Quick Overview
- 1#1: Wave - Completely free invoicing and accounting software that supports unlimited estimates, invoices, and payments for small businesses.
- 2#2: Zoho Invoice - Free cloud-based invoicing tool with estimates, time tracking, client portals, and multi-currency support.
- 3#3: Invoice Ninja - Open-source self-hosted invoicing platform for creating quotes, invoices, and managing recurring billing.
- 4#4: Square Invoices - Free digital invoicing with estimates and seamless payment integration for small businesses.
- 5#5: ZipBooks - Free starter plan for invoicing, estimates, expense tracking, and basic accounting.
- 6#6: Akaunting - Free open-source accounting software featuring invoicing, quotes, and financial reporting.
- 7#7: Crater - 100% free open-source invoicing app for freelancers with estimates, payments, and inventory.
- 8#8: Dolibarr - Free open-source ERP/CRM including proposals, invoicing, and project management tools.
- 9#9: Manager.io - Free desktop and cloud invoicing software with quotes, statements, and multi-currency support.
- 10#10: Billdu - Free mobile and web app for creating invoices, estimates, and handling payments.
We ranked these tools based on features, usability, reliability, and value, prioritizing platforms that balance robust functionality with accessibility for small businesses, freelancers, and growing operations.
Comparison Table
Free invoice and estimate software simplifies managing client projects and finances, and this comparison table explores Wave, Zoho Invoice, Invoice Ninja, Square Invoices, ZipBooks, and other tools—highlighting key features, usability, and practicality to help readers find the right fit for their business.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wave Completely free invoicing and accounting software that supports unlimited estimates, invoices, and payments for small businesses. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | Zoho Invoice Free cloud-based invoicing tool with estimates, time tracking, client portals, and multi-currency support. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | Invoice Ninja Open-source self-hosted invoicing platform for creating quotes, invoices, and managing recurring billing. | specialized | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 4 | Square Invoices Free digital invoicing with estimates and seamless payment integration for small businesses. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 5 | ZipBooks Free starter plan for invoicing, estimates, expense tracking, and basic accounting. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 6 | Akaunting Free open-source accounting software featuring invoicing, quotes, and financial reporting. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 7 | Crater 100% free open-source invoicing app for freelancers with estimates, payments, and inventory. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 8 | Dolibarr Free open-source ERP/CRM including proposals, invoicing, and project management tools. | enterprise | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.7/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 9 | Manager.io Free desktop and cloud invoicing software with quotes, statements, and multi-currency support. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Billdu Free mobile and web app for creating invoices, estimates, and handling payments. | specialized | 7.3/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
Completely free invoicing and accounting software that supports unlimited estimates, invoices, and payments for small businesses.
Free cloud-based invoicing tool with estimates, time tracking, client portals, and multi-currency support.
Open-source self-hosted invoicing platform for creating quotes, invoices, and managing recurring billing.
Free digital invoicing with estimates and seamless payment integration for small businesses.
Free starter plan for invoicing, estimates, expense tracking, and basic accounting.
Free open-source accounting software featuring invoicing, quotes, and financial reporting.
100% free open-source invoicing app for freelancers with estimates, payments, and inventory.
Free open-source ERP/CRM including proposals, invoicing, and project management tools.
Free desktop and cloud invoicing software with quotes, statements, and multi-currency support.
Free mobile and web app for creating invoices, estimates, and handling payments.
Wave
specializedCompletely free invoicing and accounting software that supports unlimited estimates, invoices, and payments for small businesses.
100% free unlimited invoicing and estimates, including professional customization and accounting sync, with no hidden costs for core use.
Wave is a cloud-based accounting platform offering completely free invoicing and estimating tools designed for small businesses and freelancers. Users can create unlimited professional invoices and estimates, customize templates, track time and expenses, and accept online payments seamlessly. It integrates invoicing with basic accounting features like bank reconciliation and reporting, making it a comprehensive free solution for managing finances.
Pros
- Unlimited free invoices and estimates with professional templates
- Intuitive interface with mobile app support
- Seamless integration with accounting and payment tracking
Cons
- Transaction fees of 2.9% + $0.30 for credit card payments
- Limited advanced reporting and inventory management
- Customer support primarily through email and community forums
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses seeking a no-cost, user-friendly solution for invoicing and estimates without usage limits.
Pricing
Core invoicing, estimates, and accounting are completely free; payments incur 2.9% + $0.30 per credit card transaction, with paid add-ons for payroll and advanced features.
Zoho Invoice
specializedFree cloud-based invoicing tool with estimates, time tracking, client portals, and multi-currency support.
One-click conversion of estimates/quotes to invoices with automated reminders
Zoho Invoice is a cloud-based invoicing platform that allows users to create, customize, and send professional invoices and estimates for free. It includes time tracking, expense management, online payment collection via 20+ gateways, and a client portal for payment tracking and approvals. The free plan supports unlimited invoices but is capped at 3 customers, making it ideal for freelancers and micro-businesses, with seamless integration into the broader Zoho ecosystem for growth.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoices/estimates and core features like multi-currency support
- Intuitive, modern interface with mobile app for on-the-go use
- Seamless online payments with no Zoho transaction fees
Cons
- Limited to 3 customers on the free plan, restricting scalability
- Zoho branding appears on invoices in the free tier
- Advanced reporting, automation, and inventory missing in free version
Best For
Freelancers and solopreneurs managing up to 3 clients who need a simple, cost-free tool for invoicing and estimates.
Pricing
Free forever plan (up to 3 customers, 1 user); paid plans start at $9/organization/month (billed annually) for more customers and features.
Invoice Ninja
specializedOpen-source self-hosted invoicing platform for creating quotes, invoices, and managing recurring billing.
Unlimited self-hosted deployment with no client or invoice limits
Invoice Ninja is a free, open-source invoicing and estimating software designed for freelancers and small businesses to create, send, and manage professional invoices, quotes, and payments. It offers a self-hosted version with unlimited clients and invoices at no cost, alongside a cloud-hosted option with tiered plans. Key capabilities include recurring billing, time tracking, expense management, and integrations with payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal.
Pros
- Completely free self-hosted version with unlimited invoices and clients
- Comprehensive features like recurring invoices, estimates, and payment processing
- Open-source for full customization and no vendor lock-in
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and server maintenance
- Cloud free plan limited to 50 clients and basic features
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses comfortable with self-hosting who need powerful, unlimited invoicing without ongoing costs.
Pricing
Self-hosted: Free forever; Cloud-hosted: Free (50 clients), Pro $10/user/month, Enterprise custom.
Square Invoices
specializedFree digital invoicing with estimates and seamless payment integration for small businesses.
Instant payment processing with no monthly fees, directly integrated into invoices
Square Invoices is a free invoicing and estimating tool provided by Square, enabling users to create customizable invoices, estimates, and payment requests quickly via web or mobile app. It supports online payments, recurring invoices, time tracking, and seamless integration with Square's POS and other tools. While core invoicing is free, it shines in processing payments with built-in tracking and reminders to streamline cash flow for small businesses.
Pros
- Completely free for creating and sending unlimited invoices and estimates
- Seamless payment processing with automatic deposits and reminders
- Intuitive mobile app and quick setup with professional templates
Cons
- Transaction fees apply to payments (e.g., 2.9% + 30¢ for cards)
- Limited advanced customization and reporting compared to paid tools
- Best suited for Square ecosystem users; less flexible standalone
Best For
Small businesses and freelancers needing simple, free invoicing tied to easy payment collection.
Pricing
Free for invoicing and estimates; processing fees start at 2.9% + 30¢ per card payment or 1% for ACH.
ZipBooks
specializedFree starter plan for invoicing, estimates, expense tracking, and basic accounting.
Unlimited free time tracking that automatically generates billable invoices
ZipBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform offering a robust free plan focused on invoicing and estimating for small businesses and freelancers. It enables users to create unlimited professional invoices and estimates, track time and expenses, and handle basic bookkeeping tasks effortlessly. The intuitive interface supports quick conversions from estimates to invoices, with mobile access for on-the-go management.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoices, estimates, and time tracking
- Modern, intuitive interface that's easy for beginners
- Seamless automation like estimate-to-invoice conversion and recurring billing
Cons
- Limited integrations and bank feeds on the free plan
- Advanced reporting and multi-user support require paid upgrades
- No phone support for free users; email-only assistance
Best For
Freelancers and solopreneurs seeking a simple, no-cost solution for invoicing and estimating without needing full accounting features.
Pricing
Free forever plan; paid tiers start at $19/month (Heater), $39/month (Smarter), and $59/month (Elite) with more advanced features.
Akaunting
specializedFree open-source accounting software featuring invoicing, quotes, and financial reporting.
100% free and open-source self-hosting with unlimited invoices and multi-company support
Akaunting is a free, open-source accounting software focused on invoicing, estimates, expense tracking, and basic financial management for small businesses and freelancers. Users can create professional invoices and estimates, convert estimates to invoices seamlessly, manage customers and items, and generate reports, all while supporting multiple currencies, taxes, and languages. As a self-hosted solution, it provides unlimited usage without subscription fees, ensuring full data control on your own server.
Pros
- Completely free with no limits on invoices, clients, or usage
- Robust invoicing and estimating tools including recurring invoices and templates
- Open-source for customization and self-hosting privacy
Cons
- Requires server setup and technical knowledge for installation
- Interface can feel dated and has a learning curve for non-accountants
- Limited native integrations and no dedicated mobile app
Best For
Tech-savvy small businesses and freelancers seeking a powerful, unlimited free invoicing tool with full data ownership.
Pricing
Free self-hosted version; optional cloud hosting starts at $8/month.
Crater
specialized100% free open-source invoicing app for freelancers with estimates, payments, and inventory.
100% free self-hosted open-source platform with unlimited invoices and no freemium restrictions
Crater is a free, open-source invoicing and accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers to create professional invoices, estimates, and manage finances. It offers unlimited customers, invoices, and payments with features like recurring billing, multi-currency support, expense tracking, and customizable templates. Self-hosted on your own server, it ensures full data control without subscription costs, though setup requires technical knowledge.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no usage limits
- Full data ownership via self-hosting
- Robust features including estimates, expenses, and reports
Cons
- Self-hosting requires server setup and maintenance
- No native mobile app
- Limited third-party integrations compared to cloud competitors
Best For
Tech-savvy freelancers and small businesses seeking a cost-free, customizable invoicing tool with complete data control.
Pricing
Free open-source self-hosted version; optional Crater Cloud hosted plans start at $9/month.
Dolibarr
enterpriseFree open-source ERP/CRM including proposals, invoicing, and project management tools.
Modular architecture that lets users activate only needed modules, keeping the core lightweight and scalable.
Dolibarr is a free, open-source ERP and CRM software that excels as an invoicing and estimating solution for small businesses. It provides tools to create customizable quotes, proposals, invoices, and credit notes with PDF generation, multi-currency support, and automated workflows. The modular design allows users to extend functionality for inventory, accounting, and more without licensing fees.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no usage limits
- Modular system for tailored invoicing and ERP features
- Strong multi-language, multi-currency, and PDF export capabilities
Cons
- Dated, functional UI that feels clunky
- Requires self-hosting and technical setup knowledge
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
Best For
Small businesses and freelancers needing a free, customizable, self-hosted invoicing tool with ERP expansion potential.
Pricing
100% free open-source software; optional paid hosting or professional support from partners.
Manager.io
specializedFree desktop and cloud invoicing software with quotes, statements, and multi-currency support.
Unlimited free self-hosting with complete data ownership and no feature restrictions
Manager.io is a free, open-source accounting software designed for small businesses, enabling users to create professional invoices, quotes, and estimates with customizable templates. It offers comprehensive financial management tools including expense tracking, inventory, bank reconciliation, and reporting, all accessible via a self-hosted desktop or server installation. Users retain full control over their data without subscription limits on core features.
Pros
- Completely free with no limits on invoices or users
- Open-source and highly customizable
- Robust features like multi-currency support and detailed reporting
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup knowledge
- No native mobile app for on-the-go access
- Cloud hosting incurs additional costs
Best For
Small business owners comfortable with self-hosting who need unlimited free invoicing and full data ownership.
Pricing
Free forever for self-hosted version; optional cloud hosting from $10/month.
Billdu
specializedFree mobile and web app for creating invoices, estimates, and handling payments.
Send invoices directly via SMS or WhatsApp with embedded payment links for instant client access.
Billdu is a straightforward invoicing and estimating software designed for small businesses and freelancers, allowing users to create, send, and track professional invoices, quotes, and receipts via web, iOS, or Android apps. It supports multi-currency billing, payment reminders, and basic expense tracking in its free plan. The tool emphasizes mobility and quick document generation, making it suitable for on-the-go invoicing.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited clients and basic invoicing
- Intuitive mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Fast invoice creation with templates and auto-fill
Cons
- Free plan includes Billdu branding on documents
- Limited advanced features like inventory or detailed reporting in free tier
- No native integrations with major accounting software
Best For
Solo freelancers or micro-businesses seeking a no-cost, simple solution for occasional invoicing and estimates.
Pricing
Free plan with branding; Pro starts at €4.90/user/month (billed annually), including custom branding and more documents.
Conclusion
Reviewing the top 10 tools reveals Wave as the top choice, providing unlimited, free invoicing and estimates ideal for small businesses. Zoho Invoice and Invoice Ninja stand out as strong alternatives, with Zoho offering cloud-based ease and client portals, and Invoice Ninja excelling in open-source flexibility for recurring billing needs.
Don't miss out—try Wave today to access its free, comprehensive tools and simplify your invoicing process.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison