Quick Overview
- 1#1: Wave - Completely free invoicing and accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers.
- 2#2: Zoho Invoice - Feature-rich cloud invoicing tool with a generous free plan for up to 5 clients and unlimited invoices.
- 3#3: Square Invoices - Free digital invoicing integrated seamlessly with payment processing for small businesses.
- 4#4: ZipBooks - Free starter plan offering invoicing, expense tracking, and basic bookkeeping.
- 5#5: Invoice Ninja - Open-source invoicing platform with free self-hosted option and affordable hosted plans.
- 6#6: Akaunting - Free open-source accounting software that includes professional invoicing capabilities.
- 7#7: Crater - 100% free open-source invoicing app tailored for freelancers and small teams.
- 8#8: Invoice Plane - Free self-hosted invoicing application for managing quotes, invoices, and clients.
- 9#9: PayPal Invoicing - Simple free invoicing service with built-in online payments via PayPal.
- 10#10: Hiveage - Freemium invoicing and billing software with time tracking on a free plan for light use.
We ranked these tools by balancing affordability, functional depth, user experience, and overall value, ensuring they meet the practical demands of users while offering the best ratio of benefits to cost.
Comparison Table
For small businesses and freelancers seeking budget-friendly invoicing tools, this comparison table breaks down top options like Wave, Zoho Invoice, Square Invoices, ZipBooks, Invoice Ninja, and more. Readers will gain insights into pricing structures, key features (such as time tracking, recurring invoicing, and payment integration), and best-use scenarios to find the ideal fit for their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wave Completely free invoicing and accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers. | other | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | Zoho Invoice Feature-rich cloud invoicing tool with a generous free plan for up to 5 clients and unlimited invoices. | other | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | Square Invoices Free digital invoicing integrated seamlessly with payment processing for small businesses. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 4 | ZipBooks Free starter plan offering invoicing, expense tracking, and basic bookkeeping. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 5 | Invoice Ninja Open-source invoicing platform with free self-hosted option and affordable hosted plans. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 6 | Akaunting Free open-source accounting software that includes professional invoicing capabilities. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 7 | Crater 100% free open-source invoicing app tailored for freelancers and small teams. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 10/10 |
| 8 | Invoice Plane Free self-hosted invoicing application for managing quotes, invoices, and clients. | other | 7.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | PayPal Invoicing Simple free invoicing service with built-in online payments via PayPal. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Hiveage Freemium invoicing and billing software with time tracking on a free plan for light use. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
Completely free invoicing and accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers.
Feature-rich cloud invoicing tool with a generous free plan for up to 5 clients and unlimited invoices.
Free digital invoicing integrated seamlessly with payment processing for small businesses.
Free starter plan offering invoicing, expense tracking, and basic bookkeeping.
Open-source invoicing platform with free self-hosted option and affordable hosted plans.
Free open-source accounting software that includes professional invoicing capabilities.
100% free open-source invoicing app tailored for freelancers and small teams.
Free self-hosted invoicing application for managing quotes, invoices, and clients.
Simple free invoicing service with built-in online payments via PayPal.
Freemium invoicing and billing software with time tracking on a free plan for light use.
Wave
otherCompletely free invoicing and accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers.
Unlimited free invoicing with zero monthly fees, making it the true cheapest option available
Wave is a cloud-based accounting platform offering free unlimited invoicing, expense tracking, and basic financial management tools tailored for small businesses and freelancers. It allows users to create professional, customizable invoices and send them via email or shareable links, with built-in payment processing for credit cards and ACH transfers. While core invoicing is completely free, optional paid features like payroll and advanced reporting enhance its utility without requiring a subscription for basics.
Pros
- Completely free unlimited invoicing with no subscription fees
- Intuitive interface and mobile app for on-the-go management
- Seamless payment integration with quick client payouts
Cons
- Transaction fees on payments (2.9% + 30¢ for credit cards)
- Limited advanced reporting and customization in free tier
- Email-only support for free users, no phone option
Best For
Freelancers and very small businesses seeking dead-simple, cost-free invoicing without monthly commitments.
Pricing
Free for unlimited invoicing and accounting; 2.9% + 30¢ per credit card transaction, 1% for bank payments; paid payroll from $20/month + $6/employee.
Zoho Invoice
otherFeature-rich cloud invoicing tool with a generous free plan for up to 5 clients and unlimited invoices.
Forever-free plan with no credit card required and robust features like time tracking and client portals
Zoho Invoice is a cloud-based invoicing platform tailored for small businesses and freelancers, offering tools to create, send, and track professional invoices with ease. It supports online payments via 40+ gateways, multi-currency billing, automation workflows, and client portals for self-service. As part of the Zoho ecosystem, it integrates seamlessly with CRM, accounting, and other apps, making it scalable for growing teams.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoices (up to 5 customers)
- Extensive integrations with Zoho apps and 50+ third-party tools
- Mobile app and automation for efficient workflows
Cons
- Free plan limited to 5 customers and 1,000 invoices/year
- Advanced reporting and inventory require paid upgrades
- Slight learning curve for complex customizations
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses needing affordable, feature-rich invoicing that scales with integrations.
Pricing
Free forever (up to 5 customers, 1,000 invoices/year); paid plans from $9/org/month (Basic) to $29/org/month (Professional), billed annually.
Square Invoices
otherFree digital invoicing integrated seamlessly with payment processing for small businesses.
Zero subscription or per-invoice fees, allowing unlimited free use even for high-volume invoicing.
Square Invoices is a free tool from Square that enables users to create, customize, send, and track professional invoices directly from a web browser or mobile app. It supports features like recurring billing, automatic payment reminders, and seamless integration with Square's payment processing for quick customer payments via card, ACH, or cash. Designed for small businesses, it also syncs with Square POS and inventory management for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Completely free invoicing with no monthly or per-invoice fees
- Intuitive interface and mobile app for quick setup and use
- Built-in payment processing and reminders for faster collections
Cons
- 2.9% + 30¢ transaction fees on paid invoices
- Limited advanced customization and reporting compared to premium tools
- Optimal performance requires integration within the Square ecosystem
Best For
Freelancers and small retailers seeking a no-cost, simple invoicing solution with easy payment collection.
Pricing
Free for unlimited invoices; 2.9% + 30¢ per online card payment, 1% for ACH.
ZipBooks
otherFree starter plan offering invoicing, expense tracking, and basic bookkeeping.
Unlimited invoicing and payment processing on the free plan
ZipBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting software tailored for small businesses and freelancers, enabling users to create, send, and track professional invoices with ease. It includes time tracking, expense management, basic bookkeeping, and online payment processing through integrations like Stripe and PayPal. The platform emphasizes simplicity and affordability, particularly with its free starter plan that supports unlimited invoicing.
Pros
- Free starter plan with unlimited invoices and basic reporting
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick setup
- Built-in time tracking that auto-generates invoices
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and automations on free plan
- Fewer third-party integrations than premium competitors
- Per-user pricing can add up for teams
Best For
Freelancers and solo entrepreneurs needing simple, no-cost invoicing without complex accounting needs.
Pricing
Free starter plan; SmarterPlan $17/user/month (annual); SophisticatedPlan $37/user/month (annual).
Invoice Ninja
otherOpen-source invoicing platform with free self-hosted option and affordable hosted plans.
Completely free self-hosted version with no limits on clients, invoices, or usage
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing platform designed for freelancers and small businesses to create, send, and track professional invoices, manage clients, expenses, and payments. It offers a completely free self-hosted version with unlimited clients and invoices, alongside affordable cloud-hosted plans starting at no cost. Key features include recurring billing, time tracking, customizable templates, and integrations with payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal.
Pros
- Free self-hosted version with unlimited invoices and clients
- Open-source and highly customizable
- Strong integrations with payment processors
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and server management
- Free cloud plan limited to 50 clients
- Customer support is limited on free tiers
Best For
Tech-savvy freelancers and small businesses seeking a free, unlimited invoicing solution without subscription fees.
Pricing
Free self-hosted (unlimited); Cloud-hosted: Free Starter (50 clients), Pro $14/month (unlimited clients, advanced features), Enterprise $28/month.
Akaunting
otherFree open-source accounting software that includes professional invoicing capabilities.
100% free open-source model with unlimited invoicing and full self-hosting control
Akaunting is a free, open-source accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers, offering robust invoicing, expense tracking, client management, and financial reporting capabilities. Users can create professional invoices, send them via email, and track payments seamlessly from a self-hosted platform. It supports multi-currency transactions, recurring invoices, and customizable templates, making it a cost-effective alternative to paid SaaS solutions.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no usage limits
- Self-hosted for full data control and privacy
- Strong invoicing tools including recurring bills and multi-currency support
Cons
- Requires technical setup on your own server (PHP/MySQL knowledge needed)
- No native mobile app, relies on web interface
- Limited third-party integrations compared to premium tools
Best For
Tech-savvy small businesses and freelancers seeking free, customizable invoicing without ongoing subscription costs.
Pricing
Free core software (open-source, self-hosted); optional paid apps starting at $10/month and hosted plans from $5/month.
Crater
other100% free open-source invoicing app tailored for freelancers and small teams.
100% free open-source model with unlimited invoices and users, no subscriptions required
Crater is a 100% free, open-source invoicing software designed for freelancers, small businesses, and teams to create professional invoices, track expenses, manage customers, and accept payments. It supports features like recurring invoices, multi-currency, taxes, inventory tracking, and detailed reports, all accessible via a clean web interface. Self-hostable on your own server, it prioritizes data ownership and privacy without any subscription costs.
Pros
- Completely free open-source software with no feature limits or hidden costs
- Comprehensive invoicing tools including recurring billing, expenses, and reports
- Full data control through self-hosting for enhanced privacy and customization
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup knowledge (PHP, MySQL, server management)
- No native mobile app; relies on web access which may feel clunky on phones
- Limited integrations and third-party support compared to premium SaaS tools
Best For
Tech-savvy freelancers and small businesses wanting a powerful, zero-cost invoicing solution they can self-host.
Pricing
Free forever (open-source self-hosted); optional Crater Cloud hosting starts at $9/month.
Invoice Plane
otherFree self-hosted invoicing application for managing quotes, invoices, and clients.
100% free self-hosted deployment with unlimited invoices and no vendor lock-in
InvoicePlane is a free, open-source self-hosted invoicing application designed for small businesses and freelancers to manage clients, create invoices, quotes, and track payments. It offers core invoicing functionality without any licensing fees, relying on users to install it on their own web server. While customizable via code, it prioritizes data ownership and privacy over cloud convenience.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no subscriptions
- Full data control through self-hosting
- Customizable for specific business needs
Cons
- Requires technical setup on your own server
- Dated user interface and limited modern features
- Community-only support, no official helpdesk
Best For
Tech-savvy freelancers or small businesses seeking a zero-cost, privacy-focused invoicing tool.
Pricing
Free (open-source); only costs are web hosting (typically $3-10/month).
PayPal Invoicing
otherSimple free invoicing service with built-in online payments via PayPal.
Zero-cost invoicing combined with direct PayPal payment processing for immediate fund access.
PayPal Invoicing is a free web-based tool integrated with PayPal accounts that enables users to create, customize, and send professional invoices to clients worldwide. It supports one-time and recurring billing, automated payment reminders, and tracks invoice status in real-time. Payments are processed securely through PayPal, accepting credit cards, PayPal balance, and bank transfers without needing separate software.
Pros
- Completely free invoicing with no subscription fees
- Seamless integration with PayPal for instant payments
- Simple interface accessible via web or mobile app
Cons
- Transaction fees apply to received payments (e.g., 2.9% + $0.30)
- Limited advanced features like inventory or time tracking
- Requires a PayPal business account for full functionality
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses seeking a no-cost, straightforward invoicing solution with built-in payment collection.
Pricing
Free to create and send invoices; PayPal transaction fees only (2.9% + $0.30 for domestic credit card payments, varies internationally).
Hiveage
otherFreemium invoicing and billing software with time tracking on a free plan for light use.
Zero transaction fees charged by Hiveage on payment integrations
Hiveage is a cloud-based invoicing platform tailored for freelancers and small businesses, enabling users to create professional invoices, track time and expenses, manage recurring billing, and accept payments via integrations like Stripe and PayPal. It supports multi-currency transactions, client portals for approvals and payments, and features like proposals and contracts in a single workflow. Positioned as an affordable option, it emphasizes no additional transaction fees from the provider itself.
Pros
- Affordable pricing starting at $18/month with no provider transaction fees
- All-in-one tools for invoicing, time tracking, expenses, and client management
- Intuitive interface with client portals and multi-currency support
Cons
- No free plan available
- Limited integrations compared to enterprise tools
- Per-user pricing scales up for larger teams
Best For
Solo freelancers and small agencies needing cost-effective, fee-free invoicing without complex setups.
Pricing
Starts at $18/user/month (billed annually) for Starter plan; Pro at $36/month; Ultra at $69/month; 14-day free trial.
Conclusion
The best cheapest invoicing software showcases standout options for varied needs, with Wave leading as the top choice, offering full free functionality for small businesses and freelancers. Zoho Invoice impresses with its feature-rich free plan, and Square Invoices excels in seamless payment integration—each a strong alternative depending on specific requirements.
Don’t miss out—start using Wave today to streamline invoicing, save time, and keep your business running smoothly, no extra cost required.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison