Quick Overview
- 1#1: Wave - Free online invoicing and accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers with unlimited invoicing.
- 2#2: FreshBooks - User-friendly cloud accounting software focused on easy invoicing, time tracking, and expense management for small businesses.
- 3#3: Zoho Invoice - Free invoicing tool with automation, multi-currency support, and seamless payment integrations for growing businesses.
- 4#4: ZipBooks - Beautiful free invoicing software with automated bookkeeping, reporting, and time tracking features.
- 5#5: Invoice Ninja - Open-source invoicing platform for creating professional invoices, quotes, and managing payments self-hosted or hosted.
- 6#6: Square Invoices - Simple mobile invoicing app integrated with Square payments for quick sending and receiving payments anywhere.
- 7#7: Hiveage - Straightforward invoicing software with recurring billing, client portals, and expense tracking for freelancers.
- 8#8: Harvest - Time tracking and invoicing tool that automatically converts timesheets into professional invoices.
- 9#9: QuickBooks Online - Comprehensive online accounting software with customizable invoicing, payments, and financial reporting.
- 10#10: Xero - Cloud-based accounting platform offering customizable invoices, bank feeds, and multi-currency support.
We selected and ranked these tools based on factors like intuitive design, robustness of features (including automation and payment processing), user support, and overall value, ensuring a balance of accessibility and functionality.
Comparison Table
This comparison table highlights key features of popular easy invoicing software, including Wave, FreshBooks, Zoho Invoice, ZipBooks, Invoice Ninja, and more. Readers will learn to compare pricing, tools, user-friendliness, and additional capabilities to find the best fit for their invoicing needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wave Free online invoicing and accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers with unlimited invoicing. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | FreshBooks User-friendly cloud accounting software focused on easy invoicing, time tracking, and expense management for small businesses. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Zoho Invoice Free invoicing tool with automation, multi-currency support, and seamless payment integrations for growing businesses. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 4 | ZipBooks Beautiful free invoicing software with automated bookkeeping, reporting, and time tracking features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 5 | Invoice Ninja Open-source invoicing platform for creating professional invoices, quotes, and managing payments self-hosted or hosted. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 6 | Square Invoices Simple mobile invoicing app integrated with Square payments for quick sending and receiving payments anywhere. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 7 | Hiveage Straightforward invoicing software with recurring billing, client portals, and expense tracking for freelancers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 8 | Harvest Time tracking and invoicing tool that automatically converts timesheets into professional invoices. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | QuickBooks Online Comprehensive online accounting software with customizable invoicing, payments, and financial reporting. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Xero Cloud-based accounting platform offering customizable invoices, bank feeds, and multi-currency support. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
Free online invoicing and accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers with unlimited invoicing.
User-friendly cloud accounting software focused on easy invoicing, time tracking, and expense management for small businesses.
Free invoicing tool with automation, multi-currency support, and seamless payment integrations for growing businesses.
Beautiful free invoicing software with automated bookkeeping, reporting, and time tracking features.
Open-source invoicing platform for creating professional invoices, quotes, and managing payments self-hosted or hosted.
Simple mobile invoicing app integrated with Square payments for quick sending and receiving payments anywhere.
Straightforward invoicing software with recurring billing, client portals, and expense tracking for freelancers.
Time tracking and invoicing tool that automatically converts timesheets into professional invoices.
Comprehensive online accounting software with customizable invoicing, payments, and financial reporting.
Cloud-based accounting platform offering customizable invoices, bank feeds, and multi-currency support.
Wave
specializedFree online invoicing and accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers with unlimited invoicing.
100% free unlimited professional invoicing with no caps, contracts, or hidden fees
Wave is a cloud-based, completely free invoicing and accounting platform tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs. It enables users to create customizable professional invoices, send them via email or shareable links, track payments in real-time, and manage basic accounting tasks like expense tracking and reports. With seamless integration for accepting credit card and bank payments, Wave simplifies the entire invoicing process without any subscription costs for core features.
Pros
- Completely free for unlimited invoicing and accounting basics
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with mobile app support
- Integrated payment processing with automated reminders and recurring invoices
Cons
- Payment processing incurs transaction fees (2.9% + 30¢ per card)
- Limited advanced customization and reporting compared to paid alternatives
- Payroll and some features restricted to US/Canada users
Best For
Freelancers and very small businesses looking for a dead-simple, zero-cost invoicing tool without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Core invoicing and accounting are free forever; payments at 2.9% + 30¢ (credit card) or 1% (bank); Pro plan at $16/mo for advanced payroll in US/Canada.
FreshBooks
specializedUser-friendly cloud accounting software focused on easy invoicing, time tracking, and expense management for small businesses.
Proposals that convert directly to approved invoices with built-in client e-signatures
FreshBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting platform tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and service professionals. It excels in creating customizable invoices, tracking billable time and expenses, automating recurring billing, and accepting online payments via integrations like Stripe and PayPal. Additional tools include project management, client portals, and basic reporting to streamline financial workflows without needing accounting expertise.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick invoice creation
- Seamless time tracking and expense logging with mobile app support
- Automated reminders and recurring invoices to improve cash flow
Cons
- Pricing scales up quickly with more clients or team members
- Lacks advanced inventory or double-entry bookkeeping features
- Reporting is solid but less robust than full accounting software
Best For
Freelancers, solopreneurs, and small service-based teams seeking simple, professional invoicing and time billing without complex accounting.
Pricing
Lite ($19/mo), Plus ($33/mo), Premium ($60/mo), Select (custom); annual billing offers 50% off first 3 months, 10% ongoing discount.
Zoho Invoice
specializedFree invoicing tool with automation, multi-currency support, and seamless payment integrations for growing businesses.
Forever-free plan with unlimited invoices and no time limits, ideal for startups testing the waters
Zoho Invoice is a cloud-based invoicing tool tailored for freelancers, small businesses, and teams to create, send, and manage professional invoices quickly. It supports features like automated reminders, online payments via Stripe and PayPal, time tracking, expense management, and multi-currency invoicing. As part of the Zoho suite, it offers seamless integrations with CRM, accounting apps, and a client portal for self-service payments and approvals.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoicing for up to 3 clients
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface and mobile app
- Robust integrations with payment gateways and Zoho ecosystem
Cons
- Free plan limited to 3 clients, requiring upgrade for growth
- Advanced reporting locked behind higher tiers
- Occasional glitches in multi-user collaboration
Best For
Freelancers and small service-based businesses seeking simple, affordable invoicing without complex accounting needs.
Pricing
Free for up to 3 customers; paid plans from $9/org/month (Basic, 50 customers) to $39/org/month (Ultimate, 5,000+ customers), billed annually.
ZipBooks
specializedBeautiful free invoicing software with automated bookkeeping, reporting, and time tracking features.
Elegant, mobile-optimized invoice templates with one-click payment links
ZipBooks is a user-friendly cloud-based accounting platform tailored for small businesses and freelancers, specializing in easy invoicing, expense tracking, and basic bookkeeping. It enables quick creation of professional, customizable invoices with payment tracking and automation features like recurring billing. Additional tools include time tracking, project management, and bank reconciliation, making it a simple all-in-one solution for managing finances without complexity.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop invoice builder
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoices and clients
- Integrated time tracking and profitability reports
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- No built-in payroll processing
- Fewer integrations compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses seeking straightforward, affordable invoicing without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free Smile plan; Starter at $17/mo, Smarter at $37/mo, Sophisticated at $57/mo (billed annually).
Invoice Ninja
specializedOpen-source invoicing platform for creating professional invoices, quotes, and managing payments self-hosted or hosted.
Fully open-source and self-hostable, providing complete data ownership without vendor lock-in
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing platform tailored for freelancers, small businesses, and agencies to create and send professional invoices, quotes, and proposals. It offers client management, payment tracking with gateways like Stripe and PayPal, recurring billing, expense tracking, and detailed reporting. The software supports both self-hosted and cloud-hosted deployments, allowing customization and scalability for growing needs.
Pros
- Open-source with free self-hosted option for unlimited use
- Comprehensive features including recurring invoices, time tracking, and multi-company support
- Seamless integrations with payment processors and accounting tools
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and maintenance
- Interface can feel dated compared to modern competitors
- Advanced features like white-labeling locked behind paid plans
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses seeking a customizable, cost-effective invoicing solution with self-hosting flexibility.
Pricing
Free self-hosted version; hosted plans: Free (up to 50 clients), Pro $14/user/month (annual), Enterprise $30/user/month.
Square Invoices
specializedSimple mobile invoicing app integrated with Square payments for quick sending and receiving payments anywhere.
Seamless payment collection via text or email links with no subscription required
Square Invoices is a free tool from Square that enables small businesses to create, customize, and send professional invoices via email, text, or shareable links. It supports one-time and recurring billing, automatic payment reminders, and real-time tracking of invoice status and payments. Seamlessly integrated with Square's payment processing, it accepts cards, ACH, and other methods with quick deposits.
Pros
- Free to create, send, and track unlimited invoices
- Intuitive mobile app and quick setup
- Instant payment notifications and reminders
Cons
- Transaction fees apply to payments (2.9% + 30¢ for card)
- Limited advanced reporting and customization
- Best suited for Square ecosystem users
Best For
Small businesses and freelancers needing simple, mobile-friendly invoicing with built-in payments.
Pricing
Free for invoicing; processing fees start at 2.9% + 30¢ per online paid invoice.
Hiveage
specializedStraightforward invoicing software with recurring billing, client portals, and expense tracking for freelancers.
Advanced automation workflows that trigger actions like payment reminders and invoice approvals based on client behavior
Hiveage is a cloud-based invoicing and billing software tailored for freelancers, small businesses, and agencies. It enables users to create customizable invoices, quotes, and recurring bills, while tracking time, expenses, and projects. The platform supports multiple payment gateways, multi-currency transactions, and client portals for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Robust invoicing with recurring billing and automation rules
- Seamless integrations with Stripe, PayPal, and QuickBooks
- Comprehensive time tracking and expense management tools
Cons
- Interface feels slightly dated compared to modern competitors
- Limited template customization options
- No dedicated mobile app, only responsive web access
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies needing an all-in-one solution for invoicing, time tracking, and basic project management.
Pricing
Starts at $18/month (Starter plan billed annually), up to $99/month (Ultimate); 15-day free trial available, no free plan.
Harvest
specializedTime tracking and invoicing tool that automatically converts timesheets into professional invoices.
One-click invoice generation directly from approved time sheets
Harvest is a user-friendly time tracking and invoicing tool primarily designed for freelancers, agencies, and small teams. It excels at capturing billable hours, logging expenses, and automatically generating invoices from time entries. The software integrates seamlessly with payment processors like Stripe and accounting tools like QuickBooks, making it easy to get paid faster.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop time entry
- Seamless conversion of time logs to professional invoices
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go tracking and approvals
Cons
- Per-user pricing scales poorly for larger teams
- Lacks advanced invoicing features like recurring billing or inventory tracking
- Reporting is basic compared to dedicated accounting software
Best For
Freelancers and small creative agencies needing simple, time-based invoicing without complex accounting needs.
Pricing
Pro plan starts at $12/user/month (or $10.80/user/month billed annually); 30-day free trial available, no free tier.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseComprehensive online accounting software with customizable invoicing, payments, and financial reporting.
Progress invoicing for billing clients incrementally on projects
QuickBooks Online is a robust cloud-based accounting platform from Intuit that simplifies invoicing for small businesses by enabling quick creation, customization, and sending of professional invoices via web or mobile app. It supports recurring invoices, automated payment reminders, late fees, and direct integration with payment processors for seamless collections. While powerful for invoicing, its full suite includes expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and reporting, making it more than just an invoicing tool.
Pros
- Highly customizable invoice templates with branding options
- Automated recurring invoices and payment reminders
- Real-time invoice tracking and integrated online payments
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit pure invoicing needs
- Steeper learning curve for beginners due to extensive features
- Advanced invoicing tools locked behind pricier plans
Best For
Small to medium businesses needing scalable invoicing integrated with comprehensive accounting.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) up to $200/month (Advanced), with discounts for annual billing; 30-day free trial available.
Xero
enterpriseCloud-based accounting platform offering customizable invoices, bank feeds, and multi-currency support.
Seamless bank reconciliation that automatically matches invoice payments to bank transactions
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software that excels in invoicing for small businesses, allowing users to create, customize, and send professional invoices with ease. It supports recurring invoices, payment tracking, multi-currency support, and seamless bank reconciliation to streamline receivables management. Beyond basic invoicing, it integrates with inventory, expenses, and over 1,000 third-party apps for comprehensive financial oversight.
Pros
- Intuitive invoice creation with customizable templates and automation for recurring billing
- Real-time payment tracking and reminders integrated with bank feeds
- Unlimited users and strong mobile app for on-the-go invoicing
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers required for unlimited invoices and advanced features
- Can feel overwhelming for users needing only basic invoicing without full accounting
- Limited free tier or trial extensions compared to pure invoicing tools
Best For
Small to medium businesses seeking easy invoicing integrated with accounting and scalability.
Pricing
Starts at $15/month (Early: 20 invoices/month), $42/month (Growing: unlimited invoices), $78/month (Established: advanced features); annual billing discounts available.
Conclusion
The reviewed easy invoicing tools cater to diverse needs, with Wave emerging as the top choice, offering unlimited free invoicing tailored to small businesses and freelancers. FreshBooks and Zoho Invoice closely follow, with FreshBooks excelling in user-friendliness and time tracking, and Zoho Invoice impressing with automation and multi-currency support—each a strong alternative depending on specific requirements. Together, they simplify invoicing, saving valuable time for proactive growth.
Start with Wave to access free, unlimited invoicing and accounting features, or explore FreshBooks or Zoho Invoice based on your unique needs—take the next step to streamline your workflow today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison