Quick Overview
- 1#1: FreshBooks - Cloud-based invoicing software designed for small businesses and freelancers to create professional quotes, send invoices, and track payments effortlessly.
- 2#2: QuickBooks Online - Comprehensive accounting platform with advanced quoting, customizable invoicing, and integrated payment processing for growing businesses.
- 3#3: Zoho Invoice - Feature-rich invoicing tool that enables multi-currency quotes, automated reminders, and seamless client portals for efficient billing.
- 4#4: Wave - Free invoicing and accounting software offering unlimited quotes and invoices with built-in payment processing for solopreneurs.
- 5#5: Xero - Cloud accounting solution with customizable quote templates, recurring invoices, and real-time collaboration for small to medium businesses.
- 6#6: Invoice Ninja - Open-source invoicing platform supporting quotes, time tracking, and self-hosted options for flexible billing management.
- 7#7: HoneyBook - Client management platform that streamlines proposals, contracts, and invoices for creative professionals and service providers.
- 8#8: Bonsai - All-in-one freelancer tool for generating proposals, e-signing contracts, and automating invoice payments.
- 9#9: PandaDoc - Document automation software for creating interactive quotes, proposals, and invoices with e-signatures and analytics.
- 10#10: Proposify - Proposal software that designs stunning quotes and integrates with invoicing tools to close deals faster.
We selected and ranked these tools based on key factors: robust feature sets (including customization, automation, and integration capabilities), user experience (intuitive interfaces and ease of onboarding), reliability (security, uptime, and responsive support), and value (affordable pricing models and tangible ROI) to ensure relevance across diverse professional environments, from solopreneurs to growing businesses.
Comparison Table
Explore a comparison table of popular quote and invoice software, including FreshBooks, QuickBooks Online, Zoho Invoice, Wave, and Xero, to understand key features, pricing, and usability. Discover how each tool streamlines workflows, helping you identify the best fit for your business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FreshBooks Cloud-based invoicing software designed for small businesses and freelancers to create professional quotes, send invoices, and track payments effortlessly. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | QuickBooks Online Comprehensive accounting platform with advanced quoting, customizable invoicing, and integrated payment processing for growing businesses. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Zoho Invoice Feature-rich invoicing tool that enables multi-currency quotes, automated reminders, and seamless client portals for efficient billing. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Wave Free invoicing and accounting software offering unlimited quotes and invoices with built-in payment processing for solopreneurs. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 5 | Xero Cloud accounting solution with customizable quote templates, recurring invoices, and real-time collaboration for small to medium businesses. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | Invoice Ninja Open-source invoicing platform supporting quotes, time tracking, and self-hosted options for flexible billing management. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 7 | HoneyBook Client management platform that streamlines proposals, contracts, and invoices for creative professionals and service providers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Bonsai All-in-one freelancer tool for generating proposals, e-signing contracts, and automating invoice payments. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | PandaDoc Document automation software for creating interactive quotes, proposals, and invoices with e-signatures and analytics. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 10 | Proposify Proposal software that designs stunning quotes and integrates with invoicing tools to close deals faster. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
Cloud-based invoicing software designed for small businesses and freelancers to create professional quotes, send invoices, and track payments effortlessly.
Comprehensive accounting platform with advanced quoting, customizable invoicing, and integrated payment processing for growing businesses.
Feature-rich invoicing tool that enables multi-currency quotes, automated reminders, and seamless client portals for efficient billing.
Free invoicing and accounting software offering unlimited quotes and invoices with built-in payment processing for solopreneurs.
Cloud accounting solution with customizable quote templates, recurring invoices, and real-time collaboration for small to medium businesses.
Open-source invoicing platform supporting quotes, time tracking, and self-hosted options for flexible billing management.
Client management platform that streamlines proposals, contracts, and invoices for creative professionals and service providers.
All-in-one freelancer tool for generating proposals, e-signing contracts, and automating invoice payments.
Document automation software for creating interactive quotes, proposals, and invoices with e-signatures and analytics.
Proposal software that designs stunning quotes and integrates with invoicing tools to close deals faster.
FreshBooks
specializedCloud-based invoicing software designed for small businesses and freelancers to create professional quotes, send invoices, and track payments effortlessly.
Quotes that turn into accepted proposals with e-signatures and auto-convert to invoices
FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform tailored for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small service-based businesses, specializing in effortless quote creation, professional invoicing, and payment collection. It allows users to generate customizable quotes that convert seamlessly into invoices, track billable time and expenses, and automate recurring billing with late payment reminders. Beyond core quoting and invoicing, it offers project management, expense tracking, and robust reporting to streamline financial workflows.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop invoice and quote builder with templates
- Seamless online payments via credit card, ACH, and integrations like Stripe
- Automated recurring invoices, reminders, and time/expense tracking
- Excellent mobile app for on-the-go invoicing and approvals
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with more clients or team members
- Limited inventory and advanced accounting features like double-entry
- Reporting is solid but lacks depth for complex enterprises
Best For
Freelancers, consultants, and small agencies needing simple, professional quoting and invoicing with time tracking.
Pricing
Lite ($19/mo), Plus ($33/mo), Premium ($60/mo), Select ($custom); annual billing discounts, 30-day free trial.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseComprehensive accounting platform with advanced quoting, customizable invoicing, and integrated payment processing for growing businesses.
One-click quote-to-invoice conversion that preserves all details and updates inventory/ledger automatically
QuickBooks Online is a comprehensive cloud-based accounting software that includes robust tools for creating, sending, and managing quotes and invoices. Users can generate professional estimates with customizable templates, convert accepted quotes directly into invoices, and automate payment reminders and recurring billing. It integrates seamlessly with full accounting features like expense tracking and bank reconciliation, providing real-time financial insights for small businesses.
Pros
- Seamless conversion of quotes to invoices with one click
- Customizable templates and automation for recurring invoices
- Integrated payment processing and bank feeds for efficient collections
Cons
- Higher cost for users needing only basic quoting/invoicing
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive accounting features
- Limited advanced customization for complex quote workflows
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses requiring integrated quote, invoice, and accounting management.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) up to $200/month (Advanced), billed annually with a free trial.
Zoho Invoice
specializedFeature-rich invoicing tool that enables multi-currency quotes, automated reminders, and seamless client portals for efficient billing.
Self-service client portal allowing customers to view invoices, make payments, and accept quotes independently
Zoho Invoice is a cloud-based invoicing tool designed for creating, sending, and managing professional invoices, quotes, estimates, and payment reminders. It offers features like time tracking, expense management, multi-currency support, and online payments via gateways such as Stripe and PayPal. Integrated within the Zoho ecosystem, it connects seamlessly with CRM, Books, and other apps for streamlined workflows.
Pros
- Generous free plan for up to 5 customers and unlimited invoices
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with mobile app support
- Strong integrations with Zoho suite and 40+ payment gateways
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting and reporting in lower tiers
- Customization options for templates are somewhat restricted
- Customer support slower on free plan
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses seeking affordable, scalable invoicing with ecosystem integrations.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 customers; paid plans start at $9/organization/month (billed annually) for Basic, $19 for Standard, $29 for Professional.
Wave
specializedFree invoicing and accounting software offering unlimited quotes and invoices with built-in payment processing for solopreneurs.
Unlimited free professional invoices and quotes with no subscription fees
Wave is a free cloud-based accounting platform that excels in invoicing and quoting for small businesses and freelancers. It allows users to create customizable quotes (estimates) that convert seamlessly to invoices, track payments, and manage recurring billing. Integrated payment processing and basic accounting features make it a comprehensive yet simple solution for handling quotes and invoices without upfront costs.
Pros
- Completely free unlimited invoicing and quotes
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with mobile app
- Seamless quote-to-invoice conversion and payment reminders
Cons
- Payment processing incurs transaction fees (2.9% + $0.60)
- Limited advanced customization and reporting for quotes/invoices
- Basic customer portal compared to paid competitors
Best For
Freelancers and very small businesses needing a no-cost, straightforward tool for quotes and invoices without complex accounting needs.
Pricing
Free for core invoicing, quotes, and accounting; 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction; optional paid add-ons like payroll ($20+/mo base).
Xero
enterpriseCloud accounting solution with customizable quote templates, recurring invoices, and real-time collaboration for small to medium businesses.
Automatic quote-to-invoice conversion with real-time syncing to accounting ledgers and bank reconciliations
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software that provides robust tools for creating, sending, and managing quotes and invoices tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. It allows users to generate customizable quotes that convert seamlessly to invoices, track payments, and handle multi-currency transactions. Beyond basic invoicing, it integrates quotes and invoices directly into full accounting workflows, including bank reconciliation and reporting.
Pros
- Unlimited quotes and invoices on all plans
- Seamless integration with accounting and bank feeds
- Multi-currency support and payment gateway integrations (e.g., Stripe)
Cons
- Higher cost compared to invoicing-only tools
- Steeper learning curve for users new to accounting software
- Limited advanced quoting features like complex configurations
Best For
Small to medium businesses needing integrated accounting alongside professional quote and invoice management.
Pricing
Plans start at $15/month (Early) with unlimited quotes/invoices, up to $78/month (Established); billed annually.
Invoice Ninja
specializedOpen-source invoicing platform supporting quotes, time tracking, and self-hosted options for flexible billing management.
Fully open-source self-hosted deployment with no usage limits or subscription fees
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing and quoting software designed for freelancers, small businesses, and agencies to create, send, and manage professional invoices and quotes. It supports features like online payments, recurring billing, time tracking, expense management, and client portals. Users can choose between a free self-hosted version for full control or affordable cloud-hosted plans with added support.
Pros
- Free self-hosted version with unlimited invoices and clients
- Highly customizable templates and multi-company support
- Integrations with major payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal
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
Freelancers and small businesses seeking a cost-effective, customizable invoicing solution with self-hosting options for data privacy.
Pricing
Free self-hosted (open-source); hosted plans: Starter (free, 50 clients), Pro ($14/mo, unlimited clients + advanced features), Enterprise ($30/mo, API access + white-labeling).
HoneyBook
specializedClient management platform that streamlines proposals, contracts, and invoices for creative professionals and service providers.
Project-based workflows that automatically guide clients from quote acceptance to payment with built-in automations and action items
HoneyBook is an all-in-one client management platform tailored for creative professionals and service-based businesses, enabling seamless creation and sending of quotes, proposals, contracts, invoices, and payment collection. It automates workflows from initial quote to final payment, including scheduling and client communication through a centralized project dashboard. While robust for clientflow, its quoting and invoicing tools are embedded within a broader CRM ecosystem rather than standing alone.
Pros
- Seamless quote-to-contract-to-invoice workflow with customizable templates
- Integrated payment processing via Stripe with partial payments and reminders
- Intuitive mobile app and client portal for easy collaboration
Cons
- Pricing is higher than dedicated invoicing tools like FreshBooks or Wave
- Limited advanced accounting or reporting compared to full ERP systems
- Overkill for businesses needing only basic quoting without client management
Best For
Creative freelancers and small service businesses like photographers or event planners who handle project-based quoting and invoicing alongside client communication.
Pricing
Starter plan at $19/month (billed annually), Essentials at $39/month, Premium at $79/month; 7-day free trial available.
Bonsai
specializedAll-in-one freelancer tool for generating proposals, e-signing contracts, and automating invoice payments.
One-click conversion of proposals into e-signable contracts and auto-generated invoices
Bonsai is an all-in-one workflow platform tailored for freelancers and small businesses, enabling the creation of professional proposals, contracts, and invoices with seamless automation. It supports quoting clients, e-signatures for quick approvals, and direct invoicing with payment integrations like Stripe and PayPal. The software also includes time tracking, expense management, and client portals to streamline operations from lead to payment.
Pros
- Seamless workflow from proposals to contracts to invoices
- Professional templates with full branding customization
- Built-in e-signatures and fast payment processing
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for team features
- Overkill for users needing only basic invoicing
- Limited advanced reporting compared to dedicated accounting tools
Best For
Freelancers and small creative agencies handling client proposals, contracts, and payments in one platform.
Pricing
Starts at $17/month (billed annually) for Essentials plan with core quoting and invoicing; up to $55/month for Business plan with team collaboration.
PandaDoc
specializedDocument automation software for creating interactive quotes, proposals, and invoices with e-signatures and analytics.
Dynamic pricing tables with live calculations and conditional logic for interactive quotes
PandaDoc is a comprehensive document automation platform designed for creating, sending, and managing quotes, proposals, contracts, and invoices with professional templates and dynamic content. It streamlines the sales process by enabling e-signatures, payment collection, and real-time tracking of document engagement. While powerful for sales-oriented quoting and invoicing, it integrates with CRMs and payment gateways but lacks deep accounting automation found in dedicated invoicing tools.
Pros
- Rich template library and drag-and-drop editor for professional quotes and invoices
- Built-in e-signatures, payment integrations (e.g., Stripe), and document analytics
- Seamless CRM integrations for automated workflows
Cons
- Higher pricing, especially for small teams or basic invoicing needs
- Steeper learning curve for advanced dynamic fields and customizations
- Limited native recurring billing or advanced accounting features
Best For
Sales teams and small businesses needing polished, trackable quotes and invoices with e-sign and payment capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $19/user/month (Essentials, annual billing), $49/user/month (Business), $59/user/month (Enterprise); free trial available.
Proposify
specializedProposal software that designs stunning quotes and integrates with invoicing tools to close deals faster.
Advanced proposal analytics tracking exact page views, time spent, and hot spots to optimize sales pitches
Proposify is a proposal automation platform designed to streamline the creation, presentation, and tracking of sales proposals with embedded pricing tables for quotes. It supports e-signatures, payment collection via integrations like Stripe, and basic invoice generation from approved proposals. While excellent for the proposal-to-quote workflow, its invoicing features are secondary and lack advanced accounting tools like recurring billing or expense tracking.
Pros
- Stunning customizable templates for professional quotes and proposals
- Real-time analytics on proposal engagement and viewer behavior
- Seamless e-signatures and payment integrations for faster closes
Cons
- Limited standalone invoicing capabilities without integrations
- Pricing scales quickly with users and advanced plans
- Not ideal for complex recurring billing or full accounting needs
Best For
Sales and marketing teams needing polished, trackable proposals with simple quoting and basic invoicing.
Pricing
Starts at $49/user/month (Essentials plan, billed annually) up to $119/user/month (Premium); 14-day free trial.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top 10 quote and invoice software reveals FreshBooks as the clear top choice, prized for its ease of use and efficiency for small businesses and freelancers. QuickBooks Online shines with advanced features for growing teams, while Zoho Invoice impresses with multi-currency support and client-focused tools. Each option caters to distinct needs, ensuring users find the ideal fit.
Don’t miss out—start using FreshBooks to simplify your quoting, invoicing, and payment tracking today to boost your workflow.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison