Quick Overview
- 1#1: QuickBooks Online - Comprehensive cloud-based accounting software for creating invoices, accepting payments, tracking expenses, and generating reports.
- 2#2: Xero - Online accounting platform offering invoicing, bank reconciliation, payment processing, and multi-currency support for small businesses.
- 3#3: FreshBooks - User-friendly invoicing and accounting tool designed for freelancers and small service businesses with time tracking and expense management.
- 4#4: Zoho Invoice - Free online invoicing software for creating, sending, and tracking professional invoices with integrated payment gateways.
- 5#5: Wave - Free invoicing and accounting solution with unlimited invoicing, payment processing, and receipt scanning for small businesses.
- 6#6: Stripe Billing - Programmable billing platform for one-time and recurring invoices, subscriptions, and automated payment collection.
- 7#7: Square Invoices - Free digital invoicing tool integrated with Square payments for sending invoices and accepting card payments online.
- 8#8: Invoice Ninja - Open-source invoicing application for generating quotes, invoices, and accepting payments with client portals.
- 9#9: PayPal Invoicing - Simple invoicing service to create and send invoices with secure PayPal payment options worldwide.
- 10#10: Harvest - Time tracking and invoicing software for freelancers and teams to log hours and generate accurate client invoices.
We ranked these tools based on key factors including feature depth, user-friendliness, reliability, and value, ensuring a curated list that meets varied business needs, from solo freelancers to enterprise teams.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores top invoicing and payment software tools like QuickBooks Online, Xero, FreshBooks, Zoho Invoice, Wave, and others, helping readers understand key features, pricing, and usability to find the best fit for their business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QuickBooks Online Comprehensive cloud-based accounting software for creating invoices, accepting payments, tracking expenses, and generating reports. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Xero Online accounting platform offering invoicing, bank reconciliation, payment processing, and multi-currency support for small businesses. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | FreshBooks User-friendly invoicing and accounting tool designed for freelancers and small service businesses with time tracking and expense management. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | Zoho Invoice Free online invoicing software for creating, sending, and tracking professional invoices with integrated payment gateways. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 5 | Wave Free invoicing and accounting solution with unlimited invoicing, payment processing, and receipt scanning for small businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 6 | Stripe Billing Programmable billing platform for one-time and recurring invoices, subscriptions, and automated payment collection. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | Square Invoices Free digital invoicing tool integrated with Square payments for sending invoices and accepting card payments online. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 8 | Invoice Ninja Open-source invoicing application for generating quotes, invoices, and accepting payments with client portals. | other | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 9 | PayPal Invoicing Simple invoicing service to create and send invoices with secure PayPal payment options worldwide. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 10 | Harvest Time tracking and invoicing software for freelancers and teams to log hours and generate accurate client invoices. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
Comprehensive cloud-based accounting software for creating invoices, accepting payments, tracking expenses, and generating reports.
Online accounting platform offering invoicing, bank reconciliation, payment processing, and multi-currency support for small businesses.
User-friendly invoicing and accounting tool designed for freelancers and small service businesses with time tracking and expense management.
Free online invoicing software for creating, sending, and tracking professional invoices with integrated payment gateways.
Free invoicing and accounting solution with unlimited invoicing, payment processing, and receipt scanning for small businesses.
Programmable billing platform for one-time and recurring invoices, subscriptions, and automated payment collection.
Free digital invoicing tool integrated with Square payments for sending invoices and accepting card payments online.
Open-source invoicing application for generating quotes, invoices, and accepting payments with client portals.
Simple invoicing service to create and send invoices with secure PayPal payment options worldwide.
Time tracking and invoicing software for freelancers and teams to log hours and generate accurate client invoices.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseComprehensive cloud-based accounting software for creating invoices, accepting payments, tracking expenses, and generating reports.
QuickBooks Payments integration allowing instant bank deposits, automated payment matching, and lower fees compared to third-party processors.
QuickBooks Online is a leading cloud-based accounting software renowned for its robust invoicing and payment capabilities, enabling users to create, customize, and send professional invoices directly from the platform. It streamlines payment collection through integrated gateways supporting credit cards, ACH, PayPal, and Apple Pay, with features like automated reminders, recurring billing, and real-time tracking. The software also offers progress invoicing from estimates, partial payments, and detailed reporting to monitor cash flow effectively.
Pros
- Highly customizable invoice templates with branding and automation for recurring billing
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks Payments for fast deposits (as quick as same day) and low fees
- Real-time payment tracking, reminders, and multi-currency support for global businesses
Cons
- Pricing tiers can get expensive for advanced features needed by growing teams
- Steeper learning curve for non-accountants due to comprehensive accounting depth
- Transaction fees add up for high-volume payment processing
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses needing an integrated invoicing, payment, and basic accounting solution with scalability.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) up to $200/month (Advanced); payment processing fees 2.4-3.5% + $0.25-$0.49 per transaction.
Xero
enterpriseOnline accounting platform offering invoicing, bank reconciliation, payment processing, and multi-currency support for small businesses.
Automatic bank reconciliation that matches incoming payments to invoices in real-time
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software renowned for its robust invoicing and payment capabilities, designed primarily for small to medium-sized businesses. Users can create customizable, professional invoices, send them instantly via email, and track payments in real-time with automated reminders and overdue notifications. It supports recurring invoices, multi-currency billing, quotes, and seamless integrations with payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and GoCardless for direct online payments.
Pros
- Intuitive invoice creation with templates, branding, and automation
- Real-time payment tracking via bank feeds and payment gateway integrations
- Unlimited users and multi-currency support on all plans
Cons
- Pricing increases significantly for higher invoice volumes and advanced features
- Customer support is primarily email-based without phone access on entry plans
- Some payment and payroll features are region-specific or require add-ons
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and freelancers seeking an user-friendly, scalable invoicing and payment solution integrated with full accounting.
Pricing
Starts at $20/month (Early: limited invoices), $37/month (Growing: unlimited basic features), $70/month (Established: advanced tools); 20% discount on annual billing.
FreshBooks
specializedUser-friendly invoicing and accounting tool designed for freelancers and small service businesses with time tracking and expense management.
Automated time tracking that directly converts logged hours into professional invoices with one click
FreshBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting software tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and service providers. It simplifies creating customizable invoices, tracking billable time and expenses, and accepting payments via credit card, ACH, or bank transfer. Additional features include automated recurring billing, project profitability tracking, and client portals for approvals and payments.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop invoice customization
- Seamless integration of time tracking into billable invoices
- Robust payment processing with low fees and automation
Cons
- Lacks advanced accounting like double-entry bookkeeping
- Pricing increases significantly for teams and higher client volumes
- No built-in inventory management or payroll
Best For
Freelancers, consultants, and small service-based businesses seeking user-friendly invoicing and payment tools without complex accounting needs.
Pricing
Starts at $19/month (Lite, 5 clients) to $60/month (Select, unlimited clients); annual billing discounts available; 30-day free trial.
Zoho Invoice
specializedFree online invoicing software for creating, sending, and tracking professional invoices with integrated payment gateways.
Support for over 40 global payment gateways with built-in multi-currency invoicing and client self-service portals
Zoho Invoice is a cloud-based invoicing and payment software designed for small businesses and freelancers to create, send, and track professional invoices. It supports online payments via over 40 gateways including Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net, along with features like time tracking, expense management, and client portals. The tool offers automation through workflows and seamless integrations with the Zoho ecosystem and third-party apps like Google Workspace.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoicing
- Supports 40+ payment gateways and multi-currency
- Strong integrations with Zoho apps and 500+ third-party tools
Cons
- Free plan limited to 5 customers and basic features
- Advanced accounting requires upgrade to Zoho Books
- Customization options can feel overwhelming for beginners
Best For
Small businesses and freelancers seeking affordable, scalable invoicing with robust payment processing.
Pricing
Free plan available (limited to 5 customers); paid plans start at $9/organization/month (billed annually) for Basic, up to $39 for Premium.
Wave
specializedFree invoicing and accounting solution with unlimited invoicing, payment processing, and receipt scanning for small businesses.
100% free unlimited professional invoicing with recurring billing and automation
Wave is a cloud-based platform offering free invoicing, accounting, and payment processing tailored for small businesses and freelancers. It enables users to create customizable invoices, send them instantly, and accept payments via credit card, ACH, or bank transfer. The software also includes expense tracking, receipt scanning, and basic reporting, with optional paid add-ons like payroll.
Pros
- Completely free unlimited invoicing and basic accounting
- Intuitive interface with mobile app support
- Seamless integration of invoicing with payment processing
Cons
- Transaction fees on payments (2.9% + 30¢ per credit card)
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Email-only support with no live chat or phone
Best For
Freelancers and micro-businesses seeking a cost-free, straightforward invoicing and payment tool without complex needs.
Pricing
Free for invoicing, accounting, and core features; payments incur 2.9% + 30¢ (credit card) or 1% (ACH) fees; Payroll Pro at $20/month base + $6/active employee (US/Canada only).
Stripe Billing
specializedProgrammable billing platform for one-time and recurring invoices, subscriptions, and automated payment collection.
Usage-based billing that automatically meters and charges based on real-time customer consumption
Stripe Billing is a powerful platform for automating invoicing, subscriptions, and recurring payments, integrated seamlessly with Stripe's payment processing infrastructure. It enables businesses to create customizable invoices, manage complex pricing models like usage-based billing, and handle dunning with automated retries. With robust API support, it scales for high-volume operations and supports global payments in 135+ currencies.
Pros
- Extremely flexible API for custom billing logic
- Advanced features like smart retries and usage-based metering
- Seamless global payment processing and multi-currency support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-developers
- Transaction fees accumulate for high-volume users
- Limited out-of-the-box accounting integrations
Best For
SaaS companies and tech-savvy teams needing scalable, programmable invoicing and subscription management.
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go: 0.5% of monthly recurring revenue + standard Stripe fees (e.g., 2.9% + $0.30 per successful US card charge); no setup or monthly fees.
Square Invoices
specializedFree digital invoicing tool integrated with Square payments for sending invoices and accepting card payments online.
Seamless integration with Square POS for unified online and in-person payment processing
Square Invoices is a free digital invoicing tool from Square that allows businesses to create customizable invoices, send them via email or shareable links, and accept online payments securely. It supports features like recurring billing, payment reminders, and real-time tracking of invoice status. Integrated with Square's POS system, it enables seamless transitions between online invoicing and in-person payments for small businesses.
Pros
- No monthly subscription fees for unlimited invoicing
- Intuitive interface with mobile app support
- Fast online payment processing and instant notifications
Cons
- Transaction processing fees add up (e.g., 2.9% + 30¢ per card payment)
- Limited advanced customization and reporting compared to dedicated tools
- Basic features for complex enterprise needs
Best For
Small businesses, freelancers, and service providers seeking simple, cost-effective invoicing with quick payment collection.
Pricing
Free invoicing software; processing fees apply (2.9% + 30¢ for invoiced card payments, 1% for ACH, lower for tapped payments).
Invoice Ninja
otherOpen-source invoicing application for generating quotes, invoices, and accepting payments with client portals.
Fully open-source self-hosting for unlimited use without subscriptions or data lock-in
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing and payment software that enables freelancers and small businesses to create professional invoices, quotes, and proposals, track expenses, and manage client payments. It supports self-hosting for free or cloud-hosted plans, with features like recurring billing, time tracking, project management, and integrations with gateways such as Stripe, PayPal, and ACH. The platform emphasizes customization and multi-company support, making it suitable for scaling operations without high costs.
Pros
- Free self-hosted open-source version with no limits on clients or invoices
- Extensive integrations with 40+ payment gateways and apps like QuickBooks
- Highly customizable templates, reports, and client portals
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and server maintenance
- User interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Advanced features and priority support limited to paid hosted plans
Best For
Tech-savvy freelancers and small agencies needing a free, customizable invoicing solution with full data control.
Pricing
Self-hosted: Free (open-source); Hosted: Free (50 clients limit), Pro $10/month (unlimited clients), Enterprise $30/month (white-label + API).
PayPal Invoicing
specializedSimple invoicing service to create and send invoices with secure PayPal payment options worldwide.
Global payment acceptance in 200+ currencies via PayPal's secure network without a separate merchant account
PayPal Invoicing is a free web-based tool integrated into the PayPal platform that enables users to create, customize, and send professional invoices via email or shareable links. It supports features like recurring billing, payment reminders, multi-currency support, and real-time tracking of invoice status and payments. Businesses can accept payments securely through PayPal, credit/debit cards, and bank transfers, making it a straightforward solution for simple invoicing needs.
Pros
- Free to create and send unlimited invoices
- Seamless integration with PayPal for instant global payments
- User-friendly interface with mobile access and templates
Cons
- Transaction fees apply to received payments (e.g., 2.99% + $0.49)
- Limited advanced features like time tracking or full accounting integration
- Customization options are basic compared to dedicated invoicing software
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses already using PayPal who need simple, quick invoicing without subscription costs.
Pricing
Free for invoicing; standard PayPal transaction fees (2.99% + $0.49 per invoice payment in the US).
Harvest
specializedTime tracking and invoicing software for freelancers and teams to log hours and generate accurate client invoices.
Automatic invoice generation directly from time entries and expenses
Harvest is a user-friendly time tracking and invoicing platform designed primarily for freelancers, agencies, and small teams to log hours on projects and convert them directly into professional invoices. It streamlines billing by integrating time entries, expenses, and online payments via Stripe, with features like recurring invoices and automated reminders. While strong in simplicity and integration, it focuses more on time-based billing than complex accounting.
Pros
- Seamless conversion of time tracking data into invoices
- Intuitive interface with mobile app support
- Reliable Stripe integration for fast online payments
Cons
- Invoicing requires the higher-tier Pro plan
- Lacks advanced accounting like inventory or multi-currency support
- Per-user pricing scales quickly for larger teams
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies who bill primarily based on tracked time and need straightforward invoicing.
Pricing
Lite: $10.80/user/month (time tracking); Pro: $19.50/user/month (includes invoicing, expenses, payments); annual discounts available.
Conclusion
When assessing the best invoicing and payment software, [Software Name 1] stands out as the top choice, boasting a comprehensive cloud-based suite that handles invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting seamlessly. [Software Name 2] and [Software Name 3] follow closely, with [Software Name 2] offering multi-currency support for global needs and [Software Name 3] impressing with user-friendly design and time management tools, making them strong alternatives for diverse business types. Together, these top tools ensure there’s a solution to fit any workflow, whether all-inclusive functionality, flexibility, or simplicity is prioritized.
Ready to elevate your invoicing and payment processes? Dive into [Software Name 1] today—its intuitive platform is designed to save time, streamline tasks, and empower your business to thrive.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison