Quick Overview
- 1#1: FreshBooks - Cloud-based invoicing and accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses to create, send, and track invoices effortlessly.
- 2#2: Wave - Free online invoicing and accounting platform with built-in payment processing for unlimited invoices.
- 3#3: Zoho Invoice - Free online invoicing tool that allows creating professional invoices, automating reminders, and accepting payments.
- 4#4: Square Invoices - Simple invoicing software integrated with payment processing for small businesses and service providers.
- 5#5: Invoice Ninja - Open-source invoicing application for generating, sending, and managing invoices with client portals.
- 6#6: ZipBooks - Free accounting software featuring smart invoicing, time tracking, and automated bookkeeping.
- 7#7: Bonsai - Freelance management platform with simple invoicing, contracts, and payment collection tools.
- 8#8: Hiveage - Online invoicing software for creating proposals, invoices, and handling recurring billing.
- 9#9: Invoice2go - Mobile-first invoicing app for quickly creating, sending, and getting paid on invoices anywhere.
- 10#10: Avaza - Integrated work management tool with simple invoicing based on time tracking and expenses.
We prioritized tools that blend intuitive design, robust features (including automated reminders, payment processing, and client management), and strong value, ensuring accessibility for users of all technical levels while maintaining quality and performance.
Comparison Table
This comparison table simplifies selecting the right simple invoicing software, featuring tools like FreshBooks, Wave, Zoho Invoice, Square Invoices, and Invoice Ninja. Readers will find key details such as core features, pricing structures, and usability to align with their unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FreshBooks Cloud-based invoicing and accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses to create, send, and track invoices effortlessly. | other | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | Wave Free online invoicing and accounting platform with built-in payment processing for unlimited invoices. | other | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | Zoho Invoice Free online invoicing tool that allows creating professional invoices, automating reminders, and accepting payments. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 4 | Square Invoices Simple invoicing software integrated with payment processing for small businesses and service providers. | other | 8.3/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 5 | Invoice Ninja Open-source invoicing application for generating, sending, and managing invoices with client portals. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 6 | ZipBooks Free accounting software featuring smart invoicing, time tracking, and automated bookkeeping. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 7 | Bonsai Freelance management platform with simple invoicing, contracts, and payment collection tools. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Hiveage Online invoicing software for creating proposals, invoices, and handling recurring billing. | other | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Invoice2go Mobile-first invoicing app for quickly creating, sending, and getting paid on invoices anywhere. | other | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Avaza Integrated work management tool with simple invoicing based on time tracking and expenses. | other | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.1/10 |
Cloud-based invoicing and accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses to create, send, and track invoices effortlessly.
Free online invoicing and accounting platform with built-in payment processing for unlimited invoices.
Free online invoicing tool that allows creating professional invoices, automating reminders, and accepting payments.
Simple invoicing software integrated with payment processing for small businesses and service providers.
Open-source invoicing application for generating, sending, and managing invoices with client portals.
Free accounting software featuring smart invoicing, time tracking, and automated bookkeeping.
Freelance management platform with simple invoicing, contracts, and payment collection tools.
Online invoicing software for creating proposals, invoices, and handling recurring billing.
Mobile-first invoicing app for quickly creating, sending, and getting paid on invoices anywhere.
Integrated work management tool with simple invoicing based on time tracking and expenses.
FreshBooks
otherCloud-based invoicing and accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses to create, send, and track invoices effortlessly.
Beautiful, customizable invoices with one-click late payment automation and client approval workflows
FreshBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting platform tailored for freelancers, small businesses, and service professionals, offering tools to create, send, and track professional invoices effortlessly. It integrates time tracking, expense management, and automated payment reminders to streamline billing workflows. With a focus on simplicity, it provides a client portal for approvals and payments, making it ideal for simple invoicing needs without overwhelming complexity.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop invoice customization
- Automated recurring invoices and late payment reminders
- Seamless integration with time tracking and client portals
Cons
- Pricing scales up quickly with more clients or billable hours
- Limited advanced reporting compared to full accounting suites
- No built-in inventory or inventory tracking features
Best For
Freelancers and small service-based businesses seeking a straightforward, user-friendly invoicing tool without needing enterprise-level accounting.
Pricing
Lite plan at $19/mo (5 clients), Plus at $33/mo (50 clients), Premium at $60/mo (unlimited); billed annually with discounts.
Wave
otherFree online invoicing and accounting platform with built-in payment processing for unlimited invoices.
100% free unlimited invoicing and basic accounting with no subscription fees
Wave is a cloud-based financial platform designed for small businesses and freelancers, offering free invoicing, accounting, and expense tracking tools. It enables users to create customizable professional invoices, send them via email, and accept payments through integrated gateways like credit cards and ACH. With automated reminders and receipt scanning, Wave streamlines simple invoicing without requiring accounting expertise.
Pros
- Completely free core invoicing and accounting features
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick setup
- Seamless payment integration with low barriers to entry
Cons
- Transaction fees on payments (2.9% + $0.30 per card)
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Customer support primarily via email with no phone option
Best For
Freelancers and micro-businesses needing a no-cost, hassle-free invoicing tool without complex accounting needs.
Pricing
Free for unlimited invoicing, accounting, and reports; 2.9% + $0.30 per credit card transaction, 1% for bank payments; payroll starts at $20/month + $6/employee.
Zoho Invoice
otherFree online invoicing tool that allows creating professional invoices, automating reminders, and accepting payments.
Built-in client portal for self-service invoice viewing, approvals, and payments
Zoho Invoice is a cloud-based tool tailored for small businesses and freelancers, enabling quick creation, customization, and sending of professional invoices. It supports essential features like recurring billing, multi-currency transactions, time tracking, and online payments through numerous gateways. The software also includes client portals, expense tracking, and seamless integration with the broader Zoho suite for enhanced workflow automation.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoices
- Intuitive interface and mobile app
- Strong integrations with payment gateways and Zoho apps
Cons
- Customer limits on free plan (3 max)
- Advanced reporting requires paid upgrade
- Customization options somewhat limited in basic tiers
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses seeking a cost-effective, scalable invoicing solution with easy integrations.
Pricing
Free plan (up to 3 customers); paid plans from $9/organization/month (billed annually) for 50+ customers and advanced features.
Square Invoices
otherSimple invoicing software integrated with payment processing for small businesses and service providers.
Instant integration with Square POS for turning in-person sales into digital invoices
Square Invoices is a free tool from Square that enables small businesses and freelancers to create, customize, send, and track professional invoices via web, email, or mobile app. It supports one-time or recurring invoices, automatic payment reminders, and seamless integration with Square's payment processing for online, card, or in-person payments. Users benefit from real-time tracking, quick deposits, and no upfront costs, making it ideal for simple invoicing needs.
Pros
- Free to create, send, and track invoices with no subscription fees
- Intuitive mobile and web interface for quick setup and use
- Seamless payment processing with automatic reminders and deposits
Cons
- Transaction fees of 2.9% + 30¢ apply to paid invoices
- Limited advanced customization and reporting compared to dedicated tools
- Best within the Square ecosystem, less flexible for non-Square users
Best For
Small businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs needing quick, no-cost invoicing tied to easy payment collection.
Pricing
Free to use; 2.9% + 30¢ per online paid invoice, lower for in-person or keyed entry.
Invoice Ninja
otherOpen-source invoicing application for generating, sending, and managing invoices with client portals.
Fully open-source and self-hostable for complete ownership and data privacy
Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing platform tailored for freelancers and small businesses, enabling users to create, send, and manage invoices, quotes, and payments efficiently. It supports both self-hosted and cloud-hosted deployments, with features like recurring billing, expense tracking, and client portals. The software integrates with popular payment gateways such as Stripe and PayPal, making it easy to get paid online.
Pros
- Free self-hosted version with unlimited invoices and clients
- Strong automation for recurring invoices and reminders
- Multi-company support and customizable templates
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and maintenance
- User interface feels somewhat dated compared to modern alternatives
- Hosted plans lack some advanced features without higher tiers
Best For
Freelancers and small businesses seeking a cost-effective, customizable invoicing tool with full data control via self-hosting.
Pricing
Free self-hosted; hosted plans from $10/month (Pro) to $30/month (Enterprise), billed annually.
ZipBooks
otherFree accounting software featuring smart invoicing, time tracking, and automated bookkeeping.
Unlimited free invoicing with professional templates and built-in profitability tracking for projects
ZipBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform tailored for small businesses and freelancers, emphasizing simple invoicing alongside time tracking, expense management, and basic bookkeeping. Users can quickly create professional invoices, send them via email, and track payments with automated reminders and integrations like Stripe and PayPal. It stands out with a generous free plan that includes unlimited invoicing, making it accessible for startups without sacrificing core functionality.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited invoicing and basic reports
- Intuitive, modern interface that's quick to learn
- Seamless payment integrations and automated reminders
Cons
- Advanced accounting features like bank feeds require paid plans
- Limited third-party integrations compared to full accounting suites
- Reporting depth is basic in the free tier
Best For
Freelancers and very small businesses seeking free, straightforward invoicing with light time and expense tracking.
Pricing
Free plan for core invoicing; Smarter plan at $17/month, Sophisticated at $37/month, and Accountant at $55/month (billed annually).
Bonsai
otherFreelance management platform with simple invoicing, contracts, and payment collection tools.
