs, it works.
InvoiceBerry's speed gets invoices out: the simplicity is the feature. The basics suffice. For the minimal needs, it works.
InvoiceBerry's recurring profiles automate repeat billing: set the client schedule and forget it. The expense tracking alongside invoicing keeps the full picture. For the simplest operations, the straightforward tool does exactly enough.
What we like- Simple and affordable
- Quick setup
- Good for micro-businesses
Watch out for- Basic feature set
- Smaller vendor
- Limited integrations
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
17hats manages the solopreneur business: invoices, contracts, questionnaires, workflows and bookkeeping in one system. The automation connects the pieces. Solo professionals get an office manager in software.
The breadth brings complexity, and the interface is busy. But for solopreneurs wanting everything connected, 17hats' comprehensiveness delivers.
What we like- Invoices inside full business management
- Workflows and automation
- Good for solopreneurs
Watch out for- Learning curve
- Pricing is per business
- Interface is busy
How we chose
We selected tools where creating invoices is central, from free makers to client-management suites. We reviewed ease of invoice creation, templates, payment options and pricing, and verified each vendor's current status. We favored tools real small businesses use daily.
What makes a good invoice
Clarity beats design: business name and contact, client details, invoice number, dates, itemized lines, totals, tax, payment terms and payment instructions. Every tool here handles this; the differences are speed and polish.
Send immediately on completion, enable online payment, and automate reminders. The software creates the invoice; your process gets it paid.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free invoice software?
Zoho Invoice, Wave and Invoice Ninja all offer genuinely free invoicing with unlimited invoices. Each suits slightly different needs: Zoho for polish, Wave for accounting, Invoice Ninja for unlimited scale.
How do I create a professional invoice?
Use one of these tools: add your branding, number invoices sequentially, itemize work clearly, state payment terms, and include payment links. The tools handle the formatting.
Should invoices include tax?
Yes, where applicable. The tools calculate tax automatically once configured. Check your jurisdiction's requirements.
How do I get invoices paid faster?
Send immediately, enable online payments, set clear terms, automate reminders, and follow up personally on overdue accounts. Invoices with payment links get paid fastest.
Can I invoice from my phone?
Yes. Billdu, Wave, FreshBooks and Square all offer strong mobile invoicing. Field workers should prioritize the mobile experience in trials.
Do I need accounting software too?
For simple freelancing, invoicing tools suffice. Once you need expense tracking, tax reports and payroll, add accounting like Wave (free) or QuickBooks.
Sources we checked (10)
- https://www.zoho.com/us/invoice/
- https://www.waveapps.com/
- https://invoiceninja.com/
- https://www.freshbooks.com/
- https://squareup.com/us/en/invoices
- https://www.paypal.com/us/business/accept-payments/invoice
- https://www.honeybook.com/
- https://www.billdu.com/
- https://www.invoiceberry.com/
- https://17hats.com/
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 spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Zoho Invoice
Wave
Invoice Ninja
FreshBooks
Square Invoices
PayPal Invoicing
HoneyBook
Billdu
InvoiceBerry
17hats