The Best Invoicing Software for Freelancers (Free and Paid)
Zoho Invoice, Wave, FreshBooks, Stripe and PayPal compared for freelancers: free plans, payment fees and which one gets you paid fastest.
Sending a Word document invoice works, technically. But proper invoicing software gets you paid faster: clients can pay by card in one click, reminders go out automatically, and you can see at a glance who owes you what.
Here's what's worth using, starting with the free options.
The fee nobody talks about
Free invoicing software isn't the same as free payments. When a client pays by card, there's a processing fee, typically around 3% of the invoice with most providers. On a $1,000 invoice, that's about $30.
Offering bank transfer as well as cards can save you a lot over a year. Just make card payment available for clients who prefer it, because convenience gets you paid sooner.
Zoho Invoice: best free invoicing
Zoho Invoice is free for small businesses and freelancers, within an annual invoice limit that's generous for most solo workers. It handles recurring invoices, payment reminders, time tracking, expenses and a client portal.
Pick it if: you want solid invoicing for free and don't need full accounting.
Wave: free invoicing plus bookkeeping
Wave's free Starter plan includes invoicing and basic bookkeeping, with no limit on invoices. It makes money from payment processing, around 2.9% plus a fixed fee per card payment, and from optional paid upgrades.
Pick it if: you want invoicing and simple accounting in one free tool.
FreshBooks: most polished
FreshBooks has the nicest-looking invoices and an excellent mobile app, with time tracking and proposals built in. The Lite plan (around $23 a month) covers up to five billable clients.
Pick it if: you bill for time, have a handful of regular clients and value a smooth experience.
Stripe Invoicing: best for developers and online businesses
If you already take payments with Stripe, its invoicing feature is handy: professional invoices, automatic reminders and many payment methods. It charges a small percentage per paid invoice on top of normal card fees.
PayPal: quickest for one-off jobs
PayPal can send simple invoices, and lots of clients already have accounts. Fees on business payments can be higher than dedicated tools, so it's best for occasional invoices or international clients who prefer it.
Comparison
| Cost | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Zoho Invoice | Free | Free invoicing with good features |
| Wave | Free (payment fees apply) | Invoicing and bookkeeping together |
| FreshBooks | From about $23/mo | Freelancers billing for time |
| Stripe |
Per-invoice fee plus card fees | Online businesses already using Stripe |
| PayPal |
Per-payment fees | Occasional or international invoices |
Five habits that get you paid faster
- Invoice immediately when the work is done, not at the end of the month.
- Put the due date in the subject line: "Invoice #042, due 15 November".
- Offer card payment with a pay button in the email.
- Turn on automatic reminders for overdue invoices, so you don't have to chase awkwardly.
- Agree terms upfront. A deposit for new clients is normal and protects you.
Outgrowing invoicing-only tools? See the best accounting software for small businesses and the best free tools for freelancers.