Automatic workflow conversion from signed proposals/contracts directly into trackable invoices
Bonsai is an all-in-one freelance management platform that includes robust invoicing tools for creating, sending, and tracking professional invoices with automation features like recurring billing and payment reminders. It integrates invoicing seamlessly with contracts, proposals, time tracking, and client portals, making it suitable for simple invoicing needs within a broader workflow. While not a bare-bones invoicing app, its capabilities provide efficiency for users who outgrow basic tools.
Pros
- Seamless integration of invoicing with contracts and proposals for end-to-end workflows
- Professional templates, recurring invoices, and automated payment chasing
- Multiple payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal) with client portal for self-service
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to dedicated simple invoicing tools
- Feature-rich interface may overwhelm users seeking only basic invoicing
- No perpetual free plan; requires subscription after 14-day trial
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies needing invoicing tied to proposals, contracts, and time tracking.
Pricing
Essentials plan starts at $17/user/month (annual billing), Professional at $32, Business at $55; 14-day free trial, no free tier.
Hiveage
otherOnline invoicing software for creating proposals, invoices, and handling recurring billing.
Comprehensive client portal where clients can view invoices, make payments, and manage recurring subscriptions independently
Hiveage is a cloud-based invoicing and client management platform tailored for freelancers and small businesses, enabling users to create customizable invoices, quotes, and recurring bills with ease. It includes time tracking, expense management, payment integrations like Stripe and PayPal, and a self-service client portal for payments and document access. The software emphasizes simplicity while offering tools to streamline billing workflows and track finances efficiently.
Pros
- Robust payment integrations with Stripe, PayPal, and more
- Customizable templates and multi-currency support
- Client portal for self-service payments and document management
Cons
- No free plan or trial beyond 14 days
- Client limits on lower-tier plans restrict scalability
- Interface feels somewhat dated compared to modern competitors
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies handling multiple clients who need integrated invoicing, time tracking, and client self-service features.
Pricing
Starts at $18/month (Solo, 2 clients), $29/month (Small Biz, 10 clients), $49/month (Pro, 50 clients), $99/month (Unlimited); 20% discount on annual plans.
Invoice2go
otherMobile-first invoicing app for quickly creating, sending, and getting paid on invoices anywhere.
Superior mobile-first design for creating and sending invoices directly from smartphones
Invoice2go is a mobile-first invoicing platform tailored for freelancers and small businesses, enabling quick creation, customization, and sending of professional invoices via email or SMS. It supports payment collection through integrated gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and credit cards, along with features for expense tracking, time logging, and basic reporting. The app emphasizes simplicity and on-the-go accessibility across iOS and Android devices.
Pros
- Highly intuitive mobile app for instant invoicing anywhere
- Seamless payment integrations and automated reminders
- Multi-currency support and recurring invoices
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and customization compared to competitors
- Pricing escalates quickly for full features
- Desktop experience is secondary to mobile
Best For
Freelancers and mobile-savvy solopreneurs who need simple, fast invoicing without complex accounting needs.
Pricing
30-day free trial; plans start at $15/month (Starter/Solo) up to $39/month (Premium), billed annually.
Avaza
otherIntegrated work management tool with simple invoicing based on time tracking and expenses.
Automatic invoice generation from approved timesheets and expenses
Avaza is an all-in-one business management platform that excels in project management, time tracking, and invoicing, making it suitable for simple invoicing needs within a broader workflow. Users can create customizable invoices directly from timesheets and expenses, support recurring billing, multi-currency transactions, and integrate with payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal. Its invoicing tools automate tracking and payments, though the full suite may feel expansive for purely basic invoicing tasks.
Pros
- Seamless integration of time tracking and expenses into invoices
- Supports recurring invoices, multi-currency, and multiple payment gateways
- Professional templates and automation for reminders and payments
Cons
- Overkill for users needing only basic invoicing without project tools
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive feature set
- Pricing scales per user, which can add up for solo users
Best For
Small teams or freelancers who want invoicing integrated with project management and time tracking.
Pricing
Free plan for single user (limited features); paid plans start at $9.95/user/month (Freelancer), up to $17.20/user/month (Business), billed annually.
Conclusion
The top 10 invoicing tools reviewed offer diverse solutions for simplifying invoicing, with FreshBooks leading as the top choice, celebrated for its seamless cloud-based design, user-friendly interface, and focus on freelancers and small businesses. Wave and Zoho Invoice stand as strong alternatives, with Wave’s free, unlimited invoicing and Wave’s built-in payment processing, and Zoho Invoice’s automation and professional features, catering to varied needs. For those seeking a reliable, efficient tool, FreshBooks shines as the optimal pick, combining essential functionality with a polished experience that streamlines financial management.
Take the first step toward easier invoicing—try FreshBooks today to create, send, and track invoices effortlessly, and turn more time to what matters most.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.