Freelancers need simple, professional, and free invoicing tools to manage clients, track payments, and save time. This guide covers the top free invoice software for freelancers, including features, limitations, and recommendations.
Key Features Freelancers Need
✔ Customizable Templates (Branded invoices)
✔ Automated Payment Reminders (Reduce late payments)
✔ Expense Tracking (For tax deductions)
✔ Multi-Currency Support (For international clients)
✔ Cloud Access (Work from anywhere)
Top 6 Free Invoice Software for Freelancers
1. Wave (Best All-in-One Free Solution)
✅ Features:
- Unlimited invoices & clients
- Auto-payment reminders
- Receipt scanning & expense tracking
- Accepts credit card payments (2.9% + $0.30 fee)
❌ Limitations: - No time tracking in free plan
🔗 Visit Wave
Best for: Freelancers who want free invoicing + accounting.
2. Zoho Invoice (Best for Customization)
✅ Features:
- 5 invoices/month (free plan)
- Client portal & approvals
- Time tracking & project billing
❌ Limitations: - Limited to 1 user in free plan
🔗 Visit Zoho Invoice
Best for: Freelancers who need client collaboration.
3. Invoice Ninja (Best Self-Hosted Option)
✅ Features:
- Unlimited invoices & clients
- Open-source (self-host for free)
- Supports recurring invoices
❌ Limitations: - Cloud version has a paid upgrade for automation
🔗 Visit Invoice Ninja
Best for: Tech-savvy freelancers who want full control.
4. PayPal Invoicing (Best for Quick Payments)
✅ Features:
- Free & unlimited invoices
- Direct PayPal payments
- Mobile-friendly
❌ Limitations: - No expense tracking
- PayPal fees apply (2.9% + $0.30)
🔗 Visit PayPal Invoicing
Best for: Freelancers who already use PayPal.
5. FreshBooks (Best for Time Tracking)
✅ Features:
- 5 clients max (free plan)
- Time tracking & project estimates
- Professional invoice templates
❌ Limitations: - Very limited free plan
🔗 Visit FreshBooks
Best for: Freelancers who bill hourly.
6. Invoice Simple (Best Mobile App)
✅ Features:
- Unlimited invoices (free plan)
- Offline access
- Quick invoice creation
❌ Limitations: - No recurring invoices in free plan
🔗 Visit Invoice Simple
Best for: Freelancers who work on the go.
Comparison Table: Best Free Invoice Tools
| Software | Free Plan Limits | Best For | Payment Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | Unlimited invoices | All-in-one accounting | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Zoho Invoice | 5 invoices/month | Custom invoices | Varies |
| Invoice Ninja | Unlimited (self-hosted) | Full customization | Depends on processor |
| PayPal Invoicing | Unlimited | Quick PayPal payments | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| FreshBooks | 5 clients max | Time tracking | Varies |
| Invoice Simple | Unlimited (basic features) | Mobile invoicing | None |
How to Choose the Best Free Invoice Software?
- Need accounting features? → Wave
- Want client collaboration? → Zoho Invoice
- Prefer self-hosting? → Invoice Ninja
- Use PayPal often? → PayPal Invoicing
- Bill hourly? → FreshBooks
- Work on mobile? → Invoice Simple
Tips for Professional Invoicing
✔ Use a professional template (Include logo, contact info)
✔ Set clear payment terms (Net 15, Net 30)
✔ Send reminders automatically (Reduce late payments)
✔ Track expenses (For tax season)
For more freelancing tools, check our guide on best free project management software.
Final Verdict: Best Free Invoice Software
🏆 Best Overall: Wave (Unlimited invoices + accounting)
🥈 Best for Customization: Zoho Invoice
📱 Best Mobile Option: Invoice Simple