Quick Overview
- 1#1: QuickBooks Online - Comprehensive cloud-based accounting platform for creating professional invoices, tracking expenses, and managing payments.
- 2#2: Xero - Online accounting software designed for small businesses to generate invoices, reconcile banks, and handle payroll seamlessly.
- 3#3: FreshBooks - User-friendly invoicing and accounting tool tailored for freelancers and service businesses with time tracking and automated reminders.
- 4#4: Zoho Books - Affordable online accounting software with robust invoicing, inventory management, and multi-currency support for growing businesses.
- 5#5: Wave - Free invoicing and accounting software ideal for small businesses and solopreneurs with unlimited invoicing and payment processing.
- 6#6: Invoice Ninja - Open-source invoicing application for creating customizable invoices, quotes, and managing recurring billing self-hosted or hosted.
- 7#7: ZipBooks - Modern free invoicing and bookkeeping software with time tracking, automated invoicing, and basic accounting features.
- 8#8: Bill.com - Automation platform for accounts payable and receivable, enabling efficient bill creation, approvals, and payments.
- 9#9: Harvest - Time tracking and invoicing software that turns tracked hours into professional invoices for freelancers and teams.
- 10#10: Square Invoices - Free digital invoicing tool integrated with payment processing for small businesses to send and track bills easily.
Tools were evaluated based on comprehensive functionality, intuitive design, reliability, and value, ensuring they deliver robust performance across varied use cases and user skill levels.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores top bill making software tools, such as QuickBooks Online, Xero, FreshBooks, Zoho Books, Wave, and more, to guide informed selection. Readers will discover key features, usability, and integration capabilities to find the right fit for their workflow.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QuickBooks Online Comprehensive cloud-based accounting platform for creating professional invoices, tracking expenses, and managing payments. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Xero Online accounting software designed for small businesses to generate invoices, reconcile banks, and handle payroll seamlessly. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | FreshBooks User-friendly invoicing and accounting tool tailored for freelancers and service businesses with time tracking and automated reminders. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Zoho Books Affordable online accounting software with robust invoicing, inventory management, and multi-currency support for growing businesses. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 5 | Wave Free invoicing and accounting software ideal for small businesses and solopreneurs with unlimited invoicing and payment processing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 6 | Invoice Ninja Open-source invoicing application for creating customizable invoices, quotes, and managing recurring billing self-hosted or hosted. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 7 | ZipBooks Modern free invoicing and bookkeeping software with time tracking, automated invoicing, and basic accounting features. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 8 | Bill.com Automation platform for accounts payable and receivable, enabling efficient bill creation, approvals, and payments. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Harvest Time tracking and invoicing software that turns tracked hours into professional invoices for freelancers and teams. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Square Invoices Free digital invoicing tool integrated with payment processing for small businesses to send and track bills easily. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
Comprehensive cloud-based accounting platform for creating professional invoices, tracking expenses, and managing payments.
Online accounting software designed for small businesses to generate invoices, reconcile banks, and handle payroll seamlessly.
User-friendly invoicing and accounting tool tailored for freelancers and service businesses with time tracking and automated reminders.
Affordable online accounting software with robust invoicing, inventory management, and multi-currency support for growing businesses.
Free invoicing and accounting software ideal for small businesses and solopreneurs with unlimited invoicing and payment processing.
Open-source invoicing application for creating customizable invoices, quotes, and managing recurring billing self-hosted or hosted.
Modern free invoicing and bookkeeping software with time tracking, automated invoicing, and basic accounting features.
Automation platform for accounts payable and receivable, enabling efficient bill creation, approvals, and payments.
Time tracking and invoicing software that turns tracked hours into professional invoices for freelancers and teams.
Free digital invoicing tool integrated with payment processing for small businesses to send and track bills easily.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseComprehensive cloud-based accounting platform for creating professional invoices, tracking expenses, and managing payments.
Progress invoicing, which lets users bill clients incrementally based on project milestones with automatic calculations from estimates.
QuickBooks Online is a leading cloud-based accounting software with exceptional bill-making capabilities, allowing users to create professional, customizable invoices in minutes. It supports recurring billing, progress invoicing, time tracking, and direct online payments via integrated processors like Stripe and PayPal. Beyond basic invoicing, it provides real-time tracking of unpaid bills, automated reminders, and seamless integration with full accounting features for comprehensive financial management.
Pros
- Highly customizable invoice templates with branding options and multi-currency support
- Automated recurring invoices, payment reminders, and progress billing for projects
- Seamless integration with payment gateways for faster collections and bank feeds
Cons
- Advanced billing features locked behind higher-tier plans
- Steeper learning curve for non-accountants focused solely on invoicing
- Occasional sync delays with external apps or large invoice volumes
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses needing robust, scalable invoicing integrated with accounting and payments.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) with basic invoicing; Essentials ($60/month), Plus ($90/month), and Advanced ($200/month) unlock unlimited invoices, automation, and advanced reporting.
Xero
enterpriseOnline accounting software designed for small businesses to generate invoices, reconcile banks, and handle payroll seamlessly.
Automated repeating bills with scheduling, reminders, and direct payment links for effortless collections
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software renowned for its robust bill and invoice creation capabilities, enabling users to generate professional, customizable bills quickly. It supports features like repeating bills, multi-currency support, and automated payment reminders to streamline the billing process. Ideal for small to medium businesses, Xero integrates bill making with bank feeds, payments, and accounting for end-to-end financial management.
Pros
- Highly customizable templates and branding for professional bills
- Automation for recurring bills and payment chasing
- Seamless integrations with payment gateways like Stripe and bank feeds
Cons
- Pricing can be high for users needing only basic bill making
- Full suite features may overwhelm simple invoicing needs
- No offline mode, requires constant internet access
Best For
Small to medium businesses seeking integrated bill creation within comprehensive accounting tools.
Pricing
Plans start at $20/month (Early, billed annually) with unlimited bills/invoices, up to $99/month (Ultimate) for advanced features.
FreshBooks
specializedUser-friendly invoicing and accounting tool tailored for freelancers and service businesses with time tracking and automated reminders.
Proposal-to-invoice workflow that converts estimates directly into trackable bills with client approval stages
FreshBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting software tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and service providers, excelling in creating, sending, and managing professional bills and invoices. It supports customizable templates, recurring billing, time tracking integration, and online payment processing to streamline the billing process. Additional features include expense tracking, project management, and basic reporting, making it a comprehensive solution for financial workflows beyond just bill making.
Pros
- Highly customizable invoice templates with branding options
- Automated recurring invoices and payment reminders
- Seamless time tracking and expense integration into bills
Cons
- Advanced features locked behind higher pricing tiers
- Limited inventory and multi-currency support in basic plans
- Reporting lacks depth for complex accounting needs
Best For
Freelancers and small service-based businesses seeking user-friendly, professional invoicing with integrated time and expense tracking.
Pricing
Lite plan at $19/month (5 clients), Plus at $33/month (50 clients), Premium at $60/month (unlimited clients); annual billing offers 50% off first 3 months.
Zoho Books
enterpriseAffordable online accounting software with robust invoicing, inventory management, and multi-currency support for growing businesses.
Customer portal enabling clients to view, approve, and pay bills independently
Zoho Books is a cloud-based accounting platform with robust invoicing and bill management tools, allowing users to create professional, customizable bills and invoices quickly. It supports automation for recurring bills, multi-currency transactions, and seamless payment integrations like PayPal and Stripe. Beyond billing, it offers expense tracking, inventory management, and detailed financial reports, making it a full accounting solution for small businesses.
Pros
- Highly customizable invoice and bill templates with branding options
- Automation for recurring bills and payment reminders
- Multi-currency support and client portal for self-service payments
Cons
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive features beyond basic billing
- Free plan limited to businesses under $50K annual revenue
- Advanced inventory and project billing require higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking integrated billing and accounting without needing enterprise-level complexity.
Pricing
Free for businesses under $50K revenue (1 user); paid plans start at $20/org/month (Standard, 3 users), up to $240/org/month (Ultimate, unlimited users); billed annually for discounts.
Wave
specializedFree invoicing and accounting software ideal for small businesses and solopreneurs with unlimited invoicing and payment processing.
100% free unlimited professional invoicing with no caps or subscriptions required for core billing functions
Wave is a free cloud-based accounting software that provides robust invoicing tools for small businesses and freelancers, allowing users to create, customize, and send professional invoices quickly. It supports features like recurring billing, time tracking, estimates, and multi-currency support, with seamless integration for online payments via credit card or ACH. Beyond billing, it offers basic accounting and receipt scanning, making it a versatile all-in-one solution for simple financial management.
Pros
- Completely free unlimited invoicing with professional templates
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick bill creation
- Built-in payment processing with low fees and automation
Cons
- Transaction fees apply to card payments (2.9% + 30¢)
- Ads displayed in the free version
- Limited advanced reporting and customization for complex billing
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses seeking a no-cost, straightforward invoicing solution without needing enterprise-level features.
Pricing
Free for core invoicing and accounting; payment processing fees (2.9% + 30¢ credit card, 1% ACH); payroll starts at $20/mo + $6/employee.
Invoice Ninja
specializedOpen-source invoicing application for creating customizable invoices, quotes, and managing recurring billing self-hosted or hosted.
Fully open-source self-hosting for unlimited use, data ownership, and zero subscription costs
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing and billing platform tailored for freelancers, small businesses, and agencies to create professional invoices, quotes, and payment requests. It offers features like online payments via multiple gateways, recurring billing, expense tracking, time logging, and client portals for self-service payments. The software supports both self-hosted deployment for full control and cloud-hosted plans with scalable options.
Pros
- Free open-source self-hosted version with no limits on clients or invoices
- Comprehensive features including payments, expenses, projects, and 50+ custom fields
- Strong customization for invoice templates, branding, and multi-company support
Cons
- User interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and server management
- Cloud free plan limited to 1 client; advanced features need paid upgrade
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses wanting a highly customizable, cost-effective invoicing tool with self-hosting privacy.
Pricing
Free self-hosted or cloud (1 client limit); Pro $14/mo (50 clients), Enterprise $30/mo (unlimited clients/users).
ZipBooks
specializedModern free invoicing and bookkeeping software with time tracking, automated invoicing, and basic accounting features.
Milton AI bookkeeping assistant that automatically categorizes transactions and provides financial advice
ZipBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform designed primarily for small businesses, offering robust invoicing and billing tools to create, send, and track professional invoices quickly. It supports time tracking, expense management, online payments via Stripe and PayPal, and automated recurring bills. Beyond billing, it includes basic bookkeeping, reporting, and an AI assistant for financial insights, making it a comprehensive yet simple solution for managing billable work.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoicing
- Intuitive drag-and-drop invoice builder
- Seamless integration with payment processors for fast collections
Cons
- Advanced reporting limited to higher tiers
- No native multi-currency support on free plan
- Customer support primarily email-based
Best For
Freelancers and small service-based businesses needing simple, affordable invoicing without complex accounting needs.
Pricing
Free plan (unlimited invoicing); Smarter ($15/mo), Sophisticated ($35/mo), Accountant ($50/mo) billed annually.
Bill.com
enterpriseAutomation platform for accounts payable and receivable, enabling efficient bill creation, approvals, and payments.
Adaptive approval workflows that use AI to route bills based on vendor, amount, and custom rules
Bill.com is a cloud-based financial automation platform specializing in accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) management. It enables users to digitize bill creation, approval workflows, vendor payments via ACH, checks, or wires, and customer invoicing with automated reminders. Integrated with popular accounting tools like QuickBooks and NetSuite, it minimizes manual data entry and enhances cash flow visibility for businesses.
Pros
- Powerful approval workflows with multi-level routing and mobile approvals
- Seamless integrations with major accounting software for real-time sync
- Comprehensive payment options including ACH, virtual cards, and international wires
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small businesses or low-volume users
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization and reporting
- Occasional delays in bill sync or customer support response times
Best For
Mid-sized businesses seeking scalable AP/AR automation with strong accounting integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $45/user/month (Essentials, billed annually) up to custom Enterprise plans; additional fees for payments and users.
Harvest
specializedTime tracking and invoicing software that turns tracked hours into professional invoices for freelancers and teams.
Automatic invoice creation from approved time entries and expenses
Harvest is a comprehensive time tracking and invoicing platform tailored for freelancers, agencies, and teams that bill based on hours worked. It enables users to log time against projects, track expenses, and automatically generate professional invoices from that data. The software also includes reporting dashboards, payment integrations like Stripe and PayPal, and scheduling tools to streamline the entire billing workflow.
Pros
- Seamless integration of time tracking directly into invoicing
- Intuitive and clean user interface with excellent mobile apps
- Robust reporting and payment processing integrations
Cons
- Limited support for complex product-based or inventory billing
- No native accounting features like double-entry bookkeeping
- Pricing scales per user, which can add up for larger teams
Best For
Freelancers, consultants, and agencies that primarily bill clients hourly and need an all-in-one time-to-invoice solution.
Pricing
Pro plan starts at $12/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing; 30-day free trial available.
Square Invoices
specializedFree digital invoicing tool integrated with payment processing for small businesses to send and track bills easily.
Instant payment processing and deposits directly within invoices, bridging in-person and online sales effortlessly
Square Invoices is a free tool from Square that enables users to create, customize, and send professional invoices via email or shareable links from any device. It supports online payments, recurring invoices, payment reminders, and tracking of invoice status in real-time. Integrated with Square's POS and payment ecosystem, it streamlines billing for small businesses handling both in-person and remote transactions.
Pros
- Free invoicing with no monthly fees
- Seamless integration with Square payments and POS
- Intuitive mobile app for on-the-go billing
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.9% + 30¢) on card payments
- Limited advanced customization and reporting
- Less ideal for complex enterprise billing needs
Best For
Small businesses and freelancers using Square's ecosystem who need simple, quick invoice creation and payment collection.
Pricing
Free for creating/sending invoices; processing fees apply (2.9% + 30¢ online, 2.6% + 10¢ in-person).
Conclusion
Among the top 10 bill-making software tools, three stand out as exceptional options, each with distinct strengths. QuickBooks Online emerges as the top choice, revered for its comprehensive features that span invoicing, expense tracking, and payment management. Xero and FreshBooks follow closely, offering seamless operations for small businesses and freelancers respectively, making them strong alternatives depending on specific needs.
Take control of your bill-making workflow by trying QuickBooks Online—its robust capabilities are sure to elevate your financial management.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.